Itinerary
- Day 1
Helsinki
You'll arrive in Helsinki and head to your hotel in the city centre. This evening, you'll meet your escort and the rest of the group at a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at the hotel restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Helsinki)
- Day 2
Helsinki
After breakfast, you'll see Helsinki's mix of old and new by checking out Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, the Olympic Stadium, and the University Library. You'll also see the National Opera House, Sibelius Monument, and the distinctive Temppeliaukio Church. Later, a guided cruise takes you through the archipelago where you'll pass Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and the City Zoo. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Helsinki's historic and modern landmarks including Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki University Library, National Opera House, and Sibelius Monument
- Visit to Temppeliaukio Church
- Guided cruise through Helsinki's archipelago with views of Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, ice-breaker fleet, and City Zoo
Optional Activities
- Independent dinner exploration
Landmarks Senate Square Helsinki Cathedral Olympic Stadium Helsinki University Library National Opera House Sibelius Monument Temppeliaukio Church Suomenlinna Sea Fortress City Zoo (Korkeasaari Island) - Day 3
Helsinki to Tallinn
A local ferry crosses the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, Estonia. After checking into your hotel, you have the afternoon free to wander the Old Town's cobbled streets and take in the medieval buildings. Dinner at the hotel restaurant features authentic Estonian cuisine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic Estonian cuisine at the hotel restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tallinn)
Included Activities
- Ferry journey from Helsinki to Tallinn
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Tallinn's Old Town
Landmarks Tallinn Old Town 
- Day 4
Tallinn
Following breakfast, a guided coach tour covers Tallinn's medieval sights including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its distinctive onion domes, the Toompea district, the pink parliament building, and St Mary's Cathedral. You'll also stop at Town Hall Square and see the House of the Blackheads before learning about Cold War history at the KGB Museum. The evening is free to try local specialties like elk stew or wild boar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tallinn)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Tallinn by coach
- Visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Exploration of Toompea district including St Mary's Cathedral (Dome Church) and parliament
- Visit to Town Hall Square and House of the Blackheads
- Guided tour of KGB Museum
Optional Activities
- Independent dining exploration
Landmarks Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Toompea District St Mary's Cathedral (Dome Church) Town Hall Square House of the Blackheads KGB Museum - Day 5
Tallinn
The Maritime Museum at Seaplane Harbour fills the morning with Estonian naval history, from model ships to a Russian submarine and icebreaker. The rest of the day you can explore Tallinn independently, perhaps grabbing coffee overlooking the town square. Tonight you can dine independently or book the medieval experience at Olde Hansa with 14th-century-style entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tallinn)
Included Activities
- Visit to Estonian Maritime Museum at Seaplane Harbour
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Tallinn
- Dining at Olde Hansa restaurant with medieval entertainment
Landmarks Estonian Maritime Museum (Seaplane Harbour) - Day 6
Tallinn to Riga
You'll travel by train from Tallinn through forests and small towns, switching trains at the border town of Valga to continue to Riga, Latvia's capital. After arriving and checking into your hotel near the Old Town, dinner features Latvian cuisine at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Latvian cuisine at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Riga)
Included Activities
- Scenic train journey from Tallinn to Riga via Valga
Landmarks Valga - Day 7
Riga
A guided tour reveals Riga's history starting with the ornate House of the Blackheads and the Three Brothers houses along cobbled streets. You'll enter the 13th-century cathedral, the largest in the Baltic states. The afternoon is free to walk through Albert Street's Art Nouveau buildings and find local restaurants for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Riga)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Riga's Old Town
- Visit to House of the Blackheads
- Viewing of the Three Brothers houses
- Entry to Riga's 13th-century cathedral
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Albert Street and Art Nouveau buildings
- Independent dining
Landmarks Riga Old Town House of the Blackheads Three Brothers Riga Cathedral Albert Street - Day 8
Riga to Amsterdam
After breakfast, you'll fly to Amsterdam where your river ship is waiting. Once transferred on board, you can explore the city with its canals if time allows. This evening, join the Welcome Reception with your Cruise Director and fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your Travelmarvel river ship)
Included Activities
- Flight from Riga to Amsterdam
- Welcome Reception on board
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Amsterdam
- Day 9
Amsterdam to Utrecht
A glass-top boat takes you through Amsterdam's waterways with a local guide showing you the canal system. You'll have some free time, then drive to Utrecht to rejoin your ship for the special Gala Welcome Dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Gala Welcome Dinner)
Included Activities
- Glass-top boat tour through Amsterdam's canals with local guide
- Coach transfer to Utrecht
Optional Activities
- Leisure time in Amsterdam
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 10
Utrecht to Cologne
As you cruise into Cologne, you'll learn about the famous Kölner Dom cathedral. From there, a short drive takes you to Brühl and the World Heritage Augustusburg Palace, former home of Archbishop-Elector Clemens August. You'll walk through landscaped parks and gardens to the Falkenlust hunting lodge with its rococo architecture. The afternoon is free to explore Cologne on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Insider Experience: Guided tour of Augustusburg Palace in Brühl with walks through landscaped parks and gardens to Falkenlust hunting lodge
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Cologne centre
Landmarks Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) Augustusburg Palace Falkenlust Hunting Lodge 
- Day 11
Cologne to Rüdesheim
The Rhine Gorge is considered the river's most beautiful section, and you'll cruise through it as your ship docks in Rüdesheim. The Winzerexpress mini train takes you through town to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, home to one of Germany's finest collections of automated instruments.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Winzerexpress mini road train ride through Rüdesheim
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum 
- Day 12
Rüdesheim to Miltenberg
Miltenberg features half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. You'll join a culinary walking tour to experience local life, sampling regional specialties at a butcher and baker before finishing with a tasting at a local distillery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Miltenberg's historic half-timbered buildings
- Insider Experience: Culinary walking tour of Miltenberg
Landmarks Miltenberg 
- Day 13
Miltenberg to Würzburg
A coach takes you through rolling hills to Würzburg, where you'll tour the magnificent baroque Würzburg Residence and its Court Garden. You can optionally visit Rothenburg, a medieval town on the Romantic Road in Franconia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Würzburg Residence baroque palace
- Stroll through Court Garden
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg on the Romantic Road
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Court Garden Rothenburg 
- Day 14
Würzburg to Bamberg
The morning is leisurely as you cruise the final stretch of the Main River into Bamberg. A guided tour shows you the Old Town Hall and Bamberg Cathedral, then you have free time to explore. Later your ship reaches the Main-Danube Canal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along Main River to Bamberg
- Guided tour of Bamberg including Old Town Hall and Bamberg Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Bamberg
Landmarks Old Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral 
- Day 15
Bamberg to Nuremberg
Nuremberg offers cobblestone streets, hidden boutiques, and artisan stores to discover. Later you'll cruise through the Main-Danube Canal, crossing Europe's Continental Divide via 16 stair-step locks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Nuremberg
- Cruise through Main-Danube Canal crossing Europe's Continental Divide via 16 stair-step locks
Landmarks Nuremberg Main-Danube Canal - Day 16
Nuremberg to Regensburg
After reaching the Danube overnight, Regensburg awaits. You'll dock in the town centre for a guided walking tour covering the major sights. An optional tour visits Kuchlbauer's World of Beer in Abensberg to see the family-owned brewery and its unique tower by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. This evening brings an authentic Bavarian experience on board with local beer, snacks, and traditional folk music and dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Bavarian Evening with local beer and snacks)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Regensburg
- Bavarian Evening on Board with local beer, snacks, traditional folk music, song and dance
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Kuchlbauer's World of Beer in Abensberg with brewery visit and Kuchlbauer Tower viewing
Landmarks Regensburg Kuchlbauer's World of Beer Kuchlbauer Tower - Day 17
Regensburg to Passau
You'll arrive in Passau, the Three Rivers City where the Ilz and Inn join the Danube. Optional tours include the Czech city of Český Krumlov with over 300 historical buildings, Salzburg with the famous Wedding Church from 'The Sound of Music' and Mozart's birthplace, a local culinary tour sampling regional specialties, or staying on board for a relaxing day to Linz.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
- Optional trip to Salzburg via Mondsee and Wedding Church
- Optional Passau culinary walking tour with local specialties
- Relaxing sailing day to Linz
Landmarks Passau Český Krumlov Mondsee Salzburg Linz - Day 18
Passau to Dürnstein
After cruising into Austria, you dock in Melk for a guided tour of Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery perched on a rocky outcrop since 1089. The ship continues through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, where castle ruins overlook the town and King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the 12th century. The afternoon is free to explore, with an optional wine tasting of Grüner Veltliner or Riesling.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey
- Cruise through Wachau Valley to Dürnstein
Optional Activities
- Optional wine tasting at Dürnstein Abbey sampling Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and local brandy
- Independent exploration of Dürnstein
Landmarks Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Dürnstein Castle Dürnstein Abbey - Day 19
Dürnstein to Vienna
A walking tour covers Vienna's landmarks including St Stephen's Cathedral, the Graben, Hofburg Palace, and the Albertina. Afterwards you can visit the Naschmarkt. Tonight there's an optional concert featuring music from Mozart to 'The Sound of Music', potentially with an evening drive around the Ringstrasse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienna including St Stephen's Cathedral, Graben, Hofburg Palace, and Albertina
Optional Activities
- Visit to Naschmarkt
- Optional Mozart and Strauss Concert in Vienna's palaces or concert venues with evening Ringstrasse drive
Landmarks St Stephen's Cathedral Graben Hofburg Palace Albertina Naschmarkt Ringstrasse - Day 20
Vienna
Vienna is yours to explore today. You might visit the Hofburg area and the Imperial Treasury, or join an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace or Bratislava. Later the ship sets sail for Hungary. Tonight brings the Captain's Farewell Dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Hofburg area and Imperial Treasury
- Optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace
- Optional guided tour of Bratislava's Old Town
Landmarks Hofburg Area Imperial Treasury Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Bratislava Old Town - Day 21
Budapest
As your ship drifts into Budapest, Hungary's capital, a local guide leads you through the city after breakfast. An optional tour visits the Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum, a former WWII hospital in caves beneath Buda Castle. This evening you'll tour the Hungarian State Opera and enjoy a private opera recital with sparkling wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Budapest
- Insider Experience: Hungarian State Opera guided tour with private opera recital and sparkling wine
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum, a WWII hospital in caves beneath Buda Castle
Landmarks Budapest Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum Buda Castle Hungarian State Opera - Day 22
Budapest
After breakfast, you'll disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
