Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and get transferred to your ship where you'll settle into your suite. There's a welcome reception with fresh oysters and regional sparkling wine before dinner. If you want to explore the city on your own after that, you're free to do so.
- Meals
- Dinner (First dinner on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (APT Solara or APT Ostara)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception with fellow travelers and APT Cruise Director
- Fresh locally sourced oysters with regional sparkling wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam city at your own pace
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Utrecht to Germany
Pick how you want to spend your day in Amsterdam, choosing between a glass-top boat canal cruise, local cheese tasting, guided bike ride to Durgerdam and the Street Art Museum, or Keukenhof Gardens if you're traveling in spring. You'll head back to the ship in Utrecht and cruise toward Germany in the afternoon.
Optional Activities
- Glass-top boat canal cruise through Amsterdam's World Heritage-listed canals
- Cheese tasting at a local cheese store featuring regional varieties such as Edam and Gouda
- Guided bike ride through the countryside to Durgerdam village and the Street Art Museum
- Keukenhof Gardens visit (spring departures only) - explore 70+ acres with over seven million flowering bulbs including tulips
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals Durgerdam Street Art Museum Keukenhof Gardens - Day 3
Rhine River Cruise to Andernach
This morning involves cruising through Germany while you relax at the spa, hang out on the Daystar Deck, or watch the scenery. Later you'll disembark in Andernach for an exclusive experience at Namedy Castle, touring the castle and gardens before attending a cocktail party with piano music.
Included Activities
- Cruise through Germany and enjoy ship facilities
- Signature Experience - Namedy Castle tour with guided exploration of castle and manicured gardens
- Cocktail party at Namedy Castle with piano accompaniment
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
- Relax on the Daystar Deck
Landmarks/POIs Namedy Castle - Day 4
Rüdesheim
You'll cruise past beautiful sections of the Rhine with ruins on rocky cliffs and vineyard-covered hillsides. When you dock in Rüdesheim, you can choose between a gondola ride over the Rhine Valley, visiting Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or doing a wine tasting at a historic cellar.
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride over the emerald vineyards of the Rhine Valley with views of the Niederwald Monument
- Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum tour featuring automated musical instruments from various historical periods
- Historic wine cellar visit with Rhine Valley wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Rhine River Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum 
- Day 5
Miltenberg
A relaxing morning cruise along the Main River gets you to Miltenberg, a town that kept its old-world character. You'll pick between a guided walking tour with liqueur tasting in an old wine cellar, or visiting a local monastery to meet a Franciscan friar, sample homemade sausages and cheese, and see the gardens.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg exploring preserved buildings and squares with liqueur tasting at one of Franconia's oldest wine cellars
- Local monastery visit with meeting a Franciscan friar, tasting homemade sausages and cheese, and exploring the gardens and vineyard
Landmarks/POIs Miltenberg 
- Day 6
Würzburg Area
In the Würzburg region, you'll choose your activity, whether that's the 18th-century Würzburg Residence with its gilded details and frescoes, exploring the Volkacher Mainschleife wine region and a Franconian whisky distillery, wandering Rothenburg's medieval streets, or hiking to Marienberg Fortress.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Würzburg Residence - 18th-century palace featuring intricate tapestries, gilded stucco work and ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo
- Tastes of Franconia - guided tour of Volkacher Mainschleife wine region and Franconian whisky distillery with tasting paired with freshly baked bread
- Explore Rothenburg - walk medieval cobblestone streets and colorful houses with optional visit to Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village
- Hike to Marienberg Fortress - trail to Würzburg's most visible landmark with panoramic city views
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence Rothenburg Marienberg Fortress Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village - Day 7
Bamberg
You arrive at World Heritage-listed Bamberg and take a guided tour through the Old Town, seeing historic churches and the town hall on the Regnitz River. After that you'll head back to the ship and cruise onto the Main-Danube Canal.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bamberg's World Heritage-listed Old Town with visits to historic churches and buildings
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Old Town Regnitz River - Day 8
Nuremberg to Main-Danube Canal
Choose between exploring Nuremberg's World War II sites including the Reich Party Rally Grounds, or discovering the city's medieval side with its 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial Castle, and Gothic church. This afternoon you'll cruise the Main-Danube Canal while having Bavarian beer, sausage, and pretzel tasting on the Daystar Deck.
Included Activities
- Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting on the Daystar Deck
Optional Activities
- Discover Nuremberg's World War II Sites - journey through Reich Party Rally Grounds and sites of Hitler's annual rallies (1927-1938)
- Medieval History of Nuremberg Tour - explore medieval architecture including 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial Castle, and 14th century Gothic church
Landmarks/POIs Reich Party Rally Grounds Nuremberg Imperial Castle Nuremberg Market Square 
- Day 9
Regensburg
In Regensburg, pick between a guided tour of the World Heritage city center dating back to Roman times, finishing with a tasting at a historic sausage kitchen that's one of the oldest working restaurants in the world, or a guided bike ride to Walhalla Memorial overlooking the Danube.
Optional Activities
- Explore Regensburg's World Heritage-listed City Centre - guided tour of Roman-era city with finish at historic sausage kitchen
- Guided bike ride to the Walhalla Memorial - neo-classical building above the Danube River housing a hall of fame for German politicians, artists, sovereigns and scientists
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg City Centre Regensburg Historic Sausage Kitchen Walhalla Memorial 
- Day 10
Salzburg
After a guided tour of Salzburg, you'll head to an exclusive experience where a hunting horn blower welcomes you at a rustic restaurant on Gaisberg Mountain overlooking the city. You'll have a welcome drink, lunch with panoramic views, then watch a performance featuring music from The Sound of Music.
- Meals
- Lunch (Gaisberg Mountain lunch at rustic traditional restaurant overlooking Salzburg with welcome drink)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salzburg
- Signature Experience - Gaisberg Mountain lunch at rustic traditional restaurant with welcome drink
- Sound of Music performance show
Landmarks/POIs Salzburg Gaisberg Mountain 
- Day 11
Melk to Dürnstein
You'll visit the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of the world's most famous monastic sites. Then you choose how to reach Dürnstein, either cruising through the picturesque Wachau Valley or taking a guided bike ride along the Danube. In Dürnstein you can view the ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held in 1192.
Included Activities
- Visit the spectacular Melk Abbey - one of the world's most famous monastic sites
Optional Activities
- Cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Dürnstein with free time to roam cobblestone lanes
- Guided bike ride from Melk to Dürnstein along the Danube River through Wachau Valley
Landmarks/POIs Melk Abbey Dürnstein Castle Ruins Wachau Valley - Day 12
Vienna
You arrive in Vienna and take a city tour covering landmarks along the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. This evening brings an exclusive experience, a cocktail party and private classical performance at a Liechtenstein family palace with a full orchestra playing Mozart and Strauss, plus an operatic recital.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner before Signature Experience cocktail party)
Included Activities
- Vienna city tour - landmarks along the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Signature Experience - cocktail party and private classical performance at Vienna's City Palace featuring full orchestra performing Mozart and Strauss with operatic recital
Optional Activities
- Afternoon leisure time to explore Vienna
Landmarks/POIs St. Stephen's Cathedral Ringstrasse Vienna City Palace 
- Day 13
Vienna to Hungary
Before the ship heads to Hungary in the afternoon, you'll choose your activity in Vienna, either exploring Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens, visiting Bratislava in Slovakia for rococo and communist-era architecture, or taking a culinary tour of Viennese cuisine and famous patisseries.
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace visit - tour lavishly furnished rooms and beautiful gardens
- Visit Bratislava in Slovakia - explore 18th-century rococo design and communist-era architecture including the UFO bridge, Slovak Radio building and Hotel Kyjev
- Vienna Culinary Tour - explore narrow streets, visit traditional cafe, try classic Viennese sausage and sample famous patisseries
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava UFO Bridge - Day 14
Budapest
In Budapest you'll pick your morning activity, choosing between a city tour covering Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica, eating through the Great Market Hall sampling local meats and cheeses, or taking a funicular to Castle Hill with a walk to Fisherman's Bastion. Your afternoon is free to wander. This evening you'll enjoy a farewell celebration with Hungarian folk music while tasting local brandy and artisan meats and cheeses.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner with Hungarian folk music performance, local brandy, artisan meats and cheeses)
Included Activities
- Farewell evening - Hungarian folk music performance with local brandy, artisan meats and cheeses
Optional Activities
- City tour of Budapest - historic monuments including Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Culinary tour - explore Great Market Hall with variety of sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables
- Fisherman's Bastion experience - funicular ride up Castle Hill with sweeping river views, then walk to Fisherman's Bastion historical monument
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Great Market Hall Fisherman's Bastion 
- Day 15
Budapest
You have the full day free in Budapest. Wander the city, revisit a favorite spot, or just spend time taking in the grand boulevards and riverside charm at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Leisurely exploration of Budapest at your own pace
- Day 16
Budapest
Pick your morning activity in Budapest, choosing between a city tour of historic monuments, eating through the Great Market Hall, or taking a funicular to Castle Hill followed by a walk to Fisherman's Bastion. This evening features a Gala Welcome Dinner with a multi-course expertly crafted menu.
- Meals
- Dinner (Gala Welcome Dinner - multi-course meal with expertly crafted menu)
Included Activities
- Gala Welcome Dinner - multi-course meal with expertly crafted menu
Optional Activities
- Morning city tour of Budapest - historic monuments including Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Culinary tour - Great Market Hall with sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables
- Funicular ride to Castle Hill for views, then walk to Fisherman's Bastion
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Great Market Hall Fisherman's Bastion - Day 17
Pécs
In the Pécs region you'll choose from several activities, either a guided walking tour discovering the Early Christian Mausoleum and Szent István Square, traveling to Villány wine region for a tour and tasting, or a guided bike ride along the Danube to an ancient mill.
Optional Activities
- Pécs Sightseeing Tour - guided walking discovery of ancient city with architectural wonders including Early Christian Mausoleum and Szent István Square
- Villány Wine Tasting - visit renowned Hungarian wine region known for red and rosé varieties with local winery tour and tasting
- Guided bike ride - cycling along the Danube to an ancient mill
Landmarks/POIs Pécs Early Christian Mausoleum Szent István Square Villány Wine Region - Day 18
Vukovar
You'll explore Vukovar on an enlightening city tour, learning about the city's wartime past from the Croatian War of Independence and visiting the Memorial Centre of Homeland War Vukovar.
Included Activities
- Enlightening city tour of Vukovar learning about wartime history
- Visit to Memorial Centre of Homeland War Vukovar
Landmarks/POIs Vukovar Memorial Centre of Homeland War Vukovar - Day 19
Belgrade
In Belgrade you'll choose your activity from several options, taking a guided exploration of the Belgrade Fortress and Serbian Orthodox Temple of Saint Sava, a kayak tour starting at the Danube and Sava rivers confluence paddling to Great War Island, or a culinary tour through a food market tasting local rakija brandy and traditional gingerbread.
Optional Activities
- Guided Exploration of Belgrade - discover rich history including Belgrade Fortress and Serbian Orthodox Temple of Saint Sava
- Kayak Tour - paddle from the confluence of Danube and Sava rivers to Great War Island and Lido Beach
- Belgrade Culinary Tour - food market visit learning Serbian cuisine secrets with tastings of local produce, meats, cheeses, rakija brandy and medenjaci gingerbread biscuits
Landmarks/POIs Belgrade Fortress Serbian Orthodox Temple of Saint Sava Great War Island 
- Day 20
Golubac to Iron Gates
Your ship docks at Golubac Fortress for an exclusive experience. You'll explore the eastern Serbian village and tour the striking 14th-century fortress at the Iron Gates entrance, walk fortress walls learning its military history, then visit a riverside tavern for Serbian meze tasting with cheeses and cured meats. Later you'll cruise through the Iron Gates.
- Meals
- Lunch (Serbian meze tasting at local riverside tavern featuring cheeses, cured meats and local specialties)
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Golubac Walking Tour including fortress exploration and history
- Scenic walk along Danube riverbanks with breathtaking views
- Serbian meze tasting at local riverside tavern with cheeses, cured meats and local specialties
- Cruise through the Iron Gates natural wonder
Landmarks/POIs Golubac Fortress Iron Gates - Day 21
Danube River
Spend the day relaxing on board your ship, enjoying the spa, sipping cocktails on the Daystar Deck, or simply watching the serene landscapes from your suite.
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
- Relax on the Daystar Deck with cocktails
- Day 22
Departure
Your river cruise ends today with a transfer to the airport for your departure.
