Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll be picked up on arrival and taken to your ship where you'll settle into your suite. After meeting other travelers at a welcome reception, there's fresh local oysters paired with regional sparkling wine, followed by your first dinner on board. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Amsterdam at your own pace if you want.
- Meals
- Dinner (First dinner on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (APT Solara or APT Ostara)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception with fresh local oysters and regional sparkling wine
- First dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam at own pace
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Utrecht to Germany
Pick an activity that appeals to you - options include a glass-top boat canal cruise through UNESCO-listed waterways, cheese tasting at a local shop, a guided bike ride to Durgerdam and Street Art Museum, or Keukenhof Gardens if it's spring. Later, head back to the ship in Utrecht and begin cruising toward Germany.
Optional Activities
- Glass-top boat canal cruise through Amsterdam's World Heritage-listed canals
- Cheese tasting of regional varieties including Edam and Gouda
- Guided bike ride through the countryside to Durgerdam and Street Art Museum
- Keukenhof Gardens visit (available on select spring departures only) - explore 70+ acres with seven million flowering bulbs including colourful tulips
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals Durgerdam Keukenhof Gardens - Day 3
Rhine Cruise to Andernach
Cruise through Germany this morning while you relax at the ship's spa or enjoy the Daystar Deck. In the afternoon, get off in Andernach for an exclusive Signature Experience at Namedy Castle where Princess Heide von Hohenzollern welcomes guests. You'll wander through the castle and manicured gardens, then attend a cocktail party with live piano music.
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Namedy Castle visit with Princess Heide von Hohenzollern
- Tour of Namedy Castle and manicured gardens
- Cocktail party at Namedy Castle with pianist
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
- Relax on Daystar Deck
Landmarks/POIs Namedy Castle Rhine River - Day 4
Rüdesheim
Cruise through what many consider the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River, passing crumbling ruins on rocky cliffs and hillsides covered with vineyards. You'll dock in Rüdesheim where you can choose between a gondola ride over emerald vineyards to the Niederwald Monument, a tour of Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or a historic wine cellar tasting of Rhine Valley wines.
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride over Rhine Valley vineyards to Niederwald Monument (commemorating the unification of Germany in 1871)
- Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum tour - eccentric collection of automated musical instruments from throughout history
- Historic wine cellar visit with Rhine Valley wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Rhine River Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum 
- Day 5
Miltenberg
Start with a relaxing cruise along the Main River before reaching Miltenberg, a town that escaped WWII destruction and feels like stepping back in time. Choose between a guided walking tour of the remarkably preserved buildings and squares with liqueur tasting at one of Franconia's oldest wine cellars, or visit a local monastery to meet a Franciscan friar and sample homemade sausages, cheese and bread.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg with locally preserved buildings and lively squares
- Liqueur tasting at one of Franconia's oldest wine cellars
- Local monastery visit with Franciscan friar meeting
- Tasting of homemade sausages, cheese and bread at monastery
- Time to wander monastery gardens and vineyard
Landmarks/POIs Miltenberg Main River 
- Day 6
Würzburg and Franconia Region
You have several options today. See the 18th-century Würzburg Residence with its intricate tapestries and gilded details, or travel to the Volkacher Mainschleife wine region to tour a Franconian whisky distillery and meet winemakers. Alternatively, explore the medieval walled town of Rothenburg with its cobblestone streets and colorful houses, or hike to Marienberg Fortress overlooking the city.
Optional Activities
- Würzburg Residence visit - 18th-century palace with intricate tapestries, gilded stucco work and ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo
- Volkacher Mainschleife wine region tour - largest wine-growing region in Franconia
- Guided tour of famous Franconian whisky distillery with meeting whisky and winemakers
- Whisky and wine tasting paired with freshly baked bread from local bakery
- Rothenburg walled town exploration with narrow cobblestone streets and colourful houses
- Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village - largest selection of German Christmas decorations in the world
- Hike to Marienberg Fortress - imposing castle overlooking Würzburg with centuries of history
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence Rothenburg Marienberg Fortress Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village - Day 7
Bamberg
Your ship arrives in Bamberg, another World Heritage-listed city spared from WWII destruction. Explore the Old Town with a guide, seeing historic churches and the striking town hall on the Regnitz River. After your tour, rejoin the ship and cruise onto the Main-Danube Canal.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bamberg's Old Town
- Visit historic churches and buildings
- View town hall on the Regnitz River
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Old Town Regnitz River 
- Day 8
Nuremberg
Choose your activity in Nuremberg this morning - either explore WWII sites like the Reich Party Rally Grounds, or tour medieval history with 900-year-old ramparts and the Imperial Castle. Later, continue cruising the Main-Danube Canal while trying Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzels on the Daystar Deck. The canal took 32 years to build and links the North and Black seas.
Included Activities
- Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting on Daystar Deck
Optional Activities
- Nuremberg WWII sites tour including Reich Party Rally Grounds
- Medieval history tour of Nuremberg with 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial Castle and 14th-century Gothic church
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Reich Party Rally Grounds Imperial Castle 
- Day 9
Regensburg
Explore Regensburg on your chosen activity. Take a guided tour through the World Heritage-listed city centre with Roman-era history, or get active on a guided bike ride to the Walhalla memorial overlooking the Danube. If you take the walking tour, it finishes with a tasting at Regensburg's historic sausage kitchen, one of the oldest working restaurants in the world.
Optional Activities
- Guided exploration of Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre
- Tasting at Regensburg's historic sausage kitchen (one of the world's oldest working restaurants)
- Guided bike ride to Walhalla Memorial
- Visit Walhalla - neo-classical building above Danube River with hall of fame of notable German politicians, artists, sovereigns and scientists
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Walhalla Memorial 
- Day 10
Salzburg
Take a guided tour of Salzburg this morning, then head to the exclusive Signature Experience at Gaisberg Mountain. A hunting horn blower welcomes you into a rustic restaurant overlooking the city. You'll have a welcome drink, then lunch followed by a show featuring music from The Sound of Music.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at rustic traditional restaurant on Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salzburg
- Signature Experience - Gaisberg Mountain lunch
- Welcome drink at mountain restaurant
- Lunch at rustic traditional restaurant on Gaisberg mountain
- The Sound of Music show
Landmarks/POIs Salzburg Gaisberg Mountain - Day 11
Melk to Dürstein
Visit Melk Abbey, one of the world's most famous monastic sites. Then choose how you reach Dürnstein - cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley or take a guided bike ride along the Danube. In Dürnstein, see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192, and wander the cobblestone lanes at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Visit Melk Abbey - one of the world's most famous monastic sites
Optional Activities
- Cruise through picturesque Wachau Valley to Dürstein
- Guided bike ride from Melk to Dürstein along Danube River
- View ruins of castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192
- Roam Dürstein's cobblestone lanes at leisure
Landmarks/POIs Melk Abbey Dürstein Castle Wachau Valley - Day 12
Vienna
Arrive in Vienna and take a city tour covering landmarks along the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral. You'll have the afternoon free to explore. This evening is your exclusive Signature Experience at the princely family of Liechtenstein's City Palace for a cocktail party and private recital with a full orchestra performing Mozart and Strauss, plus an operatic recital.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner before Signature Experience at Vienna's City Palace)
Included Activities
- City tour of Vienna with landmarks along Ringstrasse
- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Signature Experience - Cocktail party at Vienna's City Palace
- Private orchestra performance of Mozart and Strauss masterpieces
- Operatic recital
Optional Activities
- Afternoon leisure time to explore Vienna
Landmarks/POIs Ringstrasse St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 13
Vienna to Hungary
Choose your tour - visit the lavishly furnished Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens, journey to Slovakia to explore Bratislava's mix of rococo design and communist-era architecture, or take a culinary tour through Vienna trying traditional sausage and famous patisseries. Later, set sail for Hungary.
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace visit with lavishly furnished rooms and beautiful gardens
- Journey to Bratislava, Slovakia
- Bratislava architectural tour including UFO bridge, Slovak Radio building and Hotel Kyjev
- Vienna culinary tour visiting traditional cafe
- Classic Viennese sausage tasting
- Tasting at famous Viennese patisseries
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava - Day 14
Budapest
Pick your activity in Budapest this morning - a city tour visiting Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica, a food tour through the Great Market Hall, or a funicular ride up Castle Hill to Fisherman's Bastion. The afternoon is yours to explore further. This evening, join a farewell celebration with fellow travelers featuring Hungarian folk music, local brandy, and artisan meats and cheeses.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell celebration dinner with Hungarian folk music performance, local brandy and artisan meats and cheeses)
Included Activities
- Farewell celebration with Hungarian folk music performance
- Local brandy tasting
- Artisan meats and cheeses selection
Optional Activities
- City tour of Budapest with Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Great Market Hall culinary tour
- Funicular ride up to Castle Hill
- Walk to Fisherman's Bastion
- Afternoon leisure time to further explore Budapest
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Great Market Hall Fisherman's Bastion - Day 15
Budapest
You have the full day to explore Budapest at your leisure. Wander around, revisit a favorite spot, or just take in the grand boulevards and riverside character of this fascinating city.
Optional Activities
- Leisure exploration of Budapest at own pace
- Day 16
Budapest
Choose your morning activity in Budapest - a city tour visiting Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica, a food tour through the Great Market Hall, or a funicular ride to Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion. Later, have a multi-course gala welcome dinner with an expertly crafted menu.
- Meals
- Dinner (Multi-course gala welcome dinner with expertly crafted menu)
Included Activities
- Gala welcome dinner with multi-course expertly crafted menu
Optional Activities
- City tour of Budapest with Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Great Market Hall culinary tour
- Funicular ride to Castle Hill
- Walk to Fisherman's Bastion
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Fisherman's Bastion - Day 17
Pécs and Villány
Select how you'd like to spend today. Take a guided walking tour of Pécs to see the Early Christian Mausoleum and historic squares, travel to Villány wine region to visit a local winery with tour and tasting, or go on a guided bike ride along the Danube to an ancient mill.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking discovery of Pécs
- Early Christian Mausoleum visit in Pécs
- Szent István Square visit in Pécs
- Travel to Villány wine region
- Local winery visit with tour and tasting of red and rosé wines
- Guided bike ride along Danube to ancient mill
Landmarks/POIs Pécs Villány - Day 18
Vukovar
In Vukovar, which bears marks from the Croatian War of Independence but has risen strong, take an enlightening city tour. You'll learn about the city's wartime past and visit the Memorial Centre of Homeland War Vukovar.
Included Activities
- City tour of Vukovar
- Visit Memorial Centre of Homeland War Vukovar
Landmarks/POIs Vukovar - Day 19
Belgrade
In Belgrade, choose your activity - explore the city's history seeing the Belgrade Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of Saint Sava, go on a kayak tour starting at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, or visit a food market to learn about Serbian cuisine and taste local produce, meats and cheeses plus rakija.
Optional Activities
- Guided exploration of Belgrade
- Belgrade Fortress visit
- Serbian Orthodox Temple of Saint Sava visit
- Kayak tour of Belgrade
- Paddle to Great War Island and Lido Beach
- Belgrade food market tour
- Serbian cuisine learning experience
- Rakija (Serbian brandy) tasting
- Medenjaci (traditional gingerbread biscuits) tasting
Landmarks/POIs Belgrade Fortress Serbian Orthodox Temple of Saint Sava 
- Day 20
Golubac
Your ship docks at Golubac Fortress for a Signature Experience. Walk through the charming village of Golubac and explore the striking 14th-century fortress at the entrance to the Iron Gates. An expert guide shares its history as you wander the fortress walls. Later, visit a riverside tavern for Serbian meze tasting with cheeses and cured meats. Then cruise through the Iron Gates.
- Meals
- Lunch (Serbian meze tasting at local riverside tavern with cheeses, cured meats and local specialties)
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Golubac walking tour
- Golubac Fortress exploration (14th-century fortress)
- Expert-guided tour of fortress history
- Walk along fortress walls and towers
- Scenic walk along Danube riverbanks
- Local riverside tavern visit
- Serbian meze tasting with cheeses, cured meats and local specialties
- Cruise through Iron Gates
Landmarks/POIs Golubac Fortress Iron Gates - Day 21
Relaxation Day on Board
Relax on board and enjoy the ship's amenities. Perhaps try a spa treatment or have a cocktail on the Daystar Deck while admiring the serene landscapes passing by.
Optional Activities
- Onboard spa treatment
- Cocktail on Daystar Deck
- Day 22
Salina Slănic Prahova to Brașov
Leave the ship and travel to Salina Slanic Prahova, Europe's largest salt mine. Descend 208 meters underground to see 14 chambers and a museum. The pure air inside is known for respiratory healing effects. Later, have dinner and continue to your hotel in Brașov.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in Brașov)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel Brasov or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Salina Slănic Prahova - Europe's largest salt mine
- Descend 208 metres underground
- Explore 14 chambers of the salt mine
- Visit museum
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Salina Slănic Prahova - Day 23
Bran Castle and Brașov
This morning explore Bran Castle, also known as 'Dracula's Castle', perched on a rocky hill overlooking the town with its striking orange turrets above thick forest in the Carpathian Mountains. Walk through its many rooms and see 19th-century antiques. Return to Brașov for lunch, then do a walking tour to learn about the city's history.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Brașov)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel Brasov or similar)
Included Activities
- Bran Castle ('Dracula's Castle') visit
- Exploration of castle rooms
- View 19th-century antiques
- Lunch in Brașov
- Brașov walking tour
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle Brașov 
- Day 24
Peleș Castle to Bucharest
Visit picturesque Peleș Castle at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in Sinaia. This neo-Renaissance masterpiece was commissioned by Romania's first king, Carol I, and took 40 years to build. You'll have free time for lunch in Sinaia, then head to Bucharest.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Peleș Castle visit
- Travel to Bucharest
Optional Activities
- Free time for lunch in Sinaia
Landmarks/POIs Peleș Castle Bucegi Mountains 
- Day 25
Bucharest
Take a guided tour of Bucharest's Old City this morning. The area has undergone a decade of refurbishments and is now a vibrant, walkable quarter. Have lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Palace of the Parliament, an enormous building started in 1984 with over 3,000 rooms.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant in Bucharest's Old City)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bucharest's Old City
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Palace of the Parliament visit
Landmarks/POIs Bucharest Old City Palace of the Parliament - Day 26
Departure
Your journey ends today with a transfer to the airport.
