Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
- Day 2
Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Festive Amsterdam - exploring Christmas markets including Museumplein's Ice Village and Funky Xmas Market
Optional Activities
- Private hidden Gems Tour of Amsterdam - explore Jordaan area, visit chocolate shop, tour Our Lord in the Attic (17th-century house with hidden Catholic church), enjoy local beer and Dutch snacks at brewery (2.5 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Museumplein Our Lord in the Attic - Day 3
Cologne
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures - self-paced treasure hunt with map to find unique Cologne locations, guides available at checkpoints
Optional Activities
- German beer experience - guided tour through legendary brewhouses to experience Kölsch beer culture (2 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Christmas Markets Cologne 
- Day 4
Cologne to Rüdesheim
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum - ride the Winzerexpress train through narrow city streets to explore over 350 automatic mechanical music instruments
Optional Activities
- Eberbach Abbey with wine tasting - founded 1136, explore well-preserved medieval monastery with largest medieval vineyard in the country, Riesling wine tasting included (3.5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Eberbach Abbey - Day 5
Rüdesheim to Miltenberg - Wertheim
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Miltenberg - stroll cobblestone streets with local guide, view Gothic Merchant Hall, oldest inn in Germany (1411), Miltenberg Castle, and red sandstone church and bridge
Optional Activities
- Bronnbach Abbey with concert and tasting - visit well-preserved Cistercian monastery in nearby Wertheim, explore Romanesque and Gothic architecture and Baroque interiors, enjoy private concert and wine tasting (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Miltenberg Castle Gothic Merchant Hall Bronnbach Abbey - Day 6
Miltenberg to Würzburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A walking tour of Würzburg and visit to the Bishops Residence - explore World Heritage-listed Würzburg Residence with Viennese Baroque and Italian secular influences, learn about restoration after World War II
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg - explore best-preserved medieval town in Germany decorated for Christmas, walk medieval walls, climb Town Hall Tower for panoramic views, visit Gothic churches and museums, historic restaurants with local sausage tasting (6.5 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg 
- Day 7
Würzburg to Bamberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Bamberg - explore city with local guide, view New Residence (former prince bishop residence with old German and Baroque paintings from Bavarian State collection), peaceful Rose Garden stroll
Landmarks Bamberg New Residence - Day 8
Bamberg to Nuremberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Nuremberg - sightseeing tour including architectural wonders, exploration of wartime effects and history, followed by leisure time to explore reconstructed half-timbered houses and Christmas market
Landmarks Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt - Day 9
Nuremberg to Regensburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Regensburg - walking tour with guide through highlights of World Heritage-listed Old Town, 13th-century Town Hall, and 12th-century Stone Bridge crossing the Danube, followed by leisure exploration
Optional Activities
- A visit to the Christmas market in the Thurn and Taxis Palace grounds - walk to castle grounds with guide, learn historical importance and family history, explore Christmas market, voucher for cup of glühwein included (EmeraldPLUS)
- A traditional Bavarian band on board - special performance at Horizon Bar & Lounge with authentic Lederhosen (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Stone Bridge Regensburg Old Town Hall Thurn and Taxis Castle - Day 10
Regensburg to Passau - Linz
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Passau - morning walking tour through Baroque streets (17th century), view Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, St. Stephen's Cathedral (Baroque architecture with largest church organ in Europe)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg - full day exploring Mozart's birthplace and Sound of Music setting, surrounded by breathtaking Alps, explore historic downtown, Linzer Gasse shopping street, Mozart's home (10 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov - World Heritage-listed medieval town in South Bohemia, expert local guide through cobblestone streets of fairytale Old Town, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, historic townhouses and hideaway bars (8.5 hours, Difficult/Active activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral Passau Town Hall Český Krumlov - Day 11
Passau to Melk - Dürnstein
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A tour of Melk Abbey - explore ancient abbey with guide through opulent rooms with Italian Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf walls, visit ancient monastic library with extensive medieval manuscripts collection
Landmarks Melk Abbey 
- Day 12
Dürnstein to Vienna
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Vienna - explore Ringstrasse and city centre by coach and on foot or guided bike tour, view Renaissance-style Opera House arches, Baroque Burgtheater, Flemish Gothic Parliament, followed by leisure time to explore Christmas markets
Optional Activities
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace - former summer residence of Habsburg Empire, UNESCO World Heritage site, explore historic grounds and splendid furnishings with local expert guide (5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert - exclusive concert at one of Vienna's beautiful concert halls with Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert favorites including Blue Danube Waltz and Radetzky March, complimentary sparkling wine on arrival (2.5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Vienna State Opera Burgtheater Austrian Parliament Building Schönbrunn Palace - Day 13
Vienna to Bratislava
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A walking tour of Bratislava - sightseeing tour of enchanting Old City with local guide, pass botanical gardens of Episcopal Summer Palace, Old Town Hall with Renaissance courtyard, Slovak National Theatre with composer busts, followed by leisure time
Optional Activities
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family - invited into local home to learn about culture, history, traditions and daily life (EmeraldPLUS)
- Small Carpathian Wine Route excursion - explore viticultural towns including vineyards of Vinosady and family-run winery in Senkvice, learn winemaking heritage, sample local wines in historic wine cellar (4 hours 40 minutes, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Old Town Hall Slovak National Theatre - Day 14
Bratislava to Budapest
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Hungarian dinner)
Included Activities
- A guided coach tour of Budapest - explore World Heritage-listed centre with local guide, travel through architectural eras from Romanesque to Baroque and classical, view Liberty Statue and Heroes' Square, explore Buda Castle district, walking tour of Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, visit Christmas market
- A traditional Hungarian folklore show - traditional Hungarian dinner followed by folk dancing and music performance on board (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Szentendre - visit picturesque village with Mediterranean-inspired cobblestone streets, walking tour through pedestrian city centre, admire Baroque architecture and colorful houses, explore Fo Tér main square and art galleries and museums (4 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour - local guide tour of significant Jewish events and culture, visit important buildings from flourishing pre-WWII Jewish trade, see Shoes on the Danube memorial marking wartime events (4 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Buda Castle Matthias Church Fisherman's Bastion Heroes' Square Liberty Statue Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial - Day 15
Budapest to Prague
- Day 16
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Prague - explore three castle courtyards, St. Vitus Cathedral, descend Castle Steps with breathtaking views, stroll iconic Charles Bridge, visit legendary Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, followed by leisure exploration
Optional Activities
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace - indulge in freshly brewed coffee and delicate pastries against backdrop of aristocratic charm and history at one of Czech Republic's most significant cultural sites (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Prague Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 17
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia - learn about wonderful variety of Czech wines on fascinating tour, short walk through interesting hidden corners to local restaurant, welcome Czech sparkling wine, tasting of red, white and Rosé wines paired with traditional charcuterie and cheeses (2.5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
- Day 18
Prague to Airport
- Meals
- Breakfast
