Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Included Activities
- Visit to Festive Amsterdam Christmas markets including Museumplein's Ice Village and Funky Xmas Market in Westergas
Optional Activities
- Private hidden Gems Tour of Amsterdam - explore the Jordaan area, visit a charming chocolate shop, tour Our Lord in the Attic (17th-century house with secret Catholic church in attic), enjoy local beer and traditional Dutch snacks at a cosy brewery (Moderate activity level, 2.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Museumplein Our Lord in the Attic Jordaan - Day 3
Cologne
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures - self-paced treasure hunt with map and guides stationed at checkpoints
Optional Activities
- German beer experience - guided tour through Cologne's legendary brewhouses exploring Kölsch beer culture (Easy activity level, 2 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Christmas Market 
- Day 4
Rüdesheim
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum - ride the Winzerexpress train to the museum and explore over 350 automatic mechanical music instruments from tiny music boxes to giant Concert-Piano-Orchestrion
Optional Activities
- Eberbach Abbey with wine tasting - founded in 1136, visit one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the Rheingau Region and enjoy Riesling wine tasting (Easy activity level, 3.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Christmas Market of Nations Eberbach Abbey - Day 5
Miltenberg - Wertheim
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg - walk cobblestone streets with local guide, view Gothic Merchant Hall, visit oldest inn in Germany (dating to 1411), Miltenberg Castle, and red sandstone church and bridge
Landmarks Gothic Merchant Hall Miltenberg Castle Bronnbach Abbey - Day 6
Würzburg
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg and visit to the Bishops Residence - guided tour of the World Heritage-listed residence which draws inspiration from Viennese Baroque and Italian secular styles, learn about its restoration following World War II damage
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg - explore Germany's best-preserved medieval town decorated for Christmas, walk medieval walls, climb Town Hall Tower for panoramic views, visit Gothic churches, museums, art exhibitions and enjoy special tasting of local sausages (Moderate activity level, 6.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg 
- Day 7
Bamberg
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg - explore the city with local guide, marvel at the opulence of the New Residence (once home to prince bishops, now housing old German and Baroque paintings from the Bavarian State collection), enjoy a tranquil stroll around the Rose Garden
Landmarks New Residence Rose Garden - Day 8
Nuremberg
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg - sightseeing tour including architectural wonders that inspired famous artists, exploration of the city's complex history including effects of the war years, followed by leisure time to explore half-timbered houses and Christmas market
Landmarks Nuremberg Christmas Market - Day 9
Regensburg
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg - walking tour discovering highlights including romantic narrow alleys of the World Heritage-listed Old Town, 13th-century Town Hall, and the 12th-century Stone Bridge crossing the Danube, followed by leisure time to explore
Landmarks Stone Bridge Old Town Hall Thurn & Taxis Palace - Day 10
Passau - Linz
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau - morning walking tour through streets lined with Baroque buildings from the 17th century, view Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence and St. Stephen's Cathedral (wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe's largest church organ)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg - full day exploring Mozart's birthplace and setting for The Sound of Music, surrounded by the breathtaking Alps; wander historic downtown district, explore Linzer Gasse shopping street, visit Mozart's home (Easy activity level, 10 hours, extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov - visit the World Heritage-listed medieval town in South Bohemia renowned for Renaissance and Baroque architecture; expert local guide leads you along cobblestone streets of the fairytale Old Town past old townhouses, hideaway bars, and centuries-old buildings (Difficult/Active activity level, 8.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral Salzburg Český Krumlov - Day 11
Melk - Dürnstein
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey - guided tour through opulent rooms adorned with finest Italian Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf walls, including the ancient monastic library renowned for its extensive collection of medieval manuscripts
Landmarks Melk Abbey 
- Day 12
Vienna
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna - explore famous sights of the Ringstrasse and Vienna's city centre by coach and on foot or join a guided bike tour; marvel at Renaissance-style arches of the Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater and Flemish Gothic Parliament, followed by leisure time to explore Christmas markets
Optional Activities
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace - tour the former summer residence of the Habsburg Empire, a World Heritage site recognized for historic importance, unique grounds and splendid furnishings; follow local expert to hear fascinating tales of former residents (Easy activity level, 5 hours, extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert - exclusive evening concert at one of Vienna's most beautiful concert halls featuring Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert; complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival (Easy activity level, 2.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Vienna State Opera House Burgtheater Parliament Schönbrunn Palace - Day 13
Bratislava
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava - sightseeing tour of the enchanting Old City led by local guide; pass through heart of the city viewing the botanical gardens of the Episcopal Summer Palace, Old Town Hall with its delightful Renaissance courtyard, and Slovak National Theatre, followed by free time to explore
Optional Activities
- Explore the viticultural towns of the Small Carpathian Wine Route - visit vineyards of Vinosady and family-run winery in Senkvice; learn about proud heritage of winemaking and sample local wines in a historic wine cellar (Moderate activity level, 4 hours 40 minutes, extra expense)
Landmarks Old Town Hall Slovak National Theatre Episcopal Summer Palace - Day 14
Budapest
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Hungarian dinner followed by Hungarian folk dancing and music performance on board)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest - explore World Heritage-listed centre travelling through architectural chapters from Romanesque to Baroque and classical façades; see Liberty Statue, Heroes' Square, Buda Castle district, then walking tour of Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, followed by Christmas market exploration
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Szentendre - visit picturesque village with cobblestone streets evoking Mediterranean atmosphere that inspired many artists; walking tour through pedestrian city centre to admire Baroque architecture, churches, colourful houses and narrow cobbled streets; explore Fo Tér main square and surrounding alleyways with art galleries, museums and shops (Moderate activity level, 4 hours, extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour - thoughtful tour with local guide introducing significant Jewish events that shaped Budapest's culture; see buildings important to flourishing pre-World War II Jewish trade; visit 'Shoes on the Danube' memorial in Pest (Moderate activity level, 4 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Buda Castle Matthias Church Fisherman's Bastion Heroes' Square Liberty Statue Shoes on the Danube Szentendre - Day 15
Budapest to Prague
- Day 16
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Prague - explore three magnificent castle courtyards, enter the awe-inspiring St. Vitus Cathedral, descend the Castle Steps for breathtaking views of Prague, stroll across iconic Charles Bridge, wander the romantic narrow alleys of the World Heritage-listed Old Town, see the legendary Astronomical Clock in vibrant Old Town Square
Landmarks St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Prague Castle - Day 17
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia - learn about wonderful variety of Czech wines; short walk from hotel through interesting hidden corners before arriving at local restaurant; meet sommelier, enjoy welcome drink of Czech sparkling wine, taste selection of red, white and Rosé wines accompanied by traditional charcuterie and cheeses (Easy activity level, 2.5 hours, extra expense)
- Day 18
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast
