Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one hour along historic waterways
- Walking tour of Amsterdam - explore canals, bridges, and try local herring
- Dutch countryside e-bike tour - small ferry to outskirts with local guide
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - visit 16th century windmills and historic town
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Schermerhorn Windmills Alkmaar - Day 3
Amsterdam to Cologne - Bonn
- Meals
- Dinner (Lavish dinner accompanied by classical music at La Redoute Recital Hall)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town
- Visit Cologne Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Evening: Lavish dinner with classical music at La Redoute Recital Hall in Bonn
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Cologne on your own
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town La Redoute Recital Hall 
- Day 4
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge (65 km stretch)
Optional Activities
- Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum with local guide - explore mechanical musical instruments and option to take cable car to Niederwald Monument
- Hike & cable car - guided hike through vineyards with cable car up to Niederwald Monument, return to town on foot
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei Statue Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum 
- Day 5
Miltenberg to Wertheim
Optional Activities
- Wertheim tour and winery - orientation tour of Miltenberg with free time, then visit local winery to meet winemaker
- Gamburg Castle tour - guided tour of castle with private reception with Baron and Baroness and sparkling wine
- Miltenberg hike - guided hike through Franconian landscape with panoramic views
- Tastes & treasures of Miltenberg - discover local producers including artisanal butchers, bakers, and Schnapps producers
- Schnapps tasting - orientation tour and free time in Miltenberg, then visit local schnapps distillery for tasting, transfer to Wertheim
Landmarks Miltenberg Zum Riesen Inn Gamburg Castle Wertheim 
- Day 6
Würzburg
Optional Activities
- Walking tour and Würzburg Residence - guided tour of Baroque palace with manicured gardens, see paintings, tapestries and period furniture, then free time in city
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg - coach excursion to Rothenburg with guided tour of medieval old town and free time to explore
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg ob der Tauber Romantic Road - Day 7
Bamberg
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town - walk through Europe's largest intact medieval old town centre, learn about fascinating history
- Excursion to Coburg - coach journey to royal town, visit impressive castle with museum featuring carriages, weapons, and paintings
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Bamberg Old and New Residences Coburg Castle - Day 8
Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg Old Town - see Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church, and market square
- World War II tour - explore main Nazi regime events and important historical sites
- Nuremberg's Castle and City Walls - active walking tour following cobblestone streets and medieval city walls
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Old Town Nuremberg City Walls - Day 9
Regensburg
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg - local guide tour of old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria
- Weltenburg Abbey - ferry through Danube Gorge to oldest Bavarian monastery founded circa 600 AD, explore abbey and taste award-winning on-site beer
- Thurn und Taxis active walking tour - guided tour of castle with free time, learn about noble family history from 12th century
- Cycle to Walhalla Memorial - cycle through Danube Valley scenery to memorial commissioned by King Ludwig I honoring notable Germans
Landmarks Regensburg Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Weltenburg Abbey Thurn und Taxis Castle Walhalla Memorial Danube Gorge - Day 10
Passau
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - guided tour of Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, lunch at local restaurant, free time
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov - explore World Heritage Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture with local guide, lunch at local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau - walking tour with local guide, visit St Stephens Cathedral (originally built 450 AD, rebuilt Baroque after 1662 fire)
Landmarks St Stephens Cathedral Passau Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Český Krumlov - Day 11
Durnstein to Krems
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey - tour of magnificent abbey rebuilt in 18th century with Baroque staircases, largest in Austria
- Wachau Valley wine tasting - visit local winemaker, learn age-old traditions, sample wines produced on site
- UNESCO Wachau Valley e-bike experience - bicycle tour along Danube to Krems village, pass charming villages and vineyard landscapes with scenic stops
Landmarks Durnstein Wachau Valley Göttweig Abbey Krems 
- Day 12
Vienna
- Meals
- Dinner (Exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with glass of fine Austrian Sekt)
Included Activities
- Coach ride and walking tour from ship to Vienna city centre - see Opera House, St Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace
- Evening: Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein - private concert with glass of Austrian Sekt, Strauss and Mozart performed by renowned orchestra with ballet dancers and vocalists
Optional Activities
- Afternoon free to wander Vienna independently or relax on board
Landmarks Vienna Opera House St Stephen's Cathedral Belvedere Palace Palais Liechtenstein - Day 13
Vienna
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Danube Island - guided e-bike tour exploring recreational area with bathing, boating, cycling, beaches and open spaces
- Excursion to Bratislava - coach journey to Slovakia's capital, see Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie (main square), and Old Town Hall
- Klosterneuburg Abbey guided tour and wine tasting - visit Austria's oldest wine estate producing wine 900 years, explore imperial apartments, guided tasting in historic winery
Landmarks Danube Island Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie Bratislava Old Town Hall Klosterneuburg Abbey - Day 14
Budapest
Optional Activities
- Budapest in depth - coach tour starting in Buda with Várkert Bazár, cross Margaret Bridge to Pest for Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square, end with piano recital at Institute for the Blind
- Budapest's past and present - walking and coach tour exploring communist past, 1956 Hungarian revolution, Jewish heritage and modern EU life
- Hospital in the Rock - explore underground labyrinths beneath Castle District, WWII secret hospital converted to nuclear bunker
- Guided hike of Buda - walking tour of Buda district with Várkert Bazár and landscaped gardens, views over Danube and city architecture
- Hungarian culinary market tour - foodie tour of Grand Central Market and locations with local delicacies tastings and cultural stories
Landmarks Margaret Bridge Várkert Bazár Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Institute for the Blind Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market 
- Day 15
Budapest to Paris
Included Activities
- Flight from Budapest to Paris
- Day 16
Les Andelys
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' - Medieval-themed walking tour with guide in traditional attire, historical secrets and castle exploration
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard - local guide tour of picturesque Norman town leading to the château
- Cider farm visit - explore Normandy cider artisanal production process, taste distinctive effervescent drink
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon - explore extraordinary 16th-century French Renaissance-style château with lavish interior remnants and historical importance
Landmarks Château Gaillard Les Andelys Château Gaillon - Day 17
Rouen
Included Activities
- Evening: WWI Lecture - interactive session about life of a 'Tommy' soldier on Western Front, learn about 1914 Christmas armistice, trench warfare, experience equipment and rations
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour - guided tour showing Victor Hugo's 'city of a hundred spires', visit cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, Medieval alleys, Joan of Arc death site, free time
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking - authentically dressed guide as Viking warlord Rollo, learn about Viking raiders making Rouen their capital, Medieval history, free time
- In the footsteps of Joan of Arc - walking tour through Rouen, St. Ouen Church and Old Market Square where she was martyred
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral St. Ouen Church Old Market Square Saint-Maclou Quarter Rouen Old Town - Day 18
Rouen
- Meals
- Dinner (Exquisite dessert buffet with local pastry chef creations and fine coffee or dessert wine)
Included Activities
- Evening: Exquisite dessert buffet - local pastry chef artistry with classic French cakes, beautifully displayed desserts paired with fine coffee or dessert wine
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park - full day to WWI Battle site, Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater, Newfoundland Memorial Park
- Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Thiepval - same initial itinerary plus Caterpillar Valley Cemetery (5,500+ Commonwealth graves) and Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
- Claude Monet and the colours of Rouen - explore city's iconic landmarks inspiring Monet, see Rouen Cathedral (immortalised in 30+ paintings), visit Musée des Beaux-Arts
Landmarks Somme Battlefields Sir John Monash Centre Franco-Australian Museum Lochnagar Crater Newfoundland Memorial Park Caterpillar Valley Cemetery Thiepval Memorial Rouen Cathedral Musée des Beaux-Arts - Day 19
Honfleur
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur - Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, Garden of Personalities, free time to explore
- On board: French cheesemaking presentation and tasting - Normandy classics including Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l'Évêque, and Neufchâtel
- On board: Historical lecture about Operation Fortitude and D-Day campaign daily life in Honfleur during WWII
Landmarks Honfleur Honfleur Inner Harbour Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 20
Honfleur
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) - Utah Beach memorial with 20,000+ US troops landing site, Sainte-Mère-Église (30 paratroopers landing site), lunch at local restaurant, Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, Omaha Beach Memorial
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) - Bayeux (first liberated town, French capital summer 1944), Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Landing Museum at Arromanches (artificial harbour), lunch at local restaurant, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to the Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) - Abbey d'Ardenne (11th century memorial to Canadian WWII POWs), Juno Beach Centre (20,000 Canadian troops landing site), lunch at local restaurant, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery (335 Canadian graves), Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour - guided tour of Bayeux including Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux (11th-14th centuries), Romanesque and Gothic masterpiece, free time to explore
Landmarks Utah Beach Omaha Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux Bayeux War Cemetery Museum of the Battle of Normandy Arromanches Landing Museum at Arromanches British Normandy Memorial Pegasus Bridge & Museum Ranville War Cemetery Abbey d'Ardenne Juno Beach Centre Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 21
Honfleur to Caudebec-en-Caux
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum - active e-bike tour along Seine riverbank, flat eight-kilometre each way route, visit museum dedicated to famous French poet and novelist
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace - coach transfer to historic seaside town with tall cliffs, guided tour of 19th century Bénédictine Palace (famous for Bénédictine liquor with 27 plants and spices), tasting during visit
- Tales of the French Resistance - walking tour learning stories of French Resistance fighters against Nazi occupation, local heroism and daring missions
- Normandy Abbey Road - local guide tour exploring Medieval abbeys on Seine riverbanks, spiritual and economic importance in Normandy history
Landmarks Caudebec-en-Caux Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 22
Vernon to La Roche-Guyon
Included Activities
- Evening: Classical concert at Château de La Roche Guyon - walk from ship to 16th-century château built into chalk hillside, tour manicured orchard and vegetable gardens, admire decorative walls and tapestries, enjoy drink and classical concert focusing on French composers
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden - journey to Giverny, tour town and visit Monet's home with Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies (inspiration for famous works), free time to explore
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny - self-guided bike tour approximately five kilometres each way, option to visit Monet's House and Garden or wander the charming town
- On-board painting class - create a masterpiece inspired by morning garden tour
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden Giverny Vernon Château de La Roche-Guyon - Day 23
Conflans to Paris
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise - see village where Van Gogh painted final masterpieces, landmarks immortalised in his works including Notre Dame de l'Assomption church, entry to Van Gogh's rented attic room (empty since 1890), free time to wander
- Château de Chantilly - guided tour of magnificent castle built by Henri d'Orléans (son of last French King), fine collections, gardens, free time (Note: Château closed Tuesdays, replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden)
- Active walk with Musée de la Batellerie (Inland Water Transport Museum) - visit museum in Conflans (barge capital of world), explore water's role in residents' lives at confluence of Oise and Seine
- Château de Malmaison - visit former residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais, elegant neoclassical architecture, beautifully landscaped gardens, museum with Napoleonic era furniture, artwork and personal items
Landmarks Conflans-Saint-Honorine Auvers-Sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace and Garden Musée de la Batellerie Château de Malmaison - Day 24
Paris
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian - guided walking tour with Parisian guide of diverse Marais district with cultures, history, opulent architecture, arts scene and fashion
- Highlights of Paris city tour - coach tour with local guide of famous sites: Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, 1163-built Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral (reopened after 2019 fire)
- Opera Garnier - tour of spectacular opera house with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, glistening chandeliers, commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - coach tour one hour's drive from Paris, founding French formal garden that inspired Versailles, stunning symmetrical gardens with theatrical setting
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Marais District Champs Élysée Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Opera Garnier Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 25
Paris
