Castles, Châteaux & Coastlines: Prague to Rome Grand Journey

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Prague

   Prague Show on map

   Landmarks
   Vltava River

3. Day 2

   Prague

   Prague Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Guided tour of Old Town
   • Visit to Astronomical Clock
   • Walking tour of Charles Bridge

   Landmarks
   Astronomical Clock
   Charles Bridge
   Old Town

4. Day 3

   Prague

   Prague Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Communist walk of Prague with expert local guide
   • Prague Castle tour including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane

   Landmarks
   Prague Castle
   St. Vitus Cathedral
   Old Royal Palace
   Golden Lane

5. Day 4

   Prague to Budapest

   Prague to Budapest Show on map
6. Day 5

   Budapest

   Budapest Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Budapest in depth: coach tour of Buda and Pest with piano recital at Institute for the Blind
   • Budapest's past and present: walking and coach tour exploring communist history and 1956 Hungarian revolution
   • Hospital in the Rock: underground exploration of secret WWII hospital and nuclear bunker
   • Guided hike of Buda through district with gardens and Danube views
   • Hungarian culinary market tour: Grand Central Market and local delicacies tasting

   Landmarks
   Varkert Bazaar
   Margaret Bridge
   Széchenyi Square
   Elizabeth Square
   Institute for the Blind
   Castle District
   Danube River
   Grand Central Market

7. Day 6

   Budapest to Vienna

   Budapest to Vienna Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with glass of Austrian Sekt

   Landmarks
   Palais Liechtenstein

8. Day 7

   Vienna

   Vienna Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Cycle to Danube Island on guided e-bike tour
   • Excursion to Bratislava with local guide visiting Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie, and Old Town Hall
   • Guided tour of Vienna along Ringstrasse, past Austrian Parliament, City Hall, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Vienna State Opera
   • Klosterneuburg Abbey guided tour and wine tasting at Austria's oldest wine estate

   Landmarks
   Ringstrasse
   Danube Island
   Bratislava Castle
   Hlavné Námestie
   Austrian Parliament
   City Hall (Rathaus)
   St. Stephen's Cathedral
   Vienna State Opera
   Klosterneuburg Abbey

9. Day 8

   Krems - Dürnstein

   Krems - Dürnstein Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Göttweig Abbey guided tour featuring magnificent frescoes and largest Baroque staircase in Austria
   • Wachau Valley wine tasting with local winemaker
   • UNESCO Wachau Valley e-bike experience along the Danube to Dürnstein

   Landmarks
   Wachau Valley
   Göttweig Abbey
   Danube River

10. Day 9

    Passau

    Passau Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Full day excursion to Salzburg with guided tour, Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, lunch at local restaurant
    • Full day excursion to Český Krumlov with local guide exploring Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and lunch
    • Highlights of Passau walking tour visiting St Stephens Cathedral

    Landmarks
    St Stephens Cathedral

11. Day 10

    Regensburg

    Regensburg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Walking tour of Regensburg with local guide covering old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria
    • Weltenburg Abbey ferry tour through Danube Gorge with abbey exploration and award-winning beer tasting
    • Thurn und Taxis active walking tour and castle guided tour
    • Cycle to Walhalla Memorial through Danube Valley scenery

    Landmarks
    Church of St James
    Porta Praetoria
    Weltenburg Abbey
    Danube Gorge
    Thurn und Taxis Castle
    Walhalla Memorial

12. Day 11

    Nuremberg

    Nuremberg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Nuremberg Old Town covering Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church, and market square
    • World War II tour highlighting Nazi regime history and important sites
    • Nuremberg's castle and city walls active walking tour

    Landmarks
    Imperial Castle
    St. Egidien's Church

13. Day 12

    Bamberg

    Bamberg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town exploring medieval and Baroque buildings
    • Excursion to Coburg visiting impressive castle with large collection of carriages, weapons, and paintings

    Landmarks
    Bamberg Old Town
    Bamberg Town Hall
    Bamberg Cathedral
    Old Residence
    New Residence
    Coburg Castle

14. Day 13

    Würzburg

    Würzburg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Walking tour and Würzburg Residence: guided tour of Baroque palace with gardens, paintings, tapestries, and period furniture, plus city stroll
    • Romantic Road to Rothenburg: coach tour to medieval old town with guided tour and free time

    Landmarks
    Würzburg Residence
    Old Main Bridge
    Rothenburg Old Town

15. Day 14

    Wertheim - Miltenberg

    Wertheim - Miltenberg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Wertheim tour and winery: orientation tour of historic town with half-timbered houses, free time, and local winery visit
    • Gamburg Castle tour with private reception and sparkling wine with Baron and Baroness
    • Miltenberg hike through Franconian landscape with panoramic views of Main River and villages
    • Tastes & treasures of Miltenberg: local producers including artisanal butchers, bakers, and Schnapps producers
    • Schnapps tasting at local distiller with orientation tour of Miltenberg and free time

    Landmarks
    Spitze Turm
    Gamburg Castle
    Main River

16. Day 15

    Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Bonn

    Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Bonn Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Exclusive La Redoute Recital Hall classical concert with lavish dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum with local guide featuring mechanical musical instruments and cable car option to Niederwald Monument
    • Hike & cable car through rolling vineyards with spectacular views, starting with cable car to Niederwald Monument

    Landmarks
    Niederwald Monument
    Rhine Gorge
    Lorelei
    La Redoute Recital Hall

17. Day 16

    Cologne

    Cologne Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Walking tour of Old Town with historic buildings and squares
    • Visit to Cologne Cathedral

    Landmarks
    Cologne Cathedral
    Old Town

18. Day 17

    Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Canal cruise: one-hour tour of 100+ kilometres of canals with Golden Age mansions, warehouses, and bridges
    • Walking tour of Amsterdam with local guide covering history, modern lifestyle, Dutch culture, and local herring tasting
    • Dutch countryside e-bike tour to city outskirts with local guide on information about Dutch daily life
    • Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar visiting 16th-century windmills and charming town with historic buildings and canals
19. Day 18

    Amsterdam to Marseille

    Amsterdam to Marseille Show on map
20. Day 19

    Arles - Avignon

    Arles - Avignon Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Arles with local guide visiting Las Arenas 20,000-seat Roman arena from 90 AD
    • Les Baux & olive farm visit with olive oil tasting and medieval city of Le Baux tour
    • Following Vincent – Van Gogh's Arles walking tour tracing artist's journey through streets and historic sites
    • Discovery of lavender – from field to perfume: organic farm visit (late June to mid-August) with essential oil extraction and creation of lavender mist

    Landmarks
    Las Arenas
    Le Baux

21. Day 20

    Avignon

    Avignon Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Exclusive classical concert at Palais des Papes with dinner in banquet hall

    Optional Activities

    • Walking tour of Avignon including Popes Palace visit (moderate fitness required due to steps)
    • Excursion to Pont Du Gard: guided tour of ancient Roman aqueduct from 1st century
    • Shop with a chef & Scenic Culinaire: market visit with chef to sample regional ingredients and interactive cooking demonstration on board
    • Wine tasting in Châteauneuf du Pape: regional wine tasting at celebrated Côte du Rhône vineyard

    Landmarks
    Palais des Papes
    Pont d'Avignon
    Pont Du Gard
    Le Rocher des Doms
    Châteauneuf du Pape

22. Day 21

    Viviers

    Viviers Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Walking tour of Viviers with local guide covering monuments including 11th century Cathedral of St. Vincent with 18th century Gothic and Renaissance facade
    • French Resistance walking tour with stories of WWII heroism and Nazi Occupation
    • Excursion to Grignan de Provence exploring beautiful provincial town with castle and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour

    Landmarks
    Cathedral of St. Vincent
    Grignan Castle
    Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour

23. Day 22

    Vienne

    Vienne Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Walking tour of Vienne with Roman theatre: explore best-preserved Roman theatre built against steep hill slopes with 10,000+ capacity
    • Cycling tour of Vienne: two-wheel journey past marvellously preserved Roman temple, Emperor Augustus monument, and ancient district with bath houses, villas, and workshops plus Ile Barlet River Island

    Landmarks
    Roman Theatre
    Vienne Pyramid

24. Day 23

    Lyon

    Lyon Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Lyon with hidden traboules passageways and Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière with vantage point views
    • Excursion to Pérouges: medieval walled village with vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways, market square (high fitness required)
    • Silk painting workshop: learn history and process of silk painting from Louis XI period
    • Guided cycling tour to Tête d'or Park: 105-hectare urban park with lake, botanical garden, rose garden, greenhouse, and zoo

    Landmarks
    Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
    Tête d'or Park

25. Day 24

    Mâcon

    Mâcon Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Beaujolais wine region: rolling hills tour with local vintner meeting and wine tasting
    • Excursion to Cluny and Cluny Abbey: medieval town tour with former world's largest Christian building exploration
    • Excursion to Château de Cormatin: 1606 castle with fascinating history, gilded rooms, moat, water features, and 10+ hectares manicured gardens

    Landmarks
    Cluny Abbey
    Château de Cormatin

26. Day 25

    Lyon to Paris

    Lyon to Paris Show on map
27. Day 26

    Les Andelys

    Les Andelys Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart': Medieval-themed walking tour with guide in traditional attire uncovering historical secrets of Les Andelys
    • Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard: local guide exploring picturesque Norman town and castle
    • Cider farm visit: Normandy artisanal cider production experience with tasting
    • Renaissance-era Château Gaillon: 16th-century Renaissance-style château tour with lavish interior remnants

    Landmarks
    Château Gaillard
    Château Gaillon

28. Day 27

    Rouen

    Rouen Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Expert lecture: WWI lecture on a day in the life of a Tommy soldier with equipment try-on and rations tasting

    Optional Activities

    • Rouen city tour: Victor Hugo's 'city of a hundred spires' with cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, medieval alleys, and Joan of Arc history
    • Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking: authentically dressed guide leading Viking warlord tour covering city's medieval and Viking past
    • In the footsteps of Joan of Arc: walking tour through Rouen covering St. Ouen Church and Old Market Square martyrdom site

    Landmarks
    Rouen Cathedral
    Saint-Maclou Quarter
    St. Ouen Church
    Old Market Square

29. Day 28

    Rouen

    Rouen Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Exquisite dessert buffet with local pastry chef featuring classic French cakes and fine coffee or dessert wine

    Optional Activities

    • Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park: WWI Battle sites with Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater, and Newfoundland Memorial Park
    • Excursion to Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval: Somme Battlefields, Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Caterpillar Valley Cemetery with 5,500+ Commonwealth graves, and Thiepval Memorial
    • Claude Monet and the colours of Rouen: city landmarks inspiring Impressionist artist with Rouen Cathedral series and Musée des Beaux-Arts visit

    Landmarks
    Sir John Monash Centre
    Franco-Australian Museum
    Newfoundland Memorial Park
    Caterpillar Valley Cemetery
    Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
    Lochnagar Crater
    Musée des Beaux-Arts

30. Day 29

    Honfleur

    Honfleur Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Guided walking tour of Honfleur covering Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, and Garden of Personalities
    • French cheesemaking presentation and cheese tasting featuring Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l'Évêque, and Neufchâtel
    • Expert lecture on Operation Fortitude and Honfleur during D-Day WWII campaign

    Landmarks
    Inner Harbour
    Church of Sainte-Catherine
    Garden of Personalities

31. Day 30

    Honfleur

    Honfleur Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history): Utah Beach memorial, Sainte-Mère-Église paratroopers landing site, lunch, Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, Omaha Beach Memorial
    • Excursion to Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history): Bayeux War Cemetery, Battle of Normandy Museum, Landing Museum at Arromanches, lunch, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery
    • Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history): Abbey d'Ardenne, Juno Beach Centre, lunch, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge & Museum
    • Bayeux tour: guided visit of Notre Dame Cathedral built 11th-14th centuries with free time

    Landmarks
    Utah Beach
    Sainte-Mère-Église
    Omaha Beach
    Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre
    Bayeux War Cemetery
    Battle of Normandy Museum
    Arromanches Landing Museum
    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

32. Day 31

    Caudebec-en-Caux

    Caudebec-en-Caux Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum: e-bike tour along River Seine following flat 8-kilometre route to charming village with Victor Hugo museum visit
    • Fecamp and Bénédictine Palace: coach transfer to historic seaside town with tall Normandy cliffs, guided tour of 19th century architectural masterpiece and Bénédictine liquor tasting
    • Tales of the French Resistance: walking tour learning WWII French Resistance heroism and daring missions against Nazi Occupation
    • Normandy Abbey Road: local guide tour of grand abbeys on River Seine banks with spiritual and wealth history

    Landmarks
    Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux
    Villequier
    Fecamp
    Bénédictine Palace

33. Day 32

    Vernon - La Roche-Guyon

    Vernon - La Roche-Guyon Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Classical concert at Château de La Roche Guyon with drink and French composer music

    Optional Activities

    • Monet's House and Garden: Giverny tour with Monet's home visit featuring Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies and free time
    • Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny: approximately 5 kilometres each way with option to visit Monet's House and Garden or explore village
    • On board painting class inspired by Monet's gardens

    Landmarks
    Monet's House and Garden
    Château de La Roche-Guyon

34. Day 33

    Conflans - Paris

    Conflans - Paris Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise: village where Vincent Van Gogh painted final masterpieces with entry to Van Gogh's attic room and free time
    • Château de Chantilly: guided castle tour built by Henri d'Orléans with fine collections, gardens, and free time (closed Tuesdays – replaced with Versailles Palace)
    • Active walk with Musée de la Batellerie: Inland Water Transport Museum tour in barge capital of world exploring inland water transport history
    • Château de Malmaison: Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais residence with neoclassical architecture, gardens, and Napoleonic era museum

    Landmarks
    Auvers-Sur-Oise
    Notre Dame de l'Assomption
    Château de Chantilly
    Versailles Palace
    Musée de la Batellerie
    Château de Malmaison

35. Day 34

    Paris

    Paris Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Trendy Marais with a local Parisian: guided walking tour of diverse Marais district with melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, architecture, arts scene, and high-end fashion
    • Highlights of Paris city tour: coach tour with local guide visiting Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, and Notre Dame Cathedral
    • Opera Garnier: ornately decorated rooms tour with grand staircases, glistening chandeliers, and building history commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
    • Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: one-hour coach drive to founding French formal garden inspiration for Versailles with typical symmetrical layout and stunning gardens

    Landmarks
    Marais District
    Eiffel Tower
    Champs Elysee
    Arc de Triomphe
    Concorde Square
    Notre Dame Cathedral
    Opera Garnier
    Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
    Montmartre
    Moulin Rouge

36. Day 35

    Paris to Venice

    Paris to Venice Show on map
37. Day 36

    Rovinj

    Rovinj Show on map

    Landmarks
    Church of St. Euphemia

38. Day 37

    Zadar

    Zadar Show on map

    Landmarks
    Sea Organ

39. Day 38

    Hvar

    Hvar Show on map

    Landmarks
    Pjaca

40. Day 39

    At Sea

    At Sea Show on map
41. Day 40

    Syracuse

    Syracuse Show on map

    Landmarks
    Archaeological Park of Neapolis
    Greek Theatre
    Roman Amphitheatre
    Ortigia

42. Day 41

    Giardini Naxos (Taormina)

    Giardini Naxos (Taormina) Show on map

    Landmarks
    Mount Etna

    

43. Day 42

    Palermo

    Palermo Show on map

    Landmarks
    Mercato Ballarò
    Mercato Vucciria

44. Day 43

    Lipari

    Lipari Show on map

    Landmarks
    Aeolian Islands

45. Day 44

    Amalfi

    Amalfi Show on map

    Landmarks
    Ravello

46. Day 45

    Capri

    Capri Show on map

    Landmarks
    Piazzetta

47. Day 46

    Civitavecchia (Rome)

    Civitavecchia (Rome) Show on map