Ultimate Rivers of Europe Grand Journey

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Amsterdam

   Amsterdam Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Explore Amsterdam's narrow laneways and canals at leisure

   Landmarks
   Amsterdam Canal System

3. Day 2

   Amsterdam

   Amsterdam Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Guided walking tour of Amsterdam's canals and city centre
   • Tasting of local cheese and Poffertjes

   Optional Activities

   • Visit famous masterpiece-filled galleries
   • Visit fascinating museums

   Landmarks
   Amsterdam Canal System

4. Day 3

   Amsterdam

   Amsterdam Show on map

   Included Activities

   • One-hour cruise along Amsterdam's canals

   Landmarks
   Amsterdam Canal System

5. Day 4

   Dordrecht

   Dordrecht Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Walking tour of Dordrecht's picturesque streets, canals and historic buildings including Groothoofd Quay, Grote Kerk, and Old Water Tower
   • Guided tour of Delft pottery factory with demonstration of traditional painting techniques
   • Excursion to Kinderdijk to explore World Heritage-listed windmills and their role in agricultural life
   • Cycling tour through Dutch countryside to Kinderdijk on e-bike

   Landmarks
   Dordrecht Historic Centre
   Kinderdijk Windmills
   Delft

6. Day 5

   Veere

   Veere Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Tasting of locally grown oysters in farm-to-table experience

   Optional Activities

   • Guided tour of Veere including port area, Scottish merchant houses, church and 15th century town hall
   • Excursion to Delta Works dams and engineering sites

   Landmarks
   Veere Historic Centre
   Grote Kerk, Veere

7. Day 6

   Antwerp

   Antwerp Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Walking tour of Antwerp featuring Cathedral of Our Lady, Steen Castle, and main square
   • Craft beer and chocolate pairing tasting journey
   • Excursion to Ghent to explore medieval buildings, charming canals and cultural hotspots

   Landmarks
   Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
   Steen Castle, Antwerp

8. Day 7

   Arnhem

   Arnhem Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Evening lecture on Netherlands tulips and growing techniques

   Optional Activities

   • Airborne Museum visit with in-depth account of Battle of Arnhem
   • Netherlands Open Air Museum guided tour of 44-hectare outdoor museum with historic houses, mills and farmhouses
   • Palais Het Loo guided tour of 1685 royal summer residence with art collection and gardens

   Landmarks
   Airborne Museum, Arnhem
   Netherlands Open Air Museum
   Palais Het Loo

9. Day 8

   Hoorn

   Hoorn Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Exclusive after-hours visit to Fabrique des Lumières immersive digital art installation with Champagne

   Optional Activities

   • Guided walking tour of Hoorn's inner harbour with sampling of local fish and cheese
   • Cheese farm visit to learn traditional cheesemaking techniques
   • Traditional Dutch apple pie making class with local cook
   • Cycling tour of Hoorn toward Ijssel Lake dyke
   • Spa massage (additional cost)
   • Salt Therapy Lounge access

   Landmarks
   Hoorn Historic Centre
   Oosterkerk, Hoorn
   Fabrique des Lumières

10. Day 9

    Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Excursion to Keukenhof Gardens with over seven million tulips

    Optional Activities

    • Cruise the canals
    • Rent and ride bicycles
    • Visit Rijksmuseum to see Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh masterpieces
    • Visit Anne Frank's House

    Landmarks
    Keukenhof Gardens
    Rijksmuseum
    Anne Frank House

11. Day 10

    Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Amsterdam at leisure
12. Day 11

    Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • One-hour canal cruise along historic waterways with views of Golden Age mansions and bridges
    • Walking tour of Amsterdam's canal maze with history, lifestyle and culture with herring tasting
    • Dutch countryside e-bike tour via ferry to outskirts
    • Excursion to Schermerhorn village with authentic 16th century windmills and charming town of Alkmaar

    Landmarks
    Amsterdam Canal System

13. Day 12

    Cologne - Bonn

    Cologne - Bonn Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Walking tour of Cologne Old Town featuring historic buildings and World Heritage Cologne Cathedral
    • Scenic Enrich: Lavish dinner with classical music at La Redoute Recital Hall in Bonn

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Cologne on your own

    Landmarks
    Cologne Cathedral
    Cologne Old Town
    La Redoute Recital Hall, Bonn

14. Day 13

    Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim

    Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Cruise through Rhine Gorge with scenic views

    Optional Activities

    • Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum visit with cable car to Niederwald Monument
    • Guided hike through rolling vineyards with cable car to Niederwald Monument

    Landmarks
    Rhine Gorge
    Lorelei
    Niederwald Monument
    Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum

15. Day 14

    Miltenberg - Wertheim

    Miltenberg - Wertheim Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Wertheim tour and winery visit to meet winemaker
    • Gamburg Castle guided tour with private reception and sparkling wine with Baron and Baroness
    • Miltenberg guided hike through Franconian landscape with panoramic views
    • Tastes & treasures of Miltenberg tour visiting local artisanal producers
    • Schnapps distillery visit with tasting
    • Spa massage (additional cost)
    • Salt Therapy Lounge access

    Landmarks
    Miltenberg Historic Town
    Gamburg Castle

16. Day 15

    Würzburg

    Würzburg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Baroque Würzburg Residence with gardens, paintings, tapestries and period furniture
    • Romantic Road excursion by coach to medieval old town of Rothenburg

    Landmarks
    Würzburg Residence
    Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    

17. Day 16

    Bamberg

    Bamberg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town with medieval and Baroque buildings
    • Coach excursion to Coburg to visit impressive castle and museum with carriages, weapons and paintings

    Landmarks
    Bamberg Old Town
    Bamberg Cathedral
    Coburg Fortress

18. Day 17

    Nuremberg

    Nuremberg Show on map

    Optional Activities

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

    Landmarks
    Imperial Castle, Nuremberg
    Nuremberg Old Town
    St. Egidien's Church, Nuremberg

19. Day 18

    Regensburg

    Regensburg Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided walking tour of Regensburg on three river confluence with old stone bridge, Church of St James and Porta Praetoria
    • Ferry through Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey with monastery exploration and award-winning beer tasting
    • Active walking tour to Thurn und Taxis Castle with guided tour
    • Cycling tour through Danube Valley to Walhalla Memorial

    Landmarks
    Regensburg Old Town
    Stone Bridge, Regensburg
    Church of St James, Regensburg
    Weltenburg Abbey
    Walhalla Memorial

20. Day 19

    Passau

    Passau Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Full day excursion to Salzburg, Austria with guided tour of Mozart's birthplace and Hohensalzburg Fortress, lunch and free time
    • Full day excursion to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic with guided tour of World Heritage-listed town and Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, lunch
    • Guided walking tour of Passau's colourful Old Town and brightly coloured buildings with St Stephens Cathedral visit

    Landmarks
    Passau Old Town
    St Stephens Cathedral, Passau
    Mozart's Birthplace, Salzburg
    Hohensalzburg Fortress
    Český Krumlov Old Town

21. Day 20

    Dürnstein - Krems

    Dürnstein - Krems Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Göttweig Abbey guided tour with magnificent frescoes and largest Baroque staircase in Austria
    • Wachau Valley wine tasting with local winemaker learning age-old traditions
    • UNESCO Wachau Valley e-bike tour along Danube to Krems with village and vineyard views

    Landmarks
    Dürnstein
    Göttweig Abbey
    Wachau Valley

22. Day 21

    Vienna

    Vienna Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Coach transfer to Vienna city centre
    • Guided walking tour of Vienna featuring Opera House, St Stephen's Cathedral and Belvedere Palace
    • Scenic Enrich: Exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt, ballet dancers and vocalists

    Landmarks
    Vienna Opera House
    St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna
    Belvedere Palace
    Palais Liechtenstein

23. Day 22

    Vienna

    Vienna Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided e-bike tour to Danube Island with swimming, boating and beach areas
    • Excursion to Bratislava, Slovakia with Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square and Old Town Hall
    • Klosterneuburg Abbey guided tour with historic winery and 900-year wine tasting experience

    Landmarks
    Danube Island, Vienna
    Bratislava Castle
    Bratislava Old Town
    Klosterneuburg Abbey

24. Day 23

    Budapest

    Budapest Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Budapest in depth coach tour from Buda through Margaret Bridge to Pest with piano recital at Institute for the Blind
    • Budapest's past and present walking and coach tour covering communist history, 1956 revolution and Jewish heritage
    • Hospital in the Rock underground tour of secret WWII hospital and nuclear bunker
    • Guided hike of Buda district with Varkert Bazaar, gardens and Danube views
    • Hungarian culinary market tour at Grand Central Market with local delicacies tasting

    Landmarks
    Buda Castle District
    Hospital in the Rock, Budapest
    Grand Central Market, Budapest

25. Day 24

    Budapest

    Budapest Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Budapest at leisure
26. Day 25

    Mohács

    Mohács Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Pécs featuring first telephone exchange and Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi
    • Villány wine region tour with historic wine cellar and local bold red wine tasting
    • Mohács traditions and flavours tour with Busódvár Museum and authentic halászlé fish stew tasting

    Landmarks
    Mohács

27. Day 26

    Vukovar

    Vukovar Show on map

    Meals

    Lunch (Authentic meal at local Croatian family home prepared with fresh garden vegetables)

    Included Activities

    • Lunch at local Croatian family home with authentic meal prepared with fresh garden vegetables

    Optional Activities

    • Guided walking tour of nearby Osijek with Baroque Old Town buildings and traditional and classical music
    • Baranja wine region tour with bold wine tasting and vineyard landscapes
    • Vukovar chronicles walking tour with museums and monuments exploring city's resilience and WWI legacy

    Landmarks
    Vukovar
    Osijek Old Town

28. Day 27

    Belgrade

    Belgrade Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Scenic Enrich: Concert in St. Sava Church crypt with church choir performance of beautiful hymns

    Optional Activities

    • Tour of Belgrade with Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress with free exploration time
    • Panoramic tour with Tito's Memorial visiting major city sites and Ottoman Old Town heritage
    • Guided cycling tour along Danube for 16 kilometres with history, Belgrade waterfront and Ada Island views
    • Central Belgrade stroll starting from Kalemegdan Fortress, Knez Mihailova Street with coffee and signature cake

    Landmarks
    Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade
    St. Sava Temple, Belgrade
    Skardalija, Belgrade

29. Day 28

    Cruising - Iron Gates

    Cruising - Iron Gates Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Cruise through Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates) scenic route

    Optional Activities

    • Relax in suite with Scenic Sun Lounge uninterrupted views
    • Head to Sun Deck
    • Mingle in Panorama Lounge & Bar

    Landmarks
    Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates)
    Decebalus Rock Carving

30. Day 29

    Svishtov - Rousse

    Svishtov - Rousse Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Full day excursion from Svishtov to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi village with panoramic views and Asenevtsi Brothers Monument
    • Stay aboard and enjoy guided walking tour of Rousse with traditional Bulgarian handicrafts, local wine tasting and piano recital

    Landmarks
    Veliko Tarnovo Old Town
    Arbanassi
    Rousse

31. Day 30

    Silistra

    Silistra Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Active guided walking tour of 19th century Silistra Fort
    • Exclusive visit to Alfatar village with ethnographic museum, traditional attire and school children choir performance
    • Sveshtari Thracian Tomb World Heritage site tour with local brandy and artisanal cheese tasting

    Landmarks
    Silistra Fort
    Sveshtari Thracian Tomb

32. Day 31

    Giurgiu - Bucharest

    Giurgiu - Bucharest Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Dinner with fellow guests at luxury hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Transfer from Giurgiu to Bucharest
    • Coach orientation tour of Bucharest from south to Primaverii Palace with squares tour

    Optional Activities

    • Ceausescu's Spring Palace tour with 80 elegant rooms, silk wallpaper, wood panels and Murano glass
    • Village Open Air Museum with ethnography exhibits of authentic houses, barns and churches

    Landmarks
    Bucharest Old Town
    Primaverii Palace

33. Day 32

    Bucharest - Brasov

    Bucharest - Brasov Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Delicious dinner with fellow guests at fine restaurant in Brasov)

    Included Activities

    • Guided visit to Peles Castle with Neo-Classical architecture and interior decoration tour
    • Visit to Sinaia Monastery with oldest monastery buildings and royal church
    • Dinner with fellow guests at fine restaurant in Brasov

    Landmarks
    Peles Castle
    Sinaia Monastery

34. Day 33

    Brasov

    Brasov Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Brasov with Gothic spires, medieval watchtowers and squares
    • Visit to Bran Castle 14th century fortress with narrow passageways and hidden rooms

    Landmarks
    Brasov Old Town
    Bran Castle

35. Day 34

    Brasov - Sighisoara - Sibiu

    Brasov - Sighisoara - Sibiu Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Delicious dinner with fellow guests at fine restaurant in Sibiu)

    Included Activities

    • Dinner with fellow guests at fine restaurant in Sibiu

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of World Heritage-listed walled city of Sighisoara built by Saxons between 12th and 17th centuries
    • Active hike up covered stairway to 14th century Church on the Hill with Gothic architecture and city views

    Landmarks
    Sighisoara Walled City
    Church on the Hill, Sighisoara

36. Day 35

    Sibiu - Bucharest

    Sibiu - Bucharest Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Dinner (Farewell dinner with fellow guests)

    Included Activities

    • Breakfast at hotel
    • Transfer across Southern Carpathian Mountains
    • Farewell dinner with fellow guests
37. Day 36

    Bucharest

    Bucharest Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast (Final breakfast in Bucharest)

    Included Activities

    • Final breakfast in Bucharest