Follow the route of emperors and kings on a magnificent European journey along three great rivers through five fascinating countries. From Amsterdam, travel on the Rhine river to Cologne, with its breathtaking cathedral. Continue cruising along the beautiful Rhine Gorge and then through the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering masterpiece, as you traverse Europe’s Continental Divide. Discover the culture and traditions of such grand old capitals as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Along the way, see perfectly preserved medieval towns, Europe's lovely countryside, and some of the most beloved Christmas markets during the holiday season.
Highlights
Enjoy some of Europe's renowned Christmas markets
Tour Vienna, and see its markets and famous landmarks, like the Opera House
Visit Nuremberg's medieval highlights, including Nuremberg Castle
Take optional excursions, such as wine tastings and guided tours
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship, moored near the city center. Start exploring Budapest’s unique Christmas markets on your own before meeting your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. Tonight, the ship sails a special “Illuminations Cruise” along Budapest’s illuminated riverfront, then returns to moor overnight.
This morning, enjoy a brief panoramic tour of the city. See Buda Castle, the Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace and St. Stephen's Basilica. Rejoin the ship in Esztergom and depart for Vienna.
Start your day with a driving tour of Vienna that includes the Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of the historic city center. Afterwards, spend some time enjoying the festive Christmas Markets located around the Town Hall. The ship heads towards Melk late tonight.
This morning, cruise through the narrow Strudengau en route to the incredibly scenic Wachau Valley. Your guided tour today takes you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries, with a medieval library that inspired Umberto Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose. Rejoin the ship around lunchtime and continue cruising towards Passau.
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau. You have a choice of a walking tour of Passau’s Old Town, past the old city fortifications, Rathaus, Domplatz and Residenzplatz town squares, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or more active guests may join a guided bike tour from Passau to Erlau or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress overlooking Passau.
Arrive in Regensburg and enjoy a guided walking tour of this exquisitely preserved medieval city. Marvel at the beautiful churches, the homes of wealthy families, and one of Germany’s oldest bridges across the Danube. Your tour ends with a visit to the Old Kornmarkt Christmas Market, with its festive stalls adorned with fir branches. If you’d like to explore on your own in lieu of our city tour, perhaps you will enjoy visiting the “royal” markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas Market, where you can watch craftsmen at work.
This morning your ship enters the Main-Danube Canal, a marvel of modern engineering that traverses the Franconian Alps via 16 locks. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of historic Nuremberg with its fabulous Gothic churches, elegant patrician houses, the Imperial Castle, and 900-year-old city ramparts. After your tour, visit the world’s largest Christmas Market, with over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offering an assortment of unique toys, tinsel angels, dolls, gingerbread and other treats, and an endless variety of other seasonal goodies. The ship overnights in Nuremberg.
Today, travel by train from Nuremberg to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities. Your guide offers suggestions on what to see during your free time in town and takes you to lunch in a local restaurant. Back on board the ship tonight, meet newly arrived travelers embarking from Prague.
Enjoy breakfast as you cruise through the engineering marvel known as the Main-Danube Canal, which traverses the Alps via 16 locks. Arrive in Bamberg and enjoy a walking tour of this medieval gem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is free time to sample some of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer before you return to the ship. The ship departs this evening and cruises overnight.
After arriving in Kitzingen, your walking tour includes the city’s famous 13th-century Leaning Tower, the Old Main Bridge, Kitzingen Church, and the Renaissance-style Town Hall. Later, the Aulic Council and Wine Queen welcome you to Germany’s oldest wine cellar for a tasting of several different wines and an overview of wine production in the region. In the afternoon, you have a choice of three different excursions. Take a guided tour of Würzburg showing you all of the major sights or visit the Residenz Palace and gardens, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s best examples of Baroque architecture. Rejoin the ship in Würzburg and cruise overnight.
This morning, you have a walking tour of Wertheim, a town that has retained much of its medieval charm and character. The ship depart for Miltenberg during lunch, arriving early evening for a brief walking tour along cobblestone streets lined with steeply gabled, half-timbered houses. Later, the ship leaves Bavaria and the Main River behind.
Early this morning, cruise through the Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the river, passing castle after castle. Don't miss the legendary Lorelei Rock, where legend says sweet songs of local beauties once lured enchanted sailors to their doom. In Rüdesheim, board a miniature train that takes you to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time. Arrive in Koblenz in the evening and enjoy a walking tour through this charming town, lead by your Cruise Manager.
Cruise from Koblenz to Cologne today, arriving this afternoon. After lunch on board, enjoy a walking tour of Cologne and visit the spectacular 13th-century Medieval Gothic cathedral. Depart late tonight for Amsterdam.
Enjoy your last morning leisurely cruising to Amsterdam, arriving after lunch. You have a guided canal cruise, a city tour with a photo stop at the Rembrandt Windmill, and free time to explore on your own.
Day 15: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,999
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Cat. E
Violin & Cello Deck
French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat.D
Piano Deck
Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat.CB
Violin Deck
French Balcony, 155 sq. ft.
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Cat.CA
Violin & Cello Deck
French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat.BB
Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat.BA
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat.AB
Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Cat.AA
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.6 | 105 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 105 reviews on
4 hours ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
7 hours ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.
Danny
22 hours ago
This is our 7th trip Kassandra has planned and she is wonderful to work with. She is responsive, helpful, patient and knowledgeable. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work together with her. We love Adventure Life!
Aana Rivlin
1 day ago
Love Adventure Life, Mary is very experienced in the cruise department. Their post follow up after booking is great too.
Rita Shiver
1 day ago
Responsiveness and follow through along with staff being very personable.