Arrive in Paris and check-in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Walk through the city’s enchanting streets, drop by a charming sidewalk café, or visit one of many world-class museums.

Today visit Notre Dame and then enjoy some free time to explore the “City of Light.” Afterwards, see some of the most famous sites on a panoramic city tour, followed by a photo stop at Champs de Mars for views of the Eiffel Tower. 

Enjoy a free day to explore the romantic “City of Light.” Stroll along the Champs Elysées, lined with boutiques and cafés, or go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair. 

Bid au revoir to Paris as you board your TGV high-speed train that whisks you away to Luxembourg, one of Europe’s last independent duchies. Take a guided walking tour of Luxembourg as well as a stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of General George Patton, before boarding the ship. Tonight, gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. The ship departs very late tonight for Germany.

After breakfast enjoy a guided walking tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest city with a rich Roman past. See Trier Cathedral, the Basilica of Constantine, and the Porta Nigra gate that dates back to 179 A.D. Continue on to Bernkastel, strategically located in the middle of the Mosel Valley’s wine-producing region, an area that’s been cultivating wine for over 500 years. A guided walking tour through the old town center this afternoon takes you past many medieval and Renaissance buildings. Also enjoy a winery visit and sample several regional vintages. Your ship departs later this evening and cruises overnight. 

Today, enjoy a guided tour of Cochem that takes you to the spectacular hilltop Reichsburg Castle, offering fantastic views of the river valley below. Or, opt to take a walking tour of Koblenz and explore its charming town square and quaint shops. Return to the ship for a scenic afternoon cruise along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine, with castle ruins, fortresses, and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rüdesheim this evening and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or you may choose to enjoy some Rüdesheimer Coffee. The ship moors overnight in Rüdesheim. 

This morning, depart Rüdesheim and cruise to beautiful Mainz, arriving after lunch. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, home to two copies of the world’s first printed Bible as well as centuries-old manuscripts and printing presses. You may also choose to see the famed Chagall windows, which depict scriptural scenes in stunning blue. As an alternative to Mainz, you can travel by motor coach to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, where you can take a tour of the old town, visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon wine cask), and enjoy beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and the city below. Later this afternoon, the ship departs Mainz and cruises overnight to Wertheim. 

Welcome to Wertheim, a quaint German town known for its intricate glassworks and charming medieval architecture. You have your choice of one of three excursions today. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic city center, a scenic guided bike tour along the Main River, or a visit to a local bakery for a pretzel-making demonstration and tasting. Your ship cruises to Würzburg this evening. 

This morning’s guided tour of Würzburg shows you all of the city’s major sites, or you may prefer to visit the Residenz Palace and gardens, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The next stop is Kitzingen this afternoon where the town’s Historic Court Council and honorary Wine Queen escorts you to one of Germany’s oldest wine cellars to sample regional wines. You may either cruise to Kitzingen, or get there via a guided bike ride through the Franconian countryside. Later tonight, the ship sails towards Bamberg. 

Arrive this afternoon in enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you have one of three ways to explore. The first is a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall, and elegant old mansions, as well as sample some of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer. The second is a guided bike tour along the Main River and the third is a Bamberg Specialties tasting where you can enjoy smoked beer, licorice root, and Hornla, a local favorite whose recipe dates back to 1427. This evening, continue cruising towards Nuremberg. 

Today, travel by train from Nuremberg to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities. Take an orientation walk upon arrival, and then your guide offers suggestions on what to see during your free time in town and takes you to lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic tour of this vibrant city. Back on board the ship tonight, meet new guests arriving from Prague. 

You have two excursion options today. Take a tour of the city’s medieval highlights, including Nuremberg Castle, the 900-year-old ramparts surrounding the city, Town Hall, Notre Dame, and the house of artist Albrecht Dürer, or join a WWII tour and see the Coliseum, Nazi Parade Ground, and Justice Palace. Later, the ship cruises the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg. 

This morning’s scenic cruising brings you into the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal en route to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. A guided walking tour shows you the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. 

After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the Inn and Ilz rivers flow into the Danube. Choose between a walking tour of Passau’s Old Town, past the old city fortifications, Rathaus, Domplatz, and Residenzplatz squares, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or more active guests may join either a guided bike tour from Passau to Erlau or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress overlooking Passau. Return to the ship this afternoon for a scenic cruise to Linz, Austria’s third largest city and a major river port. 

Early this morning, cruise to Melk. You have a choice between a guided tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries, or a guided bike tour along the Danube. Return to the ship for lunch before cruising on through the scenic Wachau Valley. Arrive in Vienna after dinner and explore the magnificent Austrian capital on your own. 

This morning, take the chance to savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna through your choice of one of three different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall, and Vienna University. Afterwards, visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben, and the world famous Spanish Riding School. The second option is a walking tour of Vienna’s hidden treasures that takes you to secret places and sights like Ankeruhr, a whimsical Art Nouveau clock. Your third option is a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark. This afternoon, you can join a guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery, or explore at your leisure. Be sure to sample some Viennese coffee and pastries. 

Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in the cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. See famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and spectacular views of the Danube. Alternatively, you may join a guided hike up to Budapest Castle Hill. After dinner, the ship sails a special Illuminations Cruise past the city’s glittering riverfront. 

This morning, transfer from the ship to your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city on your own. 

The day is free to explore beautiful Budapest at your leisure. 

Bid farewell to Budapest as you prepare for your homeward flight.