Follow the route of emperors and kings on a “Magnificent” European small ship journey along three great rivers through five fascinating countries! Begin in Amsterdam, then cruise on the Rhine to Cologne, a historic university town with a breathtaking Cathedral. Cruise through the beautiful Rhine Gorge and then onto the Main River. Marvel at the Main-Danube Canal – an engineering masterpiece – as you traverse Europe’s Continental Divide from the comfort of your small ship. Discover the culture and traditions of such grand old capitals as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Along the way, you’ll see perfectly preserved medieval towns and Europe’s loveliest countryside, filled with ancient abbeys and fairytale castles.
Highlights
Take a guided walking tour of medieval Cologne, Germany
Sample regional wines from Germany's oldest wine cellars
Enjoy a Bamberg Specialties tasting of smoked beer, licorice, and Hornla
Sightsee in romantic Vienna, including the majestic Opera House
Hike up Castle Hill in Budapest and see Buda Castle
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome to Amsterdam, a modern city with a rich and fascinating history. Explore its unique architecture, vibrant cafés, and markets. This evening, meet your fellow travelers on board at the Welcome Dinner.
Discover Amsterdam’s iconic canals and leaning houses with a scenic canal cruise. Continue with a walk to the Begijnhof and be charmed by its historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Later in the day, set sail.
Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the Gothic cathedral. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer and Reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with apple sauce. Active adventurists can join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a walking tour through the vineyards where you can stop to sample wines at three different tasting stations. Or choose to drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue. For a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee.
While on your walking tour of Miltenberg, discover why this medieval town seems to leap from the pages of a fairytale. Prefer to explore Miltenberg more actively, go on a hike. Later in the day, enjoy a walking tour of Wertheim, which has one of the most beautiful city centers in Germany. Those wishing to learn more about the art of pretzel making can join a demonstration and tasting, and for the more actively inclined, go on a guided bike tour.
Nestled along the “Romantic Road” lies Würzburg. Join a walking tour of this beautiful city, or visit its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get more active with a hike up to the Marienberg Fortress, the most prominent landmark on the left bank of the Main River in Würzburg.
Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions. Or taste your way through the city with tastings of smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla, a pastry. And for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour.
You have three choices of excursions while in Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided tour through this well-preserved medieval city, showcasing the Imperial Castle, famous town wall and the legendary fountain of the Market Square. Or turn back the pages of a darker history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the coliseum. Visit the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam and Courtroom 600, if the courtroom is not in session. Alternatively, partake in a traditional Franconian specialties tasting of famous Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rotbier (red beer) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later in the day, cruise through the manmade marvel, the Main-Danube Canal, en route to Regensburg.
Explore one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, Regensburg on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. And for a more active adventure, bike to Walhalla where you can see the neo-Classical white marble temple.
Discover Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress.
Cruise to Melk, known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also join a guided bike tour along the Danube, and if you would like, you can bike later in the day further along the Danube through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley that takes you to Dürnstein. For those not biking, you can cruise through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein. Once here, you have a choice of excursions. Partake in a walking tour along cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, before enjoying a local wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. You may also choose to visit a local apricot grower, and be treated to the finest apricot products in the region.
Discover the “City of Waltzes” on a city tour showcasing its many regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride along the Danube. Later in the day, enjoy leisure time in Vienna or cycle to Klosterneuburg Monastery on a bike tour.
Sail to the “Coronation City of Kings,” where you can join a walking tour or choose instead to taste local Slovakian specialties and learn how to prepare stuffed potato ravioli. For those who wish a more active exploration, hike up to Bratislava Castle for magnificent views of the city.
Discover the “Queen of the Danube” on your city tour beginning with a visit to the Great Market Hall followed by a panoramic tour of both the Buda and the Pest sides of the river. As an alternative choice, hike up to Castle Hill. Spend your last evening on board cruising around the famed Parliament Building as the city turns on all her dazzling lights.
Day 15: Budapest, Hungary | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid adieu to Budapest 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.
$6,399
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Cat. E
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat. D
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat. C
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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Cat. AA+
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 250 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%.
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.