A “Magnificent” European journey through five fascinating countries! Begin in Budapest and travel through the Main-Danube Canal as you traverse Europe's Continental Divide. Discover the culture and traditions of grand capitals, the perfectly preserved medieval towns and Europe's loveliest countryside. Your cruise ends among the legendary canals and colorful surroundings of Amsterdam.
Highlights
Enjoy some of Europe's most beloved Christmas Markets
Tour Budapest's highlights, including Buda Castle & St. Stephen's Basilica
See Vienna's historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Cruise through the Main-Danube Canal, a marvel of modern engineering
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 the city tour, 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 departs 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 | Disembarkation
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homebound flight.
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$5,599
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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%.
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!