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 and Europe’s loveliest countryside.
Highlights
Cruise the canals of Amsterdam on a guided boat tour
Enjoy optional excursions, such as wine tastings and bike tours
Tour Bamberg and sample its famous smoked beer
Explore Nuremberg's medieval highlights, including Nuremberg Castle
Sightsee in Budapest, including Heroes' Square and Castle Hill
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.
After breakfast, admire the city’s beautiful centuries-old homes and picturesque churches on a guided canal boat tour. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Amsterdam’s most iconic sights and a photo stop at a Dutch windmill before making your way to the ship, which departs early this afternoon and cruises overnight to Germany.
This morning, arrive in Cologne for a guided walking tour through the old part of the city and visit its medieval Gothic cathedral and surrounding square. After lunch the ship departs for Koblenz, one of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful towns, arriving this evening. Feel free to go ashore and enjoy an evening walk with your Cruise Manager. The ship moors overnight in Koblenz.
Cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge this morning, the most beautiful stretch of the river with vineyards, castles, fortresses and picturesque hamlets lining its banks. Look for the Lorelei Rock at the narrowest part of the river, the inspiration for many German legends. After lunch, arrive in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim and take a mini train to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see its incredible collection. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with shops and wine taverns, as well as other sights during your free time. Or, take a gondola ride above the town to see the Niederwalddenkmal Statue or join us for some Rüdesheimer Coffee. Late this afternoon, the ship departs for Miltenberg.
Arrive in Miltenberg in the late morning and head off on a walking tour of this delightful old town, with its narrow cobblestone streets and steeply gabled houses. During lunch today, the ship cruises to Freudenberg where a motor coach takes you to Wertheim for either a walking tour to see the historic city center or to a local bakery for a pretzel-making demonstration and tasting. Those seeking something more active may choose to join a guided bike ride from Freudenberg to Wertheim. Afterwards, rejoin the ship and cruise overnight en route to Würzburg.
This morning’s guided tour of Würzburg shows you all of the city’s major sights, 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 escort you to one of Germany’s oldest wine cellar 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.
This morning, you have a choice of two activities in Nuremberg. 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. Alternatively, savor traditional flavors on a Franconian Specialties tasting as you sample the famous Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier and Lebkuchen. After lunch, the ship passes through the Main-Danube Canal and across Europe’s Continental Divide. Continue cruising overnight.
You have your choice of one of three tours this morning. Your first option is a guided walking tour of 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. Your second option is a guided bike tour from Regensburg to Walhalla through the spectacular scenery of the Danube Valley. Your third option is an opportunity to sample the city’s most renowned specialties – sausage, beer and pretzels. The ship departs this evening for Austria.
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.
Reach the lovely Wachau Valley early this morning. 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 from Melk to Dürnstein. Later, you have the opportunity to explore the cobblestone streets of this charming town, where you can also enjoy a wine tasting. The ship moors in Dürnstein until the early hours of the morning.
This morning, you have a 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, you can 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.
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Bratislava, where you have three choices of excursions. The first is a walking tour that includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. The second is a Slovakian Specialties tasting where you can enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine, sample a creamy soup made from sheep's cheese and learn how to prepare stuffed potato ravioli. Finally, you can also join a hike up to Bratislava Castle, which includes visits to the Castle Upper Terrace and Court of Honor. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own.
Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in the cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. You can see famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and spectacular views of the Danube. Alternatively, you may also opt to join a hike up to Castle Hill on which you can see Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion and Parliament Square. After dinner, the ship sails a special Illuminations Cruise past the glittering riverfront of Budapest.
Day 15: Disembark | Depart Budapest
1 Breakfast
Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.
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E
Piano deck, fixed windows
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D
Piano deck, fixed windows
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C
Violin & Cello deck, French Balcony
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BB
Cello deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
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BA
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
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AB
Cello deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
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AA
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
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AA+
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
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Suite
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
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 4.8 | 184 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 184 reviews on
5 hours ago
This is at least the fifth trip we have booked with AdventureLife. Jess has always had excellent ideas.
Thomas Brayshaw
1 day ago
Prompt, professional and friendly service!
Jimmie
2 days ago
Easiest trip to plan ever. We received quick answers and Mary was very knowledgeable about different areas of the world that we had questions about.
We have book 2 trips, FABULOUS trip to Antartica which we have already taken and just booked for a future trip to Africa.
Michelle
2 days ago
Planning service is personal. people actually listening to you and using that information constructively to help you plan a great trip. They have extensive travel knowledge and experience in the area they cover. The planning is detailed and comprehensive in meeting your needs. It makes a difference!
Allison Wynn
2 days ago
The pre-planning and execution of the plan was excellent. They were even able to help get glasses returned when a member or our party left them in a hotel.