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Budapest, the capital city of Hungary

European Jewels

Budapest-Amsterdam - Example 16 Day Cruise aboard River Duchess
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Indulge your passion for majestic art, architecture, music and history on an all-encompassing journey through four countries along three great rivers— the Danube, Main and Rhine—and to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. From exotic Budapest or “Queen of the Danube” to imperial Vienna or the “City of Waltzes” and the sky-high spires of Cologne’s Gothic cathedral, centuries of intriguing history and culture unfold before your eyes. Throughout the journey, tantalize your senses with exclusive wine, apricot brandy and beer tastings, along with regional culinary delicacies. Discover the grand sweep of history on a magnificent journey that gives you the best of Europe’s great treasures as well as off-the-beaten-path gems.

Select departures run in reverse (Amsterdam to Budapest)
Vienna Opera House, AustriaEvening lights in beautiful RegensburgExplore the unique architecture of BambergA tranquil moment in NurembergStroll through the romantic streets of AmsterdamBudapest, the capital city of Hungary
Highlights
  • Tour the Budapest's most important landmarks in guided tour aboard a motor-coach
  • Experience the process of beer making in Regensburg during a farm visit.
  • Wander through the village of Weissenkirchen and walk through the vineyards
  • Explore the well preserved Passau city by bike
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Budapest | Embark

Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2: Budapest

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts— Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube. Hungary’s capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You’ll have two enticing ways to experience the city, a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach with a visit to the Parliament or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour of the city’s most important landmarks.

Choice of “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour or Budapest panoramic highlights and Parliament visit.

In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared.

Day 3: Cruising the Danube River, Vienna

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today is your day to relax onboard, enjoying the luxuries of your river cruise ship while soaking in the spectacular scenery all around you as your ship heads for Vienna. Come up to the Sun Deck to admire the city’s landmarks strung along the riverbanks.

Day 4: Vienna

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the City of Waltzes with your choice of excursions. Begin your day with an itinerary highlight—our “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum. Then, choose between two different guided tours: a panoramic city tour or our “Do as the Locals Do” walking tour.

Featured Excursion: “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum

Choice of Vienna - Imperial city highlights or Do as the Locals Do” Vienna walking tour

Day 5: Cruising the Wachau Valley | Weissenkirchen (Melk)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Awaken to the spectacular scenery of the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful stretches of river landscape in all of Europe. Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies, including a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike.

Featured Excursion: “Let’s Go” vineyard hike

Choice of Weissenkirchen “Village Day” with wine tasting or Melk Abbey with library visit

Day 6: Passau

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Just before reaching Passau, the ship will pass through the famous Schlögener Schlinge—a “gooseneck” or hairpin turn in the Danube. Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn and Ilz— Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you’ll see on your walking tour.

Choice of Passau walking tour or "Let's Go" hiking around Passau or Let's Go” bicycle ride along the Inn River

Day 7: Regensburg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today in Regensburg, travel through time or get a crash course in making craft beer, then watch high-tech robots assemble the Ultimate Driving Machine. Regensburg is a friendly town with quaint cobblestone streets, historic Roman ruins and a medieval city center. The remnants of Regensburg’s golden age are still on display, but don’t let its illustrious history fool you into thinking the town’s best days are all in the past.

Choice of “2,000 Years in One Hour” Regensburg walking tour or “From Hops Field to Beer Stein” farm visit or BMW factory visit

Day 8: Nuremberg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in the archetypal medieval German city of Nuremberg. Nuremberg is justifiably famous for its gingerbread and pocket watches; and it was also the site of some key moments in 20th-century history. Choose between two memorable ways of exploring this exceptional city. Either hop aboard a motorcoach and “Do as the Locals Do,” or you can accompany a local expert to the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Nazi Party Rally Grounds—the actual site of the Nazi Party rallies.

Choice of Nuremberg city tour with WWII Rally Grounds and Documentation Center visit or "Do as the Locals Do" Nuremberg walking tour

Onboard: This morning, head up to the top deck or find a seat with a good view—you won’t want to miss seeing the ship navigate its way through a marvel of modern engineering, the Main-Danube Canal. A formidable set of locks, 16 in all, lifts your ship to the crest of the European “continental divide.”

Day 9: Bamberg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Your floating boutique hotel takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life, including a tractor ride. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one.

Choice of Bamberg walking tour or Franconian “Village Day”

You’ll spend the rest of the day on the peaceful Main River, cruising past quiet Franconian hamlets and picturesque countryside. It’s the perfect time to indulge in the many comforts of your luxury ship while watching some of Europe’s loveliest scenery glide by.

Day 10: Würzburg (Rothenburg)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Your ship will dock in the charming Franconian town of Würzburg, where you can visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence, one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe.

Featured Excursions: Würzburg Residence visit with Court Gardens or Fairytale Rothenburg
 

Day 11: Wertheim

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the town of Wertheim. You’ll meet one of Germany’s best pretzel makers, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate. If you’re more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are welcome to do that as well.

Choice of Wertheim walk with local treats or “Let's Go” Wertheim bicycle tour

Day 12: Frankfurt (Heidelberg)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe due to its profusion of bankers and soaring skyscrapers, which coexist with the city’s traditional Old Town architecture. Choose a brief tour that gives an overview of this major European financial and trade center. Alternatively, visit romantic Heidelberg and its Renaissance castle or hike the Philosophers’ Walk.

Choice of “Do as the Locals Do” Frankfurt walking tour or Heidelberg Castle visit or "Let's Go" Heidelberg Philosophers' Walk

Day 13: Rüdesheim

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Experience Germany’s fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region’s famous vineyards from the perspective of an aerial cable car, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. The town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse. Experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine later in the afternoon as you cruise past the famous Middle Rhine Valley.

Choice of Rüdesheim wine village and panoramas of Niederwald Monument or Abbey Eberbach medieval monastery tour with Riesling tasting

Day 14: Cologne

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a delightful tour of Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its stunning Renaissance façade. Wander through the historical center and take in its charming atmosphere and narrow alleyways flanked by old houses. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore the city on your own.

Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour with Old Town visit

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared this evening.

Day 15: Amsterdam

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy the luxury of a full day in the “Venice of the North,” starting with a delightful tour of the Van Gogh Museum. Afterwards, explore the city with a canal ride or on foot with a local expert.

Featured Excursion: Van Gogh Museum visit

Choice of Amsterdam canal cruise or “Do as the Locals Do” Amsterdam walking tour

Day 16: Amsterdam | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark the ship. Depart for the airport for your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

River Duchess

Blue Danube Lounge
Palace Restaurant
River Duchess Lobby

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,499
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Classic Cabin
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Classic
Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft/14 sq m) located on the Moselle Deck. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, bathrobes, towels and slippers.
Deluxe Cabin
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Deluxe
Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft /14 sq m) located on the Danube and Main Deck. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, bathrobes, towels and slippers.
French Balcony Cabin
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French Balcony
Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom located on the Rhine Deck (151 sq ft /14 sq m) with a French balcony. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, towels, bathrobes, heated mirrors and slippers.
Suite Cabin
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Suite
Lavishly appointed riverview suite located on the Rhine Deck (214 sq ft /20 sq m) with a French balcony. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom equipped with Hermes bath and body products, bathrobes, towels and slippers.

Notes

Please Note: Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.

- All fares are per guest in US Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted.
- Single Supplement applies for single accommodation. Solo occupancy pricing is dependent on cabin type, contact us for details.
Included
  • 15 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 15 Dinners
  • 15 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Bilingual English-speaking guide
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • All gratuities, shipboard and shoreside 
  • Bicycles & Hiking Sticks equipment if needed
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
  • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
  • Guided “Do as the Locals Do” and “Let's Go” programs
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
  • Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Port Fees
  • Passport or Visa fees

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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
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