Welcome to Budapest, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Eastern Europe. Here, you are met at the airport and transferred to your luxurious ship, where your friendly captain and crew await to greet you.

This evening, you relax on board as you enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show.

Budapest is a place of striking contrasts, with Buda on one side housing a generous scattering of the city's elegant landmarks, and Pest on the other encapsulating its fascinating past. Separated by the mighty Danube, you can explore them both by crossing the Chain Bridge, one of the most symbolic structures in the capital.

Today, you have the opportunity to discover the city's history during a guided tour, including the Castle District, where the sights of Buda Castle perched on top of a rocky outcrop overlooking the city's delight. If you feel active, then you may choose to hike to Buda Hill, following a maze of cobblestone streets to the massive Baroque masterpiece towering overhead.

Bordering Austria and Hungary, the Slovakian capital is yours to discover today. Wander down cobblestone streets and witness the sheer majesty of ornate Baroque palaces as you explore with a local guide, passing the Renaissance courtyard of the Old Town Hall and the picturesque gardens of the Episcopal Summer Palace. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore at leisure, perhaps perusing some of the quaint boutiques that line the streets.

This afternoon, you are welcomed into the home of a local family to learn about their culture over traditional sweet treats and coffee.

A wave of culture paves the way for life in the Austrian capital, where some of history's most prestigious composers once walked the streets and found their inspiration. Today, by coach and on foot, you can pass the iconic imperial palaces and noteworthy buildings adorning the Ringstrasse, including the Vienna State Opera.

Alternatively, before passing by Prater, you embark on a guided cycling tour past idyllic riverbanks, monuments, and lush parks.

This morning, you have the opportunity to hike to Dürnstein Castle, perhaps stopping to imagine how it looks when Richard the Lionheart was held captive following the Third Crusade. Alternatively, you enjoy a guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk, passing noteworthy vineyards and settling down for lunch on the riverbanks.

After visiting Dürnstein Castle, relax on the Sun Deck as you sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and on to Melk, nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Your local guide takes you on a tour of the spectacular Benedictine abbey, including its ancient monastic library and medieval manuscripts saved from fires by the monks in the 13th century.

Sat on the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, Passau is a postcard-worthy destination that is shaped by the surrounding waterways. Maze-like romantic lanes weave through the city, opening up into large squares and magical promenades adorned with classical boutiques.

This afternoon, you join your local guide for a tour of Passau and discover a peppering of delightful Baroque buildings, some of which date back to the 17th century. Stop to admire the silhouette of the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress and witness St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home of the largest church organ in Europe.  Later, return for an afternoon spent peacefully cruising through the heart of Europe.

After breakfast, you explored one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany. Your local guide leads you through the heart of Regensburg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, once home to the seat of parliament.

Delightful historic patrician houses line the streets, a testament to the area’s importance as a trading center hundreds of years ago.  Later, you return to your Star-Ship to sail through the picturesque surroundings of the Main-Danube Canal, passing Kelheim as you make your way to Nuremberg.

Today, you explore the historic city of Nuremberg during an included sightseeing tour, touching on the architectural wonders that inspire famous artists from around the world for generations.

After your guided tour, you enjoy exploring the city at leisure, passing idyllic houses that are lovingly reconstructed following the destruction of the war years.

This morning, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg awaits. Thousands of listed buildings can be found in the medieval town center, an area bursting with character, and charm, and one of the best-preserved old quarters in Europe.

Admire hundreds of ornamental façades as you explore the town with your local guide, passing the New Residence. This building truly captures the luxury that is enjoyed by the prince bishops. Relax in the Rose Garden before witnessing the opulence of medieval Altenburg Castle overlooking the town.

As you wake up in Würzburg, you are introduced to the Romantic Road which is one of the popular tourist routes in Bavaria that links stunning medieval locations throughout the country. You'll enjoy exploring the sloping vineyard-laden hills of one of the biggest wine-producing areas in Germany.

Later, you will be able to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Würzburg Residence, admiring the Viennese Baroque architecture and secular features from Italy. Your local guide will teach you how the architects behind the Würzburg Residence drew inspiration from various popular styles. After the tour, you'll have a guided walking tour of Würzburg, including the Gothic Marienkapelle and Town Hall.

This morning, you will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive glassblowing presentation at the Glass Art Museum. Then, travel by coach to the picturesque village of Miltenberg, a place that perfectly encapsulates traditional Bavarian life.

Enjoy a guided tour of the village, as your local guide leads you down an intricate network of cobblestone streets, each adorned with colorful houses. Centuries ago, this area benefited from trade that was brought by river traffic, and this past affluence can still be seen today. Alternatively, embark on an active walk to Mildenburg Castle, where a wonderful collection of artwork can be found inside of the castle that was once little more than a set of ruins.

Relax on your Star-Ship this morning until you reach Rüdesheim, a town with a rich history of viticulture. When you arrive, ride the Winzerexpress to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum to see spectacular rare music boxes that have stood the test of time, showcased in a postcard-worthy building with a half-timbered façade. 

Alternatively, enjoy an active walk through vineyards to see what makes this wine region so popular.
After lunch, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, perhaps standing on the Sun Deck and watching for the castles and fortresses that pepper the surrounding hilltops.

Cruise along the Rhine from Koblenz to Cologne this morning, where an illustrious history awaits. 
One of the oldest cities in the country, the Romans founded Cologne in 50AD and you'll find a number of ancient ruins, monuments, and medieval structures as reminders. 

Enjoy a walking tour of the city today, as your local guide takes you through the Old Town, passing ancient bridges that survived the air raids of WWII, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral and its filigree twin towers, an iconic part of the city’s skyline.
Your crew will be delighted to welcome you to your farewell dinner this evening.

This morning, board a glass top canal boat for a cruise down the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system that weaves across Amsterdam, passing elegant merchant’s residences that reflect the prosperity of the Dutch Golden Age, a time when Amsterdam was an important trading center. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at leisure.

Alternatively, explore on two wheels, cycling from the comfortable surrounds of your Star-Ship to Waterland, passing a number of quintessentially Dutch villages and traditional windmills along the way.

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and depart your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the postcard-worthy Rhine Gorge and idyllic Dutch countryside with you. 

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to the terms and conditions for further information.