DAY 1, WED. DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight to Paris.
DAY 2, ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE
Take the balance of the day to relax or explore the 'City of Lights.'
DAY 3, PARIS
Enjoy Paris' famous sights during this morning's guided tour, then a free afternoon to explore. (B)
DAY 4, PARIS
Spend the day at your leisure. Visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair of 1889. Paris at night offers unlimited possibilities for every taste. (B)
DAY 5, PARIS - LUXEMBOURG - TRIER, GERMANY
This morning, drive through the French countryside of Champagne to Luxembourg, one of the last independent duchies which once made up western and central Europe. The Grand Duchy still plays an important role in today's international politics and banking. There is free time for lunch and a guided city tour before continuing to Trier and boarding the ship. Tonight, gather together for the Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
DAY 6, BERNKASTEL - ZELL
Arrive in the charming village of Bernkastel. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Take a guided walking tour through the old town center with its many Renaissance buildings, before continuing on to Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine 'Zeller Schwarze Katz.' (B,L,D)
DAY 7, COCHEM - KOBLENZ - RHINE CASTLES -RUDESHEIM
This morning, tour Cochem and the hilltop Reichsburg Castle. Or, enjoy scenic cruising to Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. This afternoon cruise along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine and see castle after castle as well as the legendary Lorelei Rock. In Rudesheim, visit Siegfried's Musical Instrument Museum and explore the Drosselgasse. (B,L,D)
DAY 8, MAINZ - HEIDELBERG - FRANKFURT
Today, disembark in Mainz for a full day excursion to Heidelberg. Or enjoy a walking tour of charming Mainz and visit the Gutenberg Museum. Then, enjoy a lunchtime cruise on the Main River to Frankfurt where a guided walking tour covers the historic city center. (B,L,D)
DAY 9, MILTENBERG - WERTHEIM
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking tour of this old Franconian town, which reveals narrow cobblestone streets and gabled houses. Shop for souvenirs before continuing to charming Wertheim for a captivating glass-blowing performance. Enjoy free time to browse the market square before returning the ship. (B,L,D)
DAY 10, WURZBURG
Visit the major sights of this center of wine and trade, including the magnificent Residenz Palace. Join this afternoon's optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg, or enjoy free time to explore before returning to Wurzburg. (B,L,D)
DAY 11, BAMBERG
Enjoy a leisure morning cruise before entering the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg. Disembark for a guided tour of this medieval gem. Marvel at the breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the city's serpentine streets. Tonight, arrive in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)
DAY 12, NUREMBERG - MUNICH
Today, travel by train to Munich, the capital of Bavaria, nicknamed 'Germany's secret capital.' Enjoy an escorted lunch in the world famous Hofbrauhaus. Today, and can help you plan your adventure. (B,L,D)
DAY 13, NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE - DIETFURT
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and impressive elegant walls. At lunchtime, rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks to the Bavarian town of Dietfurt. (B,L,D)
DAY 14, REGENSBURG
Arrive in magnificent Regensburg, one of Germany's most well-preserved medieval cities. A guided tour includes the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Enjoy the evening music performance onboard. (B,L,D)
DAY 15, PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a walking tour of this fairytale city, or, take an optional full day excursion to Salzburg. For those staying onboard, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau to Linz, Austria. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town. (B,L,D)
DAY 16, MELK - VIENNA
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. Rejoin the ship for lunch as we cruise on to Vienna, the 'City of Music.' Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)
DAY 17, VIENNA
A tour of Vienna will show you the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse, awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral and will include a visit to the National Library. Then, enjoy a free afternoon to shop or to explore on your own. This evening, continue cruising to Hungary. (B,L,D)
DAY 18, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The morning is free for shopping, or sightseeing. Your afternoon tour includes Buda and Pest and features Buda Castle, the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and more. Tonight enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 19, BUDAPEST
Upon arrival, you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. Take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders and drivers during the horse show. Try a lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest. (B,L,D)
DAY 20, MOHACS - PECS - VUKOVAR, CROATIA
Arrive this morning in Mohacs, where you depart for an excursion to Old Pecs for a walking tour. Upon leaving Hungary, the Danube is flanked by Serbia on one bank and Croatia on the other. Tonight, arrive in Vukovar, Croatia. (B,L,D)
DAY 21, VUKOVAR - NOVI SAD, SERBIA
This morning, a guided bus and walking tour of Vukovar will show you the main sights of the city. During lunch, continue your cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, for a tour of the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)
DAY 22, BELGRADE
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and explore its myriad of streets, plazas and squares. Belgrade has over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. Your guided tour features Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, the Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Street, Republic Square and Mihajlova street, 'Varos' Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. (B,L,D)
DAY 23, CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES
Today, enjoy a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here, the Danube narrows as it winds through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern foothills of the Balkan Mountains. Forming the natural border between Serbia and Romania, today's passage will be an unforgettable highlight of your adventure. (B,L,D)
DAY 24, VIDIN, BULGARIA
The 14th-century Bada Vida Fortress guards over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. From here, take an excursion to the beautifully restored 6th-century Belogradschik Castle. (B,L,D)
DAY 25, GIURGIU - BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, Romania, famed for its Belle Epoque architecture. During the morning city tour, see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum, the Library and then visit the Parliament Palace - the world's largest palace. Enjoy lunch in a typical Romanian restaurant, then shop, explore on your own or visit the open air museum, dedicated to the traditional architecture of rural Romania. (B,L,D)
DAY 26, ROUSSE - VELIKO TURNOVO - PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
Disembark in Rousse and continue your tour by motorcoach, where your first stop is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the citadel of the city, the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces, the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Shoppers can explore the traditional street market, Samovodska Charshia. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing on to Plovdiv. This evening, see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town, before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
DAY 27, PLOVDIV - ISTANBUL, TURKEY
After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your European vacation. (B)
DAY 28, ISTANBUL
Your city tour shows you the old city, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her historic past. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the Galata Tower and visit the and Blue Mosque. This evening, join an optional Istanbul By Night excursion for dinner and belly dancing show. (B)
DAY 29, ISTANBUL
Tour the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th to the end of the 19th-century. Admire the Sultan's private chambers, marvel at the world famous Harem and the treasury, home to the Topkapi Diamond. This afternoon, enjoy an optional Bosporus cruise and visit to the Spice Bazaar or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B)
DAY 30, ISTANBUL - USA
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B) |
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