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Day 1,
Wed. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to Paris.
Day 2,
Thu. ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE.
Arrive in Paris and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day
is free to relax or start exploring the captivating city of Paris.
Day 3,
Fri. PARIS.
This morning’s guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Eiffel
Tower, the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, and
much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many
museums, galleries and other attractions the city has to offer.
(B)
Day 4,
Sat. PARIS.
Enjoy a full free day to explore the amazing City of Lights, where
romance fills the air. Stroll along the Champs Elysées, the
boutique-lined boulevard, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower,
built for the World’s Fair in 1889. Sip a coffee or taste some
French wines in the buzzing Latin Quarter, or chat with one of the
many artists along the banks of the Seine River. Paris has much to
offer for every taste. (B)
Day 5,
Sun. PARIS / LUXEMBOURG.
Enjoy more free time in Paris this morning. After lunch, drive
through the scenic French countryside to Luxembourg and board your
deluxe river cruise ship. Explore charming Luxembourg, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, and one of the smallest countries in the
world. Tonight gather on board for a Gala Welcome Dinner. The ship
will moor overnight in Luxembourg. (B,D)
Day 6,
Mon. LUXEMBOURG / MOSELLE VALLEY, GERMANY / BERNKASTEL / ZELL.
This morning, enjoy stunning views as you cruise to the charming
village of Bernkastel. Located in the middle of the Moselle
wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of
documented wine history. Take a walk through the old town center
with its many Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Then, sail to
Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine, “Zeller Schwarze
Katz.” (B,L,D)
Day 7,
Tue. COCHEM / KOBLENZ / RÜDESHEIM.
This morning arrive in Cochem where a guided tour of hilltop
Reichsburg Castle offers fascinating views of the river valley.
From here, a motorcoach ride brings you to Koblenz situated at the
confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. Re-board your ship and
cruise along the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine. See
castle after castle and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in
Rüdesheim, the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Visit
unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and
explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns
and restaurants. (B,L,D)
Day 8,
Wed. MAINZ / HEIDELBERG / FRANKFURT.
Disembark in Mainz and travel by motorcoach to Heidelberg,
Germany’s oldest university town of Student Prince fame.
Sightseeing focuses on the red-walled castle, where the great vat,
a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask, attracts particular
attention. After some free time drive to Frankfurt, the bustling
metropolis on the River Main, where you rejoin your ship.(B,L,D)
Day 9,
Thu. MILTENBERG / WERTHEIM.
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking
tour. Shop for souvenirs before a motorcoach takes you to charming
Wertheim, where you can browse in the market square before
re-boarding the ship. The rest of the day, cruise through the
sunny valleys of the meandering Main. Tonight, enjoy an
entertaining Crew show. (B,L,D)
Day 10,
Fri. WÜRZBURG.
After a morning filled with wonderful Main River scenery, you will
be romanced by Würzburg. Surrounded by sloping hills covered with
vineyards, the city is the capital of Lower Franconia, a center of
wine and trade. During your morning tour visit the major sights
including the magnificent Residential Palace. Your afternoon
cruise takes you past charming Volkach and through the Franconian
wine region. (B,L,D)
Day 11,
Sat. BAMBERG.
Enter the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg, which was
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a
guided tour of this medieval gem. Marvel at the Old Town Hall
which straddles the river, and the charming houses and 18th
century mansions. From here a motorcoach will take you through the
picturesque countryside to rejoin your ship. Continue along the
Main-Danube Canal to ancient Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. (B,L,D)
Day 12,
Sun. NUREMBERG / ROTHENBURG EXCURSION.
After breakfast depart on a full day excursion along the Romantic
Road to medieval Rothenburg. See the sights and do some shopping
in this charming walled town, then enjoy a traditional German
lunch in a local restaurant. Return to the ship in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)
Day 13,
Mon. NUREMBERG / CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.
Take a morning tour of this historic and beautiful city with its
fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. See the
storybook 900-year old ramparts that surround the city, the
Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes
Tribunal sat in 1946. At lunchtime, continue to transit the
Main-Danube Canal as you arrive at the highest point of your
cruise – 1,332 feet above sea level – before descending through
stair-step locks. (B,L,D)
Day 14,
Tue. REGENSBURG / DANUBE GORGE.
This morning takes you through the final stretch of the
fascinating Main-Danube Canal. In magnificent Regensburg, one of
Germany's best prserved medieval cities, a guided tour will show
you the architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and
the Porta Pretoria-gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179AD.
Later today embark on an exciting boat trip through the scenic
Danube Gorge to lovely Weltenburg Abbey. (B,L,D)
Day 15,
Wed. PASSAU / LINZ, AUSTRIA.
After breakfast, arrive in Passau. During your walking tour gaze
at this fairytale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or, take
an optional full day tour to Salzburg and its most popular Sound
of Music sights including the Wedding Church, exquisite Mirabell
Gardens, the Great Salzburg Festival Hall and much more. For those
staying on board, enjoy a cruise from Passau into Austria and on
to Linz. After dinner, perhaps take a walk through this delightful
town. (B,L,D)
Day 16,
Thu. MELK / VIENNA.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the beautiful
Wachau Valley early this morning. A guided tour takes you to
Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest
baroque monasteries. Afterward, continue through the romantic
Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in 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,
Fri. VIENNA / BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA.
A tour in Vienna includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House,
Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. At lunchtime, the ship
continues to Slovakia. A tour of Bratislava reveals the city’s
major sights, including the Old Town Hall and Mirbach Palace. From
13th century Bratislava Castle, you’ll delight in breathtaking
views overlooking three countries – Slovakia, Austria and Hungary.
Enjoy an evening music performance on board before your midnight
departure for Hungary. (B,L,D)
Day 18,
Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Morning sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, where you have
a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest. Your tour
also features Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, distinctive
Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and more. Your afternoon is
free. Tonight gather on board for a Gala Farewell Dinner with
Gypsy violins. (B,L,D)
Day 19,
Sun. DEPART BUDAPEST.
Your fascinating cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the
airport for your onward flight. Extra nights are available if you
wish to extend your stay in Europe. (B) |
