Combine the highlights of the legendary Main and Danube with the picturesque Rhine and Mosel and experience a voyage of cultural and scenic diversity through the six countries of Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and France. Start your European vacation with two grand old capitals, vibrant Budapest and magnificent Vienna. Journey on the Main-Danube Canal across the Continental Divide, and visit charming towns with beautiful vistas. Cruise through the lush and scenic Mosel valley, famous for its many historical castles and the steepest vineyards in the world, and be close to the heart of the people living in the medieval cities along the Rhine and Main river. Conclude your European vacation in Paris, the City of Lights.
All local TaxesDetailed Itinerary
Day 1, Thu. DEPART USA.
Overnight flight to Budapest.
Day 2, Fri. ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city.
Day 3, Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Morning sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, and also features 500 year-old Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day 4, Sun. BUDAPEST - EMBARK SHIP.
Enjoy a free morning in Budapest or join us on an optional Puszta excursion. This afternoon transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship docked in the center of the city. Tonight, gather on board for a Gala Welcome Dinner. Around midnight, the ship slips away from Budapest and continues to Slovakia. (B,D)
Day 5, Mon. BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - VIENNA, AUSTRIA.
A guided morning tour of Bratislava reveals the city's major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. The afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Perhaps, visit the 13th century Bratislava Castle where you'll enjoy breathtaking views overlooking three countries - Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. An eventful day is followed by an evening filled with an enchanting music performance on board. After midnight the ship departs for Vienna. (B,L,D)
Day 6, Tue. VIENNA.
During a guided sightseeing tour you will see the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral and visit the National Library. This afternoon, explore the capital on your own or join an optional tour to the Imperial Schonbrunn Palace. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)
Day 7, Wed. DURNSTEIN - MELK.
Early this morning, reach the Wachau Valley. Stop in Durnstein for a walking tour before lunchtime. After a short cruise, arrive in Melk for a guided tour and visit the town's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. An evening wine tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
Day 8, Thu. LINZ - PASSAU, GERMANY.
After breakfast, take an optional full-day excursion to fascinating Salzburg and the Sound of Music sights, or cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)
Day 9, Fri. REGENSBURG.
At lunchtime, arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Tonight, folklore entertainers will come on board for your delight. (B,L,D)
Day 10, Sat. NUREMBERG.
This morning enter the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmuhl Valley. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. Moor overnight in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)
Day 11, Sun. NUREMBERG.
Today travel by train to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities, often given the nickname "Germany's secret capital." Your escort today will offer suggestions of to what to do whilst you are there and take you to lunch in the world famous Hofbrauhaus. Tonight you will meet fellow travelers embarking from Prague (B,L,D)
Day 12, Mon. BAMBERG.
Enjoy your breakfast as you cruise along and marvel at the engineering feat of the Main-Danube canal which straddles the Franconian Alps via 16 locks. Then arrive in Bamberg and enjoy a walking tour of this medieval gem, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. There is free time before you continue your cruise, now on the Main River. (B,L,D)
Day 13, Tue. WURZBURG.
This morning, arrive in Wurzburg, the capital of Lower Franconia. During your tour, see the major sights including the magnificent Residenz Palace. This afternoon explore Wurzburg on your own, or take an optional tour along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg. (B,L,D)
Day 14, Wed. WERTHEIM - MILTENBERG.
Disembark in Wertheim for a glass-blowing performance and free time perhaps browsing the market square and the shops. Then cruise to Miltenberg for a guided walking tour. Tonight, the ship is leaving Bavaria, Franconia and the Main River behind. (B,L,D)
Day 15, Thu. MAINZ - HEIDELBERG - RUDESHEIM - KOBLENZ.
Today, disembark in Mainz and you can choose to travel by coach to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, seeing the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask and beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Then there is a walking tour of old Heidelberg and free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, drive to Rudesheim to rejoin your ship. If you don't opt for Heidelberg, you can enjoy a leisurely walking tour of charming Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, before cruising on the Main and Rhine rivers to the wine village of Rudesheim. Here, tour the town by mini-train and visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Late this afternoon, everyone will cruise the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine River and arrive in Koblenz after dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 16, Fri. COCHEM - ZELL.
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit of Reichsburg Castle, situated above Cochem with spectacular views of the River Mosel. This afternoon continue past hillside vineyards to Zell, home of the famous "Zeller Schwarze Katz" wine. A surprising wine fest awaits you this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 17, Sat. BERNKASTEL - TRIER.
Arrive in Bernkastel early this morning and explore this quaint little town on your included walking tour. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Then onto Trier, Germany's oldest city, for a guided tour which will introduce you to the city's rich ancient Roman past. (B,L,D)
Day 18, Sun. TRIER, DISEMBARK SHIP - LUXEMBOURG - PARIS, FRANCE.
This morning, bid farewell to your cruise ship and head to Luxembourg for a city tour of the Grand Duchy and some free time. After lunch, continue on to Paris, France, where you arrive this afternoon. (B)
Day 19, Mon. PARIS.
Enjoy Paris famous sights during this morning's guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. (B)
Day 20, Tue. PARIS.
A full free day to explore the amazing City of Light. Various optional tours will be offered. (B)
Day 21, Wed. PARIS.
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. (B)
