A grand cruise of 16 days from Amsterdam to Budapest. Begin with a canal boat tour past Amsterdam's 16th-century merchant houses, then cruise through fashionable Düsseldorf; take a guided walking tour in Cologne and visit the massive Gothic cathedral; and continue to 2,000-year-old Coblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, for an after dinner walk. You'll sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim; cruise along the meandering Main River, descend through locks on the Main-Danube Canal and navigate through the narrow Strudengau. There's sightseeing in Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Passau. Stop in Melk and Dürnstein before reaching Vienna, where you'll be entertained by a Captain's Dinner and Crew Show, guided sightseeing and time on your own. Stop in Bratislava for a guided tour before ending your vacation with morning sightseeing and a free afternoon to explore the twin cities of Buda and Pest.
Day 1 (Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrival in Amsterdam, Holland. (Embarkation) (Sun.) Your luxurious river cruise ship is moored near the city center. Start discovering the town before meeting your fellow travelers on board the Amadeus Waterways ship at the Welcome Cocktail Reception. Following dinner enjoy piano music in the beautiful lounge, or head back into town to take in Amsterdam's fascinating nightlife. (D)
Day 3 Amsterdam. (Mon.) After a delectable breakfast, admire the wonderful architecture of the city from a guided CANAL BOAT tour. Sail in a glass-top boat past beautiful 17th-century homes, charming churches with bell towers and 16th-century merchant houses. Free time before departing the city around lunch. Enjoy an afternoon briefing as you cruise towards Germany. Tonight you'll be a guest at the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner. (FB,L,D)
Day 4 Cologne, Germany-Coblenz. (Tue.) Morning arrival in Cologne where a guided morning walking tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the fabled 13th-century GOTHIC CATHEDRAL await you. At lunchtime continue to 2,000-year-old Coblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle Rivers. Take an after dinner walk through this charming town. (FB,L,D)
Day 5 Rüdesheim. (Wed.) Today sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the river. Every mile along the river you'll admire a different, magnificent castle. Then see the legendary Lorelei Rock, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Arrive in Rüdesheim, the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Here, the “Winzerexpress” mini-train takes you to SIEGFRIED'S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM for a guided tour. During dinner bid farewell to the Rhine and enter the Main River. Tonight's Crew Show will conclude a great day of river cruising. (FB,L,D)
Day 6 Miltenberg-Wertheim. (Thu.) Arrive in Miltenberg for a guided morning walking tour along narrow cobblestone streets to view gabled, half-timbered houses. Shop for souvenirs before a coach takes you to charming Wertheim to browse the market square; then board the ship for lunch. The rest of the day, cruise through the sunny valleys of the meandering Main. (FB,L,D)
Day 7 Würzburg. (Fri.) Würzburg, "The Pearl of the Romantic Road," is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. 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. After dinner join your fellow travelers in the lounge to listen to an enchanting medieval music performance. (FB,L,D)
Day 8 Bamberg-Nuremberg. (Sat.) 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 breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the river, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. From here your coach will take you through the picturesque countryside to rejoin your ship in Erlangen. Continue along the Main-Danube Canal to ancient Nuremberg. (FB,L,D)
Day 9 Nuremberg-Continental Divide. (Sun.) Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Later today arrive at the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending again through stair-step locks. (FB,L,D)
Day 10 Danube Gorge-Regensburg. (Mon.) This morning takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal. Embark on an exciting boat trip through the lovely Danube Gorge to WELTENBURG ABBEY. Return to your ship in magnificent 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. (FB,L,D)
Day 11 Passau-Linz, Austria. (Tue.) After breakfast arrive in Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour, or take an optional full-day tour to Salzburg and its most popular Sound of Music sights. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz, Austria's third largest city. (FB,L,D)
Day 12 Melk-Dürnstein-Vienna. (Wed.) Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley. A guided tour takes you to Melk's magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY, one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries. From here continue on a short cruise to Dürnstein. Marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche. Above town you'll spot the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Your walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. This evening, dress up for the Captain's Dinner. Tonight arrive in Vienna, the "City of Music." (FB,L,D)
Day 13 Vienna. (Thu.) A guided sightseeing tour includes the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL. Free afternoon to stroll along Kärntnerstrasse or sample Vienna's famous pastries. Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (FB,L,D)
Day 14 Bratislava, Slovakia. (Fri.) After midnight, the ship slips away from Vienna and continues to nearby Slovakia. A guided morning tour of Bratislava reveals the city's major sights. From 13th-century Bratislava Castle you'll enjoy breathtaking views overlooking three countries-Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. Free afternoon to shop or explore on your own. This eventful day is followed by an evening filled with an enchanting music performance on board. Before midnight, depart for Hungary. (FB,L,D)
Day 15 Budapest, Hungary. (Sat.) City sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, from where you have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year-old MATTHIAS CHURCH,
St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fishermens Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Tonight gather on board for a Gala Farewell Dinner with Gypsy violins. (FB,L,D)
Day 16 (Disembarkation).(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)
