16 Day Grand European River Cruise - Amsterdam to Budapest

Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest - from $3799

Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, cruise port charges of $168, optional shore excursions not specifically included in the itinerary, tips on board, and for drivers and tour guides (see Terms & Conditions)

Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction.

Miltenberg

Nuremberg

River Cruise Sale: Valid through Feb 28, 2006.  If calling to book, provide the code to your reservation agent. Promotion codes must be redeemed at the time of booking. Please note that promotion code applicability may vary and that promotion codes may not be combinable with other offers. Valid on new bookings only. (Promo Code RCW250)

DAY 1, Sat Depart USA to the Netherlands. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Sun Arrive in Amsterdam transfer to the Welcome Center. Explore Amsterdam with embarkation at 4 pm. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Tonight, attend a gala welcome dinner on board (D): CRUISE

DAY 3, Mon This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour by canal boat viewing the beauty of the Amsterdam canals. Tonight, cruise into Germany (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 4, Tues This morning, upon arrival in Cologne, disembark for a guided city tour and explore the fabled 13th century Gothic cathedral. This afternoon, continue to Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet. After dinner, take a walk through the city (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 5, Wed This morning, cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge. Enjoy the beautiful majestic castles while watching for the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rudesheim, a true example of a typical Rhine River town. Board the Winzerexpress, a mini-train that you take you to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a guided tour. Tonight, while dining, bid farewell to the Rhine and enter the Main River (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 6, Thurs This morning, arrive in Miltenberg for a walking tour of this old Franconian town. Stroll through narrow cobblestone streets past gabled, half-timbered houses. Continue to charming Wertheim to see a glass-blowing demonstration or browse the market square before returning to the ship. This afternoon, cruise through the valleys of the meandering Main and enjoy on board activities (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 7, Fri After a morning filled with beautiful Main river scenery, arrive at Würzburg, "The Pearl of the Romantic Road," a town surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. Visit the major sights including the magnificent Residenz Palace. Tonight, after dinner, enjoy a local musical performance (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 8, Sat This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal at Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of this medieval town including the Cathedral and the Old Town Hall which straddles the river. Stroll the city's winding streets and view its charming houses and 18th century mansions (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 9, Sun This morning's tour of Nuremberg features Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. View the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal met in 1946. This afternoon, transit the Main-Danube Canal. Arrive at the highest point of the cruise – 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 10, Mon Arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, for a tour which includes the Old Town Hall, the Roman gates at Porta Pretoria, and one of the oldest bridges across the Danube. Later, embark on a boat trip through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 11, Tues Today, arrive in Passau, meeting point of three rivers - the Inn, Ilz and Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old town. For those who choose to stay on board, enjoy a scenic cruise to Linz, Austria (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 12, Wed This morning, cruise via the narrow Strudengau to the Wachau Valley, with its magnificent castles and charming riverside towns. Travel to Melk to visit the Baroque Benedictine Abbey. This afternoon, arrive in Durnstein and enjoy a walking city tour. This evening includes the Captain's dinner and crew show (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 13, Thurs This morning, arrive in Vienna and enjoy a city tour including the Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After lunch, explore Vienna independently. Tonight, enjoy an optional
excursion to an evening concert or walk through Vienna (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 14, Fri After midnight, sail for Bratislava and enjoy a tour of the city including the 13th century Bratislava Castle where you have breathtaking views of Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. Afternoon is at leisure to explorer the city independently. Tonight concludes with an enchanting musical performance on board before departing at midnight for Hungary (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 15, Sat Arrive in Budapest for a morning sightseeing tour beginning at Buda Castle. Enjoy a panoramic view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the Danube. Visit the 500-year old Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Continue to St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Royal Palace. Afternoon is free at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a gala farewell dinner with music (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 16, Sun This morning, transfer to the airport for your departure flight to the USA (B).

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