16 Day Grand European River Cruise - Budapest to Amsterdam

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

Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, cruise port charges of $168, optional excursions (available for purchase locally, 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.

Amsterdam

Budapest

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 RCW150)

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

DAY 2, Sun Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your ship, moored in the city center. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to explore Budapest on your own. Stroll along the banks of the Danube past impressive suspension bridges or walk through the fashionable shopping street of Vaci Utca. Tonight, a welcome reception followed by a gala dinner (D): CRUISE

DAY 3, Mon This morning's tour begins 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. This afternoon is free to explore the city independently. Tonight, enjoy a gala dinner with gypsy violins (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 4, Tues Early this morning, the ship sails to Bratislava in nearby Slovakia. A morning tour includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace, and the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. Continue to the 13th century Bratislava Castle, to enjoy breathtaking views. Free time this afternoon to explore. Tonight, dinner and folklore entertainment on board. Sail towards Austria and Vienna, the City of Music (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 5, Wed This morning, tour Vienna including the Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral. The remainder of the day is free at leisure in Vienna. Stroll along Kärntnerstrasse or sample Vienna's famous pastries (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 6, Thurs This morning, cruise to the Wachau Valley, with its magnificent castles and charming riverside towns. Cruise to Dürnstein to view the blue facade of the Stiftskirche and the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. A walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets features 16th century town houses and wine taverns. This afternoon, travel to Melk to visit the Baroque Benedictine Abbey. Continue towards Germany (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 7, Fri This morning, cruise to Passau where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this 2000-year-old town. This evening, depart for Regensburg (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 8, Sat This morning, 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. Following lunch, cruise to Kelheim and embark on a boat trip through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey. This evening, enjoy traditional Bavarian folklore entertainment (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 9, Sun This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal and cruise through the beautiful Altmuhl Valley. After lunch, drive through the pastoral countryside to Nuremberg for a tour featuring 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 (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 10, Mon Pass through stair-step locks to charming 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. Depart Bamberg and enter the Main River with its beautiful scenery of rolling green hills and quaint towns and villages (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 11, Tues 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. This evening, enjoy an after-dinner medieval music performance (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 12, Wed This morning, cruise through the valleys of the meandering Main and enjoy on board activities. After lunch, stop in charming Wertheim to browse the market square. Then drive to nearby Miltenberg for a walking tour of this old Franconian town. Stroll through narrow cobblestone streets past gabled, half-timbered houses. This evening, attend the Captain's dinner and show (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 13, Thurs This morning, enter the Rhine River and sail to the wine village of Rüdesheim. Visit the unique Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. After dinner, explore Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with restaurants and wine taverns (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 14, Fri Today, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most scenic and well-known section of the river. View castles and the Lorelei Rock before reaching 2,000 year-old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers. Free time to explore this charming town. Then sail to Cologne, for a guided walking tour through the old city including a visit to the 13th century Gothic cathedral. This evening, stroll around town before departing to Holland (B, L, D): CRUISE

DAY 15, Sat Early this morning, enter the Rhine-Amsterdam Canal. After lunch, arrive in Amsterdam and enjoy a canal tour in a glass-top boat. View historic homes, 16th century merchant houses, and charming churches with bell towers. Following the tour, free time to stroll along the canals and enjoy the elegant and classic architecture of this 800-year-old capital. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner (B, L, D): CRUISE

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