GRAND PALACES AND FAIRYTALE-LIKE CASTLES
Discover Europe’s majestic waterways with an all-inclusive 15 day cruise along the Rhine, Main & Danube from wonderful Amsterdam to beautiful Budapest.
A region steeped in the history of ancient trade routes, today the rivers of the Rhine, Main and Danube meander through forested hillsides, idyllic vineyards and romantic towns.
Restored castles still stand watch from their position atop dramatic hilltops, just as they did in the days of feudal knights and land barons. However, today the sites of ancient battles and medieval skirmishes have been replaced by a tranquil countryside with thriving towns and villages. Elsewhere, romantic ruins echo with a timeless beauty and Gothic spires rise out of the picturesque communities nestled along the river banks. This is a journey that will take you through the Europe of your imagination, full of wonder, recalling medieval jousts, cobbled streets and childhood fairytales while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Jewels of Europe
15 Days | Amsterdam – Budapest Tour
From $6,495 per person* with Flights Included
Tour Inclusions:
- Discover iconic Dutch windmills in the village of Schermerhorn
- Visit a small German village, meet the locals and learn about their way of life
- Enjoy a delicious Austrian lunch, and hum along to some catchy classics at the exclusive ‘Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’
- At the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, enjoy a private Viennese classical concert
Day 1 – Amsterdam
Your journey into wonder begins here. Relax and raise your glass to the days ahead at this evening’s welcome reception.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 – Amsterdam
Explore wonderful Amsterdam, with its wealth of canals, museums and bicycles.
Freechoice
Hop aboard one of our e-bikes and take a guided bicycle tour outside the city, or join a flavours of Holland walking tour and taste some Dutch favourites such as herring, cheese and poffertjes. Alternatively, take the opportunity to experience an iconic canal cruise, or step outside of Amsterdam and visit the villages of Alkmaar & Schermerhorn, home to authentic windmills dating back to the 16th century.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Cologne
Freechoice
Take a stroll through Cologne and get up close to the filigree twin towers of the famous cathedral, or step inside the cathedral and let your local guide marvel you with its history. Alternatively, explore the city’s past and present, from Roman times to its Jewish heritage, during a guided tour, or if you are feeling more active, cycle to Cologne from the charming medieval village of Zons.
Discover Germany’s motoring heritage with special after-hours access to Motorworld. Set amongst a large range of classic, vintage and Formula 1 vehicles, you will have the opportunity to engage in a range of motoring themed activities.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Rhine Gorge > Rüdesheim
Enjoy spectacular views of the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge.
Freechoice
Board the Winzerexpress mini train for a guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, before enjoying a cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument, or join a local guide for a hike through the vineyards that cover the slopes of the Rhine River then relax as you make your way back to the town centre by cable car.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Miltenberg
Freechoice
Meet a monk at a local monastery for a tour and insight into regional beer production, or meet a winemaker for a taste of his fine wines. Alternatively, meet a Baron and Baroness and learn about aristocratic life, or opt to visit a local Schnapps producer or a farming family and taste some of their home made products.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Würzburg
Freechoice
Traverse the famous Romantic Road to Rothenburg where you’ll tour the charming walled city. Alternatively, visit Würzburg’s Bishop’s Residenz Palace or visit the impressive estate of Schloss Weikersheim, a true Baroque and Renaissance delight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Bamberg
Freechoice
Take a guided tour of the Old Town of Bamberg and walk the same cobbled streets as medieval traders once did. Alternatively, taste some of the city’s regional specialities on a city walk.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Nuremberg
Enjoy this fascinating and ancient Bavarian city, dating back to the 11th century.
Freechoice
Explore Nuremberg by foot on a guided walking tour, or visit moving WWII sites and learn about this dark era in the city’s history. Alternatively, stay on board for a beer tasting experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Regensburg
There is much to explore in the 2,000-year-old town of Regensburg, situated at the confluence of three rivers.
Freechoice
Enjoy a walking tour of Regensburg, or hop on board a local ferry and sail the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey and sample beer from one of the world’s oldest monastic breweries. Alternatively, join a local guide for a cycle to the Walhalla monument, or take an active walking tour to Thurn und Taxis Palace.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Salzburg
Freechoice
Enjoy a guided tour of the baroque Old Town of Salzburg, learn about one of its most famous residents, Mozart, and be mesmerized by the city’s history and architecture. Alternatively, you may choose to join a walking tour focusing on sights from the classic movie ‘The Sound of Music’.
Enrich
Based on the timeless movie of the same name, the exclusive ‘Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’ will wow you with its stage sets. Enjoy a delicious Austrian lunch before an afternoon humming along to some of the catchy classics.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Melk > Dürnstein
Freechoice
Experience Melk’s magnificent 18th century Benedictine Abbey on a guided tour, or if you are feeling more active, embark on a guided bike ride along the river from Melk to Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages in the region. Alternatively, visit the fairytale castle of Burg Aggstein. Built in the 12th century, the castle ruins offer spectacular views across the Danube.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – Vienna
Acquaint yourself with this opulent city by taking a fascinating guided tour of its most famous sights, including the Ringstrasse.
Enrich
Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein while enjoying a glass of fine Austrian Sekt. Then be enthralled by an enchanting private classical evening concert featuring the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart. Even in elegant Vienna, Palais Liechtenstein is one of the grandest of all venues.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 – Vienna
Freechoice
Take a tour of the Slovakian capital Bratislava, or visit Schönbrunn Palace and witness the opulence of the Habsburg Empire. Alternatively, discover the importance of Viennese coffee culture during a tour, or for those feeling more active, explore a different side of Vienna during a cycling tour to Danube Island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 – Budapest
Freechoice
Join a guided tour of Budapest including a piano concert, or relax and unwind at the Thermal Baths and Spa. Choose to experience the labyrinths of the Hospital in the Rock, or join a local guide for a walking tour on the past and present of Budapest. Alternatively, you may choose to join a hike to Buda Hill.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 – Budapest
Depart after breakfast, taking with you a lifetime of wonderful memories.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Jewels of Europe
15 Days |Amsterdam – Budapest Tour
From $6,495 per person* with Flights Included
