Day 1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Today, you will arrive in Amsterdam, where you will transfer to your ship. After boarding, you will have the afternoon to spend relaxing or exploring the city. If you have time, depending on your arrival, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum or the van Gogh Museum next door.

Day 2: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

This morning, you will sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of an ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You will learn why the windmills were built and see how they work plus you will be able to enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters.

You will then return to the ship for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions such as sampling hand crafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen, the Dutch version of table shuffleboard.

You will cruise through the night.

Day 3: Cologne, Germany

Today you will have a morning tour of Cologne, including a visit to the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the your, you can spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Cologne at your own pace. You could visit the Roman ruins or some interesting museums such as the Fragrance and Chocolate Museums.

Lunch and dinner are served on the ship and you will depart at midnight.

Day 4: Koblenz, Germany & Middle Rhine

Whilst cruising along the Rhine, you will see many hilltop castles. You will stop in Koblenz to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. After the tour, you will continue to cruise on this stunning stretch of the Rhine. You will pass the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river’s narrowest point and is named after the legendary Rhine maiden who lured sailors to their demise.

Lunch and dinner are served aboard your ship.

Day 5: Miltenberg, Germany

The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region, home of the actual Snow White. After lunch, you will stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses and Germany’s oldest inn. You will then have the opportunity to join a walking tour that concludes with free time for you to explore. Back on your ship, you can learn about the region’s glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration.

You will sail through the night to Würzburg.

Day 6: Würzburg, Germany

After breakfast you can tour Würzburg’s Bishop’s Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces. Then enjoy a scenic afternoon cruising. Or, instead of touring Würzburg, join an optional full-day journey along Germany’s “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, which features a turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. You will then rejoin your ship for dinner.

Day 7: Bamberg, Germany

This morning will be sent sailing. After lunch, you will visit Bamberg, with its medieval city centre. You can join a walking tour, which includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. You can then take some time to enjoy Bamberg and perhaps try some of the town’s distinctive smoke-flavoured beer before returning to your ship.

Day 8: Nuremburg, Germany

Today, you will disembark in Nuremburg and visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s, then see the Palace of Justice, site of the famous Nuremberg Trials. You can then spend time exploring the Old Town or join an optional Wolrd War II tour that includes the illuminating Documentation Centre Museum.

You will depart just before dinner.

Day 9: Regensburg, Germany

You will arrive in Regensburg midday. After lunch, you can tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, including structures dating back to Roman times. You will discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter’s Cathedral. You will then have free time, where you could visit the Alte Würstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant.

Dinner is served aboard before an evening departure.

Day 10: Passau, Germany

Arrive this morning in Passau. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. You’ll see the New Bishop’s Residence and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ. You can enjoy lunch aboard your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing.

You will cruise through the night.

Day 11: Melk & Krems, Austria

After breakfast, you will visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. You will then rejoin your ship and cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, you have time to explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region.

Day 12: Vienna, Austria

Today you will tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. First, ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century, then see some of the city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. You can return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore. You may take an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” erected in 1778 and graced by a number of formal gardens, Grecian statuary, the world’s oldest zoo and Roman ruins. After dinner, you can just relax or enjoy an optional classical concert.

Day 13: Vienna, Austria

Enjoy a day at leisure in Vienna today. You could perhaps see an unrivalled collection of Old Masters and other spectacular art treasures at the Museum of Fine Arts, or visit the Albertina, with the most valuable graphic arts collection in the world. Maybe ride the Riesenrad, the world’s oldest Ferris wheel, or go shopping for high-quality gifts inspired by the turn-of-the-century arts movement. A cup of coffee or tea and a slice of exquisite sächertorte are a must for any afternoon in Vienna. Later, you will rejoin your ship and sail for Budapest.

Day 14: Budapest, Hungary

The Danube River divides Hungary’s capital city into the once separate towns of Buda and Pest. You will be able to explore both sides, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, you can walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship, with the rest of the day to explore on your own. You will return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner.

Day 15: Budapest, Hungary

After breakfast, you will disembark your ship and proceed to the airport for your return flight.

You could extend your journey with 3 nights in Prague, where you will tour Old Town landmarks and Prague Castle.