Day 1: UK to Amsterdam

Travel to Amsterdam and embark Spirit of the Rhine.

Enjoy a welcome drink reception and dinner on board as your ship remains moored here overnight.

Day 2: Amsterdam

The Dutch capital is rightly popular for its friendly welcome, picturesque canals, world-class museums and galleries and laid-back cafes and bars. This morning you can join one of our Unique Experiences which are designed to give you the chance to get under the skin of a destination by enjoying the local food and culture. After disembarking your ship and meeting your guide, take a tram to Central Station from where you will begin a walking tour of the Dutch capital. Along the way look forward to tasting local delicacies including herring, cheese and croquettes and rounding it off with a sweet treat from a bakery.

Alternatively you could join an included tour of Amsterdam by coach and see the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the floating flower market, the Central Railway Station, which is built on thousands of wooden piles, and the grand 19th-century Rijksmuseum. Afterwards, enjoy a canal cruise to see the city centre with its pretty bridges and attractive gabled houses up close and view such treasures as the famous Skinny Bridge, the Montelbaanstoren tower and the Jewish Quarter.

Spirit of the Rhine sets sail at lunchtime and you will spend the rest of the day and night cruising towards Cologne.

Day 3: Cologne

Arrive at lunchtime in Cologne, Germany's cultural capital. Enjoy an afternoon of exploring using our state-of-the-art interactive map – don't miss the vast Gothic cathedral, started in 1248 to house the relics of the three Magi but not finally completed until 1880! You can see the magnificent shrine to Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar – now among the patron saints of Cologne – behind the high altar.

Depart later this evening and cruise overnight towards Koblenz.

Day 4: Koblenz to Rüdesheim

Having arrived before breakfast, you can spend the morning in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.

Discover the attractive riverside promenade and several historic churches, all set beneath the Festung Ehrenbreitstein citadel on top of the hill, which you might choose to visit on an optional excursion this morning. Later this morning your cruise continues through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, passing the fabled Lorelei Rock en route. This evening, perhaps visit one of the 'olde-worlde' taverns in the famed Drosselgasse for a glass of local beer or wine.

Alternatively, join an optional excursion that visits the extraordinary Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music or another which features a wine tasting.

Set sail over dinner and cruise overnight towards Miltenberg.

Day 5: Miltenberg

The ancient town of Miltenberg occupies an attractive location on the banks of the Main.

Arrive early afternoon and discover the old town with its 13th-century castle, timber-framed houses and old taverns or perhaps join an optional brewery visit and tasting before departing this evening and cruising overnight.

Day 6: Würzburg

Spend the afternoon in Würzburg, the centre of Franconia's wine industry where you can enjoy a guided tour. Picturesque Würzburg on the banks of the River Main was the ancient seat of the prince-bishops and consequently is home to many fine monuments and buildings. Enjoy a tour of the Residenz Palace, one of Europe’s most splendid baroque palaces, dating back to the 18th century. Admire the famous grand staircase and Imperial Hall with frescoes by Tiepolo and the extensive gardens, before a tour of the town which reveals the cathedral, old Main Bridge and the 13th-century Fortress of Marienberg.

Set sail again before dinner and cruise through the night bound for Bamberg.

Day 7: Bamberg

Arrive in Bamberg after lunch.

This UNESCO World Heritage city is characterised by quaint streets full of delightful old buildings. Take in the town's well-preserved medieval treasures on an optional tour, including the breathtaking cathedral and the quirky historic town hall, set in the centre of a bridge. Alternatively you might wish to join another of our food-themed Unique Experiences which promise to get under the skin of a destination.

Sail overnight towards Nuremberg.

Day 8: Nuremberg

Arrive in Nuremberg early this morning.

An included sightseeing tour reveals the elegant architecture and major sights of this historic Bavarian city, from its medieval beginnings to the present. Once famous for the manufacture of toys, it achieved infamy in the 20th century as the setting for the notorious Nazi rallies, and later for the war crimes trials of 1945-46.

You sail from Nuremberg late afternoon and continue towards Regensburg.

Day 9: Kelheim to Regensburg

Spirit of the Rhine will pause briefly in Kelheim over breakfast to allow passengers to disembark for an optional excursion to Weltenburg Abbey, a masterpiece of German baroque architecture overlooking the Danube Gorge.

Alternatively, remain aboard the ship as she continues to Regensburg, and enjoy the afternoon exploring the lovely old town on an optional walking tour. Excursion participants will rejoin the ship in Regensburg.

Set off again this evening for Passau.

Day 10: Passau

Spend the early morning cruising east along the Danube, arriving early in elegant Passau with its cobbled streets and arcades, set at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers.

Spend the day here, an optional tour will help you discover how Passau’s wealthy past is reflected in its many fine buildings or you may wish to take your own self-guided tour using one of our interactive maps. Alternatively, join a full-day optional excursion to Salzburg.

Depart Passau this evening.

Day 11: Emmersdorf or Melk to Dürnstein

Melk is best known for its great baroque abbey, which has a magnificent church and a famous library with over 70,000 books.

An optional tour of Melk Abbey will be available this morning. During lunch cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, one of the most picturesque towns on the Danube River. Its ruined Kuenringer Castle is where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century.

Set sail again later this evening.

Day 12: Vienna

Having arrived in the early hours, you get to spend a full day in Vienna.

This morning you can join an included sightseeing tour of the highlights, including the Ringstrasse and Opera House. Alternatively you might wish to join another of our optional Unique Experiences – again focusing on the culinary delights and traditions of the city. After lunch, you may like to explore further independently, or join an optional excursion to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace.

You also have the option to attend a concert on an excursion this evening before setting sail again late tonight.

Day 13: Bratislava

Early this morning arrive in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia.

Stroll through ancient cobbled streets to Bratislava Castle for a bird’s-eye view of the city; the old town is easily explored on foot too. See the Gothic-style cathedral, where 11 Kings of Hungary were crowned while Turks occupied their capital. Or take an optional guided tour of the city. Alternatively you might prefer to enjoy another optional Unique Experience by signing up for our Beer Tour of Bratislava.

Set sail again this afternoon and cruise overnight to Budapest.

Day 14: Budapest

Arrive before sunrise and an included excursion after breakfast promises to reveal the capital's highlights, which include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buda Castle. You might wish to join another optional Unique Experience by joining another food-themed guided walk. After lunch you may like to visit Gödöllo Palace or Lazar Equestrian Park Horse Farm on half-day optional excursions.

You will spend the final night of your cruise moored here and you can look forward to an evening of Hungarian Folklore on board as a fitting finale.