2 nights in Budapest & 14-night cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam through the heart of Europe and across the continental divide

1. Day 1
   Thu, Mar 11, 2027

   BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel.
2. Day 2
   Fri, Mar 12, 2027

   BUDAPEST. Once the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire (along with Vienna), Budapest is one of Europe'''s most regal and storied cities ''' and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. On the Buda side of the city, follow your guide through the city'''s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman'''s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. You may also opt for more active exploration with a guided hike. In the afternoon, explore the '''Pest''' side of the city and be awed by the Hungarian Parliament Building. (B)
3. Day 3
   Sat, Mar 13, 2027

   BUDAPEST ''' EMBARKATION. Check out of your hotel to board your luxurious ship. During the evening, be treated to a special Illuminations cruise around Budapest'''s famed Parliament building as at night, the city virtually glitters as these landmarks are awash in lights. (B,D)
4. Day 4
   Sun, Mar 14, 2027

   BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA. Sail to the '''Coronation City of Kings,''' where you can join a walking tour or choose instead to enjoy a '''Tastes of Slovakia''' tour. For those who wish a more active exploration, hike up to Bratislava Castle for magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)
5. Day 5
   Mon, Mar 15, 2027

   VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna, remains as renowned today as it has throughout history. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site awash with Baroque treasures. Your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude in Vienna'''s historic city center and then visit the majestic St. Stephen'''s Cathedral, which has stood watch over Vienna for 700 years and is one of the most important and beloved landmarks in Austria. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike tour through Vienna. (B,L,D)
6. Day 6
   Tue, Mar 16, 2027

   D''RNSTEIN ''' MELK, AUSTRIA. Once in D''rnstein, you have a choice of excursions. Partake in a walking tour along cobblestone streets to the beautiful blue Baroque Stiftskirche before enjoying a local wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held and enjoy sweeping views of the river and vineyards below. You may also choose to visit a local apricot grower, where you'''ll be treated to the finest apricot products in the region. You can also join a guided bike tour along the Danube, and if you would like, you can bike later in the day further along the Danube through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley and meet your ship in Melk. Or, cruise to Melk, known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you will visit later in the day. (B,L,D)
7. Day 7
   Wed, Mar 17, 2027

   ENGELHARTSZELL, GERMANY ''' PASSAU, GERMANY. Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising on your way to Engelhartszell, your jumping off point for excursions in Passau. Discover Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen'''s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active excursion can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress. For those who love The Sound of Music, you can also choose to enjoy a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. (B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   Thu, Mar 18, 2027

   REGENSBURG, GERMANY. Explore one of Germany'''s best preserved medieval cities, Regensburg, on a guided walking tour showcasing the city'''s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria'''s specialties'''beer, sausage and pretzels. And for a more active adventure, bike to Walhalla where you will see the neoclassical white marble temple. (B,L,D)
9. Day 9
   Fri, Mar 19, 2027

   NUREMBERG, GERMANY. Depart the ship for a guided tour of Kaiserburg, Nuremberg'''s Imperial castle and one of the most important palaces of the Old Holy Roman Empire. Following your Kaiseburg tour, we will head to the former home of Albrecht D''rer, arguably Germany'''s most famous artist and Nuremberg'''s most famous resident. Alternatively, enjoy a guided tour through this well-preserved medieval city, showcasing the Imperial Castle, famous town wall and the legendary fountain of the Market Square. (B,L,D)
10. Day 10
    Sat, Mar 20, 2027

    NUREMBERG, GERMANY. Turn back the pages of a darker history with a guided tour of the city'''s most important WWII sites, including the coliseum. You'''ll also visit the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam and Courtroom 600, if the courtroom is not in session. Alternatively, partake in a traditional Franconian specialties tasting of famous Nuremburger bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). For more active exploration, take a guided bike tour through the city. (B,L,D)
11. Day 11
    Sun, Mar 21, 2027

    BAMBERG, GERMANY. Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions. Or taste your way through the city sampling smoked beer, pralines, and Hornla, a pastry. And for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
12. Day 12
    Mon, Mar 22, 2027

    W''RZBURG, GERMANY. You have several choices of excursions. Join a walking tour of W''rzburg nestled along the '''Romantic Road,''' or visit its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you prefer to get more active, hike up to the Marienberg Fortress, the most prominent landmark on the left bank of the Main River in W''rzburg. Alternatively, go to Rothenburg, the best-preserved medieval town in Germany. The town is so pretty that the imagery of Walt Disney'''s Pinocchio was very much influenced by sketches of Rothenburg. (B,L,D). . *Not combinable with other tours on this day.
13. Day 13
    Tue, Mar 23, 2027

    WERTHEIM ''' MILTENBERG. Wertheim is considered to have one of Germany'''s most beautiful city centers. While here, join a walking tour or hike to the ruins of Wertheim Castle. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic cruise to Miltenberg, the '''Pearl of the Main River.''' While on your walking tour, you'''ll discover why this medieval town seems to leap from the pages of a fairytale with its 14th- and 15th-century half-timbered, gabled houses; the famed Crooked House; and the venerable Royal Inn. For those who would like a more active adventure, hike to the Miltenberg Castle, offering majestic views of the town and river. (B,L,D)
14. Day 14
    Wed, Mar 24, 2027

    R''DESHEIM, GERMANY ''' RHINE GORGE, GERMANY ''' LAHNSTEIN, GERMANY. Drink up the stunning views of this charming winemaking town by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue and a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River or join a hike through R''desheim'''s famed vineyards. Later, head up to the Sun Deck to listen to your Cruise Manager regale you with the tales of the more than 40 castles lining the Rhine River'''s banks as you cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, be treated to an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
15. Day 15
    Thu, Mar 25, 2027

    COLOGNE, GERMANY. Cologne is home to one of Germany'''s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany'''s oldest town hall, the Old Market and the Heumarkt. Plus, taste the city'''s famous K''lsch beer, only made in Cologne. Alternatively, delve into the history of the city'''s cathedral on an educational architecture tour. Active adventurists will instead want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine. (B,L,D)
16. Day 16
    Fri, Mar 26, 2027

    AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'''ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. (B,L,D)
17. Day 17
    Sat, Mar 27, 2027

    AMSTERDAM. Disembark the ship and you prepare for your flight home. (B)