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From Amsterdam To Budapest in 15 Days
or Budapest to Amsterdam in 15 Days
Magnificent Europe
DETAILED
ITINERARY 2009:
DAY 1, ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – EMBARKATION
Arrive in charming Amsterdam and embark your luxurious river cruise ship.
Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Cocktail Reception. (D)
DAY 2, AMSTERDAM
After breakfast, admire beautiful 17th-century homes, charming churches and
16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Enjoy an afternoon
information briefing as you cruise towards Germany. Tonight, be our guest at
the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 3, COLOGNE, GERMANY - KOBLENZ
Cruise past fashionable Düsseldorf, before arriving in Cologne for a guided
morning walking tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the
fabled 13th-century Gothic cathedral. At lunchtime, continue to
2,000-year-old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Mosel
rivers. Take an after dinner walk through this charming town. (B,L,D)
DAY 4, KOBLENZ - RÜDESHEIM
Today, sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, passing castle after castle
and the infamous Lorelei Rock. After lunch, arrive in Rüdesheim and visit
Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Explore the Drosselgasse,
a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time
before the ships sails late this afternoon. (B,L,D)
DAY 5, MILTENBERG - WERTHEIM
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a morning walking tour of this
delightful old Franconian town with its narrow cobblestone streets and
gabled, half-timbered houses. Return to the ship for lunch and continue
cruising to charming Wertheim where you can watch an amusing glass-blowing
performance. Leisurely browse in the market square before boarding your ship
for an overnight cruise to Würzburg. (B,L,D)
DAY 6, WÜRZBURG
During your guided tour, see the major sights including the magnificent
Residenz Palace. This afternoon explore Würzburg on your own, or take an
optional tour along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg. Late this
afternoon cruise to Bamberg. (B,L,D)
DAY 7, BAMBERG
In the afternoon, enter the Main-Danube Canal in enchanting Bamberg, which
was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided
tour of this medieval gem. There is free time before you continue your
cruise this evening to ancient Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. (B,L,D)
DAY 8, NUREMBERG
Today, decide to either tour medieval Nuremberg and see the storybook
900-year old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial
Castle, or join the “modern tour” of the city’s role in the
20th-century, see the Zeppelin field and the Justice Palace where the War
Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. At lunchtime, rejoin the ship further along the
Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332
feet above sea level, where you cross Europe's Continental Divide. (B,L,D)
DAY 9, REGENSBURG
A guided morning tour will show you the city's architectural highlights,
including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria, gates to a Roman fort
built in 179 AD. The afternoon is free to shop or relax along the Danube. In
the evening, enjoy a music performance onboard. (B,L,D)
DAY 10, PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau for a walking tour, or join
the optional excursion to Salzburg and its popular Sound of Music sights.
Those staying onboard can enjoy a scenic journey to Austria. (B,L,D)
DAY 11, MELK - DÜRNSTEIN - WEISSENKIRCHEN
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley this
morning. A guided tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey,
one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries. From here, continue on a short
cruise to Dürnstein, for a walking tour through cobblestone streets that
reveal quaint 16th-century town houses and taverns. Continue through the
lovely Wachau Valley, dotted with castles, to the town of Weissenkirchen,
for some wine tasting tonight. (B,L,D)
DAY 12, VIENNA
During a guided sightseeing tour you will see the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna
Opera House, the Ringstrasse, St. Stephen's Cathedral and visit the National
Library. Enjoy a free afternoon to stroll along the main shopping street, Kärntnerstrasse,
or sample some of Vienna's famous pastries. Tonight, explore the vibrant
Austrian capital on your own, or join an optional evening concert. The ship
moors overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 13, VIENNA - BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Spend another morning in Vienna, perhaps join an optional tour to the
Imperial Schönbrunn Palace, rejoining the ship in Bratislava in the
afternoon. Or, enjoy a morning of scenic cruising to Bratislava followed by
a walking tour of Bratislava, which reveals the city's major sights,
including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin's
Cathedral. The rest of the afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own.
Tonight, there is an evening music performance onboard. (B,L,D)
DAY 14, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Your morning is free for last minute shopping. After lunch, your sightseeing
tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid
view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the
River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the
Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica and much more. Tonight enjoy a Gala
Farewell Dinner with Gypsy music. (B,L,D)
DAY 15, DEPART BUDAPEST
Your cruise comes to an end .Optional transfer to the airport. (B)
Included:
- 14-night Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of
the Staterooms with large French Balconies
- Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Internet, Movie and Music
Library & English Language TV stations
- Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms
- Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise
- Unlimited Quality Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine
Regions with every Dinner onboard the Ship
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
- Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary
- Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners,
onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
- Use of Bicycles to explore on your own
- Services of Professional Cruise Director
- All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (smoking
permitted only on the Sun Deck)
- All local Taxes
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