Day 3: Budapest – Bratislava
After breakfast, there’s an optional morning sightseeing tour around breathtaking Budapest; one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll get to experience both sides of the city, Buda and Pest, divided by the mighty Danube. Discover the 700-year-old Matthias Church, the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building and the iconic Buda Castle, towering 48 metres above the river bank. We return to the ship for lunch and then we set sail to Bratislava.
Day 4: Bratislava – Vienna
This morning, we arrive in Slovakia’s capital, the historic city of Bratislava. You have the opportunity to head off on an optional tour of the city, dominated by the huge Bratislava Castle with its vivid red roof. A local guide will take us on a walking tour of the city, where you’ll get to sample some tasty ‘Makovka’; a traditional sweet white chocolate filled with poppy seeds. We leave Bratislava in the afternoon and set sail for Vienna where we arrive this evening.
Day 5: Vienna – Melk
There’s so much to see in the Austria’s capital city, whose historical centre boasts UNESCO World Heritage Status. Take in all the highlights on an optional sightseeing tour by coach and scratch the surface of the 150 grand palaces, 27 baroque castles and countless quaint squares and impressive monuments that Vienna is so famous for. Spend time exploring the birthplace of classical music at your own leisure before returning to the ship, ready to cruise towards Melk.
Day 6: Melk – Linz
This morning we arrive in the Austrian town of Melk where you can spend the morning wandering the quaint cobbled streets and soaking up the relaxing atmosphere of this picturesque town in the heart of the Wachau Valley. The town is overlooked by one of the most exceptional monastic houses in Austria, the Benedictine Abbey. Join our optional excursion to see the abbey for yourself, before returning to the ship for lunch. This afternoon, relax onboard as we cruise towards Linz.
Day 7: Linz – Salzburg – Passau – Regensburg
We arrive into Linz this morning, ready for an action-packed day ahead. From here, you have the option to experience the UNESCO World Heritage city of Salzburg on an unforgettable excursion. The beautiful city is famed for being the birthplace of Mozart and is recognisable as the Sound of Music city. Relax with a rich Austrian coffee and a slice of cake or re-enact the “Do-Re-Mi” song on the steps at the Mirabell Palace. We rejoin our ship in the German city of Passau and set sail for Regensburg this evening.
Day 8: Regensburg – Nuremberg
Today, we arrive into Regensburg around lunchtime, where this afternoon there is an optional city tour for you to join. Oozing with culture and charm, this medieval Bavarian city lies at the northernmost part of the Danube, where the river meets the Regen River and is one of the best preserved medieval centres in Europe. Relax onboard this evening as we sail overnight to Nuremberg.
Day 9: Nuremberg – Bamberg
This afternoon we arrive into Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city. There’s no better way to make the most of your time here than to join the optional sightseeing tour and learn all there is to know about this magnificent city. Encompassed in its ancient city walls and dominated by the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg, the city is awash with gothic churches, aristocratic houses, cascading fountains, poignant memorials and plenty of romantic corners. This evening, we continue our journey to Bamberg.
Day 10: Bamberg – Würzburg
We arrive into the historic city of Bamberg this morning, which is home to yet another superb UNESCO World Heritage Site old town. Situated at the start of the Main-Danube Canal, the city is set against a beautiful backdrop of seven hills and has an excellently-preserved medieval centre. On our optional city tour, you’ll get to experience Altenburg Castle, the Old Town Hall, the cathedral and the former Benedictine Monastery which is the focal point of the landscape. Later this afternoon we set sail towards Würzburg.
Day Day 11: Würzburg – Miltenberg
This morning, we arrive in the Bavarian city of Würzburg, with its baroque and rococo architecture and spectacular palace. The Würzberg Residence was home to powerful prince-bishops in centuries gone by and you can witness its splendour with your own eyes on our optional tour. Visit the 8th century church, one of the oldest in Germany, and the prominent Marienberg Fortress before setting sail to Miltenberg in the early evening.
Day 12: Miltenberg – Rüdesheim
We arrive in Miltenberg at lunchtime, when you’ll have free time to explore the pearl of the river Main. Picture-perfect in every way, walk among the half-timbered houses of the Old Market Place and discover the oldest part of town, nestled between the banks of the Main and the Greinberg mountain. We set sail for Rüdesheim later this afternoon.
Day 13: Rüdesheim – Cologne
Today we arrive in the scenic winemaking town of Rüdesheim, in the heart of the Rhine Valley. Take advantage of our optional excursion and take in the many sights of this quaint town, including a cable car ride which will give you incredible panoramic views across the valley below. Alternatively, you might want to sit back and sample some of the freshly-made wines for yourself. This evening we sail overnight to Cologne.
Day 14: Cologne – UK
This morning we disembark, bid farewell to our captain and crew and set-off on our return journey to the UK.