Cruise four of Europe's most important waterways: the Rhine, Moselle, Main and Danube and unpack just once on a relaxing 14-night cruise through five European countries. Explore historic medieval port cities; delight in old world traditions, savor local Bavarian foods and other regional specialties, gypsy music, lavish palaces and ancient castle ruins. Your adventure begins in Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, and where you'll board ship on the ms Amadeus Princess whose amenities include a panoramic deck, fitness center, 81 spacious cabins with large windows and terrace cafe. This brand new ship offers excellent cuisine and outstanding service. Join a local expert in Amsterdam, the 700-year-old capital of the Netherlands and marvel at its Golden Age architecture including 500 bridges, intricate canal system and 17th century homes and churches. Cruise the scenic Rhine to Cologne and take a guided tour of one of Germany's oldest cities. Continue to Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle River; see the legendary Lorelei Rock; and end in Rudesheim, where you can explore the Drosselgasse, renowned for its dance halls and bands. In Würzburg, rebuilt after World War II, see the magnificent Bishops' Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise the famous Franconian wine region, the Main-Danube canal and enjoy a guided tour of the winding cobblestone streets, 18th century mansions and 11th century cathedral in Bamberg, founded in 902. In medieval Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city and site of the 1946 World War II War Crimes Tribunal, see its 900 year-old-ramparts and Imperial Castle. In Melk, see the magnificent, 900-year Benedictine Abbey of Melk, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries and join a local expert exploring Vienna's Imperial architecture including the lavish Hofburg Palace and the impressive Vienna Opera House. Your final stop is Hungary's famous capital city of Budapest, where you'll enjoy a city tour and a farewell dinner accompanied by Gypsy music.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Overnight Flight - Welcome as you join us cruising along the legendary waterways that define the true soul of Europe. Explore historic ports along the Rhine and Mosel rivers, delight in old world traditions, enjoy Rhineland vineyards and marvel at the varied landscapes and sights along the Danube River. Your adventure begins with an overnight flight to Europe.
Day #2 Budapest, Hungary - Tour Begins - Board Cruise Ship - Your tour begins in Budapest, Hungary’s famous capital city. All aboard! Unpack once for a relaxing 14-night river cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Princess. This beautiful ship offers the newest technology, panoramic deck, panorama salon and bar, excellent cuisine and outstanding service. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the welcome cocktail reception followed by a welcome dinner accompanied by Gypsy music.
Day #3 Budapest - Your sightseeing tour of this lovely capital features the historic Buda Castle area with its turreted Fisherman’s Bastion and 500-year-old St. Matthias Church. From this vantage point, you have splendid views of Chain Bridge and the twin cities of Buda and Pest, spread over both banks of the river. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Budapest on your own or for last minute shopping opportunities. After dinner, enjoy an evening cruise featuring a folklore show.
Day #4 Bratislava, Slovakia - Today, arrive in Slovakia's capital, Bratislava. An afternoon city tour includes the enormous 13th-century castle that towers 300 feet above the Danube; the old town; St. Martin's Cathedral; Michael's Gate; and the Archbishop's palace. This evening, your cruise continues to Austria's capital city, beautiful Vienna.
Day #5 Vienna, Austria - Join a local expert exploring Vienna's Imperial architecture including the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. The remainder of the day is at leisure or you may join an optional excursion to the opulent Schonbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty.
Day #6 Dürnstein - Melk - Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the picturesque Wachau Valley and the medieval town of Dürnstein, known to be the loveliest town in the Wachau Valley. Above the town, you'll spot the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionhearted, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Enjoy a walking tour exploring the town's many hidden treasures. Continue to the charming town of Melk. A guided tour takes you to Melk's magnificent 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries.
Day #7 Linz - Passau, Germany - After breakfast, arrive in Linz, Austria, a favorite city of Mozart, who dedicated his Linz Symphony to the town. Take time to explore the large town square with the 66 foot high Trinity Column and surrounded by patrician houses. Later cruise to Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this beautiful town with cobblestone streets and graceful arcades. Passau is home to St. Stephan’s Cathedral, known to have the world’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.
Day #8 Passau - Regensburg - Today, your ship arrives in magnificent Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Founded 2,000 years ago, Regensburg escaped major WWII damage and today stands as Germany's best-preserved medieval city. A guided tour of Regensburg features the Old Town Hall, 12th century Stone Bridge, towering St. Peter's Cathedral and the Porta Pretoria. This evening, join the festivities with a traditional Bavarian night on board, complete with local foods, music and dancing. Tonight the ship enters the first stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal.
Day #9 Regensburg - Nuremberg - Begin your day traveling through the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending again through stair-step locks. This afternoon enjoy a leisurely-paced guided tour of Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city. View the storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial Castle, and the Justice Palace where the WWII War Crimes Tribunal took place in 1946.
Day #10 Bamberg - Today your ship begins its final stretch through the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Disembark for a guided tour of this medieval gem. Founded in 902, it maintains quaint baroque patrician houses along its winding cobbled streets. You'll marvel at the breathtaking 11th century cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the river, and serpentine streets crowded with 18th century mansions. Tonight, after dinner, you are treated to traditional music and dances performed by local artists.
Day #11 Würzburg - Arrive in Würzburg, known as "The Pearl of the Romantic Road", a charming town surrounded by sloping hills and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Nearly destroyed by WWII, Würzburg has been rebuilt into a beautiful Franconian town boasting well-preserved baroque architecture. During your afternoon tour, visit the major sights including the magnificent Bishops' Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, continue cruising through the Franconian wine region.
Day #12 Wertheim - Miltenberg - Visit the beautiful city of Wertheim, situated at the meeting of the Main and Tauber rivers. Enjoy free time exploring the historic town square and its beautiful ancient castle ruins. Later arrive in Miltenberg for a guided walking tour along the town's narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses.
Day #13 Rüdesheim - Koblenz - Enjoy a morning cruise along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, where the landscape is dotted with magnificent hill top castles. See the legendary Lorelei Rock before arriving in charming Rüdesheim, the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. The "Winzerexpress" mini-train takes you to Siegfried´s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a fascinating guided tour. You will have time to explore the pedestrian street, Drosselgasee, and sample some local wines. Later, cruise to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Enjoy an early evening walk exploring this charming town surrounded by vine-covered hills.
Day #14 Koblenz - Cologne - Early this morning, the ship departs Koblenz and continues along the scenic Rhine River to Cologne, the Rhineland's largest city and one of Germany's oldest and most distinguished cities. Take a guided tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the massive, twin-steepled, 13th-century gothic cathedral.
Day #15 Amsterdam, Holland - Welcome to Amsterdam, the delightful 700-year-old capital city of the Netherlands. After lunch, join a local expert on a leisurely-paced walking tour of Amsterdam admiring Amsterdam's Golden Age architecture which includes over 500 bridges, an intricate canal system, beautiful 17th-century homes, charming churches with bell towers, and 16th-century merchant houses. Tonight, gather on board with your fellow travelers for a memorable farewell Captain’s Gala dinner.
Day #16 Amsterdam - Disembark Ship - Tour Ends - Your tour ends today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation.