Jewels of Central Europe 2012

19 days - Budapest to Paris

Day 1 (Thu) Budapest. Fly to Budapest and transfer to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights.

Day 2 (Fri) Budapest. Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Seven bridges, including the Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion and glorious Matthias Church is among the sights your Local Guide will show you.

Day 3 (Sat) Budapest. This afternoon, transfer to your cruise ship. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 4 (Sun) Budapest – Vienna. A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery along the banks of the Danube. Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the ‘City of Music’ and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss.

Day 5 (Mon) Vienna. Austria’s capital has much to offer including the Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Ring Boulevard, and St Stephen’s Cathedral. See these and more during your city tour.

Day 6 (Tue) Dürnstein – Melk. Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche, lies in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above the town is the ruin of the castle in which Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned. This afternoon visit to Melk, whose Benedictine Abbey dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site. This evening, sample some of the Wachau Valley’s famous wines.

Day 7 (Wed) Linz – Passau. An optional full day excursion to Salzburg takes in sights made famous by the popular film ‘The Sound of Music’. Later head to Passau. Set at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, its cathedral, St Stephen’s, houses the world’s largest church organ.

Day 8 (Thu) Regensburg. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria - gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria’s cultural centres. Here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen).

Day 9 (Fri) Nuremberg. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses, on a tour with a local expert. Nuremberg’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metalworking. After dinner sample some of Germany’s famous beers.

Day 10 (Sat) Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich. After breakfast, drive to Munich, where a Local Expert will show you the highlights including the Olympic Stadium, Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, the Old and New Town Halls and the striking gothic Frauenkirche. Later, enjoy free time to explore.

Day 11 (Sun) Bamberg. Medieval Bamberg is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall, which straddles the River Regnitz, and its serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions.

Day 12 (Mon) Würzburg. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Romantic Road’, Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. Today, a visit to the magnificent Bishop’s Residenz is included.

Day 13 (Tue) Miltenberg. A picturesque Bavarian village, Miltenberg's cultural wealth is reflected in its beautiful medieval and Renaissance houses and the gothic splendour of the Merchant Hall. This evening, enjoy a baking demonstration.

Day 14 (Wed) Rüdesheim – Rhine Gorge – Koblenz. Whilst in pretty Rüdesheim, a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum is included, as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Afterwards, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000 year old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine.

Day 15 (Thu) Cochem. Visit Reichsburg Castle, which sits atop a vine-covered hill. From here the views of the town and river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine.

Day 16 (Fri) Trier - Remich. Trier, on the Moselle River, is the oldest city in Germany and some claim, even older than Rome. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving gate from the original Roman settlement and still gives access to the town centre. See the highlights on your included tour. This afternoon, cruise to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Day 17 (Sat) Remich - Paris. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Metz to board the high-speed TGV to Paris and two nights at Hilton Arc de Triomphe Hotel.

Day 18 (Sun) Paris. During your included sightseeing tour of Paris, see magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age.

Day 19 (Mon) Paris. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.