Magnificent Europe 2012

Budapest to Amsterdam

Day 1 Budapest. Fly to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for 14 nights. This afternoon, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 2 Budapest. Cosmopolitan Budapest spans the banks of the Danube and is connected by seven bridges linking ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church is among the impressive sights you’ll see on your included tour. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika.

Day 3 Bratislava. Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. The charming Old Town with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace, as well as the gothic cathedral of St Martin, should not be missed.

Day 4 Vienna. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard and awe-inspiring 
St Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will see during your tour. Shop on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a local café. Tonight, an optional concert is available.

Day 5 Dürnstein – Melk. Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Continue through the Wachau Valley to Melk, whose magnificent Benedictine Abbey dominates the town and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. This evening sample some of the famous wines of the region.

Day 6 Linz – Passau. Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, straddles both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the sights of the popular film ‘The Sound of Music’. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. Its cathedral, St Stephen’s, houses the world’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.

Day 7 Regensburg. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria — gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria’s cultural centres. It is here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen).

Day 8 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. Nuremberg’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metalworking. After dinner, sample some of Germany’s famous beers.

Day 9 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 10 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 11 Miltenberg. Located on the Main River, Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that once thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and Renaissance houses and the gothic splendour of the Merchant Hall. This afternoon, enjoy a baking demonstration and learn how to bake a local soft cookie speciality.

Day 12 Rüdesheim – Rhine Gorge. 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.

Day 13 Cologne. Cologne is one of Germany’s largest cities, with a skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. The Germano-Roman Museum located next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs. Try a Kölsch in one of the many taverns and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original ‘eau de cologne’.

Day 14 Amsterdam. Holland’s delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s ‘Golden Age’.

Day 15 Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.