24 Day Eastern Europe And European Gems River Cruise

Be met at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception.

Today, explore beautiful Prague with an expert guide. Discover the World Heritage-listed Old Town, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and Prague’s Old Market Square.

This morning after breakfast, travel across the border into Germany. As you journey through the state of Saxony, stop in Saxon Switzerland National Park to see the rock formations of Bastei as well as the Bastei Bridge, which offers wonderful panoramic views over the mountains. Continue by coach to Germany’s capital, Berlin, and check in to your hotel.

Once a city famously divided in two, modern-day Berlin now embodies a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Start your day with a guided tour that will take you past many of the must-see landmarks. See the historic Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate – a symbol of peace and a reunified Berlin. You’ll also visit a ruined section of the Berlin Wall. After enjoying free time, travel by coach to Potsdam where you’ll embark on a guided tour of the former royal summer palace, Sanssouci (own expense).

Take advantage of a full day at leisure to further explore Berlin. Perhaps make your way to the visitor platform of the prominent Fernsehturm to enjoy panoramic views of Berlin’s eclectic urban landscape. Or, if the sun’s out, you might like to grab a delicious currywurst, a traditional Berlin sausage, and head to one of the city’s leafy, lakeside parks to soak up the sunshine.

Today, farewell the incredible city of Berlin and travel through the beautiful, rolling countryside of Germany’s east into Poland and on to Warsaw.

Insider Experience: Discover the delights of modern Polish cuisine during dinner at Rozana – a highly regarded restaurant in Warsaw.

The brutal events of World War II have indeed left their mark on the city, yet the Warsaw of today is diverse and progressive, filled with stylish boutiques, chic restaurants, new museums and modern buildings. An enthralling city tour takes you to the site of the Jewish Ghetto, which was home to the largest Jewish community in Europe. Also visit Lazienki Park where you will glimpse Lazienki Palace with its serene waters and ornate statues.

Today you will journey through rolling farmland from Warsaw to Krakow. Along the way, you’ll visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, where a tour will provide a haunting insight into the plight of the Jews who were sent to these infamous Nazi concentration camps. Afterwards, check in to your hotel in Krakow and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Enjoy the sights of Krakow on a tour, taking in the Wawel Royal Castle and the famous Old Town. Afterwards, perhaps tour the Wieliczka Salt Mine (own expense). This ancient abandoned mine is a marvel, featuring a maze of underground chambers, grottoes and statues chiselled out of rock salt by miners hundreds of years ago.

Insider Experience: Enjoy a traditional Polish folklore show and dinner.

This morning after breakfast, you will travel to Budapest via the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia and board your ship.

Awake to views of one of the Danube’s most enchanting cities this morning. Disembark and learn the vibrant history of Budapest as your local guide takes you to a host of impressive sights such as Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion, Heroes’ Square and Buda Castle. Back on board this evening, enjoy a delightful Gala Dinner while you cruise.

Embrace the elegance of Vienna as you drive around the Ringstrasse, taking in some of the city’s most famous buildings – the Vienna State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and more. On arrival in the city centre, a walking tour will provide an insider’s view of sights such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben, Hofburg Palace and the Albertina. Afterwards, maybe visit the Naschmarkt and browse the stalls. This evening, perhaps enjoy an optional concert featuring music from Mozart to ‘The Sound of Music’.

With the day at leisure, perhaps explore the Hofburg area or wander along Karntnerstrasse, the city’s famous shopping strip. Otherwise, embark on an optional excursion, to Schonbrunn Palace, or head to former soviet Bratislava.

Cruise to the town of Durnstein and enjoy a stroll past rustic town houses and taverns. Along the way, gaze up to the hilltop ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Later, dock in Melk and tour through Melk Abbey, an active Benedictine monastery since 1089.

This morning after breakfast, cruise to beautiful Passau. Perhaps, join an optional tour to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, or visit Salzburg and enjoy the sights from ‘The Sound of Music’.

Insider Experience: Tonight, enjoy a traditional Bavarian experience on board. Sample delicious local beer and snacks, accompanied by traditional folk music, song and dance.

Continue along the Danube River to the enchanting town of Regensburg, located in the southern region of the Bavarian Forest. Here, wander along its cobblestone lanes, taking a journey through the ages as you explore the historic streets, medieval buildings and cultural sites on your guided walking tour.

Arrive in Nuremberg, the site of Hitler’s now infamous rallies, which played a pivotal role for the Nazis during World War II. Take a city tour this afternoon, which includes sights such as the Zeppelin Field and Palace of Justice.

One of the few German cities that wasn’t destroyed during World War II, World Heritage-listed Bamberg beckons your attention this morning. You’ll gain great insight during a locally guided tour of the historic city centre.

Verdant hills and rich vineyards sit on the edge of Wurzburg. Admire its magnificent baroque palace, the Wurzburg Residence and walk through Wurzburg Court Garden, with its terraced gardens and serene water basin. Later, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to the medieval town of Rothenburg.

Arrive at the beautifully evocative town of Miltenberg. Here, enjoy an Insider Experience before returning to your ship to enjoy time at leisure. As the sun sets, watch the glittering lights of medieval towns slip past as you sit down to dinner and cruise through the night.

Insider Experience: Discover true German hospitality as you are welcomed into the homes of friendly Miltenberg locals for coffee and cake.

In Rudesheim, the Winzerexpress mini-train will take you through town to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. As you continue cruising, you will encounter a true holiday highlight – the spectacular Rhine Gorge. Watch in awe as you drift past steep vine-covered slopes dotted with ancient castles and strongholds. Enjoy dinner on board tonight, as your journey continues late into the evening.

Disembark your ship in Cologne and drive to the town of Bruhl, where you will enjoy an Insider Experience. Later, return to Cologne and enjoy some time at leisure.

Insider Experience: Step back in time during a visit to the World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Castle, the lavish residence of archbishop-elector Clemens August. On a tour of the castle, learn stories of its infamous former resident and enjoy a walk through its gardens between the lodge and the castle.

Amsterdam’s network of canals lends the city its nickname, ‘Venice of the North’. Dock in the city’s heart and board a glass-top boat to discover the city’s waterside facades, watching the bicycle-loving locals ride along as you drift by. Back on land, enjoy free time to explore, before a Captain’s Farewell Dinner back on board.

After breakfast, disembark your river ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.