CRUISE MAP

Included Cruise Features:
Start your voyage with historic Prague, “the city of a hundred spires.” Celebrate the beauty and history of the Danube, Europe’s second largest river, as you cruise from Nuremberg through the Main-Danube Canal across the Continental Divide. Continue to centuries-old towns and marvel at the beautiful river side vistas unfolding around you. Enter Austria and cruise through the lush Wachau wine region. Then, conclude your European river cruise vacation with two grand capitals, magnificent Vienna and historic Budapest.

• 7 Nights Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies
• Life enchanting tours and excursions daily
• Culinary delights - Bites and Sights excursions
• Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Free Internet, Hit Movies, Music Library and English Language TV?Stations
• Complimentary WI-FI access on board
• Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms
• Gourmet Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise
• Free-flowing Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions, beer and soft drinks with every Dinner on board the Ship
• Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Transfer from the Ship in Basel to Hotel in Lucerne
• 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Lucerne including daily Buffet Breakfast
• 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Zürich including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Special Highlights including Lectures, Theme Dinners, Cooking Demonstration, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
• Use of Bicycles to explore on your own
• Services of Professional Cruise Manager
• All English Language on board in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All Transfers with the Purchase of Cruise, Land & Air package
• All local Taxes
  
  

DAILY ITINERARY

DAY 1
Board your overnight flight to Holland.

DAY 2, ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND – EMBARKATION
Arrive in charming Amsterdam and embark your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Cocktail Reception. (B)

DAY 3, AMSTERDAM
After breakfast, admire beautiful 17th-century homes, charming churches and 16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Enjoy an afternoon information briefing as you cruise towards Germany. Tonight you'll be a guest at the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D)

DAY 4, COLOGNE, GERMANY
Early riser cruise past fashionable Düsseldorf, before arriving in Cologne for a guided morning walking tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the fabled 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Continue to 2,000 year old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Take an after dinner walk through this charming town. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, RÜDESHEIM
This morning, sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, passing castle after castle and the infamous Lorelei Rock. This afternoon, arrive in Rüdesheim, where you will enjoy an afternoon wine tasting with a local vintner. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time. This evening, visit the historic Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, housing a remarkable collection of robotic and self-playing musical instruments from the 18th to 20th centuries. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, SPEYER – HEIDELBERG
This afternoon, arrive in Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for the Speyer Cathedral, many churches and the Altpörtel (old gate) with a 13th-century gate tower. Choose either a city tour of medieval Speyer or half day excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, with its Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask, and beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. As an alternative, a guided bike tour is also available in Speyer (capacity controlled). Late this afternoon, the ship sails to Strasbourg, France. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Principal city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg, is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the border with Germany. This morning, take a tour through this medieval charming town lined with narrow cobbled streets. See the European Parliament and visit the “La Petite France” district, where you will see the sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. Then enjoy a canal cruise, revealing the picturesque town, known for its black and white timber-framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watchtowers. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps, take a stroll through Strasbourg’s historic city center, the “Grande Île” (“Grand Island”), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or sample the local cuisine and wine that merges the best of French and German influences. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, BREISACH – COLMAR, FRANCE OR FREIBURG, GERMANY
Today, choose between a city tour of Colmar or Freiburg. If you decide to travel to Freiburg, you will visit its historical city center and visit the Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg’s Münster, a gothic minster cathedral constructed of red sandstone, noted for its towering spires. The town is bordered by the Black Forest mountains, Rosskopf and Bromberg, and is known for meticulous wood carvings and cuckoo clocks. Or, choose to travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and is self-proclaimed as the “Capital of Alsatian Wine.” During your city tour, you will see remarkable halftimbered framed houses, the German influenced old quarter filled with streets of unexpected twists and turns, canals and the Launch River. Late tonight, the ship set sails for Basel, Switzerland. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, BASEL, SWITZERLAND – LUCERNE - DISEMBARKATION
Disembark after breakfast for a city tour of tour of cosmopolitan Basel. Switzerland’s second largest city is ideally located at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and Germany. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18thcentury patrician homes. After free time for lunch on your own, depart for Lucerne. Arriving mid afternoon, you will check into the hotel. (B)

DAY 10, LUCERNE
Situated on the exit of the Reusse River, on Lake Lucerne, the city is a medieval charm. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne. Small cobbled stone streets, squares with fountains, frescoed buildings typify Lucerne. The two most famous monuments are the Lion monument, the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside – representing the Swiss Guard of the French King who died defending the Royal Palace during the revolution. Easily the symbol of the city, the Chapel Bridge, is a medieval covered bridge, which for centuries was part of the city defenses. The eves of the roof have paintings depicting the cities rich history. The afternoon is free, you can choose to shop (watches, knives and Swiss chocolate) or join our optional tour to Mount Pilatus, the mountain which dominates the city. (B)

DAY 11, LUCERNE – ZÜRICH
This morning, check out of the hotel. Prior to leaving Lucerne, enjoy a cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne. Amazing scenery is the back drop of the cruise, with mountains looming over the city, coming right to the edge of the lake. There is time for lunch in Lucerne before departing for a scenic drive around the Lakes before reaching Zürich this afternoon. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

DAY 12, ZÜRICH
Your morning walking tour of picturesque Zürich will include Grossmünster, St.Peter, with the largest church clock face in the world, Old Town, Town Hall and Fraumünster, which was fully renovated in 2004 and now offers an exceptional 360° panoramic view of Zürich. The afternoon and evening is free for you to explore the town on your own. Perhaps, return to the Old Town, which offers engaging cafés, restaurants and a wealth of nightlife, or shop along Bahnhofstrasse and Niederdorf. (B)

DAY 13, ZÜRICH
Your cruise has come to an end.