BUDAPEST TO PARIS RIVER CRUISE ACROSS EUROPE

Danube Rhine and Moselle Rivers  2013
20 Days/19 nights 

Cruise from Budapest to Luxemburg then spend 3 nights in Paris on land

ITINERARY in 2013

Day 1 ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Arrive in Budapest and optional transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, enjoy a spectacular view of the twin cities spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features the distinctive Fishermans Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephens Basilica, the famous Heroes Square and more. This afternoon, an optional excursion will take you back to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. (B)
Day 3 BUDAPEST - EMBARKATION
After checking out of your hotel in Budapest, you will have a free morning to explore on your own before boarding your luxurious ship. In the alternative, you can join an optional excursion to Puszta, the great Hungarian Plain which stretches across to the East. The excursion includes a savory lunch with Goulash. Tonight, you will meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner, as you cruise to Bratislava. (B,D)
Day 4 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - VIENNA, AUSTRIA
This afternoon, arrive in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the citys major sites, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martins Cathedral. In the alternative, choose a Communist Tour that includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. (B,L,D)
Day 5 VIENNA
This morning enjoy a guided tour of romantic Vienna that will include the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the historic St. Stephens Cathedral. In the alternative, join an optional tour this afternoon to the Imperial SchÃnbrunn Palace. Tonight, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace or Palais Auersperg. (B,L,D)
Day 6 DÃœRNSTEIN - MELK
Early this morning reach the Wachau Valley for your walking tour of Darnstein, known as one of the prettiest towns along the Danube. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche. Your tour will also include a wine tasting at a local vintner, where you will sample several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. This afternoon, you can explore the majestic Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour from Darnstein to Melk (capacity controlled). The ship arrives in Melk late this afternoon, and you will tour the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of Europes largest baroque monasteries. (B,L,D)
Day 7 LINZ - PASSAU, GERMANY
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, where you will have the choice of two different excursions. The first choice is an optional excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the Sound of Music and as the birthplace of Mozart. In the alternative, remain on the ship and cruise through scenic Upper Austria to Passau. Located where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube, this 2,000-year-old city is noted for its gothic and Italian baroque architecture. A walking tour of Passau will take you along the cobblestone streets of Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephans Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. (B,L,D)
Day 8 REGENSBURG
In the early afternoon arrive in Regensburg, one of Germanys best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have your choice of three different tours here. The first is a guided walking tour, in which you will see the citys architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. The next tour is an afternoon bike ride to Walhalla, where you will visit the Walhalla temple which honors distinguished Germans throughout history (capacity controlled). Your third choice is a trip to the Audi Factory in Ingolstadt, where a member of the Audi team will take you on a guided tour of the Audi Museum or Factory Floor (subject to availability). (B,L,D)
Day 9 NUREMBERG
Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising through the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmahl Valley. This afternoon, you will explore the medieval history of Nuremberg, and see the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and Old Town Hall. In the alternative, choose a tour that will focus on Nuremberg during World War II as the center of the Third Reich. See the infamous Zeppelin field used to hold rallies and the Justice Palace (when available) where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. (B,L,D)
Day 10 NUREMBERG - MUNICH
Today, you will travel by train to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germanys largest cities. Your escort will offer suggestions on what to see while in town, and will take you to lunch in a local restaurant. Tonight, you will meet additional fellow travelers embarking from Prague. (B,L,D)
Day 11 BAMBERG
This morning you will arrive in the medieval town of Bamberg where you will enjoy a walking tour of this picturesque town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and explore serpentine streets lined with charming houses. Sample some of Bambergs famous smoked beer before continuing your cruise, now on the Main River. After departing Bamberg you will cruise to the Main River town of Schweinfurt, and enjoy an evening walk. (B,L,D)
Day 12 KITZINGEN - WURZBURG
This morning you will arrive in Kitzingen. On your walking tour, youll see the famous Leaning Tower, built during the 13th century, the Old Main Bridge, Kitzingen Church and the Renaissance Town Hall. Later, the Aulic Council and Wine Queen will welcome you to Germanys oldest wine cellar. You will taste several different wines, learning first-hand about wine history and production in the region. In the afternoon, you will have a choice of three different tours. You can choose the Würzburg Tour and Residenz visit, during which you will see the major sights, including the Residenz Palace and gardens, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of Europes foremost examples of baroque architecture and design. In the alternative, take a guided bike tour from Kitzengen to Würzburg (capacity controlled) or enjoy an optional tour to medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled city situated on the Romantic Road. Your walking tour includes entrance to the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Museum. (B,L,D)
Day 13 WERTHEIM - MILTENBERG
This morning, you will tour Wertheim, located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. The town has retained much of its medieval Franconian character, which you will discover on your walking tour of the historic city center. In the alternative, a guided bike tour from Wertheim (capacity controlled) will take you along the Main River Valley. Cruise during lunch time to Miltenberg, arriving in the afternoon for a guided walking tour along cobble-stone streets lined with gabled, half-timbered houses. Tonight, the ship sails leaving Bavaria, Franconia and the Main River behind. (B,L,D)
Day 14 MAINZ - RUDESHEIM - KOBLENZ
Early this morning, you will cruise on the Rhine River, where you will see the stunning beauty of the Rhine castles and the infamous Lorelei Rock as we sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge. Arrive in Mainz after breakfast and decide between two different excursions. You can choose a walking tour of beautiful Mainz, where you will see the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world’s first printed bible. In the afternoon, arrive in Rüdesheim and visit Siegfrieds Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, which houses one of the greatest collections of robotic and self-playing musical instruments of the 18th-20th centuries. In the alternative, choose an excursion to Heidelberg, Germans oldest university town. You will visit the red-walled Heidelberg Castle, the Great Vat and also take a walking tour of Old Heidelberg. Tonight, the ship cruises to Koblenz, which is situated at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. (B,L,D)
Day 15 COCHEM - ZELL
Today, visit the fairytale village of Cochem, surrounded by the scenic wine villages of the Mosel Valley. Walk along narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses before taking a guided tour of Reichsburg Castle. Situated high above Cochem, the castle grounds boast spectacular views of the River Mosel. In the alternative, enjoy a guided bike tour (capacity controlled) of the scenic Mosel Valley. This evening continue past hillside vineyards to Zell, where a welcoming wine fest awaits you. Experience the hospitality of Zell with a visit by the Mayor and Wine Queen. (B,L,D)
Day 16 TRIER
This afternoon, arrive in Trier, Germanys oldest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich ancient Roman history. On your guided tour, you will see the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths, Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Nigra gate, dating back to 180 A.D. This evening, the ship sails for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. (B,L,D)
Day 17 LUXEMBOURG - DISEMBARKATION - PARIS, FRANCE
This morning, bid farewell to your cruise. You will then take a panoramic tour as you transfer to Grand Duchy, and will see the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, final resting place of Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. You will enjoy a walking tour of Luxembourg, and then have some free time for lunch on your own before boarding a TGV high-speed train to Paris. Arrive in the mid-afternoon and check in to your hotel. (B)
Day 18 PARIS
Enjoy Paris famous sights during this mornings guided tour. Start with a panoramic tour in which you will see the Champs Elyses, Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower. Your tour concludes with a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. (B)
Day 19 PARIS
Your last day in the City of Light is free for you to enjoy at leisure. Or, you may decide to join the optional Seine Cruise & Eiffel Tower excursion in the morning or the optional Parisian Cabaret excursion this evening. (B)
Day 20 DEPART PARIS
Optional Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)
 

REVERSE ITINERARY

DAY 1, ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE
Arrive in Paris and optional transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

DAY 2, PARIS
Enjoy Paris famous sights during your morning guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, La Madeleine, Les Champs Elyse and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many museums, galleries and other attractions that the city has to offer. (B)

DAY 3, PARIS
Enjoy a full free day to explore the amazing City of Light where romance fills the air. Stroll along Les Champs Elyses, the boutique-lined boulevards, or see the Eiffel Tower, built for the Worlds Fair of 1889. Paris at night offers unlimited possibilities for every taste. (B)