Luxury Cruises

Europe River Cruises 1

24 Days Grand European Cruise - Westbound Tour Package
Duration: 24 Days / 23 Nights
Priced From: $8390 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Jun, Oct

Travel like the royals of old on our Grand European Cruise, combining The Black Sea to Budapest with Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat to create an unforgettable 24-day journey through the heart of Europe including a 21-day cruise aboard one of our state-of-the-art riverboats, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel. This remarkable Danube, Main and Rhine river tour takes you through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Glide past grand cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and historic citadels - as well as through the Main-Danube Canal and the Iron Gate of the Danube. This private, inclusive shore excursions take in many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in-depth exploration of cities including Amsterdam, Köln, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest. It's the ultimate European river cruise... with the Difference!

• Indicates cruise day

Day 1 - Begin your Danube, Main and Rhine River tour in Bucharest
Tour starts at 6:00 PM at the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest.  A transfer is included from Bucharest Airport to the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest in the heart of the city. Meet your fellow travelers and your Directors at tonight's welcome reception and dinner at your storied hotel, a Bucharest landmark since 1914.
Meals:Dinner
LodgingAthénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

Day 2 - Castles and monasteries in Romania
On a choice of sightseeing in Romania today, you may opt for a full day's excursion to tour Peles Castle in Sinaia, built for Romania's royal family in the 1880s. Or take off on a morning visit to isolated Snagov Monastery - set on a tiny island in the middle of a lake, and said to be the final resting place of Vlad Tepes, the historical model for the character of Dracula. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch
LodgingAthénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

• Day 3 - Bucharest or the Black Sea before boarding
More choices in sightseeing await you today. Before embarking your riverboat, you can choose to explore Bucharest and tour the massive People's Palace - home to the Romanian Parliament, and the world's second-largest building after the Pentagon - as well as visit the Romanian Athenaeum. Or drive to the resort town of Mamaia, set at the edge of the Black Sea, and stroll along Europe's only pure-white sand beaches. Then travel to Cernavoda and board ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel to launch the cruise portion of your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 4 - Big day in Bulgaria
Arrive in Ruse, Bulgaria, for excursions to nearby towns. In Arbanassi, known for its richly ornamented architecture, you'll have an opportunity to meet and share local specialties with your Bulgarian contemporaries at a private, home-hosted lunch. Continue on to Bulgaria's medieval capital of Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills overlooking the Yantra River. Rejoin the riverboat in Svishtov, and enjoy a Bulgarian cultural performance aboard ship this evening.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 5 - Danube cruising and Iconography Demonstration
Kick back and enjoy the views of fields and vineyards studded with medieval towns as your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour cruises through the scenic heartland of Eastern Europe today. Learn all about Iconography during an on-board lecture and demonstration prior to arriving in Vidin, where you can join us for a walking tour through its cobblestone streets.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 6 - King Decebalus and the Iron Gate of the Danube
On another relaxing day on your Danube cruise, sail along the Bulgarian / Romanian border, enjoying great views of the Transylvanian Alps. As you glide along, keep an eye out for a kingly face carved into the Danube's rocky bank on the Romanian side; it's a monument to the 2nd-century Dacian King Decebalus, who defended his kingdom from the invading Romans - and it's the tallest rock sculpture in Europe. Glide through Romania's Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate of the Danube, a spectacular two-mile-long series of gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, en route to Serbia.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 7 - Serbia's cosmopolitan capital, Belgrade
Dock in Belgrade, Serbia's modern capital at the juncture of the Danube and Sava rivers. Sightseeing includes visits to Tito's Memorial, St. Sava Church, and the formidable Kalemegdan Fortress. Also view busy Slavija Square (now one of the city's major squares, but once a large pool where residents hunted wild ducks!), Parliament, Republic Square and City Hall. Return to the riverboat, where a Serbian folkloric group entertains you this evening.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 8 - Discover Croatia's historic cities
Your lower Danube cruise crosses the border from Serbia to Croatia and arrives in historic Vukovar. A mix of old and new, this venerable 10th-century city once showcased opulent 18th-century Baroque mansions, and now poignantly symbolizes the effects of the 1990s war as it rebuilds. Continue this extraordinary Danube, Main and Rhine river tour to Hungary tonight.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 9 - Baroque treasures, horses and folkways in Hungary
Sail along the Danube to Kalocsa, Hungary - known for its folk art and its paprika - where you'll visit the beautiful Baroque Bishop's Palace Library, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe. Then visit the Equestrian Center in Solt to see colorfully garbed Puszta horsemen demonstrating traditional skills; ride a horse-drawn wagon back to the riverboat, and enjoy a cocktail reception and dinner aboard ship tonight.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 10 - Indulge at a spa or explore Budapest
Cruise to Budapest, Hungary's capital city divided into two sections by the Danube; you can spend a relaxing day on a visit to one of the city's famous spa, or join us for some guided sightseeing among the landmark sites of this fascinating city as your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour sails on.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 11 - Discover Budapest on the Danube up close
Explore both sections of Budapest - Buda and Pest - on a sightseeing tour today. Sites include Heroes' Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary; the Parliament building, a neo-Gothic masterpiece; Fishermen's Bastion; and 700-year-old Matthias Church, with its famous stained-glass windows. Note: Matthias Church may be closed on some departures due to services.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 12 - Baroque in Bratislava
Today's port of call is Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where 17 centuries of history are chronicled on a walking tour. Highlights are Baroque palaces from the Habsburg era, St. Martin's Cathedral, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and a visit to the Old Town Hall. Back on board the riverboat, Slovakian performers entertain you after dinner; continue your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour to Vienna this evening.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 13 - Music and more in Imperial Vienna
Get an overview of grand old Vienna, Austria, with a morning sightseeing tour of this historic city, once the center of Europe's Habsburg empire. Then take your choice of a tour of grandiose Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a visit to the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg - the former Imperial Palace and today the residence of Austria's president. Tonight, you'll receive the royal treatment with a private Imperial Evening at a traditional palace in Vienna featuring a sumptuous dinner and live Viennese music.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 14 - Medieval Austrian abbeys and castles
Your riverboat continues along the Danube to Dürnstein, whose twisting medieval lanes you'll explore on a walking tour. High above the town lie the ruins of Kuenringerburg, the castle where English King Richard the Lionhearted was held prisoner during the Crusades; an invigorating walk up the hill to the ruins leads to beautiful vistas of the river, town and surrounding countryside. Enjoy more great views of castles and lush vineyards from the top deck or through the panoramic windows of your riverboat while cruising through the wine-growing Wachau Valley. Stop in Melk for a guided tour of its 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, perched on a rocky outcrop above the river. Inside this Baroque masterpiece are fine frescoes, early manuscripts, and a high altar. Your evening aboard the riverboat includes a wine tasting and a performance by local entertainers.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 15 - Explore Baroque Passau and cruise the Danube
After crossing the border from Austria to Germany, dock in the Bavarian town of Passau, set on the Danube and Inn rivers, whose history dates back to the days of the Roman empire. A walking tour reveals the Baroque treasures of this lovely riverside town, known for its stained glass, its many churches and its unique architecture. Your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour continues as the riverboat sails to Regensburg.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 16 - Along the Danube to ancient Regensburg
It's on to the well-preserved medieval town of Regensburg, once a campsite for the Roman legions, today. Our local guide leads you on a delightful walking tour of Old Town including the Steinerne Brücke over the Danube, the oldest stone bridge in Germany; massive Dom St. Peter, the town's 14th-century Gothic cathedral; and Altes Rathaus, the 15th-century town hall that was once the seat of the Imperial Diet.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 17 - Main-Danube Canal & Nürnberg
Today your riverboat negotiates the Main-Danube Canal, which makes your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour possible, ultimately linking the North Sea with the Black Sea; learn about the canal's history from a local expert during your transit. The idea goes back as far as Charlemagne, but wasn't realized until the canal's completion in the 1990s; pass through 16 locks as the waterway traverses the mountains. Arrive in historic Nürnberg; see the city's sites associated with World War II and its aftermath, followed by a walking tour of the walled medieval Old Town. Sample Nürnberg's traditional sausage at dinner aboard the riverboat tonight.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 18 - Bound for Bamberg
Awaken in Bavaria's charming town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated atop seven hills. See the town's magnificent 13th-century cathedral with four imposing towers, its lovely gardens, and its unique medieval architecture during a walking tour and time to explore as you please.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 19 - Treasures of Rothenburg and Würzburg
Today's travels take you to medieval Rothenburg, on Germany's "Romantic Road," to see its Gothic cathedrals and gabled houses. In charming Würzburg, discover the town's 18th-century Residenz and the ornate Alte Mainbrücke, a historic bridge over the River Main. And you'll know you're cruising through Bavaria when an oompa band plays for you aboard the riverboat this evening!
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 20 - Cruising the Main to Miltenberg
Meander along the River Main, through through scenic valleys studded with castles, cathedrals, and fortified towns, to the ancient town of Miltenberg; en route, enjoy an on-board glassblowing demonstration by practitioners of this time-honored craft. Enclosed by a wall with gate towers under a steep hill crowned by a castle, Miltenberg boasts many half-timbered houses and a charming Marktplatz.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 21 - From the Main to the Rhine & Rüdesheim
Leave the Main River behind you today as your riverboat - and your Rhine River tour - continues on to Rüdesheim. A visit to Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett - an eclectic collection of mechanical musical instruments housed in a 15th-century castle in Rüdesheim - precedes tonight's entertaining dinner in a local German restaurant with an old-world ambiance.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 22 - Koblenz or castles & Köln, a.k.a. Cologne
Arrive in Koblenz, where you can choose a walking tour of its Old Town or a visit to Marksburg Castle; set high above the Rhine, it dates back to the 13th century and offers a taste of medieval life. Your Rhine River tour continues through the scenic Lorelei Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Köln (Cologne). A guided walking tour includes the lofty Kölner Dom, elaborately decorated with pinnacles and buttresses; the tallest Gothic structure in the world, it took over 600 years to complete. Have a great time celebrating a remarkable three-week cruise at the Captain's farewell dinner aboard the riverboat tonight.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 23 - Art and more in Amsterdam
Dock in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, where you'll take a close-up look at acclaimed works by the Dutch Masters - including Rembrandt's The Night Watch and many others - at the world-renowned Rijksmuseum. Then enjoy views of medieval architecture on a sightseeing cruise along Amsterdam's 17th-century canals, and spend time exploring this fascinating city as you please.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingCruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 24 - Homeward bound
Your Danube, Main, and Rhine river tour ends in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Disembark your riverboat in Amsterdam; a transfer is included from ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Allow 2 1/2 hours for departure flight check-in.
Meals:Breakfast

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

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