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Detailed Itinerary: Amsterdam to Bucharest

Program offerings are subject to change.

Skip to Bucharest to Amsterdam itinerary

Day 1: Amsterdam (Embarkation Day)

Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.

Day 2: Amsterdam

Enjoy the luxury of a full day in the “Venice of the North,” starting with a private “Morning with the Masters” tour of the Van Gogh Museum. You’ll have the museum’s extraordinary collection all to yourself, with an art historian to show you the highlights. Afterwards, explore the city with a canal ride or on foot with a local expert.

Featured Excursion:“Morning with the Masters” at the Van Gogh Museum

Choice of Amsterdam by canal or “Do as the Locals Do” Amsterdam walking tour

Day 3: Cologne

You simply cannot visit Cologne without paying homage to its most notorious site, the Gothic masterpiece that serves as the city’s cathedral. A local expert will show you favorite haunts around the Old Town, introduce you to the famous local brew, and share some of the cathedral’s most intriguing and Magi-cal secrets with you. Cologne is the largest and oldest city of the Rhineland and a cultural mecca, with more than 30 museums and hundreds of art galleries. A congenial atmosphere and a mix of ancient, modern and reconstructed buildings characterize the heart of the city. 

Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour with Cologne Cathedral visit and Kölsch beer tasting

Day 4: Cruising the Romantic Rhine River, Rüdesheim

Experience Germany’s fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region’s famous vineyards from the perspective of an aerial cable car, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. Like many cities along the Rhine, Rüdesheim has a lengthy history that stretches back to Roman times. These days, the town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse and its impressive Niederwald Monument. Later in the day, you’ll experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine. 

Choice of Abbey Eberbach medieval monastery tour with Riesling tasting or Rüdesheim wine village panoramas of Niederwald Monument

Day 5: Frankfurt (Heidelberg)

Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe due to its profusion of bankers and soaring skyscrapers, which co-exist with the city’s traditional Old Town architecture. Experience Frankfurt’s many contrasts today by visiting Germany’s oldest museum. Delve into exciting Frankfurt today. A major European financial and trade center, vibrant Frankfurt boasts world-class museums, soaring skyscrapers, cozy wine taverns and lovely parks. Choose a brief tour that gives you an overview or a more in-depth walking tour and then explore on your own.

Choice of Frankfurt “Do as the Locals Do” walking tour or Heidelberg with castle visit or Philosopher's Walk

Note: Lunch is not included with the full-day Heidelberg tour.

Day 6: Wertheim, Cruising the Main River

After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the Bavarian town of Wertheim. You’ll meet one of Germany’s best pretzel makers here, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate, followed by a guided vineyard hike. Or, if you’re more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are perfectly welcome to do that instead. Your port of call today, Wertheim, nestles at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers; it’s a picturesque and friendly town dominated by the ruins of a 13th-century castle. 

Choice of “Let's Go” bicycle tour from Freudenberg to Wertheim or Wertheim walking tour with pretzel-making and wine tasting at a private wine estate

Day 7: Würzburg

Your ship will dock in the delightful Franconian town of Würzburg, where you will visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence—one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe. The Würzburg Residence is a 300-room palace with a famous staircase and a gigantic ceiling fresco (even larger than the Sistine Chapel’s).

Featured Excursion: Würzburg Residence visit

Day 8: Cruising the Main River, Kitzingen (Rothenburg)

Step into a fairytale version of the Middle Ages in Rothenburg and visit a medieval castle that’s been described as a miniature Versailles. Spend a relaxing day onboard as your ship wends its way along the Main River between Würzburg and Bamberg. It’s something of a truism to say that this route takes you from wine to beer, and you’ll see the transition as you sail past the vineyard-covered slopes around Würzburg toward Bavaria’s famous beer-brewing center, Bamberg. Along the way, you’ll pass delightful little villages and romantic castle ruins, drift under lovely old bridges, and have plenty of time to observe the fascinating variety of vessels plying the river, from heavily loaded barges to jaunty little pleasure craft.

Featured Excursion: Fairytale Rothenburg

Day 9: Bamberg

Your floating time machine takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life—including a tractor ride! Today, your ship will dock in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg, which has one of the largest intact medieval town centers in Europe. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one. During the Middle Ages, Bamberg was split in two, divided by the Regnitz River, one side controlled by the prince-bishop and the other by the burghers (a formally de ned class in medieval Germany). As a result of this division, the Old Town Hall was built on a tiny island in the middle of the Regnitz to serve both sides of town. Marvel at this medieval city’s striking architecture and stirring history on a walking tour through Bamberg’s Old Town. Or leave the city behind for an experience of Franconian rural life with a visit to a charming village in the verdant hills just outside of town. 

Choice of Bamberg walking discovery tour or Exclusive Franconian “Village Day”

Day 10: Nuremberg, Cruising the Main-Danube Canal

Head up to the top deck or find a seat with a good view—you won’t want to miss seeing the ship navigate its way through a marvel of modern engineering, the Main-Danube Canal. Your destination today is the historic city of Nuremberg, which you can explore in two different ways. Your ship docks in Nuremberg. One of Germany’s leading cities for many centuries, Nuremberg’s glowing heritage as a center of German arts, culture and economy was, sadly, also responsible for its disastrous experience in the 1930s and 1940s. Which aspect do you wish to explore? You must choose between two very different but equally fascinating excursions.

Choice of Nuremberg "Do as the Locals Do" or Nuremberg panoramic city tour with WWII rally grounds visit

Day 11: Kelheim, Regensburg

Today in Regensburg you have four (!) options for experiencing this medieval gem of a city—select one for the morning and another for the afternoon. You can travel through time, get a crash course on making craft beer, watch high-tech robots assemble the Ultimate Driving Machine or enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the town. Regensburg is a friendly town with quaint cobblestone streets, historic Roman ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage–designated medieval city center. This unspoiled gem was the capital of Bavaria for about 700 years, from the 6th to the 13th centuries. The remnants of Regensburg’s golden age are still on display, particularly in the Stone Bridge, the first bridge to span the Danube, built in the 12th century. This bridge, which is 1,014 feet (309 meters) long, was an architectural wonder in its day. But don’t let Regensburg’s illustrious history fool you into thinking the town’s best days are all in the past. Modern Regensburg is a popular center of higher learning, with more than 30,000 students attending its various colleges and universities. In fact, Pope Benedict XVI was a professor of theology at the University of Regensburg until 1977. Regensburg also frequently appears on lists ranking the world’s best places to live, thanks to its outdoor spaces, historic city center, lively cultural and nightlife scenes, and great shopping. 

Choice of “2,000 Years in One Hour” Regensburg walking discovery tour or BMW factory visit or “From Hops Field to Beer Stein” farm visit or "Let's Go" Regensburg hiking experience

Day 12: Passau - Crossing the Danube River

Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one—three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town with a choice of guided walks. Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn and Ilz—Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Long ago, it was a Roman colony in the province of Noricum, called Batavis after an ancient Germanic tribe. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you’ll see on your walking tour of Passau.

Choice of Passau panoramic tour with mini hikes or Passau walking discovery tour

Day 13: Cruising the Wachau Valley, Weissenkirchen (Weissenkirchen or Melk)

Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies; later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike that includes a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Sail through the spectacular scenery of the Wachau Valley—one of the most beautiful stretches of river landscape in all of Europe. The 19-mile-long (30-kilometer- long) valley was formed over many centuries by the Danube River, which slowly wore away a rocky gorge in the foothills of the Bohemian Forest between Krems and Melk. This enchanting region—which boasts steep-sided, densely wooded southern slopes and northern slopes composed of a picturesque mixture of crags and vineyards—is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Dotted along the banks are boutique winemaking communities and historic small towns, like the pleasant village of Weissenkirchen, which you will have the opportunity to explore on a delightfully savory excursion. Or, if you’re feeling active, consider a vineyard hike that will lead you high above the village. Some of Austria’s nest white wines are produced from grapes ripened on the terraces that cling to these rocky slopes, including Grüner Veltliner, which is grown almost exclusively in Austria. If you have a taste for history rather than wine, consider a visit to Melk Abbey, where you’ll explore its massive library and admire its magnificent architecture. 

Choice of Melk Abbey with library visit or Weissenkirchen “Village Day” with vineyard hike

Day 14: Vienna

Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the City of Waltzes with your choice of excursions, as well as VIP access to an extraordinary collection of art—having an opportunity to see these masterpieces in complete privacy is an extra special treat reserved solely for Uniworld guests. And to cap off a perfect Viennese day? An evening concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections and inviting cafés—and it’s yours to enjoy. To begin your exploration of this delightful and historic city you may choose between two different guided tours: a panoramic city tour or our exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” walking tour. Another highlight today—our exclusive “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum. Later, you can discover the endless charms of Vienna at your leisure.

Featured Excursion: “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum

Choice of “Do as the Locals Do” Vienna walking tour or Vienna - Imperial city highlights

Day 15: Budapest

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has its own distinctive character and charm. Get acquainted this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—whether you see it on four wheels or on your own two feet, there is much to discover in the Hungarian capital. Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts—Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube, Hungary’s capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You’ll have two enticing ways to experience the city—a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach, or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour.

Choice of “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour or Budapest panoramic highlights with Parliament visit

Day 16: Budapest

Enjoy a day of leisure, exploring the Hungarian capital to your heart’s content. Other passengers are heading home today, but you are only halfway through your marvelous holiday. Today you have an opportunity to explore Budapest’s treasures at your leisure. It’s a mecca for lovers of art nouveau architecture—the building housing the Franz Liszt Academy of Music is a particularly noteworthy example of the style—so perhaps you would like to take yourself on a tour of some of these beauties. Treat yourself to a relaxing day at one of the city’s splendid spas, such as the Gellért Baths, or borrow one of the ship’s bicycles and explore Margaret Island. Your options are many, and all of them are delightful.

Day 17: Budapest - Cruising the Danube River

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has a distinctive character and allure all its own. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on our exclusive walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West, old and new. Even its geography is made up of two parts—Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—divided by the Danube. Which part will you choose to explore today? You have two options to choose from.

Choice of Budapest - panoramic highlights & Opera or Highstreet shopping or “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour

Day 18: Cruising the Danube River - Vukovar (Osijek)

Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, and its beautiful countryside, colorful folk traditions and delicious rustic cuisine make it a most rewarding place to visit. You’ll dock in Vukovar, Croatia’s biggest port, at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka rivers.

Choice of Full-day tour of Osijek with exclusive home-hosted lunch or Vucedol Culture museum and lunch at a family winery

Day 19: Belgrade

Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present. See it all with a choice of excursions, either a city tour that visits the palace or a guided bike ride. You have two very different ways to see Belgrade today—the choice is yours!

Choice of Belgrade city tour with visit to the Royal Grounds of Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace or "Let's Go" "I Bike Belgrade" tour

Day 20: Golubac - Cruising the Iron Gates

Today’s main attraction will be the spectacular scenery along the Danube, as you cruise a stretch of gorges known as the Iron Gates. Later, head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinary well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars and Turks. The Turks won the castle in 1458, which helped to reinforce their control of the area until 1867, when they abandoned it.

Featured Excursion: Lepenski Vir archaeological park and Golubac Castle

Day 21: Cruising the Danube River - Vidin

Vidin is a port town on the Danube the once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests. It’s your base for today's featured excursion—a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations.

Featured Excursion: Belogradchik Red Rock Valley

Day 22: Rousse (Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi-or- Rousse and Ivanovo)

Bulgaria’s foremost Danube port, Rousse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings. You may choose to see some of the town after venturing to a pair of historic monasteries or spend the day visiting two historic hill towns.

Choice of Rousse "Do as the Locals Do" walking discovery tour with Ivanovo and Basarbovo monasteries or Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi with authentic Bulgarian lunch

In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 23: Giurgiu (Disembarkation Day) - transfer to Bucharest

This morning, you’ll disembark the ship in Giurgiu and drive through the countryside to Bucharest, Romania’s capital and its cultural and economic center, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour.  Bucharest is a fascinating combination of Communist grandiosity, elegant French-influenced 19th-century buildings and surprising survivors dating from the 1500s. Perhaps nothing more perfectly encapsulates Romania’s 20th-century experience than the mind-boggling People’s Palace, which you can visit today. Another option is a walking tour that shows you this city from a local’s perspective. Tonight you’ll relax in the comfort of a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city.

Choice of Bucharest panoramic highlights tour or “Do as the Locals Do” Bucharest walking tour

Day 24: Bucharest

At the end of a quiet, tree-lined street, is one of the wealthiest districts of Bucharest. There, sits a seemingly unassuming villa hiding a unique history, one that visitors have only been able to delve into since the building opened to the public in March, 2016. Today, you will have the distinct pleasure of exploring the extravagant interior and grounds of Ceausescu’s Palace for yourself, with a history lesson on its infamous former residents. 

Featured Excursion: Ceausescu's Palace: the Dictator's private mansion

Day 25: Bucharest

End of your journey. Transfer to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport for your flight home.

Departures & Pricing

Detailed Itinerary: Bucharest to Amsterdam

Program offerings are subject to change.

Skip to Amsterdam to Bucahrest itinerary

Day 1: Bucharest

Arrive at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Bucharest

On the agenda today —a guided tour of the infamous Ceausescu Palace.

Featured Excursion: Ceaușescu's Palace: the Dictator's private mansion

Day 3: Bucharest - transfer to Giurgiu (Embarkation Day)

Bucharest is a fascinating combination of Communist grandiosity, elegant French-influenced 19th-century buildings and surprising survivors dating from the 1500s. Perhaps nothing more perfectly encapsulates Romania’s 20th-century experience than the mind-boggling People’s Palace, which you can visit today. Another option is a walking tour that shows you this city from a local’s perspective. Later, you'll travel via motorcoach to Giurgiu, where your ship awaits.

Choice of Bucharest panoramic highlights tour or “Do as the Locals Do” Bucharest walking tour

In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 6: Rousse (VelikoTarnovo and Arbanassi -or- Rousse and Ivanovo)

Bulgaria’s foremost Danube port, Rousse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings. You may choose to see some of the town after venturing to a pair of historic monasteries or spend the day visiting two historic hill towns.

Choice of Rousse "Do as the Locals Do" walking discovery tour with Ivanovo and Basarbovo monasteries or Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi with authentic Bulgarian lunch

Day 5: Cruising the Danube River - Vidin

Vidin is a port town on the Danube the once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests. It’s your base for today's featured excursion—a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations.

Featured Excursion: Belogradchik Red Rock Valley

Day 6: Cruising the Iron Gates - Golubac

Today’s main attraction will be the spectacular scenery along the Danube, as you cruise a stretch of gorges known as the Iron Gates. Later, head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinary well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars and Turks. The Turks won the castle in 1458, which helped to reinforce their control of the area until 1867, when they abandoned it.

Featured Excursion: Lepenski Vir archaeological park and Golubac Castle

Day 7: Belgrade

Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present. See it all with a choice of excursions, either a city tour that visits the palace or a guided bike ride. You have two very different ways to see Belgrade today—the choice is yours!

Choice of Belgrade city tour with visit to the Royal Grounds of Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace or "Let's Go" "I Bike Belgrade" tour

Day 8: Vukovar (Osijek) - Cruising the Danube River

Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, and its beautiful countryside, colorful folk traditions and delicious rustic cuisine make it a most rewarding place to visit. You’ll dock in Vukovar, Croatia’s biggest port, at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka rivers.

Choice of Full-day tour of Osijek with exclusive home-hosted lunch or Vucedol Culture museum and lunch at a family winery

Day 9: Cruising the Danube River - Budapest

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has a distinctive character and allure all its own. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on our exclusive walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West, old and new. Even its geography is made up of two parts—Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—divided by the Danube. Which part will you choose to explore today? You have two options to choose from.

Choice of Budapest panoramic highlights with Parliament visit or “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour

Day 10: Budapest

Enjoy a day of leisure, exploring the Hungarian capital to your heart’s content.   Other passengers are heading home today, but you are only halfway through your marvelous holiday. Today you have an opportunity to explore Budapest’s treasures at your leisure. It’s a mecca for lovers of art nouveau architecture—the building housing the Franz Liszt Academy of Music is a particularly noteworthy example of the style—so perhaps you would like to take yourself on a tour of some of these beauties. Treat yourself to a relaxing day at one of the city’s splendid spas, such as the Gellért Baths, or borrow one of the ship’s bicycles and explore Margaret Island. Your options are many, and all of them are delightful.

Day 11: Budapest

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has its own distinctive character and charm. Get acquainted this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—whether you see it on four wheels or on your own two feet, there is much to discover in the Hungarian capital. Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts—Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube, Hungary’s capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You’ll have two enticing ways to experience the city—a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach, or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour.

Choice of Budapest - panoramic highlights & Opera or Highstreet shopping or “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour

Day 12: Cruising the Danube River

Today is your day to relax onboard, enjoying the luxuries of your river cruise ship while soaking in the spectacular scenery all around you. Come up to the Sun Deck to admire the city’s landmarks—strung along the riverbank like pearls on a necklace—as the ship sails out of Budapest toward Vienna. A variety of activities will be available throughout the day, and you’ll have plenty of time to converse with new friends or simply unwind in your riverview stateroom or suite. 

Day 13: Vienna

Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the City of Waltzes with your choice of excursions, as well as VIP access to an extraordinary collection of art—having an opportunity to see these masterpieces in complete privacy is an extra special treat reserved solely for Uniworld guests. And to cap off a perfect Viennese day? An evening concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections and inviting cafés—and it’s yours to enjoy. To begin your exploration of this delightful and historic city you may choose between two different guided tours: a panoramic city tour or our exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” walking tour. Another highlight today—our exclusive “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum. Later, you can discover the endless charms of Vienna at your leisure. 

Featured Excursion: “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum

Choice of “Do as the Locals Do” Vienna walking tour or Vienna - Imperial city highlights

Day 14: Cruising the Wachau Valley - Weissenkirchen (Weissenkirchen or Melk)

Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies; later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike that includes a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Sail through the spectacular scenery of the Wachau Valley—one of the most beautiful stretches of river landscape in all of Europe. The 19-mile-long (30-kilometer- long) valley was formed over many centuries by the Danube River, which slowly wore away a rocky gorge in the foothills of the Bohemian Forest between Krems and Melk. This enchanting region—which boasts steep-sided, densely wooded southern slopes and northern slopes composed of a picturesque mixture of crags and vineyards—is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Dotted along the banks are boutique winemaking communities and historic small towns, like the pleasant village of Weissenkirchen, which you will have the opportunity to explore on a delightfully savory excursion. Or, if you’re feeling active, consider a vineyard hike that will lead you high above the village. Some of Austria’s nest white wines are produced from grapes ripened on the terraces that cling to these rocky slopes, including Grüner Veltliner, which is grown almost exclusively in Austria. If you have a taste for history rather than wine, consider a visit to Melk Abbey, where you’ll explore its massive library and admire its magnificent architecture. 

Choice of Melk Abbey with library visit or Weissenkirchen “Village Day” with vineyard hike

Day 15: Engalhartszell - Cruising the Danube River - Passau

Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one—three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town with a choice of guided walks. Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn and Ilz—Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Long ago, it was a Roman colony in the province of Noricum, called Batavis after an ancient Germanic tribe. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you’ll see on your walking tour of Passau.

Choice of Passau panoramic tour with mini hikes or Passau walking discovery tour

Day 16: Regensburg

Today in Regensburg you have four (!) options for experiencing this medieval gem of a city—select one for the morning and another for the afternoon. You can travel through time, get a crash course on making craft beer, watch high-tech robots assemble the Ultimate Driving Machine or enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the town. Regensburg is a friendly town with quaint cobblestone streets, historic Roman ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage–designated medieval city center. This unspoiled gem was the capital of Bavaria for about 700 years, from the 6th to the 13th centuries. The remnants of Regensburg’s golden age are still on display, particularly in the Stone Bridge, the first bridge to span the Danube, built in the 12th century. This bridge, which is 1,014 feet (309 meters) long, was an architectural wonder in its day. But don’t let Regensburg’s illustrious history fool you into thinking the town’s best days are all in the past. Modern Regensburg is a popular center of higher learning, with more than 30,000 students attending its various colleges and universities. In fact, Pope Benedict XVI was a professor of theology at the University of Regensburg until 1977. Regensburg also frequently appears on lists ranking the world’s best places to live, thanks to its outdoor spaces, historic city center, lively cultural and nightlife scenes, and great shopping. 

Choice of “2,000 Years in One Hour” Regensburg walking discovery tour or BMW factory visit or “From Hops Field to Beer Stein” farm visit or "Let's Go" Regensburg hiking experience

Day 17: Cruising the Main-Danube Canal - Nuremberg

Head up to the top deck or find a seat with a good view—you won’t want to miss seeing the ship navigate its way through a marvel of modern engineering, the Main-Danube Canal. Your destination today is the historic city of Nuremberg, which you can explore in two different ways. Your ship docks in Nuremberg. One of Germany’s leading cities for many centuries, Nuremberg’s glowing heritage as a center of German arts, culture and economy was, sadly, also responsible for its disastrous experience in the 1930s and 1940s. Which aspect do you wish to explore? You must choose between two very different but equally fascinating excursions.

Choice of Nuremberg "Do as the Locals Do" or Nuremberg panoramic city tour with WWII rally grounds visit

Day 18: Bamberg - Cruising the Main River

Your floating time machine takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life—including a tractor ride! Today, your ship will dock in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg, which has one of the largest intact medieval town centers in Europe. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one. During the Middle Ages, Bamberg was split in two, divided by the Regnitz River, one side controlled by the prince-bishop and the other by the burghers (a formally de ned class in medieval Germany). As a result of this division, the Old Town Hall was built on a tiny island in the middle of the Regnitz to serve both sides of town. Marvel at this medieval city’s striking architecture and stirring history on a walking tour through Bamberg’s Old Town. Or leave the city behind for an experience of Franconian rural life with a visit to a charming village in the verdant hills just outside of town. 

Choice of Bamberg walking discovery tour or Exclusive Franconian “Village Day”

Day 19: Würzburg

Your ship will dock in the delightful Franconian town of Würzburg, where you will visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence—one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe. The Würzburg Residence is a 300-room palace with a famous staircase and a gigantic ceiling fresco (even larger than the Sistine Chapel’s).

Choice of Fairytale Rothenburg or Würzburg Residence visit

Day 20: Wertheim

After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the Bavarian town of Wertheim. You’ll meet one of Germany’s best pretzel makers here, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate, followed by a guided vineyard hike. Or, if you’re more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are perfectly welcome to do that instead. Your port of call today, Wertheim, nestles at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers; it’s a picturesque and friendly town dominated by the ruins of a 13th-century castle. 

Choice of “Let's Go” bicycle tour from Wertheim to Freudenberg or Wertheim walking tour with pretzel-making and wine tasting at a private wine estate

Day 21: Frankfurt

Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe due to its profusion of bankers and soaring skyscrapers, which co-exist with the city’s traditional Old Town architecture. Experience Frankfurt’s many contrasts today by visiting Germany’s oldest museum. Delve into exciting Frankfurt today. A major European financial and trade center, vibrant Frankfurt boasts world-class museums, soaring skyscrapers, cozy wine taverns and lovely parks. Choose a brief tour that gives you an overview or a more in-depth walking tour and then explore on your own.

Choice of Frankfurt “Do as the Locals Do” walking tour or Heidelberg with castle visit or Philosopher's Walk

Day 22: Rüdesheim - Cruising the romantic Rhine River

Experience Germany’s fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region’s famous vineyards from the perspective of an aerial cable car, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. Like many cities along the Rhine, Rüdesheim has a lengthy history that stretches back to Roman times. These days, the town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse and its impressive Niederwald Monument. Later in the day, you’ll experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine.

Choice of Abbey Eberbach medieval monastery tour with Riesling tasting or Rüdesheim wine village panoramas of Niederwald Monument

Day 23: Cologne

You simply cannot visit Cologne without paying homage to its most notorious site, the Gothic masterpiece that serves as the city’s cathedral. A local expert will show you favorite haunts around the Old Town, introduce you to the famous local brew, and share some of the cathedral’s most intriguing and Magi-cal secrets with you. Cologne is the largest and oldest city of the Rhineland and a cultural mecca, with more than 30 museums and hundreds of art galleries. A congenial atmosphere and a mix of ancient, modern and reconstructed buildings characterize the heart of the city. 

Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour with Cologne Cathedral visit and Kölsch beer tasting

Day 24: Amsterdam

Enjoy the luxury of a full day in the “Venice of the North,” starting with a private “Morning with the Masters” tour of the Van Gogh Museum. You’ll have the museum’s extraordinary collection all to yourself, with an art historian to show you the highlights. Afterwards, explore the city with a canal ride or on foot with a local expert.

Featured Excursion: “Morning with the Masters” at the Van Gogh Museum

Choice of Amsterdam by canal or “Do as the Locals Do” Amsterdam walking tour

Day 25: Amsterdam (Disembarkation Day)

Disembarl the ship and transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your flight home.

Departures & Pricing

Advisements:

• A valid passport is required for travel. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after the last day of travel.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the cruise operator and the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise .

Prices Include:

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