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European Treasures: A River Odyssey from the Belgian Canals to the Danube Delta
Tour Description:
Take off on an exceptional cruise and an unforgettable cultural adventure from one side of Europe to the other. Enjoy an epic journey beginning in Antwerp. Crisscross a veritable patchwork of cultures, history, and natural beauty until we finish our adventure at the majestic Danube Delta. During this fascinating cruise, you'll have the chance to discover all the must-see destinations, as well as some off-the-beaten-path sites that are worth the detour. Our ship will cruise along picturesque canals in Belgium, travel the romantic Rhine and the legendary Danube, and pass through the impressive Iron Gates. We've picked each and every location for you to experience the rich culture and beauty within Europe. Throughout your journey, our dedicated crew will be there to provide you with impeccable service and unforgettable experiences. We look forward to welcoming you on board for this exciting European cruise adventure.
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Destination & Sightseeing ITINERARY
ITINERARYANTWERP
Possibility of a transfer by coach(4) from Amsterdam to Antwerp for an extra fee. Passengers are welcome to board the ship in Antwerp at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Dinner tonight will be followed by a tour of the old city in the company of our hostess.
ANTWERP - ROTTERDAM
Tour of the old city in the company of our hostess. Our cruise will cross small inland seas and immense locks to reach Rotterdam in the evening. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
ROTTERDAM - AMSTERDAM or surroundings(6)
Join us on an excursion for both packages: The Keukenhof gardens(2)(only on pre-booking before departure). The afternoon is free to do as you please. We will start to cruise at the end of the afternoon to Amsterdam.
AMSTERDAM or surroundings(6)
In the morning, join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Amsterdam.In the afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
AMSTERDAM or surroundings(6)
Enjoy the buffet breakfast on board. Free day and lunch in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to discover the capital of Netherlands at your own pace. Return to the ship for dinner.
AMSTERDAM or surroundings(6)
During the morning, discover by your own Amsterdam. In the afternoon, join us for the excursion proposed:DISCOVERY: Bike tour of Amsterdam. You'll be able to explore and learn about all the must-see and out-of-the-way sites.The afternoon is free to do as you pleased. Retunr on board for dinner. Our ship will cruise to Nijmegen.
NIJMEGEN - KREFELD
Join us for the excursion for both packages: Visit of the Dutch Open Air Museum of Arnhem.Afterwards, we’ll return on board and cruise towards Krefeld, reaching it in the evening.
KREFELD - COLOGNE
The morning will be spent cruising. This afternoon, join us for the excursion for both packages: Guided walking tour of Cologne.Sailing towards Rüdesheim.
RUDESHEIM(5)
The morning will be spent cruising on the romantic Rhine. Join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Touristic train, tasting of wines and visit of the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments.DISCOVERY: Hiking through the vineyards in RudesheimFree evening in the famous Drosselgasse, the little street famous worldwide for joyful athmosphere and Rhineland bands.During the night, sailing towards Mannheim.
RUDESHEIM(5) - MANNHEIM
Our ship will cruise during the morning. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit of Heidelberg. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.
STRASBOURG
Enjoy the buffet breakfast on board before disembarking. Take advantage of free time in the city today to discover the European Capital at your own pace! (lunch not included). You'll be welcome to board again at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. We'll set sail towards Mainz.
MAINZ - FRANKFURT
We'll arrive in Mainz early morning. This city, the birthplace of Gutenberg, which lies at the confluence of the Rhine and the Main is a perfect blend of past and present with its thousand year old cathedral. We'll tour the city with your escort before we sail on around in the morning towards Frankfurt. The afternoon, join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Sightseeing tour of Frankfurt, a major business hub.DISCOVERY: Frankfurt "Mainhattan” and the Main Tower: Panoramic tour of Frankfurt and ascent of the Main Tower.
MILTENBERG - WERTHEIM
We'll stop off in Miltenberg early this morning. Join us to discover this peaceful town with its market place lined with half-timbered houses, its fine main street, hotel Reisen and old Town Hall. We'll have lunch on board before continuing on to Wertheim. Enjoy some free time to discover the town on your own before returning to the ship for dinner.
WERTHEIM - WURZBURG
We'll cruise towards Karlstadt. In the afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit Wurzburg on the right bank of the Main, which is famous for its baroque palace, former residence of the prince-bishops. In the meantime, the ship cruises on to Wurzburg where we will join it late afternoon. We'll then cruise to Kitzingen. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
SCHWEINFURT - Rothenburg(1) - BAMBERG
Early this morning we'll start cruising along the Main to reach Schweinfurt. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour to Rothenburg, a magnificent walled town set up high on the hills over the river, with its narrow streets lined with picturesque half-timbered houses and craftsmen's workshops. It is indeed one of the most beautiful towns on the Romantic Road. Return on board and sailing towards Bamberg.
BAMBERG - NURNBERG - MUHLAUSEN
This morning will be spent cruising on the Rhine-Main-Danube canal, which was opened on 25th September 1992. We'll have lunch on board before arriving in Nurnberg early afternoon. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit of Nuremberg We'll enjoy a panoramic visit of the monuments found outside of the city's medieval walls before arriving in the Marktplatz. On foot, you'll see the gorgeous Schöner Brunnen and the Frauenkirche. During our tour, we'll stop and taste one of the local specialties, Lebkuchen, the city's famous gingerbread. We'll return to the ship during the afternoon and sail on to reach Muhlhausen in the evening. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
REGENSBURG
This morning will be spent cruising to Kelheim. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit of Regensburg, which is the fourth biggest town in Bavaria and also a major industrial hub - with major firms such as BMW, Siemens and Triumph. The historic centre of the city has kept all its original charm with souvenirs of over 20 centuries. In the meantime, the ship cruises on to join us in Regensburg.
PASSAU
This morning will be spent cruising towards Passau. Enjoy some free time to visit the town on your own. Its baroque buildings and narrow romantic streets are unforgettable. Return to ship and sail on through the attractive region of Engelhartszell. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
MELK - DURNSTEIN - VIENNA
The morning will be spent cruising to reach Melk early in the morning, join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit of the abbey of Melk, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. It is the symbol of Austrian baroque at its finest. We'll return to the ship at the end of the morning and sail on to Dürnstein, arriving there for lunch around noon. Enjoy some free time to explore this picturesque village, and its baroque church, which is the most famous in the Wachau region thanks to the legend of King Richard the Lion Heart. We'll return on board in the afternoon before sailing on to Vienna. Putting in for the night in Vienna. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Tour of the illuminated sights of the city by night.
VIENNA
Join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Visit to the palace of Schöbrunn with its magnificent park.DISCOVERY: The high art of Viennese living: music and Viennese cafes. Tour of the Konzerthaus concert hall(3).Enjoy a free afternoon to tour this magnificent city on your own or join us on an optional excursion proposed: Horse-drawn carriage ride though Vienna. We'll then cruise towards Esztergom, passing Bratislava on the way. Tonight is our dinner and gala evening on board.
ESZTERGOM - BUDAPEST
Enjoy some free time to visit Esztergom on your own, the former capital of Hungary, under the reign of the Arpad kings. Today, it is still a prominent town and the seat of the Hungarian archbishops. Esztergom is decidedly full of treasures with its neo-classical basilica and former Royal palace. We'll set sail once again around noon. Enjoy lunch on board before arriving in Budapest midafternoon. The Hungarian capital which lies along the banks of the Danube, also known as the "pearl of the Danube” is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore the city before returning to the ship for dinner. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit of Budapest "by night".
BUDAPEST
Enjoy a day on your own, or join us on an excursions for both packages: Guided tour of Budapest.This afternoon, enjoy some free time or join us on optional excursions: Discover Gellert baths and spa (not included in the packages) or Budapest Market Halls(1) (not included in the packages). After dinner, enjoy a free evening or join us on an excursion for both packages: traditional folk evening in Budapest.
BUDAPEST
Enjoy the buffet breakfast on board before disembarking. Take advantage of free time in the city today to discover Budapet at your own pace! (lunch not included). You'll be welcome to board again at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. We'll set sail towards Mohacs.
MOHÁCS - OSIJEK
We'll sail towards Osijek in the early morning. To help get your blood moving, join us for an aerobics class and onboard entertainment.This afternoon, join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided tour of Osijek.DISCOVERY: Osijek by bike.Afterwards, we'll continue cruising towards Novi Sad. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
NOVI SAD (Serbia) - BELGRADE (Serbia)
Join us for a CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: Guided tour of Novi Sad, the industrial and financial center of the Serbian economy and a major cultural center. We'll then drive to Sremski Karlovci for a visit. Afterwards, our ship will cruise to Belgrade.Join us this afternoon for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided tour of Belgrade.DISCOVERY: Belgrade by bike.Enjoy an evening of dancing on board. Our ship will cruise through the night.
The Iron Gates
The whole day will be spent cruising. Our ship will pass through the Iron Gates, the gorge on the Danube that forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. We'll cruise throughout the night.
RUSE
We'll arrive in Ruse in the early morning and spend the day on a CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: Discover Veliko Tarnovo, famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, andArbanassi (lunch included). Enjoy dinner and an evening of traditional folk entertainment on board.
RUSE - OLTENITA
This morning, join us on a CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: Discover Ruse with its wide avenues, large squares and gorgeous monuments bearing testament to national Renaissance architecture. We'll then begin to cruise to Giurgiu.Join us this afternoon on a CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: Bucharest and a visit to the Village Museum showcasing traditional Romanian village life. We'll then cruise to Cernavoda/Fetesti. We'll cruise throughout the night.
CERNAVODA / FETESTI
After our arrival in Cernavoda/Fetesti, we'll leave on a full-day excursion to Constanta (lunch included.) The oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania, it was founded in 600 BC. We'll discover its diverse architectural styles, most evident in the Orthodox cathedral (interiors) and the Grand Mosque (exteriors). We'll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, we'll cruise to Murfatlar, where Romania produces its best wines and have a tasting in a wine cellar*. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
TULCEA
We’ll begin to cruise early in the morning towards Tulcea.Join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: The Danube Delta, its fauna and flora.DISCOVERY: The Danube Delta on a speed boat.We’ll spend the afternoon cruising. Tonight is our gala evening and dinner.
OLTENITA
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
