From Amsterdam to Budapest, and many exciting stops along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise vacation. You’ll be joined on board by a diplomacy expert who has worked at the UN on the NATO/Warsaw Pact, and on EU security and economic issues; as well as the Seconded National Expert for the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusions. They will hold lectures and mini-panel discussions while sailing.

Amsterdam is Holland’s lively capital—both historical and modern. This popular city is set amongst sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten. On to Germany where there’s a guided city walk in Cologne—a 2,000 year-old city known for its gothic architecture. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River and stop in the charming wine town of Rüdesheim. There’s guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and you’ll sail the Main Danube Canal connecting the Main and Danube rivers. First stop in Austria is Melk for a visit to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, famous for its blue and white baroque Stiftskirche. And in the last days of your vacation, local experts will introduce you to three capital cities: Vienna, Austria, also known as “The City of Music” because it inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, where you can choose between regular sightseeing or joining a respected political journalist to see the city from a more historical and political point of view; Bratislava, Slovakia, where winding cobblestone streets twist and turn in the Old Town and you visit St. Martin’s Cathedral; and finally, lively Budapest, Hungary, with its unique energy and countless must-see sites! Here, you’ll learn about Communist Budapest and visit the headquarters of the former secret police. This truly is a river cruise to remember!

City Highlights

Day 1 Amsterdam (Embarkation): welcome receptionDay 2 Amsterdam: canal cruiseDay 3 Cologne: choice of guided walk or Jewish Heritage walkDay 4 Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim: cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; enjoy a special treatDay 5 Main River Village: guided walkDay 6 Würzburg: guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s ResidenzDay 7 Bamberg: guided sightseeing, see the Old Town HallDay 8 Roth–Nuremberg: choice of guided sightseeing of Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour or guided sightseeing of RothDay 9 Regensburg: guided walk; enjoy a snack at the Historische Wurstküche; beer tastingDay 10 Passau: guided walkDay 11 Melk–Dürnstein: guided visit of the Benedectine Abbey in Melk; cruise through the Wachau Valley; guided walk in Dürnstein, see the StiftskircheDay 12 Vienna: guided sightseeing or guided tour focused on Austrian history and politics Day 13 Bratislava: guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s CathedralDay 14 Budapest: guided sightseeing, see Fishermen’s Bastion and Heroes’ Square; excursion “Communist Budapest”, visit the former headquarters of the secret policeDay 15 Budapest (Disembarkation): your vacation ends this morning

Notes

In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

PRODUCT_LINE: AVALON-WAB-T1-2018