Central Europe Cruising over 13-days

STRASBOURG

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll cruise to 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 optional 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 optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : 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 Schweinfurt. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.

SCHWEINFURT - BAMBERG

Early this morning we'll start cruising along the Main to reach Schweinfurt. Join us on an optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : 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 - MUHLHAUSEN

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 optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : 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 optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : 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 optional excursion for both packages: Visit of the abbey of Melk (only on pre-booking before departure), 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 optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Tour of the illuminated sights of the city by night.

VIENNA

Join us for the optional excursions proposed: CLASSIC: Visit to the palace of Schöbrunn with its magnificent park. (only on pre-booking before departure) DISCOVERY: The high art of Viennese living: music and Viennese cafes. Tour of the Konzerthaus concert hall.

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 optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Visit of Budapest "by night".

BUDAPEST

Optional excursion common to both packages: Guided tour of Budapest. Budapest reveals its splendor along the Danube. The city’s architecture, shaped over the centuries, has given rise to Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau masterpieces. A panoramic tour takes you between the hills of Buda and the plains of Pest… Then you will follow the riverbanks, where you can admire the Parliament overlooking the Danube.

Afternoon: free time OR optional excursions not included in the package: Visit of the Széchenyi Baths. Drive to this vast thermal complex. Nestled in the heart of Budapest, the Széchenyi Baths are a true architectural jewel in neo-Baroque style. A short guided visit will allow you to discover the premises before enjoying the indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms, or simply relaxing in a steaming thermal bath. Don’t forget your swimsuits – this is a unique opportunity. Return to the ship.

OR

Visit of the Budapest Market Halls. Walk to the Budapest market halls. With its sparkling Zsolnay tile roof, the Great Market Hall of Budapest is the largest hall built in the 19th century. You will discover an incredible variety of products, including the famous paprika garlands. A tasting of local Hungarian specialties will conclude your visit. Return to the ship on foot. In the evening, optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion: Folklore evening in Budapest, where you will discover traditional Gypsy dances and costumes.

BUDAPEST

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.