Across Europe - Amsterdam to Budapest

Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as a result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. The center consists of 90 islands, linked by 400 bridges. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, you will see the Royal Palace, numerous canals and the Museum Quarter. As there is no better way to see the city than cruising on the water, the tour will end by a canal cruise boat trip. Afterwards, drive through the Dutch Polder landscape to the old fishing village of Volendam. The Volendam houses are built very close together, forming the typical neighborhoods of Volendam. Take a stroll through the old village and see people still dressed in traditional costumes. Board your coach and drive out of Volendam into the countryside to visit a local cheese farm. Here, you will learn how Dutch cheese is made and also sample the local product.

The cathedral city dates back over 2,000 years and is full of history, the traces of which can be seen everywhere in the Rhine region. During the walking tour, explore the area around the cathedral all the way to the old town. As you travel through the narrow, cobbled streets, and the lively squares such as the Alter Markt or the Heumarkt, you will get a feel for life in Cologne from yesterday and today. Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral with its two 515ft high towers has been the city's landmark, as well as the most famous architectural monument and most frequently visited sight in Germany. As your excursion concludes, we invite you to enjoy a glass of typical Kölsch (beer), which is the number one beer in Cologne and large parts of the Rhineland.

Please note: The visit of the Cologne Cathedral depends on the opening hours, Holy Masses, etc.).

From Cologne travel by coach southward to the picturesque wine town Königswinter. From there, head towards Germany’s first nature reserve, called Siebengebirge (Seven Mountains). On the top of this summit you will find the Hotel “Petersberg” where many important political discussions, such as the Afghanistan conference in 2001, took place. You can reach the summit with Germany’s oldest rack railway or on foot, where you can explore the remains of Castle “Drachenfels” (Dragon Rock) and enjoy the wonderful views into the valley “Rheintal”.In the 19th century a bizarre museum was built about halfway up the Drachenfels, where, besides other expeditions, the history of the Nibelungen is presented.

The unique Winzerexpress train takes you from the dock of the ship to the "Siegfried Mechanical Music Cabinet" for a musical adventure with historical self-playing instruments. Continue your guided tour with a walk through the picturesque town. Explore the heart of the old town of Rüdesheim - the Drosselgasse - where wine houses and garden taverns invite you to linger. Immerse yourself in the history of the city and visit the Eagle Tower, a part of the city wall, and the fortifications from the 15th century.

Enjoy an unforgettable ride on the Winzerexpress and discover the beauty of the Rhine Valley. Stroll through the cobbled Drosselgasse to the Asbach Visitor Center and uncover the great secret of how wine is turned into an excellent brandy, the famous Asbach Uralt. Because it contains the spirit of wine. A short film will introduce you to the beginnings of Asbach Uralt before continuing to the distillery to learn about the production process. The tour concludes with a tasting session of this delicious brandy.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant history and romance of Wertheim and explore the city with its medieval streets and numerous half-timbered houses. The Angel’s Fountain and the collegiate church are especially worth seeing, as well as the local glass museum. During a tour of the museum you will learn interesting facts about glass and you can observe glassblowers at work. (Note: Visits to the glass museum are subject to availability.)

Finally, the tour takes you to Miltenberg. A guided tour through the town will show you that Miltenberg offers a charming trio of river, medieval town and wooded hillsides. The historic market square, the high, gabled, half-timbered houses, the old town hall and the towering Miltenberg Castle form the backdrop for this wonderful tour.

Start your tour with the visit to the Würzburg Residence, a masterpiece of the southern German Baroque style. Former residence of the Würzburg prince-bishops, its design is over-the-top luxurious. The central staircase with frescos by the Venetian Tiepolo and the Imperial Hall are particularly impressive. Afterward, enjoy a walking tour through the ancient episcopal city of Würzburg which looks down on the broad stream of the Main river and is surrounded by hills on all sides. The old town features many sights such as the marketplace, the Maria Chapel and the old Main bridge, with its unique panorama of Marienberg –
a fortress for princes of the Church – and the surrounding vineyards.
At the end of the tour, you will have the chance to taste a glass of wine.

A comfortable coach will take you into the center of Bamberg, which is affectionately known as the “Frankish Rome”. The walking tour will enable you to immerse yourself in the magic and history of this town. With its historic old quarter, its churches and monasteries, bridges, narrow streets and squares, its half-timbered houses and baroque facades, it has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. During the walk, you’ll see magnificent sights such as the imperial cathedral, the old imperial residence, the new residence palace and rose garden, the old town hall and the former fishing village that is now Bamberg’s “Little Venice” area.

After a coach ride from the vessel, the city walking tour winds its way through the major sites and highlights. A walking tour leads you to the major sites and highlights of the city, from its medieval beginnings to the present. Once a free imperial city of economic influence, Nuremberg is the second largest city in Bavaria. During the reconstruction work following the devastation of the Second World War, the style of the old town was maintained. Ringed walls, towers and the castle provide a vivid image of the town as it may have looked in the Middle Ages. 

Your tour includes a visit to a Gingerbread Specialties shop for a taste of this famous treat Lebkuchen which was invented by monks in the 13th century in Franconia, Germany and recorded as early as 1395 in Nuremberg. Today, Nuremberg is the most famous exporter of the product know as Nuremberg Lebkuchen – gingerbread decorated with almonds.

The Nazi party’s rallying grounds are in the southeast of Nuremberg, where Nazi rallies were held from 1933 to 1938. To this day, the remains of the buildings with their immense proportions are a vivid testimony to the megalomania of the National Socialist regime. This area of eleven square kilometres served as an impressive backdrop for the Nazi party rallies, staged here to demonstrate their power. Today, the area includes a memorial site and is used as the Norisring motor racing track.

During this excursion you will visit the grounds and the documentation center with the permanent exhibition, “Fascination and Violence”, that looks at the causes, the context and the consequences of the National Socialist reign of terror.

Discover one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany. Among its architectural gems are churches, monasteries, the town hall and one of Europe’s oldest bridges that has spanned the Danube since the 12th century.

At the end of your tour, you will reach one of Regensburg's typical small breweries. Enjoy a guided tour of the brewery and a tasting of the local beer, before returning to the ship.

Join us on a gorgeous walk through the old city of Passau. The baroque city on three rivers has long been a magnet for traders and travellers.  Our “Little Venice” will astonish you from your first moments in its winding streets. In the heart of the Old Town lies our most known site – St Stephen’s Cathedral, often known as a baroque cathedral with a gothic soul. The impressive pipe organ helps make St Stephen’s a true highlight of our three river city. High above the Old Town sits one of the largest fortress complexes in all Europe – the Veste Oberhaus which can be discovered on your own at the end of the walking tour. Accessible via the exterior walls, never conquered, never completely destroyed; the Veste Oberhaus is a prime example of long term historical construction.

(Please note: Visit to the cathedral is subject to opening hours, availability and Holy Masses or similar).

Melk Abbey is an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. The impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736 and is the biggest monastery complex of the Austrian baroque period. The abbey’s church, with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr, and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts and frescos by Paul Troger are particularly noteworthy.

A guided tour takes you through the abbot’s chambers, along the imperator’s walk, through the marble hall, the balconies and the library.

Explore Dürnstein, a hidden gem in the heart of the magnificent Wachau Valley. This peaceful village offers the unique combination of breathtaking scenery, traditional architecture and a surprising array of local culinary delicacies. As you walk past the town hall and castle ruins, your guide will make stops for you to savior treats made with the local specialty – Apricots.  Indulge your taste buds with a sip of an Apricot juice, brandy or liquor, before continuing your walk to the charming 700-year old Schloss Dürnstein.  Standing just outside the castle walls, you have a mustn’t miss photo opportunity of the towering cliffs and vistas along the mighty Danube.  Make a stop to explore the famous Abbey and afterwards, you are invited for a glass of wine to toast the end of your Dürnstein exploration.

In the very place where Johann Strauss himself once directed his orchestra from his position as first violin, the true essence of Vienna’s classical music can once again be heard daily. The “Salonorchester Alt Wien”, one of the best-known interpreters of classical Viennese music, presents an evening full of Viennese charm with the lilting sound of waltzes, polkas, arias and duets, as well as operetta and piano concert melodies. Accompanied by excellent opera singers and enchanting ballet soloists, Vienna’s classical music reveals itself as a living firework display for the senses.

While it may take days or weeks to fully discover Vienna, this tour will give you an overall impression of the most important sights Vienna has to offer. First, you will drive along the famous Ringstrasse, passing several magnificent buildings like the stunning opera house, the parliament, the Court Theatre and Vienna’s imposing city hall.

The panoramic drive is followed by a guided walk through the city center where you will get to know Vienna at its fullest. Begin at the well-known Hofburg Imperial Palace, walk along the Kohl market and finish at Vienna’s iconic St. Stephen’s cathedral. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time to stroll along the pedestrian area.

Travel by coach to one of the most beautiful sights of Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace. As one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Austria, Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens were declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The reign of Maria Theresia signified the most splendid era for Schönbrunn.

The castle and park were the center of court and political life. Under the personal guidance of the Empress, it was remodelled and expanded to become a royal residence; a complex with a total of 1,441 rooms and halls was created. Visit many of the ceremonial rooms and then have the opportunity to walk around the beautifully designed gardens of the palace.

Get to know the capital of the young Slovakian Republic. The driving tour passes St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace and continues to the castle hill above the old town, where you will have a stunning, panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas. 

Afterwards a guided walking tour leads you through the old town.  Take a leisurely stroll from Michael’s Gate through the historic city center, admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings, as well as the Academia Istropolitana, the oldest university of the city, dating back to the 15th century. See the main square with the old City Hall, the Opera House and Maximilian Fountain. From the Main Square we continue to a cosy cozy out of the way place to enjoy the famous Pressburger rolls with nut and poppy seed filling.  We will end our walk at the historical Opera House in front of glorious Ganymede’s Fountain. Afterwards, you are free to explore or walk the short distance back to the ship.

Experience wine and village life in Slovakia on this special excursion. Travel to the outskirts of bustling Bratislava over rolling hills draped in boutique wineries and dotted with traditional buildings.  Have a truly unique experience when visiting the Raca wine district.  First, a short stroll through a family-owned vineyard introduces you to the famous Frankova vintage.  Discuss wine and life in Slovakia with the wine makers while soaking in the breathtaking panorama of Bratislava and the Danube in the distance.  Next, your guide escorts you to a rarely-visited local wine cellar, where a resident sommelier invites you for a glass of wine and a taste of local delicacies!   Raca was first mentioned as a wine growing region in 1296, Maria Therese granted leave for the delivery to Vienna of the famous Raca wine Frankova.  Since that day in 1767 wine enthusiasts have been enjoying this variant in these peaceful surroundings. Embark your coach for the return drive to the vessel.

Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube”, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has managed to retain a charm of its own with the help of renovations in recent years. The Danube flows through the heart of the city, dividing it into two parts: Buda and Pest. The tour first takes you through Pest, past the Great Market Hall with its outstanding gourmet shops and stalls.

You will see splendid Baroque buildings such as the Hungarian State Opera in Neo-Renaissance style and the incomparable parliament building, which was finished in 1904 and has been an emblem of the city ever since then. There’s an opportunity for a photo stop at the Heroes’ Square, famous for its monuments to many Hungarian kings. Continue aross one of the seven bridges into Buda and go up to Castle Hill, where you will visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion (provided that it is open to the public). Enjoy the unforgettable view over the city before returning to the vessel.

Your exciting excursion begins with a visit to the Market Hall. Built in 1896, this impressive building is the oldest and largest indoor market in Budapest and offers a variety of Hungarian specialties such as tokaj wine, langos and Hungarian paprika. Next, you will continue by bus to the City Park, where you’ll see the romantic Vajdahunyad Castle and the beautiful Széchenyi Baths - one of the largest and most popular thermal baths in Europe.

Afterwards, ride the second oldest metro in Europe to the city center and visit one of Budapest’s numerous pastry shops, where you can enjoy a slice of fluffy cake and a cup of coffee, and finally view the astonishing St. Stephen's Basilica.

Please note: The Market Hall is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Alternatively, we will visit the famous Budapest Opera House and drive up Gellert Hill to enjoy the spectacular view on Saturdays and Sundays.

In the evening, you will enjoy an atmospheric cruise through Budapest, also known as the “Paris of the East”, which is festively lit up at night, revealing Budapest’s most beautiful side. A folklore show on board will complete the experience.