Italian Treasures and European Gems River Cruise

Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Enjoy a guided tour that takes you to some of the city’s most famous sights, including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. This afternoon, venture to the walled enclave and headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church on a tour of the Vatican City. Take in the sweeping expanse of St Peter’s Square before exploring the Vatican Museums. Here, you’ll find many of the world’s greatest sculptures and paintings, including Michelangelo’s frescoed masterpiece upon the barrel-vaulted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Heading south, take the coastal route past cliffs that overlook the Bay of Naples. Enjoy postcard views as you reach Sorrento, where clusters of coloured buildings rest on a cliff above a harbour. You may like to spend time this afternoon taking in the lively village atmosphere while wandering the narrow laneways.

Insider Experience – Campanian Culinary Experience

Delight in a taste of Campanian culture and share a home-style Italian meal with a local family.  

Embark on a walking tour of Sorrento, a charming town perched on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. Once a popular retreat for Roman emperors, Sorrento offers stunning views, vibrant streets, and a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy free time to explore the town at your own pace, soaking in its unique beauty and coastal charm.

Engulfed by the lava from Mt Vesuvius in AD79, Pompeii provides a picture of ancient Roman life. After a tour of the ruins, travel north to San Gimignano. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening. 

Explore the historic streets and appreciate the medieval city skyline of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the heart of Tuscany. Step back in time and marvel at the well-preserved medieval architecture and abundance of restaurants and trattorias before travelling north to Florence to enjoy an evening exploring at your leisure.

Insider Experience – Wine and Dine in Tuscany

Savour a Tuscan lunch and wine tasting at Castello Vicchiomaggio.

Further explore this jewel of the Renaissance, once home to Da Vinci and Michelangelo. You may choose to join an optional tour to Pisa later to see its Leaning Tower and savour a Tuscan dinner.

Insider Experience – Gelato Delights

Sample the city’s finest gelato at a famous local gelateria.

Explore the whimsical city of Verona, perhaps stopping under Juliet’s balcony to put yourself in Romeo’s shoes. Later, continue to the incomparable city of Venice.

Spend the morning discovering Venice, where romantic canals replace bustling streets on a guided tour. During your tour, stop and enjoy a Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. With some time at leisure this afternoon, you may wish to join an optional Gondola ride.

Travel via Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana to Zagreb in Croatia. Set out on a tour to sights such as the Stone Gate and the Opera House.

Arrive in the enthralling city of Budapest, where your contemporary river ship awaits on the Danube River. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and meet your fellow travellers and Cruise Director.

Awake to views of one of the Danube’s most enchanting cities this morning. Disembark and discover Budapest’s vibrant history on a guided tour featuring many of its most impressive sights. Back on board this evening, enjoy a Gala Welcome Dinner as you cruise.

Insider Experience – Hungarian State Opera Performance

Visit the Hungarian State Opera for a guided tour, then enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while a private opera recital is performed.

On arrival in the city centre, join a walking tour taking in highlights such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben and the Hofburg. Later, explore the vibrant Naschmarkt at leisure.

With the day at leisure, perhaps explore the Hofburg district or wander along Kärntner Straße, the city’s famous shopping boulevard. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Schloss Hof or travel to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. This evening, you may wish to attend an optional concert.

Enhance Your Journey – Schloss Hof and Lipizzaner Experience

Enjoy a guided tour of the Schloss Hof estate, once the residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy and later Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Explore the resplendent palace apartments adorned with exquisite textiles and glass chandeliers, before strolling through the Baroque gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the stables, where you’ll encounter the magnificent Lipizzaner horses up close. Learn what makes these noble horses so special through insights into their breeding, care and training, before witnessing an exclusive performance that showcases their remarkable grace and discipline.

Enhance Your Journey – Visit Bratislava in Slovakia

Visit Bratislava, a charming city where medieval, Baroque and communist-era architecture meet. See landmarks such as the UFO Bridge and the distinctive Slovak Radio Building, each reflecting the city’s intriguing past.

Enhance Your Journey – Mozart and Strauss Concert

Attend a Mozart and Strauss concert in one of Vienna’s historic palaces or concert halls, followed by an evening drive along the Ringstrasse.

Cruise to Dürnstein, a charming town overlooked by the hilltop ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the 12th century. Spend the morning wandering its cobbled streets, historic townhouses and inviting taverns, or perhaps join an optional tasting of the region’s renowned wines. Later, sail through the scenic Wachau Valley to Melk, where you’ll tour its magnificent abbey, a Benedictine monastery in continuous operation since 1089.

Today, you may choose to join an optional excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic or visit Salzburg. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day sailing to Passau.

Insider Experience – Bavarian Evening on Board

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian celebration on board, sampling local beer and snacks accompanied by folk music, song and dance.

Enhance Your Journey – Český Krumlov

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Český Krumlov, a beautifully preserved town in the Czech Republic, home to more than 300 historic buildings.

Enhance Your Journey – Salzburg Sights

Travel through Austria’s scenic countryside to Mondsee, where you may recognise the famous wedding church from The Sound of Music. Continue to Salzburg for a guided tour of Mozart’s hometown, followed by free time to explore before returning to your ship.

Continue along the Danube to Regensburg, in the Bavarian region of southern Germany. Join a guided tour through its historic streets, discovering medieval architecture and cultural landmarks.

Arrive in Nuremberg, once the setting for Hitler’s infamous rallies during World War II. This afternoon, take a city tour including sites such as the Zeppelin Field and the Palace of Justice.

Discover Bamberg, one of the few German cities largely spared destruction during World War II. Join a locally guided tour of its historic centre, taking in sights such as the old town hall and Bamberg Cathedral, followed by free time to explore at your leisure.

Surrounded by lush hills and vineyards, Würzburg is home to the magnificent Baroque Würzburg Residence. Tour the palace and stroll through the Court Gardens before perhaps choosing an optional visit to Rothenburg, a charming medieval town along the Romantic Road.

Enhance Your Journey – Medieval Rothenburg Tour

Depart from Würzburg for an excursion to Rothenburg, a beautifully preserved walled town on the Romantic Road in Franconia.

Discover Miltenberg today, exploring this well-preserved town’s half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. Return to your ship and enjoy time at leisure. As the sun sets, watch the lights of medieval towns slip past as you cruise through the night.

Insider Experience – Culinary Tour in Miltenberg

Gain a glimpse into local life in Miltenberg as you embark on a culinary walking tour. Sample regional specialties at a local butcher and baker before finishing with a tasting at a local distillery.

In Rüdesheim, ride the Winzerexpress mini train to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Later, back on board, enjoy spectacular scenery as you cruise through the Rhine Gorge.

Learn how the twin spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral, the Kölner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take a short drive to Brühl for your Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Augustusburg Palace in Germany

Explore the former residence of Archbishop-Elector Clemens August of Bavaria, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Palace in Brühl. Hear fascinating stories and stroll through the landscaped parks and gardens linking the palace and the Falkenlust hunting lodge. Together, they represent some of the finest examples of 18th-century Rococo architecture in Germany.

Amsterdam’s network of canals is a sight to behold. Board a glass-top boat for a scenic cruise, then enjoy free time ashore before a Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

After breakfast, disembark your river ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.