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15 Day European Jewels
Uniworld River Cruise starting in Budapest and finishing in Amsterdam
Countries Visited: Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary
Tour Type: River Cruise
Tour Duration: 15 Days (14 Nights)
From: Budapest to Amsterdam
Tour Code: UNIEJ
Operator: Uniworld
from AU $5,895 pp
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River Cruise Description

Embark on a history-steeped, perfectly paced European journey that takes you through four countries - Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands - along three great rivers - the Danube, Main, and Rhine - and to countless UNESCO World Heritage sites. From stunning Budapest to music-rich Vienna to the soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral - there are incomparable sights on this trip, and you will see the best of these precious European jewels.

Sail through Austria's lush Wachau Valley and taste the famous wines of the region. Cruise through the 106-mile-long Main-Danube Canal, en route from the enchanting Danube to the meandering Main River. Travel the Rhine, where you will see fairytale castles and hear about the river's legends. Step back in time as you walk through the cobblestone streets of Medieval cities like Regensburg, Nuremberg, and Bamberg. Savour all the majestic beauty and mystique as you discover the many jewels of Europe.

Included Features

  • 14-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the regal River Queen or the beautiful River Empress
  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
  • 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 14 dinners
  • Captain’s Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinners
  • Complimentary fine wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner onboard; replenished bottled water daily in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar
  • 16 excursions, including 4 “Choice Is Yours” options, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides
  • An experienced Cruise Manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions
  • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks throughout your cruise
  • Captivating onboard local entertainment
  • Signature Lecture: “European Jewels of Art and Architecture”
  • Exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program™
  • All transfers on arrival and departure days

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Day
1
Budapest
Arrive at Budapest Ferihegy International Airport where you will be transferred to the ship. (D)
Day
2
Budapest
Featured Excursion: Choice of Budapest city tour OR Budapest walking discovery with Parliament visit.
Savour the beauty of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube with a panoramic coach tour that shows all the key highlights of this gorgeous city. Or join a Parliament tour that includes a short city stroll and a visit to the Hungarian Parliament building. Note: Parliament may be closed for official business without prior notice. (BB/L/Captain’s Welcome Gala)
Day
3
Cruising the scenic Danube
Enjoy a leisure day onboard with scenic sailing through Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. (BB/L/D)
Day
4
Vienna 
Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour and National Library visit OR exclusive “Vienna, City of Arts” tour.
Capture Vienna’s imperial history during a tour that takes you along the stately Ringstrasse, and then visit the beautiful Austrian National Library. Or opt to explore “Vienna, City of Arts”; stand in awe at the Belvedere and enjoy an exclusive art historian-guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts. Note: On Mondays, Mozarthaus will be substituted for the Library. (BB/L/D)
Day
5
Cruising the scenic Wachau Valley, Melk
Featured Excursion: Melk Abbey visit.
Cruise the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Wachau Valley. Later, tour Melk’s 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture that is situated high atop the Danube. (BB/L/D)
Day
6
Passau
Featured Excursions: Passau walking tour and organ concert.
Explore charming Old Town Passau on foot and visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral for an organ recital on Europe’s largest pipe organ. Note: Concert is not available before May 2, after October 31, or on Sundays. (BB/L/D)
Day
7
Regensburg
Featured Excursion: Regensburg walking tour
Discover one of Germany’s unspoiled Medieval gems and marvel at the architectural treasures of Old Town, including the 12th-century Stone Bridge. (BB/L/D)
Day
8

Cruising the Main-Danube Canal, Nuremberg
Featured Excursion: Choice of Nuremberg panoramic city tour OR Nuremberg WWII historical tour with Documentation Center.
Sail through the Main-Danube Canal, including the three highest locks, en route to Nuremberg. Explore this archetypal Medieval city and learn about its WWII history with a panoramic city tour. Or turn back the pages of history with a tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. You’ll also visit the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam including Courtroom 600. Note: Courtroom 600 is an active court. Visitors will only be permitted to see the courtroom during trial breaks. (BB/L/D)

Day
9
Bamberg
Featured Excursion: Bamberg city tour.
Wander through the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg and marvel at its unique town hall, Renaissance palaces, Baroque houses, and breathtaking cathedral. (BB/L/D)
Day
10
Würzburg
Featured Excursions: Würzburg Residenz visit and wine tasting.
Visit the Würzburg Residenz, an impeccable example of Baroque architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. End the tour with a tasting of Franconian wines in the historic Residenz cellar. (BB/L/D)
Day
11
Cruising The Scenic Main, Wertheim
Featured Excursion: Wertheim walking tour.
Spend the morning cruising the wonderfully peaceful and scenic Main River. In the afternoon, you will tour the tiny Medieval town of Wertheim. (BB/L/D)
Day
12
Miltenberg (Heidelberg)
Featured Excursion: Choice of full-day Heidelberg OR half-day Aschaffenburg.
Visit Heidelberg, home to the most beautiful Renaissance castle ruins in Europe. Or choose a walking tour of Aschaffenburg and visit Pompeianum, King Ludwig I of Bavaria’s perfect replica of a Roman villa, located on the grounds of Castle Johannisburg. Note: Lunch is not included with Heidelberg tour. (BB/L/D)
Day
13
Rüdesheim, cruising the romantic Rhine
Featured Excursion: Gondola ride to the Niederwald Monument.
Take a scenic gondola ride above the vineyards to the Niederwald Monument. Later in the day, cruise the breathtaking romantic Rhine. (BB/L/Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
Day
14
Cologne
Featured Excursions: Cologne walking tour and Cologne Cathedral visit.
Visit Cologne’s beloved Gothic Cathedral—a UNESCO World Heritage Site which took over 600 years to build. (BB/L/D) Note: No tours are allowed inside the cathedral on Sundays or Catholic holidays.
Day
15
Depart Amsterdam
Transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in exciting Amsterdam. (CB or BB)
Uniworld Brochure This itinerary is based on 2012 departures. Click on the icon if you would like to view an electronic version of the brochure online. There may be some amendments to this itinerary on 2013 departures. To view the preview 2013 brochure click here.

15 Day European Jewels Reviews

Tour reviews from past clients of Global Journeys. 1 Reviews, Average Rating 3.0 of 5.
This cruise is to be highly recommended. There is nothing like seeing wonderful, scenic new places with lots of castles, palaces and cathedrals and having your motel come along with you! No packing and unpacking your cases! The walking tours at the ports are also fantastic and give you some much required daily exercise as well, as the food onboard is excellent! The service on the River Empress is of the very highest standard. From those who look after your staterooms and personal needs,the restaurant and bar service, the reception and motel team, to the Tour Director, everything was first class. We highly recommend this cruise and would love to do it again, this time, maybe from Amsterdam to Budapest. We are SOLD on river cruising!! A hearty big THANK YOU to Global Journeys and Georgie, who helped our dreams come to fruition. Thank you Global Journeys - we will book through you again!
Edith & Paul Buchanan (Australia)
Tour Date 31/07/2011

River Cruise Prices

Cruise prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.

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General Information

The information below relates to this itinerary only.

Cruise Operator: Uniworld

Uniworld presents an unrivalled river cruise program with unique itineraries and superb five-star inclusions. Travel onboard intimate, luxurious ships with a maximum of 134 guests - fewer guests than any other river cruise company in Europe. With one highly trained staff member for every three guests and expert onboard hotel management, Uniworld are able to deliver a guest satisfaction rate of 98%.




Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the deck plans, cabin types and more ship information?

We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on Uniworld including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well fleet information, deck plans, and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their cruises. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).

Which direction of the cruise should I book? Is one better than the other?

It does not matter which direction you choose, as each direction contains the same included features. Timings of activities may, of course, vary a little due to cruising times up- or downstream, but you will not see or do more in one direction than in the other.

What is the dress code onboard?

During the day, comfortable, casual attire is appropriate. The weather in Europe can be very changeable, so take a sweater or windproof jacket and an umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended for excursions. Evenings are a little dressier. Gentlemen may wish to wear a jacket to the Captain's dinner. You'll find average temperatures listed on each of the cruises on our website.

How large are the ships?

Our ships accommodate between 100 and 138 guests. They are generally 360 feet long (110 meters), and 37.5 feet wide (11.4 meters). The draft is approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters). There are typically 34 crew members aboard. We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information each ship. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).

Do your ships have any exclusive features?

Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience. The River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess offer guests the convenience of checking and sending e-mails. On the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess, each guest is provided with a terry cloth robe in their cabin. Our ships have one of the largest fitness centres aboard any river cruise ship. There is also a sauna and a steam room on the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess.

Are meals included onboard?

Sumptuous buffets at breakfast and lunch offer an extensive array of hot and cold selections. Breakfast features crispy Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and warm maple syrup, a dozen or more homemade breads and jams, an omelette station, and hand-cut seasonal fresh fruit.

Lunch offers a delectable feast with salads, soups, carved-to-order roasts, and more. Evenings provide exquisite ambience with relaxed open seating. Each dish is flawlessly prepared using the finest ingredients—local meats and seafood along with tasty side dishes. Always included with dinner onboard are European fine wines and a selection of beer and soft drinks served by an attentive, caring staff. Of course, every meal concludes with a wide range of freshly prepared, decadent desserts that look every bit as delicious as they taste.

Uniworld also provides a variety of dining experiences including: al fresco “under the stars” and light-lunch dining—both on the sun deck; Captain's Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinner; early-riser breakfast; and afternoon tea. Plus, Uniworld gives you the choice of dining on lighter cuisine with our Traveling Lite menu.

What are your handicapped facilities like?

The ships are not handicapped or wheelchair accessible. There are elevators on the River Princess, River Queen, River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. On the River Queen, the elevator does not reach all decks. Additionally, most shore excursions involve some walking. Some excursions are walking cruises only, and several occur on cobblestone streets.

Are tips/gratuities included in our tour price?

Tips & gratuities including the customary end-of-trip gratuity/tip for the cruise/tour manager, crew onboard and local guides for the included shore excursions are included in the price of your trip (excluding Optional Excursions). Europe & Russia cruises only.

How do I pay for purchases and services onboard?

Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience.

On other ships all purchases and paid services on board are billed with a guest check and added to your shipboard account. At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total, which can be paid with cash or credit card. The ships do not accept payments made by Diners Club cards. The onboard currency is the Euro. View individual ships here.

Do we always dock in the heart of the city?

It depends; in many places you will dock within walking distance to the city center, but there are places where the river only touches the outskirts of a town (i.e. Bamberg or Nuremberg), and thus a motorcoach transfer is necessary.


Arrival & Departure Information

Transfers

Transfers to/from airports will be provided only for flights arriving/departing on the start/finish day of the cruise (and for extensions/extra nights). There may be a waiting period of up to 2 hours or more unless private car transfers have been purchased. The following time limits apply:

  Arrival Departure
Europe 7am - 3pm 7am - 5pm
Extensions 24 hours 24 hours 
Extra Nights 24 hours 24 hours

Passenger flight details must be given to Global Journeys 45 days prior to departure. If your flight arrangements arrive/depart outside of the above you may purchase a private car transfer from Uniworld or make your own transfer arrangements. Uniworld will not be responsible for late arrivals or missed transfers due to delayed or cancelled flights, for missed cruise/trip days or for extra costs resulting from the foregoing.

Boarding Time

On turnaround day, the entire ship must be cleaned in preparation for your arrival. The facilities of the ship, including your cabin, will not be available before 4pm. We appreciate your understanding on this matter. Should you arrive early, you may leave your bags in the Reception area and take a walk into the city, or relax in the lounge.


Terms & Conditions:

Yep, all the boring small print! We still recommend you read it all though, as no one likes surprises. Click here to read them now - they will open in a new window, or print them off to read over later with a cup of coffee!

 

Georgie Walpole

Your Tour Consultant Will Be:

Georgie Walpole
Tour Consultant
Email: georgie@globaljourneys.com
Expertise: International Coach Touring & River Cruising
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