Iconic Rivers of Europe - The Rhine, Main & Danube with Amsterdam & Transylvania

Welcome to Holland. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.

Amsterdam Off the Beaten Path

Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding

• Classic: Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city.

During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof - with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

Spend free time exploring the colourful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam - with its many cafes and art galleries.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/D)

Canals of Colourful Amsterdam

• Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."

This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B/L/D)

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

• Active: Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Discovery: Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR;
• Classic: Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne - explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.

Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager - locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B/L/D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

En route to Rudesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei - where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors.

• Active: Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR:
• Discovery: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.

Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B/L/D)

Beauty on the Main River

Ask about today's energising or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

• Classic: Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village.

Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B/L/D)

A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road

• Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Wurzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz - with the largest known ceiling fresco.

Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WURZBURG (B/L/D)

Storybook Settings

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists.

Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity.

• Active: Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B/L/D)

The City of Seven Hills

• Active: Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.

Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B/L/D)

Legends and History Lessons

Visit the Adventure centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

• Active: Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth - with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR:
• Classic: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds - used by the Third Reich.
• Discovery: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal - linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B/L/D)

Bavaria's Medieval Miracle

• Active: Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria - built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Alternatively, spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B/L/D)

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

• Classic: Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers."

You may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz.

LINZ, AUSTRIA: Legendary, Lovely Linz

This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B/L/D)

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

• Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk's beautiful countryside, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk's Benedictine Abbey.

Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon.

VIENNA: Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B/L/D)

Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions

• Active: Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Explore the Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex - the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace - summer home of the Habsburg family or choose a Guided Optional Excursion to fascinating Bratislava. Consider a tram ride to Vienna's Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B/L/D)

The Pearl of the Danube

• Active: Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes' Square.

This afternoon choose among the Optional Guided Excursions available or enjoy Budapest on your own. Indulge in a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafes. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B/L/D)

Time to Capture Photographs, Coffee, and Confections.

Take free time to shop in the Great Market Hall, take photos on the Royal Palace grounds, or visit Budapest's famous thermal bath spas.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHACS (B/L/D)

Hungarian History in a Harbour Town

Visit the Adventure centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

• Active: Enjoy an easy bike ride in Mohacs with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács - the quiet Danube harbour town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill - one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of nearby Pecs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You'll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK (B/L/D)

History and Culture in Croatia

• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.

Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard.

NOVI SAD, SERBIA: The Athens of Serbia

• Active: Enjoy a relaxing walk in Novi Sad with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B/L/D)

Fortresses and Folklore

• Active: See Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade - where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge - and see the city's many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava - one of the world's largest Orthodox churches.
• Discover: Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.

Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street - Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafes, shops, and cultural spots. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer.

This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAC (B/L/D)

Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates

• Classic: Visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You'll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire.

Enjoy a brief sailing to Donji Milanovac.

• Active: Explore Donji Milanovac by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Tour to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views of the Danube Gorge.

Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge - a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B/L/D)

Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

• Active: Enjoy an easy hiking experience in Vidin with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (B/L/D)

Fortresses and Folklore

• Active: Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo - with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA (B/L/D)

Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest.

• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe - honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square - the scene of the city's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

After the visit drive to Brasov for the night. (B/D)

• Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture.

In the evening, depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore.

• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle - the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location. (B/L)

The "Paris of the East."

• Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle, the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.

Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest; on the way, enjoy a local lunch. Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafes, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue. (B)

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)