Eastern Europe and European Gems River Cruise

Arrive in Amsterdam and transfer to your river ship. Perhaps grab a map to explore this carefree, cosmopolitan city and its magnificent network of canals.

This evening, meet your Cruise Director and fellow passengers at a Welcome Reception. Stay 14 Nights: Travelmarvel River Ship (D)

Board a glass-top boat and glide through Amsterdam's maze of waterways with a local guide, before enjoying some free time to explore this lively city.

Later, travel by coach to Utrecht, via Rembrandt's Windmill. From here, your ship will set off along the Rhine as you prepare for tonight's special Gala Welcome Dinner. (B/L/D)

Learn how the twin spires of Cologne's famous cathedral, the Kolner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take the short drive to Bruhl for your Insider Experience. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience: Step back in time during a visit to the World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Castle. Listen to enthralling stories and enjoy a walk through the stunning landscaped parks and gardens between the castle and the lodge.

Experience a true holiday highlight as you cruise through the Rhine Gorge, known to be the most beautiful section of the Rhine River. Your ship docks in Rudesheim, where the Winzerexpress mini-train will take you through the town to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, discover one of the most beautiful collections of automated musical instruments in all of Germany. (B/L/D)

Discover Miltenberg today, exploring this well-preserved town's half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th century. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience: 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 a local distillery.

Board a coach and travel through the rolling hills to Wurzburg. Admire the baroque palace and walk through the beautiful Court Garden.

Later, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to medieval Rothenburg, a true fairytale town. (B/L/D)

Spend a leisurely morning cruising along the last stretch of the Main River before arriving at Bamberg. Enjoy a guided tour, during which you'll gaze upon such sights as the Old Town Hall and the Bamberg Cathedral, followed by some free time to explore.

Later on this evening, your ship will reach the Main-Danube Canal. (B/L/D)

Explore Nuremberg, the site of Hitler's infamous rallies. Wander the cobblestone streets, discovering hidden boutiques and artisan stores. Finish your day cruising through the Main-Danube Canal, crossing Europe's Continental Divide thanks to the canal's 16 stair-step locks. (B/L/D)

Having reached the Danube River overnight, Regensburg awaits. Spend the day in this charming city, docked right in the heart of town, and join a guided walking tour to see its major sights. Later, perhaps take an optional tour to Kuchlbauer's World of Beer in Abensberg. Take a guided tour of the family-owned brewery and see The Kuchlbauer Tower, designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. (B/L/D)

Insider Experience: This evening, enjoy an authentic Bavarian experience on board as you sample local beer and snacks, accompanied by traditional folk music, song and dance.

As you enjoy your breakfast, arrive in the ‘Three Rivers City' of Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Perhaps join an optional tour to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, or travel to Salzburg and enjoy the sights from ‘The Sound of Music'. Alternatively, stay on board and enjoy a relaxing sailing day to Linz. (B/L/D)

After cruising into Austria, dock in Melk for a tour of Melk Abbey with a local guide. Since 1089, this Benedictine monastery has stood atop a rocky outcrop, offering commanding views of the Danube.

Later, cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Durnstein, a town overlooked by the hilltop ruins of the castle where legendary King Richard the Lionheart was kept as a prisoner in the 12th century. You have the afternoon free to explore the cobbled streets, town houses and taverns of the town. Perhaps join an optional tour to taste some of the region's wine. (B/L/D)

In Vienna, join a walking tour of St Stephen's Cathedral, the Graben, Hofburg Palace and the Albertina.

Afterwards, you may enjoy visiting the Naschmarkt.

This evening, perhaps enjoy an optional concert featuring music from Mozart to ‘The Sound of Music'. (B/L/D)

Today is yours to explore Vienna. Perhaps visit the Hofburg area and the Imperial Treasury. Otherwise, enjoy an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, or head to Bratislava.

Later, set sail for Hungary.

Tonight, celebrate your river cruise with a Captain's Farewell Dinner. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, join a local guide to explore the city.

Later, you may wish to join an optional tour to discover the Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum, a hospital created in the caverns under Buda Castle in Budapest in the 1930s, in preparation for the Second World War. (B/L/D)

This morning after breakfast, you will travel to Krakow via the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia and check in to your hotel.

Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception. Stay Three Nights: Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto (B)

Enjoy the sights of Krakow on a tour, taking in the Wawel Royal Castle and the famous Old Town. (B/D)

Insider Experience: Enjoy a traditional Polish folklore show and dinner.

Today perhaps join an optional tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This ancient, abandoned mine is a marvel, featuring a maze of underground chambers, grottoes and statues chiselled out of rock salt by miners hundreds of years ago. (B)

Today you will journey through rolling farmland from Krakow to Warsaw. Along the way, you'll visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, where a tour will provide a haunting insight into the plight of the Jews who were sent to these infamous Nazi concentration camps. Afterwards, check in to your hotel in Warsaw and enjoy an evening at leisure. Stay Two Nights: Warsaw, Regent Hotel (B/D)

Insider Experience: Discover the delights of modern Polish cuisine during dinner at Rozana – a highly regarded restaurant in Warsaw.

The brutal events of World War II have indeed left their mark on the city, yet the Warsaw of today is diverse and progressive, filled with stylish boutiques, chic restaurants, new museums and modern buildings. An enthralling city tour takes you to the site of the Jewish Ghetto, which was home to the largest Jewish community in Europe. Also visit Lazienki Park where you will glimpse Lazienki Palace with its serene waters and ornate statues. (B)

Today, farewell the city of Warsaw and travel through the beautiful, rolling countryside of Germany's east to Berlin. Stay Two Nights: Berlin, Courtyard by Marriott (B/D)

Once a city famously divided in two, modern-day Berlin now embodies a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Start your day with a guided tour that will take you past many of the must-see landmarks. See the historic Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate – a symbol of peace and a reunified Berlin. You'll also visit a ruined section of the Berlin Wall.

This afternoon, you may choose to travel by coach to Potsdam, where you will join an optional guided tour of the former royal summer palace, Sanssouci. (B)

This morning after breakfast, travel through the state of Saxony and stop in Saxon Switzerland National Park to see the rock formations of Bastei as well as the Bastei Bridge, which offers wonderful panoramic views over the mountains. Continue by coach on to Prague and check in to your hotel. Stay Two Nights: Prague, Grandior Hotel (B)

Today, explore beautiful Prague with an expert guide. Discover the World Heritage-listed Old Town, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and Prague's Old Market Square. (B)

This morning after breakfast, where your tour concludes. (B)