European Gems with Norwegian Fjords

Arrive in the enthralling city of Budapest, where your 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, travel from Amsterdam to The Hague. On arrival, join a guided walking tour, taking in the city's impressive architecture, including the Binnenhof complex and the Peace Palace. Later, check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Discover the historic town of Gouda on a guided walking tour, passing its best-known landmarks before enjoying a tasting of the region's famous cheese.

Travel to Amsterdam and board Holland America Line's MS Zuiderdam, your home for the next seven nights.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Take time to explore the ship's facilities and unwind on deck and watch the scenery drift by as you settle into life on board.

Depending on your departure date, you will enjoy one of two experiences below.

First Departure - Kristiansund Arrive in Kristiansund and set out by coach towards the Atlantic Road, travelling via a sub-sea tunnel to Averøy Island. Continue along one of Norway's most iconic coastal routes and pause at Hustadvika for a photo stop. Continue through the village of Eide to Bergtatt, a remarkable marble quarry. Be met by a mine guide and venture deep into the mountain by coach, entering a vast underground network that extends for kilometres across multiple levels. Inside, immense caverns open onto a still, glassy lake illuminated by chandeliers. During your guided visit, learn about the mine's history and geology, watch a short film, and glide across the subterranean lake by boat, venturing further into this extraordinary space. Enjoy some free time to explore and savour coffee and traditional Norwegian svele.

Second Departure - Eidfjord Arrive in Eidfjord, gateway to Hardangervidda National Park. Follow the river Eio, known for its salmon and trout fishing, to the Norwegian Nature Centre. Here, exhibitions and interactive displays explain the region's climate and environment, and a film offers a glimpse of the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and fjord. You can also visit the aquarium showcasing native fish from the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. As your ship sails inland through Hardangerfjord - the fourth-longest fjord in the world - take in ever-changing scenery of waterfalls, islands and small shoreline villages framed by rising mountains. Within the wider region lies the famous Trolltunga (troll tongue) rock formation, perched high above Ringedalsvatnet. The fjord and surrounding highlands support abundant wildlife, including wild salmon, brown trout and reindeer. Enjoy time at leisure in port or join one of the optional shore excursions available (additional expense).

Spend the day in Ålesund, a picturesque coastal town spread across a series of islands on Norway's west coast. After a devastating fire in 1904, the town was rebuilt in distinctive Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) style, and its colourful buildings, turrets and decorative facades now give Ålesund its unique character.

Surrounded by fjords and mountain ranges, the region offers plenty to discover. You may wish to climb the 418 steps to Mount Aksla for sweeping views over the town and the Sunnmøre Alps, wander the waterfront streets and cafes, or visit the Atlantic Sea-Park, one of Scandinavia's largest saltwater aquariums. The nearby Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, can also be explored on an optional excursion (additional expense).

Surrounded by dramatic peaks, fertile farmland and a rugged coastline, the Nordfjord region stretches between the vast Jostedalsbreen Glacier and Norway's wild western shores. Here, you'll venture to Briksdalsbreen for a special Insider Experience before returning to your awaiting ship.

Insider Experience - Briksdal Glacier Travel by coach to Briksdalsbreen, where you'll journey by troll car, a customised open-air vehicle, towards the Briksdal Glacier. Enjoy a short walk for the final stretch of the journey, taking in the surrounding scenery. Return by troll car before travelling back to Olden.

Dock in Sandnes, a relaxed coastal town set at the southern end of the Gandsfjord, near Stavanger. Surrounded by beaches, mountains and waterways, the region is ideal for outdoor exploration. You may wish to stroll the streets lined with cafes and shops, or venture into the surrounding countryside for walking or cycling.

Optional excursions offer the chance to experience the area's natural highlights, including the famous Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), perched high above Lysefjord, or the shorter hike to nearby Dalsnuten. Alternatively, visit the Science Factory (Vitenfabrikken) or simply enjoy time at leisure discovering Sandnes and nearby Stavanger (additional expense).

Enjoy a day at leisure on board. Take advantage of the ship's superb amenities, from exquisite dining and onboard shopping to the fitness centre and pickleball courts. Be entertained by performances at the spectacular World Stage or unwind with live music.

After breakfast, transfer to Amsterdam, where your memorable journey concludes.