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Cruise four of Europe's most
important waterways: the Rhine, Moselle, Main
and Danube and unpack just once on a relaxing
14-night cruise through five European countries.
Explore historic medieval port cities; delight
in old world traditions, savor local Bavarian
foods and other regional specialties, gypsy
music, lavish palaces and ancient castle ruins.
Your adventure begins in Amsterdam, the capital
city of the Netherlands, and where you'll board
ship on the ms Amadeus Princess whose amenities
include a panoramic deck, fitness center, 81
spacious cabins with large windows and terrace
cafe. This brand new ship offers excellent
cuisine and outstanding service. Join a local
expert in Amsterdam, the 700-year-old capital of
the Netherlands and marvel at its Golden Age
architecture including 500 bridges, intricate
canal system and 17th century homes and
churches. Cruise the scenic Rhine to Cologne and
take a guided tour of one of Germany's oldest
cities. Continue to Koblenz, where the Rhine
meets the Moselle River; see the legendary
Lorelei Rock; and end in Rudesheim, where you
can explore the Drosselgasse, renowned for its
dance halls and bands. In Würzburg, rebuilt
after World War II, see the magnificent Bishops'
Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise
the famous Franconian wine region, the
Main-Danube canal and enjoy a guided tour of the
winding cobblestone streets, 18th century
mansions and 11th century cathedral in Bamberg,
founded in 902. In medieval Nuremberg, Bavaria's
second-largest city and site of the 1946 World
War II War Crimes Tribunal, see its 900
year-old-ramparts and Imperial Castle. In Melk,
see the magnificent, 900-year Benedictine Abbey
of Melk, one of Europe's largest Baroque
monasteries and join a local expert exploring
Vienna's Imperial architecture including the
lavish Hofburg Palace and the impressive Vienna
Opera House. Your final stop is Hungary's famous
capital city of Budapest, where you'll enjoy a
city tour and a farewell dinner accompanied by
Gypsy music.
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Day 1: Overnight Flight
Welcome as you join Collette Vacations
cruising along the legendary waterways that
define the true soul of Europe. Explore historic
ports along the Rhine and Mosel rivers, delight
in old world traditions, enjoy Rhineland
vineyards and marvel at the varied landscapes
and sights along the Danube River. Your
adventure begins with an overnight flight to
Europe.
Day 2: Budapest, Hungary - Tour Begins -
Board Cruise Ship
Your tour begins in Budapest, Hungary’s famous
capital city. All aboard! Unpack once for a
relaxing 14 night river cruise aboard the MS
Amadeus Princess. This beautiful ship offers the
newest in technology, 81 cabins, panoramic deck,
terrace café, panorama salon and bar, fitness
center, excellent cuisine, wine with every
dinner, and outstanding service. This evening,
meet your fellow travelers at the welcome
cocktail reception followed by a welcome dinner
accompanied by Gypsy music. Tonight, you are
invited to attend the Captain’s Gala Welcome
Dinner. Today dinner is included.
Day 3: Budapest
Your sightseeing tour of this lovely capital
features the historic Buda Castle area with its
turreted Fisherman’s Bastion and 500-year-old
St. Matthias Church. From this vantage point,
you have splendid views of Chain Bridge and the
twin cities of Buda and Pest, spread over both
banks of the river. The afternoon is at leisure
to explore Budapest on your own or for last
minute shopping opportunities. At midnight, the
ship cruises to nearby Slovakia. Today
breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 4: Bratislava, Slovakia
A morning tour of Slovakia's capital,
Bratislava, includes the enormous 13th-century
castle that towers 300 feet above the Danube;
the old town; St. Martin's Cathedral; Michael's
Gate; and the Archbishop's palace. The afternoon
is yours to shop or explore the city on your
own. Tonight, your senses will be delighted with
a musical performance by a Slovakian ensemble on
board. Your cruise continues to Austria's
capital city, beautiful Vienna. Today breakfast,
lunch and dinner are included.
Day 5: Vienna, Austria
Join a local expert exploring Vienna's Imperial
architecture including the lavish Hofburg
Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the
majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St.
Stephen's Cathedral. The remainder of the day is
at leisure or you may join an optional excursion
to the opulent Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer
retreat of the Habsburg dynasty. Today
breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 6: Dürnstein - Melk
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach
the picturesque Wachau Valley and the medieval
town of Dürnstein, known to be the loveliest
town in the Wachau Valley. Above the town,
you'll spot the ruins of the castle where
Richard the Lionhearted, the King of England,
was imprisoned in 1192. Enjoy a walking tour
exploring the town's many hidden treasures.
Continue to the charming town of Melk. A guided
tour takes you to Melk's magnificent
900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's
largest baroque monasteries. A wonderful evening
of food, music and entertainment awaits you at
the Captain's Dinner. Today breakfast, lunch and
dinner are included.
Day 7: Linz - Passau, Germany
After breakfast, arrive in Linz, Austria, a
favorite city of Mozart, who dedicated his Linz
Symphony to the town. Take time to explore the
large town square with the 66 foot high Trinity
Column and surrounded by patrician houses. Later
cruise to Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz
join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this
beautiful town with cobblestone streets and
graceful arcades. Passau is home to St.
Stephan’s Cathedral, known to have the world’s
largest church organ with more than 17,000
pipes. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are
included.
Day 8: Passau - Regensburg
Today, your ship arrives in magnificent
Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved
medieval cities. Founded 2,000 years ago,
Regensburg escaped major WWII damage and today
stands as Germany's best-preserved medieval
city. A guided tour of Regensburg features the
Old Town Hall, 12th century Stone Bridge,
towering St. Peter's Cathedral and the Porta
Pretoria. This evening, join the festivities
with a traditional Bavarian night on board,
complete with local foods, music and dancing.
Tonight the ship enters the first stretch of the
fascinating Main-Danube Canal. Today breakfast,
lunch and dinner are included.
Day 9: Regensburg - Nuremberg
Begin your day traveling through the highest
point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea
level - before descending again through
stair-step locks. This afternoon enjoy a
leisurely-paced guided tour of Nuremberg,
Bavaria’s second largest city. View the
storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial
Castle, and the Justice Palace where the WWII
War Crimes Tribunal took place in 1946. Today
breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 10: Bamberg
Today your ship begins its final stretch through
the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Disembark for a
guided tour of this medieval gem . Founded in
902, it maintains quaint baroque patrician
houses along its winding cobbled streets. You'll
marvel at the breathtaking 11th century
cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the
river, and serpentine streets crowded with 18th
century mansions. Today breakfast, lunch and
dinner are included.
Day 11: Würzburg
Arrive in Würzburg, known as "The Pearl of the
Romantic Road", a charming town surrounded by
sloping hills and vineyards as far as the eye
can see. Nearly destroyed by WWII, Würzburg has
been rebuilt into a beautiful Franconian town
boasting well-preserved baroque architecture.
During your morning tour visit the major sights
including the magnificent Bishops' Residence, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, continue
cruising through the Franconian wine region.
Tonight, after dinner, you are treated to
traditional music and dances performed by local
artists. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are
included.
Day 12: Wertheim - Miltenberg
Visit the beautiful city of Wertheim, situated
at the meeting of the Main and Tauber rivers.
Enjoy free time exploring the historic town
square and its beautiful ancient castle ruins.
Later arrive in Miltenberg for a guided walking
tour along the town's narrow cobblestone streets
and gabled, half-timbered houses. Today
breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 13: Rüdesheim - Koblenz
Enjoy a morning cruise along one of the most
beautiful stretches of the Rhine. Sail through
the dramatic Rhine Gorge, where the landscape is
dotted with magnificent hill top castles. See
the legendary Lorelei Rock before arriving in
charming Rüdesheim, the perfect example of a
Rhine Valley wine town. The "Winzerexpress"
mini-train takes you to Siegfried´s Mechanical
Musical Instrument Museum for a fascinating
guided tour. You will have time to explore the
pedestrian street, Drosselgasee, and sample some
local wines. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner
are included.
Day 14: Koblenz - Cologne
Cruise to Koblenz, at the confluence of the
Rhine and Moselle rivers. Enjoy a morning walk
exploring this charming town surrounded by
vine-covered hills. Continue along the scenic
Rhine River to Cologne, the Rhineland's largest
city and one of Germany's oldest and most
distinguished cities. Take a guided tour through
the old part of the city and a visit to the
massive, twin-steepled, 13th-century gothic
cathedral. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are
included.
Day 15: Amsterdam, Holland
Welcome to Amsterdam, the delightful
700-year-old capital city of the Netherlands.
After lunch, join a local expert on a
leisurely-paced walking tour of Amsterdam
admiring Amsterdam's Golden Age architecture
which includes over 500 bridges, an intricate
canal system, beautiful 17th-century homes,
charming churches with bell towers, and
16th-century merchant houses. Tonight, gather on
board with your fellow travelers for a memorable
farewell gala dinner. Today breakfast, lunch and
dinner are included.
Day 16: Amsterdam - Disembark Ship - Tour
Ends
Your tour ends today, leaving you with many
pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation. Today
breakfast is included. |
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