Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Wed. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2, Thu. ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE.
Time to rest or explore the city upon arrival.

Day 3, Fri. PARIS.
Enjoy Paris' famous sights during this morning's guided tour, then a free afternoon to explore. (B)

Day 4, Sat. PARIS.
Enjoy a full free day in the amazing "City of Lights." Stroll along Champs Elysees, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair of 1889. Paris at night offers unlimited possibilities for every taste. (B)

Day 5, Sun. PARIS - LUXEMBOURG - TRIER, GERMANY.
This morning, drive through the French countryside of Champagne to Luxembourg, one of the last independent duchies of central Europe. In today's international politics and banking, the Grand Duchy's role still plays and important role. There is free time for lunch and a guided city tour before continuing to Trier and embarkation on the ship. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

Day 6, Mon. BERNKASTEL - ZELL.
This morning, arrive in the charming village of Bernkastel. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Take a guided walking tour through the old town center with its many Renaissance buildings, before continuing on to Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine "Zeller Schwarze Katz." (B,L,D)

Day 7, Tue COCHEM - KOBLENZ - RHINE CASTLES -RUDESHEIM.
This morning, tour Cochem and the hilltop Reichsburg Castle. Or, you may choose to take a cruise to Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. This afternoon cruise along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine and see castle after castle as well as the legendary Lorelei Rock. In Rudesheim, visit Siegfried's Musical Instrument Museum and explore the Drosselgasse. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Wed. MAINZ - HEIDELBERG - FRANKFURT.
Today, you can choose to disembark in Mainz and participate in a full day excursion to Heidelberg. Or you can enjoy a leisurely walking tour of charming Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum. Then, enjoy a lunchtime cruise on the Main river to Frankfurt where a guided walking tour covers the historic city center. (B,L,D)

Day 9, Thu. MILTENBERG - WERTHEIM.
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking tour of this old Franconian town, which reveals narrow cobblestone streets and gabled houses. Shop for souvenirs before continuing to charming Wertheim for a captivating glass-blowing performance. Enjoy free time to browse the market square before returning the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 10, Fri. WURZBURG.
Visit the major sights of this center of wine and trade, including the magnificent Residenz Palace. Join this afternoon's optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg,or enjoy free time to explore before returning to Wurzburg. (B,L,D)

Day 11, Sat. BAMBERG.
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruise before entering the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg. Disembark for a guided tour of this medieval gem. Marvel at the breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the city's serpentine streets. Tonight, arrive in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)

Day 12, Sun. NUREMBERG - MUNICH.
Today, travel by train to Munich, the capital of Bavaria , nicknamed "Germany's secret capital." You will be escorted to lunch in the world famous Hofbrauhaus today, and can help you plan your adventure. Tonight, you will meet with fellow travelers embarking from Prague. (B,L,D)

Day 13, Mon. NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE - DIETFURT.
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant impressive walls. At lunchtime, rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks to the Bavarian town of Dietfurt. (B,L,D).

Day 14, Tue. REGENSBURG.
Arrive in magnificent Regensburg, one of Germany's most well-preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will includes the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Enjoy the evening music performance on board. (B,L,D)

Day 15, Wed. PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA.
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a walking tour of this fairy-tale city, or, take an optional full day excursion to Salzburg. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town. (B,L,D)

Day 16, Thu. MELK - VIENNA.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. Rejoin the ship for lunch as we cruise on to Vienna, the "City of Music." Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)

Day 17, Fri. VIENNA.
A tour of Vienna will show you the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse, awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral and will include a visit to the National Library. Then enjoy a free afternoon to shop or to explore on your own. This evening continue cruising overnight to Hungary and Budapest. (B,L,D)

Day 18, Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
The morning is free for shopping, or sightseeing. Your afternoon tour includes Buda and Pest and features Buda Castle, the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and more. Tonight enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)

DAY 19, Sun. BUDAPEST - PUSZTA EXCURSION.
Upon arrival, you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. Take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders and drivers during the horse show. Try a lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest. (B,L,D)

DAY 20, Mon. MOHACS - PECS - VUKOVAR, CROATIA.
Morning arrival in Mohacs, where you depart for an excursion to Old Pecs for a walking tour. Upon leaving Hungary, the Danube is flanked by Serbia on one bank and Croatia on the other. Tonight, arrive in Vukovar, Croatia. (B,L,D)

DAY 21, Tue. VUKOVAR - NOVI SAD, SERBIA.
This morning, a guided bus and walking tour of Vukovar will show you the main sights of the city. During lunch, continue your cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 22, Wed. BELGRADE.
This morning, arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, where can explore both the old and the new town. Your guided tour features Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, the Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Square, Republic Square and Mihajlova street, "Varos" Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 23, Thu. CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES.
Today, enjoy a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows, as it winds through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern foothills of the Balkan Mountains. Forming the natural border between Serbia and Romania, today's passage will be an unforgettable highlight of your Black Sea adventure. (B,L,D)

DAY 24, Fri. VIDIN, BULGARIA.
The 14th-century Bada Vida Fortress guards over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. From here, take an excursion to the beautifully restored 6th-century Belogradschik Castle. (B,L,D)

DAY 25, Sat. GIURGIU - BUCHAREST, ROMANIA.
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, Romania, famed for its Belle Epoque architecture. During the morning city tour, see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum, the Library and then visit the Parliament Palace - the world's largest palace. Enjoy lunch in a typical Romanian restaurant, then shop, explore on your own or visit the open air museum, dedicated to the traditional architecture of rural Romania. (B,L,D)

DAY 26, Sun. ROUSSE - VELIKO TURNOVO - NESSEBAR, BULGARIA.
This morning, disembark in Rousse where your motorcoach tour takes you to the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo. Here you will visit Tsarevets Hill, the citadel of the city, the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces, the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Shoppers can explore the traditional street market, Samovodska Charshia. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea resort town of Nessebar. (B,L,D)

DAY 27, Mon. NESSEBAR - ISTANBUL, TURKEY.
This morning's guided walking tour, includes Nessebar's oldest church, and the 5th-century Basilica on the Beach. After lunch, continue on to magical Istanbul for a grand three-night conclusion of your voyage. (B)

DAY 28, Tue. ISTANBUL.
This morning's comprehensive city tour will show you the old city, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her historic past. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the Suleymaniye Mosque, the church of the Pantocrator and the Galata Tower, and tour the Blue Mosque. Later, you can explore the town on your own or choose from from various optionals that will be offered. (B)

DAY 29, Wed. ISTANBUL.
Today, your guided tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th century through end of the 19th century and the Topkapi Diamond. This afternoon, enjoy an optional Bosporus cruise, shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. This evening, join your fellow passengers for the optional belly dancing show Istanbul By Night with dinner. (B)

DAY 30, Thu. ISTANBUL - USA.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)