Magnificent Europe 2013 (Budapest to Amsterdam)

Day 1 Arrive in Budapest, Hungary (Embarkation)
Welcome to Hungary’s exciting capital city! This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception.(D)

Day 2 Budapest
Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN’S BASTION and the Matthias Church is a sight not to be missed. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika.(B,L,D)

Day 3 Bratislava, Slovakia
Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. The charming Old Town with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace, as well as gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL, should not be missed.(B,L,D)

Day 4 Vienna, Austria
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s capital has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights on your included tour. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available tonight.(B,L,D)

Day 5 Dürnstein–Melk
Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Continue through the Wachau Valley to Melk, whose magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening you’ll be able to sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of this region.(B,L,D)

Day 6 Linz–Passau, Germany
Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen’s Cathedral houses one of the world’s largest organs with more than 17,000 pipes.(B,L,D)

Day 7 Regensburg
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria—gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. It is here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen).(B,L,D)

Day 8 Nuremberg
Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. After dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS! (B,L,D)

Day 9 Bamberg
Medieval Bamberg is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significanceYour walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Würzburg
Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance.(B,L,D)

Day 11 Miltenberg
Located on the Main River, Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and renaissance houses and the gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty.(B,L,D)

Day 12 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge
Visit SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM in pretty Rüdesheim. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom.(B,L,D)

Day 13 Cologne, Germany
Cologne is one of Germany’s largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. The Germano-Roman Museum located next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! Try a Kölsch in one of the many taverns and shop for a bottle of “4711,” the original eau de cologne.(B,L,D)

Day 14 Amsterdam, Holland
Holland’s delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes.(B,L,D)

Day 15 Amsterdam (Disembarkation)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 14-night cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• BUDAPEST: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion
• BRATISLAVA: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral
• VIENNA: Guided sightseeing
• DÜRNSTEIN: Guided walk, see the Stiftskirche
• MELK: Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; wine tasting
• PASSAU: Guided walk
• REGENSBURG: Guided sightseeing
• NUREMBERG: Guided sightseeing; beer tasting
• MAIN DANUBE CANAL: Cruise in the canal
• BAMBERG: Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall
• WÜRZBURG: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
• MILTENBERG: Guided walk; baking demonstration
• RÜDESEHEIM: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; special treat
• RHINE GORGE: Cruise through the gorge
• COLOGNE: Guided walk
• AMSTERDAM: Canal cruise

See the highlights of Central Europe on this enchanting cruise between Budapest and Amsterdam. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with beer tasting in Nuremberg, a traditional baking demonstration in Miltenberg, wine tasting in Austria’s Wachau Valley, and time in charming Dürnstein, Regensburg, Cologne, Rüdesheim, Bamberg, and Vienna. Also enjoy inside visits of Fishermen’s Bastion in Budapest, Bratislava’s gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, the amazing Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and Würzburg’s Bishop’s Residenz. Cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge past the legendary Lorelei rock, and glide past quaint towns, beautiful scenery, and historic buildings along the Danube. Your vacation concludes with a scenic cruise through the delightful canals of Amsterdam.

• Superb dining with meals on board featuring full breakfast (B) with complimentary sparkling wine, lunch (L) with complimentary soft drinks, and dinner (D) including complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks; a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements.
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds.
• Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
• Headsets for shore excursions.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
• Personalized room options & excursions.

Cruising: outside stateroom onboard Avalon Expression, Avalon Panorama, Avalon Tranquility, Avalon Visionary or Avalon Vista

• Cabin upgrades available.
• Port charges of $252 are not included.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.