In the 8th century, Emperor Charlemagne dreamt of a canal that could unite Europe's great waterways, but it was not until 1992 that his vision came to pass. Now, the Main-Danube Canal allows ships to travel directly from the North Sea to the Black Sea, traversing Western, Central and Eastern Europe in a single journey. See the canals of Amsterdam, the castles of the Rhine Valley and many colorful capitals of Eastern Europe on an incredible 22-day cruisetour that includes eight countries on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. New for 2009, this itinerary provides the ultimate European experience.
Day 1 Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam. We meet you at the airport and take you to your ship.* The rest of your day is free to begin exploring this Dutch capital-or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)
Day 2 Amsterdam
This morning, get a city overview with a canal boat cruise past merchant houses and into the Old Harbor, which dates back to Holland's Golden Age. Next, visit the Van Gogh Museum. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Cologne
Enjoy scenic cruising along the legendary Rhine. After lunch, tour Cologne and visit the Dom, Germany's largest cathedral. Afterward, sample Cologne's signature beer, Kolsch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure-as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Koblenz & Rudesheim
This morning visit Marksburg, a beautifully preserved Rhine castle. Then, cruise to Rudesheim, arriving late afternoon. Explore the famed Drosselgasse, or take an optional mini-train ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum. Dine aboard; depart late. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Mainz
After breakfast, tour Mainz and visit the Gutenberg Museum, which chronicles the history of printing and displays two of the original 42-line Gutenberg Bibles. Free time, lunch aboard, then sail through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Wertheim
During your morning walking tour, learn about Wertheim's glassblowing tradition. After some free time to explore, return to your ship for lunch and an afternoon glassblowing demonstration. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Wurzburg & Rothenburg
After breakfast, tour Wurzburg's Bishops' residenz, one of Germany's largest and most ornate palaces. Then, travel along the "Romantic Road" to Rothenburg, stopping for lunch on the way. Dine aboard; evening cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Nuremberg
Spend the morning on the Main-Danube Canal, the engineering marvel that makes your 2,200-mile journey possible. Lunch aboard, then dock in Nuremberg. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field and see the Palace of Justice. Enjoy free time, or join an optional World War II history tour. Depart before dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg after lunch and tour the city; discover 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and St. Peter's Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany's oldest restaurant. Cruise through dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Passau & Linz
On this morning's walking tour, see Passau's Italianate architecture. Then, listen to a concert on Europe's largest pipe organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral. Arrive in Linz during dinner. You may want to take an evening stroll. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Melk & Durnstein
After lunch, tour the spectacular baroque 900-year-old abbey at Melk. Cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through dinner. Free evening in Durnstein; visit Kuenringer Castle or taste local wines. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Vienna
Ride along Vienna's Ringstrasse, which replaced city walls in the mid-19th century. Tour Belvedere Palace, with its trompe l'oeil features and Austrian art. Also see Vienna's Opera House, Hofburg palace and more. Take the afternoon to further explore Vienna. After dinner, enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Bratislava
Enjoy a walking tour of the Slovak Republic's charming capital-see Michael's Gate, Trinity Church and St. Martin's Cathedral. You also pass by several grand Habsburg Dynasty palaces before returning onboard. Late tonight, arrive in Budapest. (B, L, D)
Day 14 Budapest
Explore both sides of Budapest, starting with Pest's National Opera House and historic Heroes' Square. In Buda, stroll Fishermen's Hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. Lunch aboard, afternoon free. Dine and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Pecs
From Mohacs, take a tour through the countryside to Pecs, an ancient university town. during your walking tour, visit the impressive Romanesque cathedral and the Gazi Qasim Pasha Djami mosque (now a Roman Catholic church). Free time to explore or visit the 19th-century Kossuth Ter synagogue and see its beautiful oak interior. Lunch aboard, cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 16 Belgrade
Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress. Tour the city's Eastern Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Lunch aboard; afternoon free. (B, L, D)
Day 17 Iron Gate
Enjoy a full day of cruising along one of the most visually arresting areas of the Lower Danube, flanked by enormous white chalk cliffs and spectacular scenery. (B, L, D)
Day 18 Vidin & Belogradchik
Wake up in Vidin and take a journey to Belogradchik to tour the former Ottoman castle. Stroll the compound and explore its many terraced courtyards with breathtaking views. Lunch aboard, then free time; depart during dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 19 Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi
Today's daylong tour takes you to Bulgaria's former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. See Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. Lunch in an Arbanasi restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church. Dine aboard, depart late tonight. (B, L, D)
Day 20 Russe & Varna
Awaken in Russe. Ride through rural Bulgaria to Varna, a Black Sea resort. Enjoy a short cruise on the Black Sea and lunch in a local restaurant. Free time to explore the town or visit the Varna Museum. Return aboard for dinner; depart this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 21 Bucharest
Disembark at Oltenita and proceed to Bucharest for a morning tour. Visit the Palace of the Parliament+ and Revolution Square. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner there. (B, L, D)
+ The Palace of the Parliament may occasionally be closed to host official government business.
Day 22 Bucharest
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we take you to the airport for your return flight. Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Bucharest and Transylvania. Tour Dracula's Castle in Brasov, Romania. (B)
