Rhine Danube River Cruise & Italy Tour

Itinerary

Amsterdam  Day 1    Commencement Rhine-Danube River Cruise

Arrive in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, and transfer to your ship for the start of your Rhine Danube river cruise. After boarding, the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring the city on your own. (D)

Kinderdijk  Day 2

In the morning sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you tour this fascinating network of windmills and other ingenious flood management technologies. Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Cologne  Day 3

The morning tour of Cologne includes a visit to the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your tour, spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Cologne on your own—there are Roman ruins, interesting neighborhoods and wonderful museums like the Fragrance Museum and the Chocolate Museum. (B, L, D)

Koblenz & Middle Rhine  Day 4

Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg, the only Rhine castle never destroyed. After your tour continue cruising; this stunning stretch of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You pass the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river’s narrowest point; the rock is named for a local legend about Rhine Maidens who lure sailors to their doom. (B, L, D)

Miltenberg  Day 5

The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region. After lunch, stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses, including the oldest inn in Germany. You have a walking tour and some free time to explore. Back on board, learn about the region’s glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration; you also have the opportunity to learn some useful German words and phrases. Sail through the night to Würzburg. (B, L, D)

Würzburg  Day 6

After breakfast, tour Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy scenic afternoon cruising—or instead of touring Würzburg, take an optional full-day excursion along Germany’s “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, which features a turreted city wall and lovely gothic and baroque architecture. (B, L, D)

Bamberg  Day 7

Sail through the morning; after lunch, visit Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late-Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the very picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take some free time to enjoy Bamberg and perhaps try some of the town’s distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning reboarding. (B, L, D)

Nürnberg  Day 8

After breakfast, disembark in Nürnberg. Visit the ruins of the Zeppelin Field, used in the 1930s as Nazi parade grounds, and see the Palace of Justice, site of the famous Nürnberg Trials. Spend some free time exploring Nürnberg’s Old Town area, or join an optional World War II history tour including the Documentation Centre Museum. (B, L, D)

Regensburg  Day 9

Arrive in Regensburg in the late morning; after lunch, tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-Century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter’s Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant. (B, L, D)

Passau  Day 10

During the morning walking tour see Passau’s narrow streets and Italianate architecture, and pass the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-Century fortress that served for centuries as a bishop’s stronghold. Then, listen to a concert on Europe’s largest pipe organ in St. Stephan’s Cathedral.† Take some time in the afternoon to explore Passau before returning aboard for dinner. (B, L, D) † Passau organ concert not available after November 1.

Melk & Dürnstein  Day 11  

After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley in the afternoon. Before dinner, you have free time to explore Dürnstein. You can see Kuenringer Castle, or sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. (B, L, D)

Vienna  Day 12

Ride along Vienna’s Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th Century. You will also see Vienna’s world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return aboard for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore Vienna’s many cafés and museums. After dinner, enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)

Bratislava  Day 13

Arrive early and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital to see attractions like the medieval fortifications at Michael’s Tower, baroque Jesuit Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. You also pass by several baroque palaces from the Habsburg Dynasty before you return to your ship for an afternoon of scenic cruising. Arrive in Budapest later in the night. (B, L, D)

Budapest  Day 14

The Danube River divides this Hungarian capital city into “Buda” and “Pest.” Explore both parts, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, stroll Fishermen’s Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard with the rest of the day to explore on your own. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

Budapest  Day 15

After breakfast your Rhine Danube river cruise comes to an end. Disembark and proceed to the train station for your journey to Vienna . (B)

The following meals are included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

Vienna  Day 15     Commencement 'Italy Loop' Land Tour

You will have all afternoon to enjoy the magnificent SchönbrunnPalace, for which there was just not enough time during your first stop in Vienna while on the cruise.

Venice  Day 16

Arriving in Venice will make you feel that you have just stepped into a movie set. Nothing can prepare you for that first moment when you see Venice and the Canale Grande spread out before you. Spend the afternoon in awe just walking around and loosing yourself in Venice and its tiny cobble-stoned alleyways, canals, bridges and piazzas.

Venice  Day 17

Choose one of 3 walking tours: The ‘Hidden Venice Walking tour’, the 'Venice walking tour with St. Mark's Basilica' or in the evening the ‘Venice Ghost walking tour’. In the afternoon enjoy a canal boat trip to Murano and visit glass blowing and lace making workshops. Celebrate your arrival in Venice with a dinner in a renowned restaurant with spectacular views across the lagoon to St. Marks. 

Lake Como  Day 18

You will feel overwhelmed by the beauty of Lake Como and its surroundings. Take the funicular railway up to Brunate (2000 feet) for an even more spectacular view. Como has been producing silk since the 14^th Century and has since then a rich history in the art and craft of silk weaving. Visit the many silk shops and silk factory outlets. Dine at a lake-front restaurant and enjoy a drink and watch the sun set over the lake.

Lake Como  Day 19

Spend the day criss-crossing the lake by boat and visiting its tiny waterside villages, in particular Bellagio, the pearl of the lake.

Cinque Terre  Day 20 and 21

Walk the scenic Via Dell'Amore and path that connects the villages of Cinque Terre and take in the dramatic views of the coastline and fishing villages. Take the boat to Porto Venere. The picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses, the narrow medieval streets lead up the hill to a castle and the 6^th Century church made of black marble. Taste one of Liguria’s specialties – razor clam soup and take a boat trip to the tiny island of Palmaria and its grottoes.

Florence  Day 22

In the afternoon you will arrive in the midst of artistic splendour in Florence. Choose one of 2 options to familiarize yourself with this magnificent city either by means of a hop-on/hop-off bus or by joining a small group guided bicycle tour. 

Florence  Day 23

The options on this day should have something for everyone’s taste. Choose either a day excursion to Pisa and see the leaning tower or see the great masters in the Uffizi Gallery with priority admission tickets.

Rome  Day 24 and 25

Your hotel is located right in the heart of the city, close to the Trevi fountain and the Spanish Steps. Explore the city and some of Rome's best known ancient sites, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona in the afternoon with a 'hop-on/hop-off bus'; or on your second day with a guided 3-hour 'Classic Rome' tour.

During your days in Rome you will have the 'Roma Pass', which entitles you to priority admission into the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Villa Borghese.

Rome Day 26

You will be taken directly from your hotel to your departure terminal at the Rome airport.

 

 

 

Tour Prices 2024

From AUD $5,490 per person twin share for the land tour component only.

Prices for the cruise component vary and depend on the choice of cabin, optional excursions or extensions. At times discounts or special offers are available. Click here for further cruise information, departure dates, itinerary and price details.

 

Inclusions River Cruise

Accommodation

• Deluxe river-view stateroom

Meals

• All onboard meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 14 dinners
• Complimentary beverages - wine, beer & soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner

Shore excursions

• 13 included guided tours as per itinerary

Other

• Port charges
• Shipboard gratuities

 

Inclusions Land Tour

Accommodation

•  11nights in first class, 4 star hotels, some in historical buildings.

Travel

• 1st class train tickets between destinations. Seat reservations where required
• Touring coach ticket and seat reservation between South-Austria and Venice.
• Shared shuttle transport from hotel to airport on departure

Meals

• 11 full breakfasts
• Dinner in Venice with spectacular views across the lagoon towards St. Marks

Sightseeing and Excursions

• Priority admission tickets to Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
• 2-day Venice canal boat pass
• Sightseeing tour in Venice with professional local guide
• Canal boat excursion to Murano and visit to glass blowing artisans
• Sightseeing tour in Florence
• Priority admission ticket to Uffizi gallery in Florence or excursion to Pisa
• Sightseeing with a double-decker 'hop-on-hop-off' bus in Rome. (Or choose the '3 hour Classic Rome Tour' instead of the 'Hop-on-hop-off' bus)
• 3-day transport pass in Rome
• Admission into the Colosseum (priority entry ticket), Roman Forum and the Galleria Borghese

 

Upgrades to superior luxury hotel accommodation can be arranged on request at extra cost.

We also cater for solo travellers, families and groups. Prices by application.

For more information on pricing and touring options or if you would like us to phone you for a free, no obligation phone consultation please click here.

Surcharges apply if travelling during Easter and Christmas holidays, New Years Eve and Venice Carneval and other local events.

Single and triple share travellers please note that some changes to inclusions are necessary in particular at peak holiday times. Please contact us for details.

These prices and tour information are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.