Day 1. Arrive Budapest, Embark Ship

Be met at the airport and transferred to your river ship. Tonight enjoy the chance to meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.

Stay: 14 Night Stay: A luxurious APT river ship

Daily meals included:  • Dinner

Day 2. APT EXCLUSIVE! Budapest, Hungarian State Opera House

Tour Budapest this morning, then visit the Hungarian State Opera House, where you’ll enjoy a tour, a glass of champagne and a short private opera recital. After free time, tonight enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 3. Bratislava, Freedom of Choice Touring

Relax this morning as your ship cruises to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. Upon arrival, disembark and visit Bratislava Castle, where you will marvel at the sweeping views across three countries - Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. Then join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Perhaps take a medieval tour of the city, or visit the landmarks of the city’s not-so-distant Communist past. The rest of the afternoon is then at leisure, -followed by dinner as you cruise towards Vienna.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 4. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring

Savour the elegance of Vienna today with a choice of touring options. The first, a city tour, takes you to see Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral and Ringstrasse as well as a traditional Austrian coffee house for coffee and cake. Your second option takes you to Schönbrunn Palace for a tour of the residence and an exploration of the gardens. Tonight after dinner, perhaps take in an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense).

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 5. Dürnstein - Melk

This morning reach the Wachau Valley and stop in Dürnstein for a tour. At lunch, continue to Melk and take a tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey. Located above the town on an outcrop overlooking the Danube, it has survived as an active Benedictine monastery since its foundation. Later, a wine tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau Valley.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 6. Linz - Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring

Upon arrival in Linz today, perhaps join a day tour to Salzburg and its ‘Sound of Music’ sights or take a trip to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic before travelling by coach to rejoin the ship in Passau. Alternatively, you might like to stay on board and cruise to Passau for a tour of this historic city.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 7. Regensburg

Today you’ll arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, featuring one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. A guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights includes the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Tonight, folklore entertainers perform on board.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 8. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today enter the Main-Danube Canal and dock in Nuremberg. Here choose from two different activities. Perhaps embark on a medieval tour, visiting the 900 year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle, Kaiserburg Fortress and more. Or enjoy a World War II tour, visiting sites that played a pivotal role for the Nazi Party, and subsequently the Allied army, during World War II.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 9. Bamberg

Today, disembark the ship just outside of Bamberg and travel by coach into this enchanting town. As one of the few cities in Germany that wasn’t destroyed by bombs during World War II, Bamberg was declared a World Heritage-listed site in 1993. Take a tour of the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Then, during time at leisure, you have the chance to visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT, before continuing your cruise, now on the waters of the Main River.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 10. Würzburg, Rothenburg

This morning, arrive in the heart of Würzburg. Sur-rounded by green hills covered with vineyards, Würzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and a crucial centre for wine and trade. During a tour here today, you’ll see the Resi-dential Palace as well as a number of churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. Later, enjoy free time or take an included excursion to Rothenburg, a beautiful walled town, situated on the Romantic Road, overlooking the Tauber River.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 11. Miltenberg, Wertheim

Still in Germany this morning, arrive in Miltenberg and travel by coach to Wertheim, the epitome of a medieval German village. Enjoy free time, then return to Miltenburg for a tour of this lovely Franconian town, revealing narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half timbered houses. Re-board the ship, and cruise through the valleys of the meandering Main. Your ship continues through the night for Rüdesheim.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 12. Rüdesheim - Rhine Castles - Koblenz

Today arrive in Rüdesheim, a great example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Here, the Winzerexpress mini-train will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a tour. Later, re-board your ship and cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is perhaps the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Take in views of steep slopes covered in vineyards and dotted with ancient castles. Cruise past the villages of St Goarshausen, Boppard and others, as well as Lorelei Rock. After dinner this evening, an amusing Crew Show concludes a great day of cruising.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 13. Koblenz - Cologne

This morning enjoy a tour of 2,000 year-old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers. The many monuments, historic buildings, cosy lanes, narrow alleyways and the relaxed atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a wonderful destination. Afterwards, continue cruising to Cologne where, after dinner, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to take an evening walk through the city.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 14. Cologne - Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring

After a morning of cruising arrive in Amsterdam, where you have a choice of touring activities. You might like to admire the city from a canal boat. Or perhaps visit the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of his paintings, for an appreciation of the Dutch artist’s finest works. Then, after free time, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board. After dinner, perhaps head in to town to absorb the nightlife.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 15. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam

After breakfast this morning, you’ll disembark the ship and be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast

Day 1. Arrive Budapest, Embark Ship

Be met at the airport on arrival in the Hungarian capital of Budapest and transferred to your river ship, moored on the Danube River. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, before a Welcome Reception followed by dinner this evening.

Stay: 14 Night Stay: one of APT’s luxurious Aria Class or Concerto Class river ships

Daily meals included:  • Dinner

Day 2. Budapest

On a tour of Budapest, take in such sights as Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle. Then visit the Hungarian State Opera House for a tour, a glass of champagne and a private opera recital. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner. Afterwards, take in the sparkling lights along the river as your ship departs Budapest and cruises through the city.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 3. Bratislava, Freedom of Choice Touring

Cruise to Bratislava, the Slovakian capital. Here, perhaps take a medieval tour of the city. Alternatively, visit some of the landmarks of the city’s Communist past then travel to Bratislava Castle, where you’ll marvel at the views across Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. After your selected tour, enjoy time at your leisure.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 4. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring

In Vienna, perhaps enjoy a city tour followed by a visit to an Austrian coffee house for coffee and cake. Or tour Schönbrunn Palace and explore the gardens. Tonight, perhaps take in a Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense).

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 5. Dürnstein, Freedom of Choice Touring, Melk

This morning stop in Dürnstein. Here, perhaps take a walking tour and visit a local vintner for a wine tasting before cruising on to Melk. Or borrow a bicycle and enjoy a guided ride along the Danube to Melk. On arrival in Melk, both groups will then tour Melk Abbey, located on an outcrop overlooking the Danube. One of the world’s most famous monastic sites, the abbey has survived as an active Benedictine monastery since its foundation.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 6. Linz, Freedom of Choice Touring, Passau

Upon arrival in Linz, three touring options are available. Perhaps join a day tour to Salzburg and its ‘Sound of Music’ sights including the Wedding Church and Great Salzburg Festival Hall, before rejoining your ship in Passau. Or you may like to take an excursion to Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, remain on board and cruise to Passau for a tour of this historic city.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 7. Regensburg

Today you’ll arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. A tour of the city’s highlights includes the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 8. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today enter the Main-Danube Canal and dock in Nuremberg. Perhaps take a medieval tour, visiting the 900 year-old ramparts that surround the city, Kaiserburg Fortress and more. Or enjoy a tour visiting sites that played a pivotal role during World War II.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 9. Bamberg

Disembark outside of Bamberg and travel into this World Heritage-listed city for a tour. During time at leisure, visit a Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT. Then continue cruising, now on the Main River.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 10. Würzburg, Rothenburg

This morning, arrive in Würzburg, capital of Lower Franconia and a crucial German centre for wine and trade. During a tour, see the Resi-dential Palace as well as a number of churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. Later, take an excursion to Rothenburg, a beautiful walled town on the Romantic Road. After a tour here, have a look through the city’s famous Christmas Museum, then return to Würzburg and re-board your ship.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 11. Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Touring, Freudenberg - Miltenberg

Still in Germany, arrive in Wertheim. On arrival here, choose from a guided bicycle tour of this lovely medieval town, or perhaps take in a glass-blowing demonstration. After, travel by coach to Freudenberg, where you’ll rejoin your ship. During lunch, continue cruising to Miltenberg and enjoy a tour of this lovely town.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 12. Rüdesheim

In Rüdesheim, the Winzerexpress mini-train will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, which houses one of the most beautiful collections of automated musical instruments in Germany. After a tour, re-board your ship and cruise the Rhine Gorge, taking in views of slopes covered in vineyards and dotted with castles. Your ship moors overnight in Andernach.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 13. Andernach, Koblenz - Cologne

Today cruise from Andernach to Bonn. Or perhaps travel by coach to Koblenz, host of Germany’s Federal Horticulture Show in 2011†. Ride the cable car and enjoy an afternoon taking in the different colours and landscapes, before rejoining your ship in Bonn. Continue cruising to Cologne and enjoy a tour of the city, including the famous cathedral.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 14. Cologne - Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring

After a morning cruising you’ll arrive in Amsterdam and choose from two different activities. You might like to admire the city on a canal boat tour. Or perhaps visit the famous Van Gogh Museum. Afterwards, enjoy free time. Tonight join your fellow travellers for a special Farewell Dinner on board.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 15. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam

After breakfast this morning, you’ll disembark your ship and be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Daily meals included:  • Breakfast