ITINERARY – GRAND ALPINE EXPLORER & EUROPEAN GEMS 2023
| DAY | CITY | SIGHTSEEING |
| DAY1 | Amsterdam | Fly into Amsterdam and transfer to your contemporary river ship. Perhaps grab a map to explore this carefree, cosmopolitan city. This evening meet your Cruise Director and fellow passengers at a Captain’s Welcome Reception and begin your 14 night river cruise. |
| DAY2 | Amsterdam, Utrecht | Board a glass-top boat and glide through Amsterdam’s maze of waterways with a local guide, before enjoying some free time to explore this lively city. Later, travel by coach to Utrecht, via Rembrandt’s Windmill. From here, your ship will set off along the Rhine as you prepare for tonight’s special Gala Dinner. |
| DAY3 | Cologne, Bruhl | Insider Experience: Step back in time during a visit to the World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Castle. Listen to enthralling stories and enjoy a walk through the landscaped parks and gardens between the castle and the lodge. Learn how the twin spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral, the Kolner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take the short drive to Bruhl for your Insider Experience. |
| DAY4 | Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim | Dock in Rudesheim, and board the Winzerexpress mini-train, bound for Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. |
| DAY5 | Miltenberg | INSIDER EXPERIENCE – Get a glimpse into local life as you are welcomed into the home of a friendly Miltenberg family. Enjoy coffee and cake made by your gracious hosts. Discover Miltenberg today, exploring this well-preserved town’s half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th century. |
| DAY6 | Wurzburg | Board a coach and travel through the rolling hills to Wurzburg. Admire the baroque palace and walk through the beautiful Court Garden. Later, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to medieval Rothenburg, a true fairytale town. |
| DAY7 | Bamberg | Cruise along the last stretch of the Main River before arriving at Bamberg. Here, choose between an afternoon of free time or a guided tour. Later on this evening, your ship will reach the Main-Danube Canal. |
| DAY8 | Nuremberg | Explore Nuremberg, the site of Hitler’s infamous rallies. Wander the cobblestone streets, discovering hidden boutiques and artisan stores. Finish your day cruising through the Main-Danube Canal, crossing Europe’s Continental Divide thanks to the canal’s 16 stair-step locks. |
| DAY9 | Regensburg | Insider Experience – This evening, enjoy an authentic Bavarian experience on board as you sample local beer and snacks, accompanied by traditional folk music, song and dance. Having reached the Danube River overnight, Regensburg awaits. Spend the day in this charming city, conveniently docked right in the heart of town so you can have easy access to all the main sites. |
| DAY10 | Passau | As you enjoy your breakfast, arrive in the ‘Three Rivers City’ of Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Discover the city at your leisure this morning, or grab a bike and set out to explore. Alternatively, join an optional tour to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, or travel to Salzburg and enjoy the sights from ‘The Sound of Music’. |
| DAY11 | Melk, Durnstein | Join a local guide to see Melk Abbey, an active Benedictine monastery since 1089. Cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, then continue to Durnstein, where you have a free afternoon to explore. |
| DAY12 | Vienna | In Vienna, join a walking tour of St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben, Hofburg Palace and the Albertina. Afterwards, you may enjoy visiting the Naschmarkt. This evening, perhaps enjoy an optional concert featuring music from Mozart to ‘The Sound of Music’. |
| DAY13 | Vienna | Today is yours to explore Vienna. Perhaps visit the Hofburg area and the Imperial Treasury. Otherwise, enjoy an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, or head to Bratislava. |
| DAY14 | Budapest | After breakfast, join a local guide to explore the city. Tonight enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Dinner. |
| DAY15 | Budapest, Disembark Ship, Munich | After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight from Budapest to Munich. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Located within view of the Alps, lively Munich is the capital of Bavaria, as well as one of Germany’s best-loved cities. Stay: Two Nights, Munich, Hotel Obermaier or similar |
| DAY16 | Munich | Become immersed in the illustrious sights of Munich. With a rich culture and heritage, the city has a wonderful collection of museums, galleries and architecture. Enjoy a guided walking tour to introduce you to the highlights of Munich, before time at leisure. |
| DAY17 | Salzburg | Leaving Munich behind this morning, take the train into Austria. Arrive in Salzburg, a city known the world over as the birthplace of Mozart, and the setting for the classic film, ‘The Sound of Music’. On arrival, you will embark on a guided walking tour with a local guide. Discover the Old Town, the World Heritage-listed centre with its pretty collection of medieval and baroque buildings, plus gorgeous views of the mountains. Afterwards, the rest of the day is at leisure. This lovely city will be your home for the next three nights. Stay: Three Nights, Salzburg, Goldenes Theater Hotel |
| DAY18 | Salzburg | Today is free for you to relax in Salzburg. Perhaps visit the Salzburg Fortress, also known as Hohensalzburg Castle, which is perched high above the city with great views from its peak. |
| DAY19 | Austrian Lake District | Discover the beauty of the Austrian Lake District today, heading first to Bad Ischl, before pressing on to St Gilgen, filled to the brim with baroque and rococo character. Continue to St Wolfgang and enjoy a lake cruise. Enjoy time at leisure in Wolfgansee before continuing to Mondsee for free time. Perhaps visit the town’s cloister church, used as the site of the wedding in ‘The Sound of Music’. Return to your hotel in Salzburg for dinner. |
| DAY20 | Prien Am Chiemsee, Innsbruck | This morning, travel to the Bavarian town of Prien am Chiemsee. Cruise across Chiemsee Lake to the royal island of Herreninsel, home to the fairytale castle of Herrenchiemsee. The castle was once the residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who drew inspiration from the lavish Palace of Versailles in France. Enjoy free time to explore before continuing to Innsbruck. Stay: Two Nights, Hotel Innsbruck |
| DAY21 | Neuschwanstein Castle, Zugspitze Railway | Insider Experience – Join an enthralling journey on the Zugspitze Railway which ascends the summit of Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. Your travels today will take you to the glorious Neuschwanstein Castle. Nestled in the Alps, it is a stunning sight, with a storied history. Enjoy time at leisure in Hohenschwangau. The final leg is by cable car which takes you over the forests to the summit, where you will have free time to enjoy the views. Your travels today will take you to the glorious Neuschwanstein Castle. Nestled in the Alps, it is a stunning sight, with a storied history. Enjoy time at leisure in Hohenschwangau. The final leg is by cable car which takes you over the forests to the summit, where you will have free time to enjoy the views. |
| DAY22 | Innsbruck, Swiss Alps, St Moritz | Today it’s time for a rail journey through the Swiss Alps. Pass Liechtenstein and head into the Swiss town of Sargans. Change trains here and travel alongside the Rhine to Chur, before continuing to the resort town of St Moritz. Stay: Three Nights, St Moritz, Hotel Schweizerhof |
| DAY23 | Bernina Express, Tirano | Insider Experience – Ride the Bernina Express, which passes glaciers, rushing mountain streams and flower-sprinkled alpine meadows. Travel through stunning scenic surrounds on a famous train line, arriving in the Italian town of Tirano. Here you’ll have free time to explore before making your return journey. |
| DAY24 | St Moritz | Spend today as you please, soaking up the glitz and glamour of St Moritz. |
| DAY25 | Glacier Express, Interlaken | Insider Experience – Step aboard the famous Glacier Express for a journey from St Moritz to Brig, enjoying the incredible views through the panoramic windows of your First Class carriage. Journey from St Moritz to Brig aboard the iconic Glacier Express on a thrilling Insider Experience. Enjoy a tasty two-course lunch at your seat. The train climbs steadily and steeply up and over the Oberalp Pass, then spirals downward past little villages on the way to Brig. Here you change trains and continue on to Interlaken. Stay: Three Nights, Hotel Interlaken |
| DAY26 | Jungfrau Railway | Insider Experience – Journey on the iconic Jungfrau Railway. See spectacular views at two observation stops, hewn out of solid rock between the rail tunnel and the infamous north face of the Eiger. Today’s adventure begins as you leave Interlaken and travel through the foothills of the Alps to Lauterbrunnen. You will then join the Wengeralp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg, before journeying on the Jungfrau Railway. Your final destination is the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station. Enjoy free time at the summit station and perhaps explore its Ice Palace. |
| DAY27 | Interlaken | Wake to the breathtaking mountain vistas of Interlaken – this beautiful town is all yours to explore today. Spend time as you like, perhaps exploring the glacier-fed lakes. |
| DAY28 | Depart Zurich | Your incredible journey reaches an end this morning. After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Zurich for your onward flight. |
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