ACROSS THE CONTINENT 14 nights FULL BOARD from £3149 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.
aboard Spirit of the Danube
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– see pages 144-149 for details
SPIRIT OF THE DANUBE & SPIRIT OF THE RHINE THE DANUBE
Cruises across the continent, visiting five countries on this two-week voyage from Amsterdam to Budapest.
Würzburg riverfront
Day 1: UK to Amsterdam. Fly to Amsterdam and embark your ship. Enjoy a welcome drink reception and dinner on board as your ship remains moored here overnight. Day 2: Amsterdam This morning enjoy the local food and culture on an included culinary walking tour with a guide or join an included tour of Amsterdam by coach and see the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the floating flower market and 19th-century Rijksmuseum. Afterwards, enjoy a canal cruise to see the Skinny Bridge, Montelbaanstoren tower and Jewish Quarter. Spirit of the Danube sets sail at lunchtime to spend the rest of the day and night cruising towards Cologne. Day 3: Cologne Arrive at lunchtime in Cologne, Germany's cultural capital. An optional city tour is available this afternoon – see the Gothic cathedral, started in 1248 to house the relics of the three Magi. Depart later this evening and cruise overnight towards Koblenz. Day 4: Koblenz to Rüdesheim Spend the morning in Koblenz, where you can visit the hilltop Festung Ehrenbreitstein citadel on an optional excursion. Later this morning your cruise continues through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine to the wine town of Rüdesheim, passing the Lorelei Rock en route. This evening, you can visit Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music or enjoy a wine tasting on optional excursion. Set sail over dinner and cruise overnight towards Miltenberg. Day 5: Miltenberg. The ancient town of Miltenberg sits on the banks of the Main. Arrive early afternoon and discover the old town with its 13th-century castle and timberframed houses or join an optional brewery visit and tasting before departing this evening and cruising overnight.
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Day 6: Würzburg Spend the afternoon in Würzburg, the centre of Franconia's wine industry where you can enjoy a guided tour and visit to the 18th-century Residenz Palace. Set sail again before dinner and cruise through the night bound for Bamberg. Day 7: Bamberg Arrive in Bamberg after lunch. This UNESCO World Heritage city is characterised by quaint streets full of delightful old buildings. Take in the town's well-preserved medieval architecture on an optional tour, including the unusual cathedral and town hall, set in the centre of a bridge. Alternatively, join an optional food-themed walking tour. Sail overnight towards Nuremberg. Day 8: Nuremberg Arrive in Nuremberg early this morning and see the city’s medieval architecture on an included tour. Depart late afternoon bound for Regensburg. Day 9: Kelheim to Regensburg. Spirit of the Danube will pause briefly in Kelheim over breakfast to allow passengers to disembark for an optional excursion to Weltenburg Abbey, a masterpiece of German baroque architecture overlooking the Danube Gorge. Alternatively, remain aboard the ship as she continues to Regensburg, where you can explore the old town on an optional afternoon walking tour. Set off again this evening for Passau. Day 10: Passau Spend the early morning cruising east along the Danube, arriving early in Passau with its cobbled streets and arcades, set at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers. An included walking tour will help you discover how Passau’s wealthy past is reflected in its many fine buildings. Alternatively, join a full-day optional excursion to Salzburg. Depart Passau this evening.
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Day 11: Emmersdorf or Melk to Dürnstein Melk is best known for its baroque abbey, where the library has over 70,000 books. An optional tour of Melk Abbey is available this morning. During lunch cruise through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein. Its ruined Kuenringer Castle is where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century. An optional walking tour here concludes with an organ concert. Set sail again later this evening. Day 12: Vienna Having arrived in the early hours, you’ll spend a full day in Vienna. This morning an included sightseeing tour reveals the Ringstrasse and Opera House among other attractions. Alternatively, join an included excursion which focuses on the city’s cuisine and traditions. After lunch an optional excursion visits Schönbrunn Palace. You can also attend a concert on an optional excursion this evening before setting sail again late tonight. Day 13: Bratislava Early this morning arrive in the capital of Slovakia. Stroll through ancient cobbled streets to Bratislava Castle for a bird’s-eye view of the city; the old town is easily explored on foot too. Alternatively, join an optional guided tour of the city or head up to the UFO observation tower for panoramic views and the opportunity to sample local beer. Set sail again this afternoon and cruise overnight to Budapest. Day 14: Budapest Arrive before sunrise and, after breakfast, choose between an included sightseeing tour and an included food-themed guided walk. After lunch you can visit Gödöllo Palace or Lazar Equestrian Park Horse Farm on optional excursions.
