Great European Odyssey Spirit of the Rhine

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required. aboard Spirit of the Rhine – see pages 144-149 for details

This epic river cruise from Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast along the Danube and Rhine visits four historic capital cities and a host of riverside towns in Germany and Austria.

Nuremberg is divided by the River Pegnitz Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest

Day 1: UK to Bucharest to Rousse.

Embark Spirit of the Rhine and enjoy a welcome reception and dinner as you remain moored in Rousse overnight. Day 2: Rousse to Svistov. Perhaps join an optional tour of Rousse this morning before cruising to Svistov. Alternatively embark on a full-day optional excursion to Veliko Tarnono, rejoining your ship in Svistov later in the day. Spirit of the Rhine moors overnight in Svistov. Day 3: Svistov to Nikopol. This morning an included excursion visits Pleven to see the historic panorama depicting the events of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877, rejoining your ship in Nikopol. Spirit of the Rhine will continue cruising overnight. Day 4: The Iron Gates. Cruise along a particularly scenic stretch of the river, as the Danube passes through the southern stretch of the dramatic Carpathian mountains and the foothills of the Balkans to the ‘Iron Gates’, a gorge framed by sheer clifs. The passage was infamous in ancient times as the water level was much lower, making navigation treacherous. Your cruise continues this evening and overnight.

Day 5: Belgrade to Novi Sad. Enjoy an included morning tour of Belgrade and visit to Kalemegdan Fortress, where the tomb of the Turkish Grand Vizier, Ali Pasha, is housed. From here perhaps join an optional tour of Novi Sad, or stay on board your ship and sail through the afternoon to Novi Sad. After excursion participants have rejoined Spirit of the Rhine she continues sailing overnight towards Mohács.

Day 6: Mohács. Arrive early this morning in Mohács where you can join an optional excursion to Puszta to see displays of traditional Hungarian horsemanship. Meanwhile your ship continues to Kalocsa, arriving this afternoon and pausing briefly for excursion participants to rejoin the ship. Afterwards you’ll continue cruising overnight towards Budapest. city sightseeing tour reveals the capital's highlights, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Alternatively, join an included visit to the First Strudel House for a live strudel-making demonstration, followed by a walking tour with a culinary theme. This afternoon, an optional excursion to Lazar Equestrian Park is available. Your ship moors here overnight. Day 8: Budapest . This morning you may like to join an optional excursion to Gödöllo Palace, former summer residence of Queen Elizabeth and Franz Joseph, Hapsburg Emperor and King of Hungary between 1867 and 1916. This afternoon Spirit of the Rhine begins the overnight journey to Bratislava. Day 9: Bratislava to Vienna. This morning you arrive in Bratislava. An included trip aboard the miniature city tourist train is a great way to see the city’s highlights including Bratislava Castle, before you disembark in the Old Town for a walking tour past the Archbishop’s Palace, St Martin’s Cathedral, the Market Square and more… This afternoon you can visit a Majolica pottery workshop or perhaps sample beer at the UFO observation tower during optional excursions. Continue sailing to Vienna late this afternoon, arriving late this evening. Day 10: Vienna Set of on an included morning tour of this dynamic city – steeped in imperial and musical history – including a drive around the Ringstrasse, encircling the old city, alternatively opt for an included culinary walking tour. This afternoon an optional excursion visits Schönbrunn Palace. After an early dinner on board you may choose to enjoy an optional excursion to a performance of music by Mozart and Strauss in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna. Spirit of the Rhine will begin the overnight journey towards Dürnstein tonight. Day 11: Dürnstein to Melk Dürnstein is overlooked by the ruins of Kuenringer Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century. Perhaps join an optional morning walking tour, which includes an organ concert, before your ship sets sail again late morning. Cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk where an optional excursion visits the Benedictine Abbey this afternoon.

Day 12: Passau . Passau, the most easterly city in Bavaria, is home to a baroque cathedral containing the largest church organ in the world. Arrive here early this afternoon and perhaps join an optional walking tour. Your ship leaves Passau early evening and continues overnight towards Regensburg. Day 13: Regensburg This morning you may like to join an optional city walk in Regensburg, which has been a religious centre since the 7th century and has numerous medieval churches. This afternoon another optional excursion visits Weltenburg Abbey and includes a short boat trip through the Danube Gorge before rejoining your ship in Kelheim and sailing overnight to Nuremberg.

Day 14: Nuremberg Arrive in the historic Bavarian city of Nuremberg early this morning and see the elegant architecture and major sights during an included tour, from its medieval beginnings to the present. Once famous for the manufacture of toys, it achieved infamy in the 20th century as the setting for the notorious Nazi rallies, and later for the war crimes trials of 1945-46. Sail from Nuremberg late afternoon and continue towards Bamberg.

Day 15: Bamberg Arrive in Bamberg early this morning. Take in this UNESCO-listed town's medieval treasures on an included afternoon tour, including the cathedral and the historic town hall, set in the centre of a bridge. Alternatively you may like to join an optional food-themed walking tour. Sail overnight towards Würzberg. Day 16: Würzburg Spend the afternoon in the centre of Franconia's wine industry where an included guided tour explores the town, which was once the ancient seat of the prince-

on selected cabin grades and departures FREE CABIN UPGRADE worth up to £750^

The ruins of Aggstein Castle overlook the Wachau Valley The Moselle flows through the Rhineland

Trier

Cochem

Koblenz Bamberg

Regensburg

Passau Dürnstein

Altmühl

Danube

Nuremburg Wurzburg

Miltenberg

Rüdesheim Bernkastel-Kues Vienna

Bratislava

Melk Mohács Budapest Bucharest

Novi Sad Nikopol

Belgrade Iron Gate Gorge Svistov

Rousse

bishops and is consequently home to many fine monuments and buildings, and also visits the Residenz Palace. This baroque palace, dating back to the 18th century, features an Imperial Hall with frescoes by Tiepolo. Your ship sets sail for Miltenberg this evening. Day 17: Miltenberg. Arrive during lunch and explore this ancient town on the banks of the Main this afternoon. The old town is home to a 13th-century castle, timber-framed houses and wine taverns. Perhaps join an optional excursion to a local brewery before sailing overnight towards Rüdesheim.

Day 18: Rüdesheim to Koblenz .

An optional excursion this morning visits Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music in Rüdesheim. Set sail after lunch to arrive in Koblenz late this afternoon for an overnight mooring.

Day 19: Koblenz to Cochem .

Depart Koblenz at breakfast and cruise through the morning to Cochem, which is backed by the neo-Gothic Reichsburg Castle. This afternoon an optional excursion visits the castle, which sits atop a hill cloaked entirely in vines and has retained its original 11th-century keep. The excursion also visits a local vineyard for a wine tasting. Another optional tour explores the town by land train. Sail through the night to Bernkastel-Kues.

Day 20: Bernkastel-Kues to Trier.

Arrive early this morning in BernkastelKues and after breakfast on board your ship enjoy an included trip on the panorama train, followed by a guided walk. Depart this afternoon and arrive in Trier this evening. Day 21: Trier to UK. Disembark Spirit of the Rhine and travel to Luxembourg for your return flight.

RIVER CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

The medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo

A stop in Svistov provides the opportunity to set of on a full-day optional trip to one of Bulgaria’s most attractive medieval towns, overlooking the River Yantra. See the Tsarevets fortress whose walls encircle the Royal Palace, Church of the Blessed Saviour and the monastery. Stroll along the winding cobbled streets and enjoy lunch in a local, typically Bulgarian, restaurant.

Ancient Belgrade

One of the oldest cities in Europe, Belgrade has a fascinating history that can be traced back over 50,000 years. The city has witnessed over 115 wars and has been razed to the ground over 40 times, including by Attila the Hun. Look forward to an included city tour and visit to the 18th-century citadel, Kalemegdan Fortress.

Vienna, the city of music

Vienna is undoubtedly the world capital of opera and classical music, with Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert among its famous historic repertoire. The State Opera House is one of the world’s leading opera houses and you will see it’s Renaissance exterior for yourself during your included tour. While you can treat yourself to an optional performance of music by Mozart and Strauss in one of the great formal concert houses.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

Bucharest 2 nights with breakfasts

included. Before your holiday spend two nights at the locally rated 4-star Novotel Bucharest Hotel (4Q) and explore Romania’s capital further at your leisure. Please see page 143 for details.

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

Included travel insurance

VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 155

59 meals: 20 breakfasts, 19 lunches and 20 dinners

Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunchand dinner

Cruise Host

Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration.

Plus... Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board • All gratuities on board • Return flights and transfers.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

• Pleven panoramic • Belgrade and the Kalemegdan Fortress • Tour of Budapest OR culinary walking tour of Budapest • Tour of Bratislava • Sightseeing tour of Vienna OR culinary walking tour of Vienna • Historic Nuremberg • Bamberg city tour • Wurzburg and the Residenz Palace • Bernkastel panorama train and guided walk.

Prices are £s per person from: Jul 17, 2022# Aug 6 Lower Deck Twin (Forward - E) 4299 3599 4299 3599 Lower Deck Twin (D) 4599 3899 4599 3899 Middle Deck Twin, French Balcony (Forward - C) 5399 4899 5399 4899 Middle Deck Twin, French Balcony (B) 5799 5299 5799 5299 Upper Deck Twin, French Balcony (A) 6299 6049 6299 5299 Lower Deck Sole occupancy (D) 5799 5099 5799 5099 Middle Deck, French Balcony Sole occupancy (B) 7549 7049 7549 7049 Upper Deck, French Balcony Sole occupancy (A) 8299 8049 8299 7049 Cruise code RH288 RH285 Great European Odyssey. 20 nights. ^Free cabin upgrade from Middle Deck B grade to Upper Deck A grade, subject to limited availability. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see page 150 for details. TRAVEL OPTIONS: Prices based on flights from Heathrow to Luxembourg, returning from Bucharest with the scheduled services of British Airways, except on #Jul 17, 2022 departure when your itinerary is reversed.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Please note: #This cruise also operates a reverse itinerary (cruise code: RH288) though ports of call and timings may vary. Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.