Eastern Europe with European Gems

Arrive in Prague, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception.

Today, explore beautiful Prague with an expert guide. Discover the World Heritage-listed Old Town, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and Prague’s Old Market Square, a historic and bustling square where the culture of this fascinating city comes to life.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Prague at your own pace. This evening, discover Prague's culinary scene independently or join our optional folklore dinner and show.

Enhance Your Journey - Folklore Dinner and Show

Travel to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional dinner and a lively folklore show.

This morning after breakfast, travel across the border into Germany. As you journey through the state of Saxony, stop in Saxon Switzerland National Park to see the rock formations of Bastei as well as the Bastei Bridge, which offers wonderful panoramic views over the mountains. Continue by coach to Germany’s capital, Berlin, and check in to your hotel.

Once a city famously divided in two, modern-day Berlin now embodies a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Start your day with a guided tour that will take you past many of the must-see landmarks. See the historic Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate – a symbol of peace and a reunified Berlin. You’ll also visit a ruined section of the Berlin Wall.

This afternoon, you may choose to travel by coach to Potsdam, where you will join an optional guided tour of the former royal summer palace, Sanssouci.

Enhance Your Journey – Sanssouci Palace

Take an excursion to Potsdam, once the residence of Prussian kings. Here, you’ll enjoy a tour of the former summer palace of Frederick the Great, Sanssouci. 

Today, farewell the incredible city of Berlin and travel through the beautiful, rolling countryside of Germany’s east into Poland and on to Warsaw.

Insider Experience – Dine at Lotus in Warsaw

Discover the delights of modern Polish cuisine during dinner at Lotus – a highly regarded restaurant in Warsaw. Relish authentic dishes from an impressive set menu as you soak in the cosy yet elegant atmosphere. 

The brutal events of World War II left a lasting mark on the city, yet the Warsaw of today is diverse and progressive, filled with stylish boutiques, chic restaurants, new museums and modern buildings. Also visit Łazienki Park where you will glimpse Łazienki Palace with its serene waters and ornate statues.

Today, you will journey through rolling farmland from Warsaw to Kraków. Along the way, you’ll visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, where a tour will provide a haunting insight into the plight of the Jews who were sent to these infamous Nazi concentration camps. Afterwards, check in to your hotel in Kraków and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Enjoy the sights of Kraków on a tour, taking in the Wawel Royal Castle and the famous Old Town. This evening, perhaps join an optional Polish Dinner and Folklore Show.

Enhance Your Journey – Polish Dinner and Folklore Show

Enjoy a traditional Polish folklore show and authentic regional cuisine at Morskie Oko, a restaurant located in an art nouveau building with interiors resembling a highlander’s inn, complete with a fireplace and candlelight. Experience authentic Polish hospitality and a relaxed yet charming atmosphere. Savour authentic regional cuisine including delicious meats served with savoury sauces, handmade dumplings and freshly baked cakes.

Today, join a tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This ancient, abandoned mine is a marvel, featuring a maze of underground chambers, grottoes and statues chiselled out of rock salt by miners hundreds of years ago.

Insider Experience – Wieliczka Salt Mine

Gain insight into over 700 years of mining history in Europe with a visit to the World Heritage-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine. 

This morning after breakfast, you will travel to Budapest via the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia and board your ship.

Awake to views of one of the Danube’s most enchanting cities this morning. Disembark and discover Budapest’s vibrant history on a guided tour featuring many of its most impressive sights. Back on board this evening, enjoy a Gala Welcome Dinner as you cruise.

Insider Experience – Hungarian State Opera Performance

Visit the Hungarian State Opera for a guided tour, then enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while a private opera recital is performed.

On arrival in the city centre, join a walking tour taking in highlights such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben and the Hofburg. Later, explore the vibrant Naschmarkt at leisure.

With the day at leisure, perhaps explore the Hofburg district or wander along Kärntner Straße, the city’s famous shopping boulevard. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Schloss Hof or travel to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. This evening, you may wish to attend an optional concert.

Enhance Your Journey – Schloss Hof and Lipizzaner Experience

Enjoy a guided tour of the Schloss Hof estate, once the residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy and later Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Explore the resplendent palace apartments adorned with exquisite textiles and glass chandeliers, before strolling through the Baroque gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the stables, where you’ll encounter the magnificent Lipizzaner horses up close. Learn what makes these noble horses so special through insights into their breeding, care and training, before witnessing an exclusive performance that showcases their remarkable grace and discipline.

Enhance Your Journey – Visit Bratislava in Slovakia

Visit Bratislava, a charming city where medieval, Baroque and communist-era architecture meet. See landmarks such as the UFO Bridge and the distinctive Slovak Radio Building, each reflecting the city’s intriguing past.

Enhance Your Journey – Mozart and Strauss Concert

Attend a Mozart and Strauss concert in one of Vienna’s historic palaces or concert halls, followed by an evening drive along the Ringstrasse.

Cruise to Dürnstein, a charming town overlooked by the hilltop ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the 12th century. Spend the morning wandering its cobbled streets, historic townhouses and inviting taverns, or perhaps join an optional tasting of the region’s renowned wines. Later, sail through the scenic Wachau Valley to Melk, where you’ll tour its magnificent abbey, a Benedictine monastery in continuous operation since 1089.

Today, you may choose to join an optional excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic or visit Salzburg. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day sailing to Passau.

Insider Experience – Bavarian Evening on Board

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian celebration on board, sampling local beer and snacks accompanied by folk music, song and dance.

Enhance Your Journey – Český Krumlov

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Český Krumlov, a beautifully preserved town in the Czech Republic, home to more than 300 historic buildings.

Enhance Your Journey – Salzburg Sights

Travel through Austria’s scenic countryside to Mondsee, where you may recognise the famous wedding church from The Sound of Music. Continue to Salzburg for a guided tour of Mozart’s hometown, followed by free time to explore before returning to your ship.

Continue along the Danube to Regensburg, in the Bavarian region of southern Germany. Join a guided tour through its historic streets, discovering medieval architecture and cultural landmarks.

Arrive in Nuremberg, once the setting for Hitler’s infamous rallies during World War II. This afternoon, take a city tour including sites such as the Zeppelin Field and the Palace of Justice.

Discover Bamberg, one of the few German cities largely spared destruction during World War II. Join a locally guided tour of its historic centre, taking in sights such as the old town hall and Bamberg Cathedral, followed by free time to explore at your leisure.

Surrounded by lush hills and vineyards, Würzburg is home to the magnificent Baroque Würzburg Residence. Tour the palace and stroll through the Court Gardens before perhaps choosing an optional visit to Rothenburg, a charming medieval town along the Romantic Road.

Enhance Your Journey – Medieval Rothenburg Tour

Depart from Würzburg for an excursion to Rothenburg, a beautifully preserved walled town on the Romantic Road in Franconia.

Enjoy time at leisure to discover Miltenberg today, exploring this well-preserved town and its half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. Return to your ship and, as evening falls, watch the lights of medieval towns drift past during your overnight cruise.

In Rüdesheim, ride the Winzerexpress mini train to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Later, back on board, enjoy spectacular scenery as you cruise through the Rhine Gorge.

Learn how the twin spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral, the Kölner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take a short drive to Brühl for your Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Augustusburg Palace in Germany

Explore the former residence of Archbishop-Elector Clemens August of Bavaria, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Palace in Brühl. Hear fascinating stories and stroll through the landscaped parks and gardens linking the palace and the Falkenlust hunting lodge. Together, they represent some of the finest examples of 18th-century Rococo architecture in Germany.

Amsterdam’s network of canals is a sight to behold. Board a glass-top boat for a scenic cruise, then enjoy free time ashore before a Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

After breakfast, disembark your river ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.