16 Day Danube, Main & Rhine River Cruise 2011 (Amsterdam to Budapest on MS Elegant)

DAY 1, Monday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Holland. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

DAY 2, Tuesday - Embark in Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam and transfer independently to the port located near the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal. Embarkation begins at 4 pm. Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner on board. (D) 

DAY 3, Wednesday - Amsterdam City Tour
This morning join a tour of Amsterdam that includes the Royal Palace, National Monument, Skinny Bridge and Albert Cuyp market. Amsterdam was once a tiny fishing village that prospered during the 17th century and transformed into the cultural hub the city is today. Continue sailing just before lunch and relax on board this afternoon. This evening enjoy a traditional Dutch folklore show on board. (B,L,D) 

DAY 4, Thursday - Afternoon in Cologne
Upon arrival to Cologne this afternoon, you will be greeted with the welcoming site of the city's most precious landmark, the Gothic Cologne Cathedral. Germany’s oldest city is home to innumerable cultural and historical treasures, world-famous museums, and an active art scene. Cologne hosts over 30 museums and scores of galleries, with countless exhibitions ranging from Roman archaeological sites to contemporary art and sculpture. Spend the afternoon exploring the town on your own before continuing to cruise along the Rhine River this evening. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Cologne City Walk ($20)

DAY 5, Friday - Koblenz City Tour and Afternoon in Rüdesheim
This morning, arrive in Koblenz, the site where the Mosel River flows into the Rhine River. Your guided walk through Koblenz will begin in the old quarter, a section of the city that was severely damaged during World War II and later rebuilt. Sights include Church of Our Lady and the equestrian stature of Emperor Wilhelm I at Duchess Eck. Set sail for Rüdesheim at 10:30 am and relax on board this afternoon. In the late afternoon, arrive to Rüdesheim, a lively wine village located in the heart of the Rhine River area. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets, relax at a local wine tavern, or take the cable car up to the Niederwald monument before setting sail at 7 pm. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Rüdesheim City Walk ($28)

DAY 6, Saturday - Daylight Sailing
Today, we arrive in Miltenberg, a beautiful town along the Main River. Guests participating in the optional tour will disembark in Miltenberg for their tour, while the remaining passengers will continue to cruise to Wertheim. Passengers enjoying the optional tour will continue via coach to Wertheim where they will tour the city and re-join the guests on the ship at the end of the tour. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Miltenberg & Wertheim City Walk ($40) 

DAY 7, Sunday - Full day in Wurzburg
This morning, arrive in Wurzburg, a commercial and agricultural hub, known for its vineyards and textile production. Walk along the Main River and cross the 15th-century stone bridge. Admire the stunning Romanesque cathedral or visit the Marienberg fortress, which houses an extensive collection of Riemenschneider's works. Depart for Bamberg at 6 pm. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Wurzburg City Walk ($54)
Optional: Rothenburg City Tour ($34) 

DAY 8, Monday - Afternoon in Bamberg
This afternoon explore the Medieval town of Bamberg, which boasts one of the largest intact old town centers in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perhaps visit the 13th-century Cathedral and Old Town Hall, or simply stroll along the cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses. Set sail for Nuremberg 7:30 pm. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Bamberg City Walk ($20) 

DAY 9, Tuesday - Nuremberg City Tour
Your morning tour of Nuremberg leads you to the major sites of the city, from the medieval beginnings to the present. After passing the Justice Palace, the venue of the Nuremberg trials, the bus will take you to the old town, which is still the heart of Nuremberg. Your tour will end at the main market where you can stroll through the shops on your own. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Nuremberg Documentation Center ($40)

DAY 10, Wednesday - Afternoon in Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg this afternoon and enjoy time at leisure to explore one of the largest cities in Bavaria. Built in 179 BC by the Romans, the remnants of the original Roman architecture are still visible. Other notable sights include the Old Town Hall, St. Peter's Cathedral and one of the oldest stone bridges over the Danube. Sail for Passau this evening. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Weltenburg Monastery Tour ($46)
Optional: Regensburg City Walk ($20)

DAY 11, Thursday - Evening in Linz
This morning the ship will remain docked in Passau between 8 and 10:30 am. Depart for the optional excursion to Salzburg, or explore Passau on your own. Most well known for St. Stephen's Cathedral and its historic Altstatd, or Old City district, the city boasts many fine examples of Baroque and Gothic architecture. Continue sailing for Linz in the late morning and spend a leisurely afternoon on board cruising the Danube River. Enjoy free time in Linz from 4:30 to 9 pm. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Passau City Walk ($20)
Optional: Salzburg City Tour ($65)
Optional: Linz City Walk ($20) 

DAY 12, Friday - Daylight Sailing
This morning enjoy time at leisure while docked near Melk. At 12:30 pm, cruise the scenic Wachau Valley renowned for its production of grapes and apricots, which generate some of Austria's finest specialty wines. Arrive in Vienna at 7:30 pm. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Beauties of the Wachau ($58)
Optional: Vienna by Night ($46) 

DAY 13, Saturday - Vienna City Tour
Your morning tour of Vienna begins with a drive along the famed Ringstrasse, Vienna's main boulevard. View the hub of the Hapsburg Empire, and walk the courtyards to view sites such as the Vienna State Opera House, Parliament and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Schonbrunn Castle Tour ($46)
Optional: Hofburg Imperial Palace Tour ($46)
Optional: Sound of Vienna Concert ($61) 

DAY 14, Sunday - Bratislava City Tour
This morning arrive to Bratislava and join a city tour of the capital of Slovakia. Bratislava is one of the youngest capital cities of Europe yet has a history dating back more than 2000 years. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure in the city. Continue cruising this evening while enjoying the Captain's Gala Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Castle Hof Tour ($46) 
Optional: Tour of the Little Carpathians ($46) 

DAY 15, Monday - Budapest City Tour
Your morning tour of Budapest begins in Pest and views such sights as Parliament, Royal Palace and Heroes' Square. Cross over to Buda to view the graceful medieval architecture that lines the traditional cobbled streets. Explore the city on your own this afternoon. After dinner on board this evening, enjoy a scenic cruise of Budapest. (B,L,D)
 
Optional: Godollo Castle & Hungarian Horse Show ($54)
Optional: Excursion to Szentendre ($40) 

DAY 16, Tuesday - Depart for the USA
This morning, disembark and transfer independently to the airport for your departure flight. Disembarkation will end at 9:30 am. (B) 

• Amsterdam City Tour
• Vienna City Tour
• Budapest City Tour

• Flights NYC-Amsterdam, Budapest-NYC
• 14 nights Deluxe river cruise on MS Amadeus Elegant (Category C) outside cabin
• 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners
• Unlimited wine with dinners
• Evening entertainment
• Shore excursions per itinerary
• Entrance fees per itinerary
• Wireless audio system for excursions
• Port Taxes

Not Included: Airport taxes & fees, transfers, optional shore excursions, and gratuities.

Category C cabin onboard MS Elegant.

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Other departures cities are available.
• The Schonbrunn Castle Tour and The Hofburg Imperial Palace Tour will operate simultaneously.
• The Castle Hof Tour and the Tour of the Little Carpathians will operate simultaneously.
• The Godollo Castle & Hungarian Horse Show and the Excursion to Szentendre will operate simultaneously.
• Please note, singles cannot be booked in a Suite. Unfortunately, the Amadeus Elegant cannot accommodate triples.
• Due to physical constraints and space limitations, wheelchairs and walkers are not allowed on motor coaches and/or river cruises. There are no elevators or chair lifts on board. 
• US citizens require a passport valid for six months beyond travel dates.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.