Classic European River cities cruise & tour
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Welcome to vibrant Amsterdam, a city of charming canals, historic townhouses and relaxed European style. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is free to settle in, unwind after your journey or enjoy a gentle stroll through the nearby streets and canals.
With its flower-filled bridges, cosy cafés and fascinating history,
Amsterdam is a delightful city to explore at your own pace.
Accommodation: Amsterdam hotel
Day 2 – Amsterdam & Embark for Cruise
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Amsterdam before transferring to your premium
rivership. Our boutique-style ship will be your home for the next two weeks,
offering panoramic lounges, spacious decks, stylish dining areas and beautifully appointed cabins with French balconies.
Settle in, unpack once and enjoy the comfort of river cruising as Europe’s
spectacular scenery glides by. This evening, meet your fellow travellers over a
Welcome Dinner as your cruise begins.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Cologne, Germany
Cruise through the beautiful Rhine River landscapes before arriving in historic
Cologne. Dominated by its magnificent Gothic cathedral, Cologne blends
medieval charm with a lively riverside atmosphere.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Old Town’s cobbled lanes, riverside
promenades, cafés and boutiques, or perhaps visit one of the city’s famous
perfume houses or chocolate museum.
An optional excursion featuring Cologne highlights and a traditional Kölsch
beer tasting is available.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Scenic Rhine Cruising
Relax onboard today as you cruise one of Europe’s most scenic waterways.
Marvel at fairytale castles, vineyard-covered hills and charming riverside
villages drifting past from the comfort of the sun deck or panoramic lounge.
This is classic Rhine River scenery at its finest.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Scenic Cruising & Riverside Villages
Another delightful day unfolds along the Rhine and Main Rivers. Enjoy the
relaxed rhythm of river life as you pass storybook towns, church steeples and
rolling countryside.
Perhaps enjoy a leisurely coffee on deck or simply soak up the ever-changing
scenery.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Leisurely River Cruising
Today is all about slowing down and enjoying the journey. Watch the landscapes unfold as the ship glides through picturesque valleys and peaceful riverside communities.
Enjoy onboard entertainment, delicious cuisine and the company of like-minded travellers.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Loreley Passage & Rüdesheim
Cruise through the spectacular UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley and the famous Loreley Passage, one of the most scenic stretches of the Rhine.
Steep vineyards, dramatic clifftop castles and charming villages create a
magical backdrop as you sail towards lovely Rüdesheim.
Spend time wandering the lively Drosselgasse laneway, sampling local Riesling
wines or browsing quaint shops and cafés.
Optional excursions include a wine train ride and mechanical music museum
visit.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Frankfurt
Arrive in sophisticated Frankfurt, where sleek modern buildings sit beside
beautifully restored historic squares.
You may wish to stroll through the Old Town, visit local markets, browse
museums or relax beside the Main River promenade.
Frankfurt offers an appealing blend of old and new Germany.
Optional touring to Heidelberg is available.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Miltenberg
Wake this morning in the fairytale village of Miltenberg, known for its
half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and relaxed atmosphere.
Enjoy time to wander the charming market square, browse boutique shops or
admire views from the hilltop castle overlooking the Main River.
This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising through the beautiful Franconian
countryside.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Karlstadt & Würzburg
Spend time this morning exploring delightful Karlstadt, a traditional Bavarian
town filled with medieval charm and inviting cafés.
Later, cruise to elegant Würzburg, famous for its Baroque architecture,
vineyards and grand Residenz Palace.
Enjoy free time to explore at your leisure or perhaps join an optional
excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s best-preserved
medieval towns.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Volkach
Cruise through the heart of Franconian wine country, where terraced vineyards and peaceful villages line the riverbanks.
This afternoon, arrive in Volkach, a charming wine town renowned for its
Silvaner wines and relaxed atmosphere.
Wander the old town, enjoy a local wine tasting or simply soak up the peaceful
riverside setting.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – Bamberg
Today brings you to beautiful Bamberg, one of Germany’s most perfectly
preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built across seven hills and threaded with canals, Bamberg charms visitors
with its half-timbered buildings, cathedral, lively squares and famous smoked
beer taverns.
Optional touring to Bayreuth is available.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 – Main-Danube Canal & Nuremberg
Cruise along the remarkable Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel linking two of Europe’s great rivers.
Arrive in historic Nuremberg, known for its medieval Old Town, impressive
castle and fascinating history.
Explore cobbled streets, lively market squares and beautifully restored
architecture. Optional city touring is available.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 – Regensburg
Continue cruising through Bavaria before arriving in Regensburg, one of
Germany’s oldest and most atmospheric cities.
Its beautifully preserved medieval centre features narrow laneways, Gothic
spires and welcoming cafés. Wander at your leisure or join an optional guided walking tour.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 – Passau, Salzburg Option & Linz
Wake in picturesque Passau, where three rivers meet at the Austrian border.
Today you may choose to explore Passau independently or join an optional
full-day excursion to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and filming location for
The Sound of Music.
Later, cruise through the spectacular Danube scenery before arriving in elegant Linz this evening.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 – Melk, Wachau Valley & Dürnstein
Arrive in Melk, home to Austria’s magnificent Baroque abbey overlooking the
Danube.
You may wish to visit the abbey on an optional guided tour before reboarding
for a breathtaking cruise through the Wachau Valley, one of Europe’s prettiest
river regions.
This afternoon, arrive in charming Dürnstein, surrounded by vineyards and
medieval ruins. Wander the cobbled streets, browse local wine taverns or simply enjoy the scenery.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 – Vienna, Austria
Spend a full day in magnificent Vienna, famed for its imperial palaces,
classical music heritage and elegant coffee houses.
Explore at your own pace or join an optional guided tour including
Schönbrunn Palace.
Perhaps visit museums, browse stylish shopping streets, enjoy a traditional
café or sample local wines in a cosy tavern.
Vienna’s grand architecture and lively atmosphere make it a true highlight of
the cruise.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 – Bratislava, Slovakia
Cruise into the Slovakian capital of Bratislava this morning. Its compact Old
Town is filled with pastel-coloured buildings, charming squares and inviting
cafés.
Explore the city’s fascinating history, hilltop castle and riverside promenades
at your own pace or join an optional sightseeing tour.
Later, enjoy your final afternoon of scenic Danube cruising towards Hungary.
Accommodation: Overnight rivership
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 – Arrive Budapest, Hungary
This morning your cruise arrives in the spectacular city of Budapest.
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the
day is free to begin discovering this beautiful city of grand boulevards,
thermal baths and striking riverside architecture.
Perhaps visit Buda Castle, stroll beside the Danube or relax in one of
Budapest’s famous thermal bathhouses.
Accommodation: Budapest hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 20 – Budapest Flexi Touring
Today is yours to enjoy Budapest at your own pace using your included hop-on hop-off sightseeing pass and guided walking tour.
Explore famous landmarks including Heroes’ Square, St Stephen’s Basilica,
the Parliament Building, Chain Bridge and the lively café-lined streets of Pest.
Accommodation: Budapest hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 21 – Depart Budapest
Your wonderful European river experience comes to an end today. You’ll be
transferred to Budapest Airport for your onward travel arrangements, taking
with you unforgettable memories of Europe’s rivers, villages and grand cities.
Meals: Breakfast
INCLUDES:
- Twin share hotel and river cruise accommodation.
- Meals as per final itinerary.
- Services of on-board co-ordinator.
- Transfers as specified.
EXCLUDES:
- Airfares.
- Optional activities not specifically stated as included.
- Gratuities.
- Taxes or port fees if applicable.
Destinations & Highlights
- Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Budapest (Hungary)
- Vienna (Austria)
- Bratislava (Slovakia)
- Rhine River
- Danube River
- Frankfurt (Germany)
- Nuremberg (Germany)
- Cologne (Germany)
- Passau (Germany)
- Linz (Austria)
- Bamberg (Germany)
- Wurzburg (Germany)
- Main River
- Rudesheim (Germany)
- Karlstadt (Germany)
- Durnstein (Austria)
- Melk (Austria)
- Salzburg (Austria)
- Volkach (Germany)
- Miltenberg (Germany)
- Regensburg (Germany)
- Main-Danube Canal
THIS ITINERARY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TOUR COMPANY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Available dates: April, May, June, September and October
Pricing: Contact us today for the best offer. Email info@travlink.net or within NZ call 0800 99 77 88 for more about this unique tour.
