APT Touring River Cruise

ATP Magnificent Europe 2008 

ITINERARY (Amsterdam to Budapest)

Day 1. Arrive Amsterdam.

ARRIVE & EMBARK CRUISE IN AMSTERDAM Be met at the airport and transferred to your river ship, conveniently moored just a skip away from the city centre. Tonight you’ll have the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Cocktail Reception. After dinner, settle in to your spacious suite, relax in one of the on-board lounges or take a walk into town to experience the vibrant nightlife of the Dutch capital.
Stay: 14 nights aboard APT’s ms Amadagio, Amalegro, Amacello or Amadante or the ms Sound of Music
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Day 2. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring.

After breakfast, choose your day’s touring with our unique Freedom of Choice concept. Perhaps embark on a guided canal boat cruise through the heart of the city and admire the stunning architecture as you sail in a thoughtfully designed glass-top boat past beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Alternatively, choose to visit the famous Van Gogh Museum, boasting the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, for a first-hand appreciation of the Dutchman’s artistic genius. Enjoy some time at leisure in this pleasant city, before we depart Amsterdam after lunch, setting sail towards the German city of Cologne. Later tonight, you’ll be a guest at the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner.

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Day 3. Cologne – Koblenz.

CRUISING THE LEGENDARY RHINE This morning your ship arrives in Cologne where we dock for a morning walking tour through the old section of Germany’s fourth largest city, including a visit to the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. As you enjoy a sumptuous lunch on board, the ship continues sailing along the Rhine past quaint villages and dramatic landscapes to 2,000-year-old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers and set in one of Ger-many’s most important wine producing regions. The abundance of cultural monuments, historic buildings, cosy lanes, narrow alleyways and the relaxed atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a very welcoming destination. This evening following dinner, you’ll take a city walk right through the middle of this lovely town.

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Day 4. Mainz.

Today you’ll sail through the Rhine Gorge on what is regarded by many as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. You’ll see the -massive Lorelei Rock, rising almost vertically to over 130 metres above the water level. German legend has it that here upon the rock, a siren named ‘Lorelei’ sat and bewitched the hearts of sailors with sweet sounding songs that lured them to their doom. Arriving in Mainz, disembark and enjoy a city tour. It was here that Gutenburg, famous for inventing the very first printing press, called home. With the remainder of the afternoon free for your own personal exploration, an entertaining Crew Show tonight concludes the day.

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Day 5. Miltenberg – Wertheim.

CRUISING THE MAIN RIVER Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a refreshing morning walking tour of this picturesque Franconian town, revealing narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. Take a moment to shop for souvenirs before travelling to Wertheim, a pretty town strategically located where the Main and Tauber rivers meet just over 150 kilometers upstream from where the Main flows into the Rhine River. The time we spend here is an ideal introduction to a typical medieval village known for its glassworks, Franconian wine and friendly people. Witness an interesting local glass-blowing performance before re-boarding the ship, then relax while you cruise through the sunny valleys of the meandering Main.

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Day 6. Würzburg.

Surrounded by green sloping hills covered with vineyards, Würzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and an important centre of wine and trade. During your tour here today see all the major sights, including the impressive Resi-dential Palace and get a glimpse of churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. This afternoon enjoy some time at leisure or take an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled city on the Romantic Road that sits overlooking the Tauber River. After dinner, enjoy a medieval music performance as the ship cruises peacefully overnight to Bamberg.

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Day 7. Bamberg.

THE MAIN-DANUBE CANAL Completed in 1992, the Main-Danube Canal is a marvel of engineering, taking 32 years to build. It links the North Sea to the Black Sea and thus allows river ships to cruise all the way across Europe. After a morning of relaxation, your ship enters the Main-Danube Canal at Bamberg in the afternoon. A World Heritage-listed site, take a guided tour of Bamberg’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Unique to APT, visit a traditional Beer Haus and enjoy a local smokey beer on us before you travel back through the picturesque green countryside to rejoin the ship and continue sailing to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia.

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Day 8. Nuremberg – Continental Divide, Freedom of Choice Touring.

This morning you’ll again have the choice of two different touring activities. Take a medieval tour of Nuremberg, visiting such attractions as the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Kaiserburg Fortress. Or perhaps immerse yourself in the history of World War II. The city played a pivotal role for the Nazi party and was thus systematically bombed by the British and US air forces during the war, going on to become the symbolic host to the infamous Nuremberg Trials. See the site of these trials, the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tri-bunal sat in 1946 and other historic places. At lunch, continue along the canal and arrive at the highest point of your cruise, 435 metres above sea level, before descending through stairstep locks.

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Day 9. Regensburg.

THE BLUE DANUBE Arrive in Regensburg today, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers and one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Here you’ll have the opportunity to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and take a guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage-listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Tonight, folklore entertainers perform on board.

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Day 10. Passau – Linz, Freedom of Choice Touring.

After breakfast today, arrive in Passau, known also as Drieflüssestadt (City of Three Rivers), as it is where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. With our Freedom of Choice Touring, perhaps join a full day tour to Salzburg and its popular ‘Sound of Music’ sights including the Wedding Church, Mirabell Gardens and the Great Salzburg Festival Hall, before travelling by land and rejoining the ship in Linz. Alternatively, embark on a fascinating tour of historical Passau, including a trip to St Stephen’s Cathedral, an exemplary example of Italian Baroque architecture, and home to the world’s second largest church pipe organ. You’ll then take the scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and to Linz. After dinner, take an evening stroll through the town of Linz.

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Day 11. Melk – Dürnstein – Krems.

Cruise through the gorgeous Wachau Valley this morning and take a guided tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. It is located above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube and has the rare distinction of surviving as an active Benedictine monastery continuously since its foundation. When it’s time to depart Melk, you may like to borrow one of the bicycles stored on board and take off on a leisurely ride on a flat path along the banks of the Danube from Melk to -Dürnstein. Otherwise, re-board your ship and continue by water to -Dürnstein for a walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets that reveal 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Here, high above town, lie the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was -imprisoned in 1192. Afterwards, con-tinue sailing to Krems, centreof the Wachau wine industry.

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Day 12. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring.

Today you have a full day to savour the Baroque elegance of Vienna, with our two Freedom of Choice Touring options. The first, a guided sightseeing tour, includes a visit to Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and St Stephen’s Cathedral. The second option is to visit the Hundertwasser House, one of Vienna’s most visited buildings, featuring undulating floors, a roof covered with earth and grass and large trees growing inside the rooms, with limbs extending from windows. It was designed by, and contains the works of arguably the best-known Austrian artist of contemporary times, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who famously called New Zealand home, and in fact designed their Koru Flag. This afternoon is at leisure, then tonight after dinner, explore the city or perhaps come along to an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.

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Day 13. Vienna – Bratislava.

Enjoy a morning in Vienna at leisure to perhaps stroll along the main shopping street, Kärntnerstrasse, and sample some of Vienna’s famous pastries. Otherwise, join an optional tour to the World Heritage-listed Schönbrunn Palace and its beautiful gardens. Later we cruise into Slovakia, and disembark the ship for an afternoon tour of the country’s capital, Bratislava which reveals to you the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and gothic St Martin’s Cathedral. From Bratislava Castle, you will marvel at the sweeping views across three countries – Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure in Bratislava, followed by an evening music performance on board.

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Day 14. Budapest, State Opera House Performance.

Arrive in Budapest, the romantic Hungarian capital spread over the Danube. Here you will disembark for a sightseeing tour including places such as 500-year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvellous Royal Palace and historic Buda Castle, where you have views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. In the afternoon, APT also presents you with the exclusive opportunity to see a private music performance over a glass of champagne at the Hungarian State Opera House. Tonight, in keeping with the superb on-board entertainment, enjoy a Gala Fare-well Dinner with Gypsy violinists playing for you on board.

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Day 15. Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest.

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your onwards flight, unless you have chosen to take advantage of our great post accommodation prices and further acquaint yourself with Budapest.

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APT GUARANTEED INCLUSIONS

• Services of APT Cruise Director
• Cruise staff gratuities included - save up to $600 per couple
• Free airport transfers on first and last day - save $260 per couple
• Freedom of Choice touring at no cost
• Time at leisure in Amsterdam
• Guided walking tour of Cologne
• Guided evening walk through Koblenz
• Sail through beautiful Rhine Gorge
• See legendary Lorelei Rock
• Take a guided city tour of Mainz
• Guided walking tour of Miltenberg
• Wertheim, glass-blowing demonstration
• Guided town tour of Wurzburg
• Cruise the Main-Danube Canal
• Tour Bamberg with a visit to a local Beer Haus to sample a traditional smokey beer
• Cross the Continental Divide and cruise the meandering Main River
• Guided tour of Regensburg, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria
• Guided evening stroll through Linz
• Guided tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and walking tour of Durnstein
• Guided city tour of Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, including Bratislava Castle, Mirbach Palace and the Old Town Hall

18 or 21 Days with Paris & Prague

• On APT’s exclusive private charters you can add 3 nights in Paris or Prague - or both - to your river cruise, all escorted by your APT Tour Director. Visit two of Europe’s most celebrated cities, yours to discover and explore.
• Please see tour code EUMCPA21 for more details
• Enquire about rates at the time of booking.

Finest Dining

• All meals included on board
• Cocktail Reception
• Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner
• Gala Farewell Dinner
• Also includes wine tastings and traditional theme dinners

Outstanding Places to Stay

• 14 night cruise with 6-star service and facilities

On Board Facilities

• Spacious Main Entertainment Lounge
• Elegant, world-class Restaurant, serving fresh local produce daily
• On-board Fitness Centre
• Massage and Beauty Salon
• Expansive Sun Deck offering superb panoramic riverside views
• Peaceful on-board Library
• Plush Bedding, daily turndown service
• Full Ensuite Bathrooms in Suites
• French Balcony Suites
• No Suites located over Engine Room
• High staff to passenger ratio

APT Amadeus Waterways Ships

• All-weather Private French Balconies in 82% of suites
• Complimentary Bicycles on board
• Second, Lower Sun Deck
• All-weather Teak Front Deck
• Elevator to all suites
• Second Private Rear Lounge

Additional Information

• Single supplement available on application
• Port charges - add A$260 per person.
• Arrival/Departure Transfers on first and last day included.
• Cruise Upgrades available Contact Us for further details
• Budapest to Amsterdam please see tour code EUMRC15
• Prices are for Land Content only per person

Air$aver Airfares

• Enquire about our great airfares to Europe