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ITINERARY ( Budapest to Amsterdam )
Day 1. Arrive Budapest.
Travel to the Hungarian capital of Budapest, where your luxurious river ship awaits, moored in the very centre of the city. Tonight youâ’l have the chance to better get to know your fellow travellers at our Welcome Dinner and Drinks on board
Stay: 14 nights aboard APT’s ms Amadagio, Amalegro, Amacello or Amadante or the ms Sound of Music
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Day 2. Budapest, State Opera House Performance.
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Budapest taking you to such places as historic Buda Castle, where you have views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion and the marvellous Royal Palace. Today APT also presents the exclusive opportunity to see a private music performance over a glass of champagne at the Hungarian State Opera House. Enjoy some time in the afternoon to explore on your own, before re-boarding the ship this evening for dinner and an entertaining performance by Gypsy violinists.
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Day 3. Bratislava, Slovakia.
THE BLUE DANUBE Relax this morning as you cruise towards Bratislava, the intriguing capital of Slovakia. An afternoon walking tour 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 enjoy views overlooking three countries – Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, -followed by an eve-ning music -performance on board as we cruise towards Austria and its capital city.
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Day 4. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today savour the Baroque elegance of Vienna with our two Freedom of Choice Touring options. A guided sightseeing tour includes Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and St Stephen’s Cathedral. The second option is to visit the Hundertwasser House, home of the works of arguably the best-known Austrian artist of contemporary times. Tonight perhaps come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.
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Day 5. Durnstein - Melk.
This morning we reach the beautiful Wachau Valley, stopping in Durnstein 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. At lunch, continue to Melk 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. An evening wine tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau Valley.
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Day 6. Linz - Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring.
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. Alternatively, take the scenic cruise to Passau and take a fascinating tour of this historic city, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube.
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Day 7. Regensburg.
Arrive in Regensburg today, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, featuring one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. A guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights includes the Old Town Hall 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 8. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring.
MAIN-DANUBE CANAL AND MAIN RIVER Enter the Main-Danube Canal and cruise through the AltmĂĽhl Valley. In Nuremberg choose from a medieval tour, visiting the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and Kaiserburg Fortress. Or perhaps visit some famous World War II sites. Nuremberg played a central role to Hitler’s Nazi Party and was thus bombed by the British and US air forces. It went on to become the symbolic host to the Nuremberg Trials. Visit the site of these trials, the building in which the War Crimes Tri-bunal sat in 1946 and much more.
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Day 9. Bamberg.
Today’s port of call is the enchanting town of Bamberg, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Here we take a guided tour of the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Visit a local Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew on us. Later enjoy free time before you continue your cruise, now gliding along the waters of the Main River.
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Day 10. Wurzburg.
Arrive this morning in Wurzburg, surrounded by green sloping hills covered with vineyards. Wurzburg 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. This afternoon enjoy some time at leisure or take an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled city on the Romantic Road.
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Day 11. Wertheim - Miltenberg.
Disembark in 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. Known for its glassworks, Franconian wine and friendly people, the free time we spend in Wertheim provides an ideal overview of a typical medieval German village. Witness an interesting local glass-blowing performance before re-boarding the ship, then relax over lunch while you cruise through the sunny valleys of the meandering Main to Miltenberg. Here, disembark for an afternoon walking tour of this picturesque Franconian town, revealing narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. Tonight as the ship sails, we leave Bavaria, Franconia and the Main River behind.
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Day 12. Mainz - Rhine Castles - Koblenz.
CRUISING THE LEGENDARY RHINE This morning arrive in Mainz and disembark for a walking tour of this beautiful town. There is free time to explore, before the ship sails at lunchtime along what is widely regarded as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Pass through Rhine Gorge and perhaps relax up on the Sun Deck, taking in the extraordinary views of the imposing castles that we frequently pass on this particular stretch. You’ll also see the -legendary Lorelei Rock, where sweet sounding songs lured sailors to their doom. Later this afternoon, we arrive and dock for the evening in Koblenz.
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Day 13. Koblenz - Cologne.
This morning we enjoy a walking tour of 2,000-year-old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers. 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. Back on board, we continue cruising along the Rhine, heading for Cologne. Here, after dinner, an evening walk through the city takes you through the heart of town, set in one of Germany’s most important wine producing regions
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Day 14. Cologne - Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today after breakfast we reach the famous Dutch capital of Amsterdam, a city that originally sprung up from wetlands and marshes. On arrival here you’ll choose from two Freedom of Choice Touring options. Either admire the stunning architecture of the city on a guided canal boat tour, sailing in a thoughtfully designed glass-top boat past beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Or choose to visit the famous Van Gogh Museum for a first-hand appreciation of some of the Dutch artist’s finest works. Enjoy some time to spend at leisure before a Farewell Dinner tonight, after which you may relax on board in the ship’s lounge or stroll into town to take in the nightlife.
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Day 15. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam.
Today your cruise ends and you disembark the ship then are transferred to Amsterdam’s airport. .
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