Itinerary Day 1. Arrive Rome Be met by an APT representative on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure. You might choose to relax, or perhaps familiarise yourself with the fascinating streets of the iconic Italian capital at your own pace. Later tonight, get to know your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception. Stay: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi Day 2. Rome - Sorrento After breakfast, depart Rome for the coastal town of Sorrento. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento offers lovely scenery and views of Mt Vesuvius as well as the Isle of Capri. On arrival, enjoy time at leisure this afternoon, before gathering tonight with your fellow travellers for our Welcome Dinner. Three Night Stay: Sorrento, Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi Bx1 Dx1 Day 3. Sorrento This morning after breakfast, set out on a guided sightseeing tour of Sorrento where, for over 2000 years, visitors have been attracted to the town by breathtaking sunsets and the rich fragrance of the surrounding orange and lemon gardens. After your tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Bx1 Day 4. Isle of Capri Today take a cruise out over the bay, heading for the picturesque Isle of Capri. Known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, Capri was a favoured resort of the Roman emperors and remains a popular coastal holiday spot today. Some features of the island include the Marina Piccola (Small Harbour), the Belvedere of Tragara, which is a high panoramic promenade lined with villas. See the ruins of the Imperial Roman villas then after time on this attractive island, return to Sorrento this afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore or relax as you please. Bx1 Day 5. Sorrento - Rome Today, travel to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, buried and destroyed when Mount Vesuvius, a volcano, erupted over it in 79 AD. Rediscovered in 1748, Pompeii is now a World Heritage-listed site and one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions. After time exploring here, continue to Naples, a city rich in history, art and culture, and famous for being the city in which pizza originated. Two Night Stay: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi Bx1 Day 6. Rome Today, on a tour of the Italian capital, see some of Rome’s most famous sights, including the Vatican Museum with Michelangelo’s renowned Sistine Chapel. You’ll also visit such attractions as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navone before time at leisure this afternoon. This evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner. Bx1 Dx1 Day 7. Rome - Florence Today travel to Siena. Explore Siena’s World Heritage-listed medieval centre, and learn about its 17 fiercely competitive contrade (districts), which have existed since the middle ages. Admire the striped facade and exuberant ornamentation of the Duomo. Linger at the Piazza del Campo and imagine how it looks twice a year during Il Palio: filled with dirt, galloping horses and frenzied spectators. Then continue to Florence, former capital of the Kingdom of Italy and today Tuscany’s capital as well as an important centre for Renaissance art and architecture. Three Night Stay: Florence, Grand Hotel Villa Medici Bx1 Dx1 Day 8. Florence After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Florence, with its fine restaurants, pavement cafés and bars. Visit the main sights of this ‘outdoor museum’ of a city. See the Ponte Vecchio, the Arno riverfront, the many statues and monuments of the Piazza del Signoria, the 13th century Duomo, Baptistry and Belltower, the Santa Maria del Fiore and view the Piazzale Michelangelo. Then enjoy time at leisure. Bx1 Day 9. Florence This morning after breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure to further explore the delights of Florence. You may like to take in the many fine museums and art treasures, go shopping in the markets and chic boutiques or see Michelangelo’s statue of David in the Galleria dell’ Accademia. Perhaps visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the top three art museums of the world, or any of the other Florentine State Museums such as Medici Chapels or the iconic Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, you might like to join us on an optional Tuscan Food and Wine Experience (own expense). Bx1 Day 10. Florence - Portofino Today drive along a rocky promontory, offering one of the prettiest landscapes on the Italian Riviera, on the way to Portofino. On the way, stop in at Lucca, on the river Serchio, boasting Renaissance-era city walls, cobbled piazzas, charming churches and centuries-old buildings. Then continue to Portofino, a lovely fishing village where coloured houses are nestled in a natural bay. Two Night Stay: Portofino, Excelsior Palace Hotel Bx1 Dx1 Day 11. Portofino, Cinque Terre This morning take a guided tour of Portofino, a small Italian fishing village and tourist resort on the Italian Riviera. The town, nestled around a small harbour, is considered to be among the Mediterranean’s most beautiful ports. After the tour, head to the Cinque Terre, five picturesque villages clinging to the cliffs. A ‘Cinque Terre Card’ is included in your visit for the train running between villages. Perhaps take a walk along the Via dell’Amore, the path of lovers overlooking the coastline. Then return to Portofino and enjoy the evening at leisure. Bx1 Day 12. Portofino - Venice Depart Portofino and travel via one of Italy’s most developed cities, Bologna, on the way to Venice. On arrival here, transfer by private boat to your magnificent hotel, superbly located on Venice Island. The afternoon is at leisure before dinner tonight. Three Night Stay: Venice, Western Europa and Regina Bx1 Dx1 Day 13. Venice Known to many as the most beautiful city in the world, Venice stretches across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. This morning after breakfast, explore the city on a guided sightseeing tour. See the Bridge of Sighs, St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica. You’ll also visit a Venetian glass factory to take in a unique glass-blowing demonstration, before the rest of the day is free. Bx1 Day 14. Venice Today you have the opportunity to spend a day discovering this beautiful canal-based city as you please. Alternatively, you might like to join us for a Grappa Day excursion (own expense). Bx1 Day 15. Venice - Graz Today travel to the Austrian city of Graz. Recently holder of the ‘European Capital of Culture’ award, Graz boasts a relaxed atmosphere and many sights. Two Night Stay: Graz, Grand Hotel Wiesler Bx1 Dx1 Day 16. Graz Today a tour of Graz includes a visit to the Armoury Museum, holding the world’s largest historical collection of Baroque weaponry, preserved since 1551. You’ll also visit Eggenberg Castle, before the afternoon is free. Bx1 Day 17. Graz - Herend - Budapest, Embark Ship Travel to Herend, famous for its porcelain. Take a tour of the mini porcelain factory and museum then continue to Budapest and transfer to your river ship. 14 Night Stay: A luxurious APT river ship Bx1 Dx1 Day 18. APT EXCLUSIVE! Budapest, Hungarian State Opera House Tour Budapest then visit the opera house for a tour, short private music recital and a glass of champagne. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 19. Bratislava, Freedom of Choice Touring In Slovakia’s capital, visit Bratislava Castle then choose from a medieval tour of the city or a tour taking you to the landmarks of the city’s not so distant Communist past. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 20. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring Today in Vienna, perhaps take a city tour, including a visit to an Austrian coffee house for coffee and cake. Or tour Schönbrunn Palace. Tonight you may like to join us for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense). Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 21. Dürnstein - Melk Arrive in Dürnstein for a walking tour, then continue to Melk for a tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 22. Linz - Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring Today, perhaps take a day tour to Salzburg or enjoy an excursion to Cesky Krumlov. Alternatively, cruise to Passau and take a tour of this historic city. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 23. Regensburg Arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour of the city’s highlights includes the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 24. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring Enter the Main-Danube Canal then, in Nuremberg, choose between a World War II tour or a medieval tour. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 25. Bamberg Take a tour of Bamberg then, during time at leisure, perhaps visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT. Back on board, the ship enters the Main-Danube Canal. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 26. Würzburg, Rothenburg In Würzburg, see the major sights, including the Residential Palace. Then take an included excursion to Rothenburg. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 27. Miltenberg, Wertheim Disembark in Miltenberg and travel to Wertheim to enjoy some free time. Then return to Miltenburg and take a guided walking tour. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 28. Rüdesheim - Rhine Castles - Koblenz Today arrive in Rüdesheim, a great example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Here, the Winzerexpress will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum for a tour. Later, cruise through the Rhine Gorge on the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 29. Koblenz - Cologne Join a walking tour of Koblenz, then continue to Cologne for an evening walk through the heart of town. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 30. Cologne - Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring On arrival in Amsterdam, choose from two touring activities. You might like to take a canal cruise or visit the Van Gogh Museum. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure, before a Farewell Dinner on board. Bx1 Lx1 Dx1 Day 31. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Bx1 | 
