Magnificent Europe – Westbound
September 14 – 28 , 2018
Price : From : $ 6933.00 / person based on double in a cabin with a panoramic view
Upgrades are available . Price includes cruise and gratuities . Airfare and insurance is not included
15 Day River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam
Day 1 - September 14 | Arrive in Budapest , Hungary ( Embarkation ) Welcome to Hungary ’ s exciting capital city ! This afternoon , board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception . ( D )
Day 2 - September 15 | Budapest Spanning the banks of the Danube , Budapest is one of Eastern Europe ’ s liveliest cities . Whether you ’ re seeing the sights , shopping for handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain , or basking in the coffee house culture over a rich cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud Café , Budapest ’ s unique energy is positively palatable . On your GUIDED TOUR of the city , see Heroes ’ Square as well as the massive hilltop castle complex with its remarkable Fishermen ’ s Bastion and 11th-century Matthias Church . Be sure to take note of the city ’ s eight bridges — famous sights in and of themselves — which connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left . In your free time this afternoon , you may want to walk across Chain Bridge , built in 1849 and a symbol of Budapest ; visit St . Stephen ’ s Basilica with marvelous views of the city from its viewing platform ; or stroll along Váci utca , the main shopping street . ( B , L , D )
Day 3 - September 16 | Bratislava , Slovakia Today , arrive in Bratislava , situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and the dynamic capital of Slovakia . Join a Local Guide for a tour of the city , including a GUIDED WALK of its fascinating Old Town , where winding cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways twist and turn to reveal the Town Hall , one of the oldest stone buildings in the city . Also visit gothic ST . MARTIN ’ S CATHEDRAL , coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries . Later , enjoy free time to explore on your own . Tonight , depart for Vienna . ( B , L , D )
Day 4 - September 17 | Vienna , Austria Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire , Austria ’ s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture . This is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boys ’ Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions ; the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House ; and awe-inspiring St . Stephen ’ s Cathedral — plus , countless other sights you ’ ll see on your included GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR . Stroll through the delightful pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse , and be sure to take a break and enjoy a piece of decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in one of the classic Viennese coffee houses , historic institutions that helped shape Viennese culture ! An optional concert is available tonight . ( B , L , D )
Day 5 - September 18 | Dürnstein – Melk Dürnstein , situated in the heart of the Wachau wine region , is known for the magnificent baroque , blue Stiftskirche built in the 1700s . The main street of this small town — with a population of less than 1,000 people — is lined with 16th-century residences and charming cobblestone streets . A Local Guide will take you on a WALKING TOUR and tell you the tale of England ’ s King Richard the Lionheart , who was imprisoned in the castle whose ruins still stand above the town . Then , cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley to reach Melk after lunch . Visit the magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY which towers over the town and is one of Europe ’ s largest . It houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts . Words cannot describe the splendor of its church with its frescoed ceilings , stunning high altar , marble statues , and 210-foot-high cupola . This evening , you ’ ll be able to sample some of the region ’ s FAMOUS WINES . ( B , L , D )