Jewels of Central Europe – Paris to Budapest

Resort:Jewels of Central Europe - Paris to Budapest
Operator: Avalon Waterways
Destination: Austria
Price From: £5114.00

Itinerary Details

Day 1 Paris.

Fly to Paris where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe hotel (or similar) for two nights.

Day 2 Paris.

Included today: Guided sightseeing.
Known as one of the worlds most romantic and lively cities, Paris is a delight for all your senses. Your INCLUDED CITY SIGHTSEEING shows you magnificent must-see sights, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower. In your free time, stroll down the Champs-Elyses with its lavish cafs, or perhaps visit the world-famous Louvre or Montmartre with its gleaming white Sacr Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on Place du Tertre. Paris is also well known for its colourful nightlife, and an optional outing to one of the worlds most famous cabaret shows is available. All of this awaits your discovery! (B)

Day 3 Paris to Remich, Luxembourg ( Embarkation )

Included today: High-speed TGV train journey.
This morning, board a HIGH-SPEED TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Metz or Luxembourg City. Continue to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where your river cruise vessel is docked on the Moselle River. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. The Moselle River is some 312 miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of north-eastern France and entering Germany at Trier. (B, D)

Day 4 Trier – Bernkastel.

Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Roman Trier tour; see the Porta Nigra.
The Moselle Valley, famous for its beautifully ethereal scenery is home to Trier, the oldest city in Germany and some claim, even older than Rome. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town centre. Today, join an included guided city tour or the more history-focused ‘Roman Trier’ tour before free time to explore this magnificent town. Trier also offers pleasant market squares, Germany’s oldest Christian church, a Roman amphitheatre and a whole host of picturesque architectural styles. After lunch, cruise the wide, peaceful curves of the picturesque Moselle Valley, an important wine growing region. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Bernkastel

Included today: Guided walk
In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its fascinating narrow streets and half-timbered houses that have stood since the Middle Ages. Enjoy a GUIDED WALK that includes the beautiful marketplace with its renaissance-style Town Hallbuilt in 1608and the pointed house, built in 1416. Wine growers in this area look after Germanys largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. During your free time this afternoon you might like to visit the Moselle Wine Museum. This evening enjoy a TASTING of some of these well-loved German wines. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Rhine Gorge – Rdesheim.

Included today: Cruise the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
This morning, cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Reaching Rdesheim, enjoy a visit to the fascinating Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and free time to explore the Drosselgasse. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Main River Village experience

Included today: Guided walk.
On the banks of the Main River you find cultural gems of small towns, many of them tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates. Half timbered houses, narrow streets and medieval town centres, these picturesque Bavarian villages are a photographers delight. Join your Local Guide to experience one of these towns on a GUIDED WALK. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Wrzburg.

Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz.
Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, Wrzburg is known as the ‘Pearl of the Romantic Road’ and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today’s guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop’s Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Bamberg.

Included today: Guided walk, see the Old Town Hall.
Enjoy another pleasant morning of sailing before you arrive in medieval Bamberg in the early afternoon. The town is the former residence of one of Germanys most powerful imperial dynasties and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your GUIDED WALKING TOUR takes in its historic centre, including the great 13th-century Romanesque cathedral and the fascinating Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)built on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River when the bishop refused to give the townspeople land for a town hall! (B, L, D)

Day 10 Nuremberg -Roth

Included today: Excursion to Munich, guided sightseeing.
This morning the choice is yours join a Certified Local Guide for a NUREMBERG RALLY GROUNDS tour, or a GUIDED SIGHTSEEING of the nearby town of Roth. This delightful town, with its half-timbered houses and market square, is also an industrial centre for textile manufacturing. Visit the interesting INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM and then in contrast, take pictures of Schloss Ratibor, an ancient hunting lodge, built in 1535, with a most picturesque inner courtyard. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Nuremberg.

Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing of Roth or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; beer tasting.
Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided sightseeing tour or perhaps join the more specialised ‘Nuremberg Trials’ tour. After dinner, sample some of Germany’s famous beers. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Regensberg.

Included today: Guided sightseeing.
Arrive in Regensburg today. Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germanys best preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of historic interest. Architectural highlights of your GUIDED WALK include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), built in the 13th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Wander through the citys lanes and alleys to discover the many mansions with high towers. Wealthy families built these towers to emphasize their status and wealth during the Middle Ages, and many still remain today. Walk across the 12th-century Steinerne Brcke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in Germany. Grab a beer and enjoy an included SNACK at the Historische Wurstkche (Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germanys oldest restaurants. Bask in the vibrant atmosphere and take in the remarkable views along the river. Before dinner well introduce you to some of Germanys FAMOUS BEERS! (B, L, D)

Day 13 Passau

Included today: Guided sightseeing in Passau.
This morning, dock in Passau. Uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge, Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. St. Stephens Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the worlds largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Take in the highlights on the included GUIDED WALK. Alternatively, choose from several full-day optional excursions while your ship continues to sail into Austria. Re-join your vessel in the late afternoon (B, L, D)

Day 14 Melk , Austria – Vienna

Included today: Guided sightseeing.
This morning, enjoy an included GUIDED VISIT of Melks magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY, one of Europes largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. Youll be captivated by the splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola. The view from the terrace of the abbey over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breath-taking! Then, cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue faade, the landmark of Drnstein, before arriving in Vienna this evening. Known as the City of Music, it inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. An optional concert is available tonight. (B, L, D)

Day 15 Vienna.

Included today: Guided sightseeing.
Also known as the ‘City of Music’, Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys’ Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen’s Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Stroll on the Krntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. This afternoon, set sail for Budapest. (B, L, D)

Day 16 Budapest.

Included today: Guided sightseeing.
Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s liveliest cities. Today’s guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen’s Basilica, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along Vac Utca main shopping street. (B, L, D)

Day 17 Budapest.

Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

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