Itinerary - 8 Night Holiday by Rail + Cruise - Main Deck Category E Cabin

Day 1

London to Nuremberg

Travel on Eurostar from London to Brussels. From Brussels travel by train to Nuremberg via Frankfurt. On arrival in Nuremberg check in for your overnight stay at the historic Le Meridien Grand Hotel.

Day 2

Nuremberg

You board the ship in the afternoon and then you have free time to explore Bavaria's second largest city.

Nuremberg has an illustrious history and is one of the oldest centres of trade and commerce in Bavaria.

This pretty city has a long history and its position in Bavaria means it is also set in some beautiful surroundings, with the majestic Alps to the south.

Day 3

Nuremberg and Main Danube Canal

Today starts with a morning tour of Nuremberg which features the former Nazi parade grounds and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. You stop breifly at the Court House before walking from the imperial castle grounds past the Albrecht Dürer House to the Main Market Square in the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls.

After lunch aboard, sit back and relax as you sail through a number of locks that comprise the Main-Danube Canal. The canal, an engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube, enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Dinner is served aboard and you cruise through the night.

Day 4

Kelheim and Regensburg

Enjoy a guided walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. See one of the largest groupings of 13th- and 14th-century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. You also encounter the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards.

In the afternoon, spend more time in Regensburg. Why not visit the Alte Wurstküche, Germany’s oldest restaurant. Or, choose an optional excursion to Kelheim at the southernmost point of the Main-Danube Canal. Travel by road to Kelheim, then embark on a ferryboat ride to explore the Danube Gorge’s dramatic scenery and its spectacular 400-foot chalk cliffs. You also visit the renowned Weltenburg Abbey, famous for its dark ale, brewed here by monks since 1050. You then rejoin the ship for dinner and cruise through the night.

Day 5

Passau

Arrive early morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through the Old Town. You see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephan’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ. Eat lunch aboard before returning to the city for further exploration before an early evening departure and cruise through the night.

Day 6

Melk and Vienna

Today you arrive in Melk. Join a guided tour through the famous Benedictine abbey. See its elaborate frescoes and admire the library's extensive collection of medieval manuscripts; enjoy the garden courtyard and the terrace views. You rejoin the ship for lunch and an afternoon cruise through the extraordinarily scenic Wachau Valley. Later, enjoy a workshop about Viennese coffee, complete with apple strudel. Arrive after dinner in Vienna and enjoy an evening at leisure, or you may choose to attend an optional evening concert.

Day 7

Vienna

Enjoy breakfast on the ship before you begin your half-day city tour. See some of Vienna’s gracious architecture, then ride along the beautiful Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater. You then see St. Stephan’s Cathedral. After lunch aboard, the afternoon is yours to further explore this city. Dinner is served aboard.

Day 8

Budapest

Arrive in Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital divided by the Danube River. Take a panoramic city tour through the more modern “Pest” side of the city. Journey along Andrássy Avenue and see the 19th and 20th century mansions, National Opera House, Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Stop in Heroes’ Square to learn more about Hungarian history, then cross the Danube to Buda’s Castle District. Walk up the hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church to enjoy incredible views of the city below. Return to your ship for lunch and the rest of the day is yours to explore both sides of the city.

Day 9

Budapest

After breakfast, disembark and be transferred to the airport where you fly with British Airways in Euro Traveller Class from Budapest to London.