Grand European Serenade
- 25 Days
The Ultimate River Cruise
For those with a yen for history and the
road less traveled, Trafalgar offers this opportunity to enjoy Dutch, German,
Austrian and Blue Danube waterways, all in one exciting
journey. Top that off with city stays in Bucharest, and Prague, a visit to
Transylvania the Danube River, a natural wonder and the second longest river in Europe. Wind your way
slowly through the little-visited Lower Danube and the emerging nations of
Bulgaria and Serbia. Travel from the Medieval to the cosmopolitan with overnight
stays onboard your deluxe river ship in Budapest, the “Paris of the East,”
and Vienna, the elegant center of the Hapsburg Empire. And, it is no mystery to
understand where Strauss got his inspiration for the eponymous Blue Danube.
All along the river’s
edge, see hilltop villages, ancient castles and experience for yourself the
charm, romance and inspiration of the Danube.
A
14 day shorter version of this river cruise is available. Call for details
Day 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Amsterdam
Day 2: Arrive Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam and be greeted by a cruise representative who will escort
you to the ship. (Dinner)
Day
3: Düsseldorf
Pass by quaint old houses and a collection of modern architecture, including
designs by Frank Gehry, on your included tour. (Breakfast / Lunch / Captain’s
Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Düsseldorf City Tour
Day
4: Rüdesheim
See fairytale Rüdesheim from “up high” as you travel by gondola to the
impressive Niederwald Monument. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Gondola Ride to Niederwald Monument
Day
5: Mainz
Our walking tour of Mainz includes a visit to the Gutenberg Museum where
you’ll marvel at an authentic Gutenberg Bible and see a demonstration of the
ancient printing press. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Mainz Tour with Gutenberg Museum
Day
6: Miltenberg
Your tour of medieval Miltenberg takes you past Main Castle to Old Town and the
Royal Inn. See half-timbered houses that give you the feel that you’ve stepped
into a fairytale. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Miltenberg Walking Tour
Day
7: Rothenburg and Würzburg
Travel along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, where you’ll feel as if you’re
stepping back in time to the Middle Ages, return to the ship in Würzburg.
(Breakfast / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Rothenburg Full-day Tour
Day
8: Bamberg
Enjoy a guided walk through Bamberg’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Bamberg Walking Tour
Day 9: Nuremberg
Relive medieval and modern history in the walled city of Nuremberg with a tour
of the Nazi Party Rally grounds, the Kaiserburg Castle, and central market.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Nuremberg City Tour
Day
10: Regensburg
Quaint cobblestone streets and medieval alleys lead you to the Cathedral of St.
Peter, with magnificent stained glass windows, and the town’s famous
12th-century Stone Bridge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Regensburg Walking Tour
Day
11: Linz
Visit Linz’s Old Church, and walk the pedestrian zone to Main Square, one of
Austria's most attractive squares. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Linz Walking Tour
Day
12: Cruising the Wachau Valley and Vienna
After a scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley, arrive in Vienna. Your tour
takes you along the stately Ringstrasse to Stephen’s Cathedral and past
Mozart’s home. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Vienna City Tour
Day
13: Vienna
You’ll have two full days to spend at leisure in Vienna, a treasure trove of
sacred and secular gems. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day
14: Vienna
Enjoy the day further exploring the “City of Waltzes.” (Breakfast / Lunch /
Dinner)
Day
15: Vienna
Visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Schönbrunn Palace
Day
16: Bratislava
Your tour takes you through the restored historical center with beautiful shops,
and inviting cafes. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Bratislava City Tour
Day
17: Budapest
Tour Castle Hill district, the Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and the
19th-century Chain Bridge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Budapest City Tour
Day
18: Budapest
After a leisurely morning in Budapest, we set sail for our next stop, Vukovar.
(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day
19: Vukovar and Osijek
Tour Vukovar and Osijek, viewing Baroque churches and Turkish defense
structures. Enjoy a home-hosted Croatian lunch. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Vukovar and Osijek
Day
20: Belgrade
View the old and the new on a tour that takes you to Republic Square, the
National Museum, and St. Sava Cathedral. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Belgrade City Tour
Day
21: Kostolac (Viminacium)
Explore the archeological site at Viminacium with a local archaeologist, who
will share insights about the exciting treasures unearthed. (Breakfast / Lunch /
Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Viminacium
Day
22: Cruising the Iron Gate
Marvel at the famous Iron Gate, a series of gorges that form a gateway through
the southern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day
23: Vidin and Belogradchick
Visit Vidin, one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube, and then on to
Belogradchick, with its fairytale stone world. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Vidin and Belogradchick
Day
24: Rousse (Turnovo & Arbanassi)
In Veliko Turnovo, see the majestic ruins of Tzarevetz Castle. Later, in the
resort town Arbanassi, enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine and a tour, featuring
the 17th-Century Nativity Church. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Turnovo & Arbanassi
Day
25: Silistra (Varna)
At Varna’s Archeological Museum, see gold treasures dating back 6000 years.
After lunch, enjoy a Black Sea cruise to Balchik for a visit to the Botanical
Garden and Summer Palace. (Breakfast / Lunch / Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Archeological Museum
Day
26: Oltenita (Bucharest)
Transferring to your hotel in Bucharest from Oltenita, visit the colossal Palace
of the Parliament, the second largest building in the world. After lunch,
you’ll see an eclectic mix of modern sky-scrapers, 19th-century buildings, and
whimsical Art Deco touches, giving you a sense of Romania’s recent struggles
and eternal optimism. (Breakfast)
Featured Excursion: Bucharest City Tour
Day
27: Bucharest
Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit Bran Castle Enjoy a day at leisure, or take an
optional tour to “Dracula’s Castle.” (Breakfast)
Day 28: Depart Bucharest
Transfer from hotel to the airport.
Cruise
Ships operating this itinerary:
River Countess or River Duchess
Cruise Ships
operating this itinerary:
River Countess & River Empress
2002