Day 1: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 2: BUDAPEST.
Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (B)

Day 3: BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION).
This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)

Day 4: BUDAPEST - VIENNA, AUSTRIA.
A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upriver and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. Vienna, Austria's capital, is known as the "City of Music", and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. (B,L,D)

Day 5: VIENNA.
Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your city tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savour each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Karntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood cafe. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B,L,D)

Day 6: DURNSTEIN - MELK.
Durnstein, known for the magnificent baroque STIFTSKIRCHE with its blue facade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Continue through the Wachau Valley to Melk, whose magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening you'll be able to sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of this region. (B,L,D)

Day 7: LINZ-PASSAU, GERMANY.
Linz, Austria's third largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. (B,L,D)

Day 8: REGENSBURG.
Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL, and Porta Pretoria-gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town and one of Bavaria's cultural centres. It is here you will find Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Historische Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (B,L,D)

Day 9: NUREMBERG.
Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. After dinner we'll introduce you to some of Germany's FAMOUS BEERS! (B,L,D)

Day 10: NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO ROTHENBURG.
Medieval Rothenburg is a classical walled city. Its half-timbered houses, the church's wooden altar carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, and the town square with its GLOCKENSPIEL, a tribute to the city's one-time heroic mayor, all contribute to making this a favourite of the towns along the Romantic Road. (B,L,D)

Day 11: BAMBERG.
A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site is medieval Bamberg. Your walking tour takes in the breathtaking cathedral, the OLD TOWN HALL straddling the river Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. (B,L,D)

Day 12: WURZBURG.
Known as the "Pearl of the Romantic Road", Wurzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP'S RESIDENZ is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D)

Day 13: MILTENBERG.
Located on the Main River, Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and renaissance houses and the gothic splendour of the Merchant Hall, shown to you during your guided walk. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty. (B,L,D)

Day 14: RUDESHEIM - RHINE GORGE - KOBLENZ.
Visit SIEGFRIED'S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM in pretty Rudesheim. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there's free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region. The DEUTSCHES ECK, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. The Moselle River is some 312-miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and entering Germany at Trier. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. (B,L,D)

Day 15: COCHEM.
Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town of Cochem nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (B,L,D)

Day 16: BERNKASTEL.
In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKET PLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region's varietals. (B,L,D)

Day 17: TRIER (DISEMBARKATION) - PARIS, FRANCE.
The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest 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 still gives access to the town centre. After breakfast, see the highlights of this city on your included tour before travelling to Metz to board the HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Paris. (B)

Day 18: PARIS.
Paris' famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (B)

Day 19: PARIS.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)