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EUROPE
Eastern Europe Escapade & Splendours of Europe River Cruise
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Inclusions
Departure Dates
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The cruise and/or tour map shown is provided as a guide only.
The actual route of the cruise or tour may vary.
Tour Summary
Tour name: Eastern Europe Escapade & Splendours of Europe River Cruise
Tour code: EGRE  
Days: 24  
Overview:

  
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Prague
Welcome to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred* to your centrally located hotel. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink.
Three Night Stay: Prague 
Day 2Prague Sightseeing (FB,HD)
This morning we explore the sights of Old Town Square on a guided walking tour. We see Mozart´s Theatre, Little Square and the Astronomical clock. After lunch we continue our tour and walk across the Charles Bridge spanning the river Vlatva, to board our coach to drive to the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle area. With our local guide we walk through Hradcany Square, and see the magnificent Loreta Monastery, and arrive at Hradcany Castle. Here we see Old Kings Palace, St. George´s Monastery, The National Gallery painting exhibition and Golden Lane. This evening we experience a night of dancing and entertainment at a Czech Highlight Dinner in a local tavern.
Day 3Prague Day at Leisure (FB)
Your tour director is on hand to help plan your day. The baroque quarter of Mala Strana is a must see, as is Josefov, the Jewish quarter. As an option we recommend a day tour to Cesky Kromlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe (additional expense, must be pre-booked).
Day 4Prague - Dresden - Berlin (FB,L)
On leaving Prague drive along the Elbe valley to Dresden, known as Florence on the Elbe. Here we will see the Frauenkirche, the Castle of the Electors of Saxony, the Semper Opera house and visit the courtyards of Zwinger Palace and the Green Vault with its collection of Meissen porcelain. Continue via the Spreewald forest before arriving in Germany’s capital.
Two Night Stay: Berlin
Day 5Berlin Sightseeing & at leisure (FB,D)
The re-unification of Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 saw the city transform into the impressive and exciting metropolis that it is today. We see the new Reichstag, the Brandenberg Gate, State Opera House and Alexander Platz – and of course we will drive ‘Unter den Linden’. As a reminder of Berlin’s secret past, we visit former Checkpoint Charlie and its museum as well as other sites associated with the era of the Iron Curtain. It’s then a short drive to Potsdam to see the palace of Frederick the Great and visit the Cecelienhof where the Potsdam Treaty was signed.
Day 6Berlin - Train - Warsaw (FB,D)
This morning we will be taken to the main train station where we board our first class carriage for the journey across the heart of Poland and into Polish Capital of Warsaw. Time en route to relax and watch the scenery pass by, arriving into Warsaw early afternoon.
Two Night Stay: Warsaw
Day 7Warsaw Sightseeing & at leisure (FB)
Our guided sightseeing tour reveals the historic centre where much of the Old Town was rebuilt after the war. Memories of Polanski’s film ‘The Pianist’ come to mind as we visit the Jewish Ghetto with a local guide. We see the monument to the Ghetto heroes, the Palace of Culture and the Chopin Memorial. Then we take an excursion to Wilanow Palace, known as Poland’s Versailles, residence of Polish King Sobieski – Victor of Vienna.
Day 8Warsaw - Auschwitz - Krakow (FB,L)
This morning we drive to Czestochowa to visit the beautiful 14th century Paulite Monastery at Jasna Gora. This is the home of the portrait of Our Lady, the ‘Black Madonna’ thought to have been painted by St. Luke. Next, on a more sombre note, we visit the Concentration Camp at Auschwitz and its chilling reminders of the atrocities of World War II. Finally we approach the picture postcard medieval city of Krakow, the former Royal capital.
Two Night Stay: Krakow
Day 9Krakow Sightseeing & at leisure (FB,HD)
Sightseeing of this imposing medieval city includes the cathedral and castle on Wawel Hill and on a walking tour of the old town we visit St Mary’s Church and the Cloth Hall. An exciting highlight is our visit to the nearby 800 year old Wielicka Salt Mines – the greatest tourist attraction in southern Poland. Here you will wonder at the glistening chandeliers of pure crystal salt as well as many other fascinating salt sculptures. The rest of the day is at leisure. This evening enjoy a dinner in one of Krakow’s local restaurants.
Day 10Krakow - Budapest Embarkation (FB,L,HD)
Today we journey past the Castle of Oravsky Hrad and over the Tatra Mountains, through Slovakia and into Budapest, the capital of Hungary. A warm welcome awaits you from your Captain and crew as you board your luxury Evergreen Tours river cruise ship. This evening join your fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail reception followed by a night-time cruise along the Danube, passing under the city’s numerous bridges, whilst enjoying a traditional Hungarian welcome dinner complete with folk dancing and music.
Day 11Budapest (FB,L,D)
Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Royal Palace of Buda, hilltop castle complex with Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church, and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest. This afternoon you have free time before departing for Bratislava.
Day 12Bratislava - Vienna (FB,L,D)
This morning we arrive at the city of Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. We then depart and cruise along the Danube towards Vienna the “City of Waltzes”. This evening after dinner you’ll have the opportunity to attend a Viennese concert featuring the music of Mozart and Strauss (additional expense, must be pre-booked).
Day 13Vienna (FB,L,D)
Today we explore Austria’s capital beginning with a drive along the Ringstrasse, where we will see Vienna’s world-famous Opera House, Burgtheatre, Spanish Riding School, Town Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace followed by a visit to the Belvedere Palace and gardens. This afternoon is at leisure to stroll the main shopping street or as an option a visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace (additional expense, must be pre-booked).
Day 14Dürnstein - Melk (FB,L,D)
In the morning we arrive in Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. This is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th century. Thereafter you drive through the picturesque landscape of this district to the 900-year old Benedictine abbey of Melk, which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture.
Day 15Linz - Passau (FB,L,D)
This morning explore the riverside city of Linz. There is an opportunity to take an optional tour to either Salzburg, birth place of Mozart and the setting for the “Sound of Music”, or the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov (additional expense, must be pre-booked). In the afternoon we reach Passau. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this beautiful city. On this afternoon’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleys and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.
Day 16Regensburg - Weltenburg (FB,L,D)
This morning after breakfast we arrive in magnificent Regensburg. On our guided walking tour you’ll have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall. After lunch embark on an exciting boat trip through the lovely Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey the oldest monastery in Bavaria. After a short tour of the abbey church you can taste the famous dark beer of Weltenburg.
Day 17Nuremberg (FB,L,D)
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. The city tour leads you to the major sites and sights of the city, from the medieval beginnings to the present. We then head to the Nazi party rally grounds, where the Nazi party rallies were held from 1933 until 1938 and take a self-guided tour of the WWII Documentation Centre.
Day 18Bamberg (FB,L,D)
Relax onboard this morning as we cruise through the Main- Danube Canal, arriving after lunch at our destination, Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Boasting one of Europe’s largest intact medieval town centres, Bamberg is bursting with original character and charm. At the centre of the town is the largest preserved old quarter in Europe. Around 2,400 listed buildings and the centuries-old garden quarter form a special cultural heritage.
Day 19Würzburg (FB,L,D)
Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”, Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. After breakfast, we join our guide for a walking tour of Würzburg followed by a visit to the Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, enjoy free time or take an optional tour on the Romantic Road to Rothenburg (additional expense, must be pre-booked).
Day 20Wertheim - Miltenberg (FB,L,D)
This morning cruise into Wertheim, a beautiful town known for its glassworks, Franconian wine and friendly people. The highlight of your morning will be a walk through the medieval city and discovering the traditional methods of Wertheim’s glassblowing tradition in a private demonstration. We continue the journey into the picturesque village of Miltenberg. The village creates an imitable feeling of Bavarian life in medieval times and the Old Town is lined with well-preserved half-timbered buildings.
Day 21Rüdesheim - Koblenz (FB,L,D)
After breakfast we arrive at Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most popular towns. Join the “Winzerexpress” mini-train ride to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum, where your guided tour features displays of self-playing instruments. Today’s cruising will be a highlight of your trip, as we cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. We’ll pass the infamous Lorelei Rock where sailors are said to have been lured to their doom onto treacherous rocks by enchanted temptresses. In the late afternoon we arrive into the beautiful 2,000 year old townsite of Koblenz.
Day 22Koblenz - Cologne (FB,L,HD)
The ship sails from Koblenz in the early morning, cruising along the Rhine we arrive in Cologne. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is Germany’s oldest city and is famous for its magnificent World heritage listed Gothic Cathedral. Join your guide this morning and explore the city including the Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical monuments. This evening the captain will be delighted to welcome you to the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Day 23Cruising - Amsterdam (FB,L,HD)
The ship sails along the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal and into Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. This afternoon we join a glass top canal boat cruise and explore Amsterdam’s maze of canals. Cruise past 16th century merchant houses and charming churches, dating back to Holland’s Golden Age. We continue our sightseeing with a visit to the world-famous Van Gogh Museum, for a first hand appreciation of the Dutchman’s artistic genius. This evening join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner.
Day 24Disembarkation - Depart Amsterdam (FB)

After breakfast, it’s time to farewell your fellow passengers and disembark the ship for your transfer* to the airport.

NOTE: On the Reverse itinerary (Amsterdam-Prague), all touring will be included, however actual port sequence and times may vary.

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Tour itinerary is valid from 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2011 and is subject to change. Enquire for itinerary details that fall outside of these dates. If you have booked on a tour please refer to the itinerary provided in your tour documentation or on Tour Personaliser for any changes that have been made.


Evergreen Tours (a division of Scenic Tours Pty Ltd)
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