Evergreen Europe River Cruising & Tours

Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam (D) Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating 700 year old city of picturesque canals, world class museums, theatres and cafés. You will be met and transferred^ from the airport to the dock. A warm welcome awaits you from your Captain and crew as you board your luxury Emerald Waterways river cruise ship. After boarding, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore Amsterdam. This evening join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. Day 2: Amsterdam – Cruising (FB,L,D) This morning, board a glass top boat and explore Amsterdam's maze of canals, cruising past 16th century merchant houses and charming churches, dating back to Holland's Golden Age and enjoy a city tour including a guided walk around the famous landmarks of the city or join EmeraldACTIVE for a guided bike tour. After lunch on board, depart on your first day sailing through the Dutch countryside, including canals, locks and windmills. Day 3: Cologne (FB,L,D) Enjoy free time on board your ship before arriving into Cologne. Founded by the Romans, and one of Germany's oldest cities, Cologne is famous for its magnificent World–Heritage listed Gothic Cathedral. Join your guide and explore the city, including the Old Town with its squares and historical monuments. During your free time, shop for handicrafts or visit a local market before returning to your ship. Discover More: Drachenburg Castle Tour. Day 4: Rhine Gorge – Rüdesheim (FB,L,D) Today's cruising will be a highlight of your trip as we cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. Keep your camera at the ready, as around every bend there are stunning vistas of castles perched above steep vine–covered slopes. We'll also pass the infamous Lorelei Rock, where sailors are said to have been lured onto treacherous rocks by enchanted temptresses. We also pass the impressive Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, which was formerly a toll gate perched on an island in the middle of the river. In the afternoon we arrive at Rüdesheim, one of Germany's most popular towns. Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or join EmeraldACTIVE for a guided hike through vineyards. In your free time, shop for handicrafts or taste the famous Rüdesheim ice coffee. Day 5: Miltenberg – Wertheim (FB,L,D) Welcome to Miltenberg, a picturesque village on the Main River, which creates an imitable feeling of Bavarian life in medieval times due to the Old Town being lined with well-preserved, half-timbered buildings. Take a guided tour of Miltenberg and enjoy time at leisure to explore the glass-blowing town of Wertheim. EmeraldACTIVE: guided hike to Wertheim Castle. Day 6: Würzburg (FB,L,D) Known as the "Pearl of the Romantic Road", Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. After breakfast, visit the Bishops' Residenz, one of Germany's largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour highlights the palace's unique staircase, elaborate 18th century frescoes and the amazing 3–dimensional stuccowork. Then join our guide for a walking tour of Würzburg. Discover More: Rothenburg, a perfectly preserved fortified town. Step back to the middle ages as you walk the cobbled streets admiring the gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture. Day 7: Bamberg (FB,L,D) Relax on board this morning as we cruise through the Main–Danube Canal, to Bamberg. Feel the magic of the past as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage city with your guide. Boasting one of Europe's largest intact medieval town centres, Bamberg is bursting with character and charm. At the town centre is the largest preserved old quarter in Europe. Around 2,400 listed buildings and the centuries–old garden quarter form a special cultural heritage. Admire hundreds of building façades richly decorated in fascinating detail with spectacular ornamentation. Day 8: Nuremberg (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 sights, from the early beginnings to the present. Pass by the Nazi party rally grounds, where rallies were held from 1933 until 1938 and take a self- guided tour of the WWII Documentation Centre. Discover More: Gingerbread cooking class. Day 9: Kelheim – Regensburg (FB,L,D) This morning takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating Main–Danube Canal to Kelheim. Continue cruising along the Danube River to Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. 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. You're Invited: Tonight, enjoy a traditional Bavarian Band on board. Discover More: Excursion to a local Bavarian brewery. Day 10: Passau (FB,L,D) Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you to the beautiful city of Passau. On this morning'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. Return for lunch and an afternoon cruising along the Danube River. Discover More: Enjoy a day tour to Salzburg, the home of 'The Sound of Music' and the birth place of Mozart; or Cesky Krumlov a UNESCO World Heritage site which has been preserved as an example of medieval life. Day 11: Melk – Dürnstein (FB,L,D) Situated within Austria's wine–growing region, Melk is home to an imposing 900–year old Benedictine Abbey which features Austria's finest Italian baroque architecture, with its ornate gold leaf walls, 640ft Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings. Later, the ship sails through 15 Day Amsterdam to Budapest Splendours of Europe River Cruise 34 Amsterdam, Netherlands

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