Discover EUROPE

Please note: As at 28 November, 2022 I am inviting registrations for this tour departing Auckland 01 September and connecting to my Holyland Cruise from Athens to Athens. We live in a fragile world and no one knows how the Ukraine war will end, or whether the Rhine will fill again (many river cruises were cancelled in 2022 through low water levels). If this is on your bucket list please register with me. I will make an evaluation mid January  and come back to you with a firm offer by the end of January, 2023. Cruise companies require mass deposits which are very hard to get back if the tour is cancelled for any reason. Dates may vary slightly but you will still have the opportunity to combine with my Holyland Mediterranean cruise from Athens.

This cruise and tour links to our Ancient Empires Holyland cruise joining in Athens September 28

     DISCOVER THE BEST OF EUROPE

Day 1. Friday 01 September, 2023   AUCKLAND DEPART            

Meet your escort at Auckland airport and depart.

Day 2. Saturday 02 September ARRIVE AMSTERDAM (D)

Arrive Amsterdam and transfer to our luxury Viking cruise ship, Viking Gymir

Day 3 Sunday 03 September.  AMSTERDAM - KINDERDIJK (BLD)

This morning we sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, and enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return on board for an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age.

Day 4. Monday 04 September. COLOGNE (BLD)

Tour Cologne today. Stroll through the old town past St Martin’s church and visit the Dom, Germany’s largest Cathedral. Free time to explore at your leisure.

Day 5. Tuesday 05 September. KOBLENZ AND MIDDLE RHINE (BLD)

Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. After your tour, continue cruising this stunning stretch of the Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river’s narrowest point and is named after the legendary Rhine maiden who lured sailors to their demise.

Day 6. Wednesday 06 September. MILTENBERG (BLD)

The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region, home of the actual Snow White. During our sail, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the region’s glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration. After lunch, we stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses and Germany’s oldest inn. Join our walking tour that concludes with free time for you to explore. We sail through the night.

Day 7. Thursday 07 September.  WURZBURG (BLD)

After breakfast, tour Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or, instead, join an optional full-day journey along Germany’s picturesque “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, with its turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. Upon returning to Würzburg, enjoy a tour of the Bishops’ Residenz.

Day 8. Friday 08 September.  BAMBURG (BLD)

Continue along the Main–Danube Canal this morning, arriving in Bamberg in early afternoon. Enjoy a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river.

Day 9. Saturday.  09 September. NUREMBURG (BLD)

After breakfast, disembark in Nuremberg and visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s and the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. Alternately, you may take an optional World War II tour that includes the illuminating Documentation Center Museum. After lunch, spend free time exploring Nuremberg’s Old Town or join an optional tour to discover the secret network of underground bunkers where priceless art was hidden in wartime.

Day 10. Sunday 10 September. REGENSBURG (BLD)

Arrive in Regensburg midday. After lunch, tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter’s Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Würstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant. Alternately, you may choose to disembark this morning and drive with your guide to Munich for an optional full-day tour of this cultural and historic city, rejoining your ship in time to enjoy dinner on board before our evening departure.

Day 11. Monday 11 September.  PASSAU (BLD)

Arrive this 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 Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. Admire the New Bishop’s Residence and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephen’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.Enjoy lunch on board your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing. Alternately, set out this morning with your guide to enjoy a full-day optional tour of picturesque Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and setting of The Sound of Music.

Day 12. Tuesday 12 September.  MELK, AUSTRIA (BLD)

After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, you have time to explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or take an optional excursion to a local winery to sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region

Day 13. Wednesday 13 September.  VIENNA (BLD).

Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. The afternoon is yours is yours to further explore. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Alternately, you may choose to join an optional excursion to see the famed Lipizzaner Stallions; or, express your creativity at an optional art workshop inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert.

Day 14. Thursday 14 September. VIENNA (BLD)

Enjoy a day at leisure in Vienna. Perhaps see an unrivaled collection of Old Masters at the Museum of Fine Arts, or visit the Albertina. Maybe ride the Riesenrad, the world’s oldest Ferris wheel. Alternately, you may join an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” or enjoy a Viennese waltz lesson as well as visiting the palace during a full-day optional excursion. A cup of coffee or tea and a slice of exquisite Sachertorte are a must for evryone.

Day 15. Friday 15 September.  BUDAPEST (BLD)

The Danube River divides Hungary’s capital city into the once separate towns of Buda and Pest. Explore both sides, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, with the rest of the day is free to explore on your own. Alternately, choose one of our optional excursions designed to allow you to delve deeper into the history, culture and cuisine of this fascinating city. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner.

Day 16. Saturday 16 September. BUDAPEST – DEPART (B)

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.to Auckland arriving monday 18 September- day 18.

Projected tour cost per person 18 Days including return air fares from Auckland

2 per cabin

Standard grade    $9,900

French balcony    $12,900

Veranda     $13,900

Single cabin

Standard grade   $15,900

French balcony    $19,900

Veranda  $21,600

 

26 Days including PRAGUE AND POLAND September 01 - 25, 2023.

Passengers continuing to Prague and Poland transfer by coach to Prague.

Day 18. Sunday 17 September.  PRAGUE (BD)

Enjoy a morning tour of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe including walking tour of the old town to see the 15th century astronomical clock and Market Square.

Day 19.  Monday 18 September.  PRAGUE (BD)

Free day to explore. Optional excursion to Berlin.

Day 20. Tuesday 19 September.  PRAGUE - KRAKOW (BD)

Transfer to the station and travel by train to Krakow.

Day 21. Wednesday 20 September.  KRAKOW   (BD)

Our local guide will join us this morning for a sobering visit to Auschwitz and Berkenau. This afternoon we visit the Wieliczka salt mine which produced salt continuously from the 13th century to 2007

Day 22. Thursday 21 September. KRAKOW - WARSAW (BD)

This morning enjoy our guided tour of ancient Krakow including Market Square, Jewish Quarter, Wawel hill, the museum in Schindlers factory, and St Mary’s church. Travel to Warsaw by train late afternoon..

Day 23. Friday 22 September.  WARSAW (BD)

Our tour of Warsaw includes the Royal Castle, Old Market Square and Barbican, Presidential Palace, University of Warsaw, Holy Cross Church, Copernicus Statue, Monument of Warsaw uprising, Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom which includes the Nazi Interrogation Centre, Jewish Ghetto, Palace of Culture and Science, Lazienski Royal Park with Palace on the Water and Chopin monument.

Day 24. Saturday 23 September.  WARSAW DEPART (D)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. 

Day 25. Sunday 24 September  En Route 

Day 26. Monday 25 September. AUCKLAND ARRIVE. 

Arrive Auckland
 

 

Projected tour cost per person 26 days

2 per room

Standard grade cabin       $13,800.  

French Balcony Cabin     $16,800

Balcony Cabin            $17,900

Single Cabin

Standard grade cabin  $22,800

French balcony Cabin   $25,800

Balcony cabin      $29,000

Tour cost includes (Grand tour)

** Return economy air fares from Auckland.

** Arrival and departure transfers in Amsterdam, Budapest,  Prague, and Poland 

** 14 night cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest including all meals and shore excursions. 

** 3 nights in Prague with breakfast and 1 day sightseeing 

** Train from Prague to Krakow. First class seats.

** 2 nights in Krakow and 2 in Warsaw with sightseeing