Discover EUROPE

DISCOVER THE BEST OF EUROPE

Day 1. Sunday 22 September, 2019 AUCKLAND DEPART

Depart Auckland this evening.

Day 2. Monday 23 September WARSAW ARRIVE (D)

Arrive Warsaw and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax.

Day 3. Tuesday 24 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. Free time to explore at your leisure.

Day 4. Wednesday 25 September WARSAW - KRAKOW (BD)

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

Day 5. Thursday 26 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 6. Friday 27 September KRAKOW – PRAGUE (BD)

Free time to explore at your leisure. Depart at 10.41 by train and enjoy the scenes of rural Europe en route to Prague where arrival is scheduled for 5.36pm. Transfer to our hotel..

Day 7. Saturday 28 September PRAGUE (BD)

Enjoy a morning panoramic 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 8 Sunday 29 September PRAGUE (BD)

Free day to explore. Optional excursion to Berlin.

Day 9. Monday 30 September PRAGUE - BUDAPEST (BD) Travel to Budapest and join our luxury river cruise ship. Free time to explore before dinner on board.

Day 10. Tuesday 01 October BUDAPEST (BD)

Enjoy a guided tour of “Buda’ and “Pest” including the national Opera House and historic Heroes square. Stroll Fishermans Hill to Fishermans Bastion and Matthias Church. Lunch on board. The rest of the day is free.

Day 11. Wednesday 02 October VIENNA ARRIVE (BLD

Enjoy the views as we cruise the Danube arriving Vienna early evening.

Day 12 Thursday 03 October VIENNA (BLD)

Sightseeing includes a ride along the Ringstrasse to see the world famed Opera House, St Stephan’s Cathedral, and Hofburg Palace. The afternoon is free and this evening an optional classical concert is available.

Day 13. Friday 04 October MELK (BLD)

Visit the Abbey at Melk, a 900 year old Benedictine Monastery featuring Austria’s finest Baroque architecture. See its wonderful frescoes and collection of medieval manuscripts.

Day 14. Saturday 05 October PASSAU (BLD)

On this morning’s walking tour see Passau’s narrow streets and Italiante architecture, and pass the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th century fortress that served for centuries as a bishop’s stronghold. Enjoy an included concert on Europe’s largest pipe organ in St Stephan’s Cathedral.

Day 15. Sunday 06 October REGENSBURG (BLD)

Tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site including structures dating back to Roman times. See many 13th and 14th century patrician houses and the splendid St Peter’s Cathedral. Maybe during free time visit the Alte Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen) Germany’s oldest restaurant.

Day 16. Monday 07 October NUREMBURG (BLD)

Optional morning presentation on the European union as you cruise. Later see the ruins of Zeppelin Field, used in the 1930’s as a Nazi parade ground and the Palace of Justice, the old town, and market square. Optional WW2 history tour.

Day 17. Tuesday 08 October BAMBERG (BLD)

Tour the medieval city centre of Bamberg including the magnificent 11th century cathedral and picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river.

Day 18. Wednesday 09 October WARZBURG (BLD)

Tour Wurzburg’s Bishops Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate Baroque Palaces. This afternoon relax on board or enjoy an optional excursion along Germany’s Romantic Road to Rothenburg. Rejoin your ship for dinner and an evening glass blowing demonstration.

Day 19. Thursday. 10 October WERTHEIM (BLD)

Wertheim is located on the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. During your morning walking tour experience life in a typical small German Town. Visit a bakery and Butchers shop and learn about Wertheims glass blowing tradition.

Day 20. Friday 11 October MIDDLE RHINE AND KOBLENZ (BLD)

Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine. This stunning stretch of river is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the Lorelie Rock which marks the river’s narrowest point. This afternoon stop to visit Marksburg, the only Rhine Castle never destroyed. Rejoin your ship in Koblenz.

Day 21. Saturday 12 October 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 22. Sunday 13 October KINDERDIJK (BLD)

Enjoy the scenic views as we cruise along the Rhine this morning. This afternoon tour Kinderdijk to see the fascinating network of windmills and other ingenious flood management techniques. Special farewell dinner this evening.

Day 23. Monday 14 October AMSTERDAM (BLD)

Say farewell to your crew after breakfast and transfer to our hotel with a tour of introduction to the city included. The afternoon is free to explore at your leisure.

Day 24 Tuesday 15 October AMSTERDAM DEPART (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home

Passengers for our Ancient Civilisations tour fly to Rome

Day 25. Wednesday 16 October EN ROUTE

Day 26. Thursday 17 October ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Tour cost per person Auckland to Auckland. 2 per room/cabin

Window E Grade cabin on cruise $14,900

French Balcony C Grade cabin $16,700

Verandah B Grade cabin $17,600

Tour cost includes

** Return economy air fares from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch

** Arrival and departure transfers in Warsaw and Amsterdam

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

** Overnight train from Krakow to Prague. Two berth cabins provided.

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

** Transfer from Prague to Budapest

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

** 1 night hotel and half day sightseeing in Amsterdam

Part tour possible

Option One: Join in Prague 27 September – end Amsterdam 15 October

Option Two: Join in Budapest 30 September - end Amsterdam 15 October. 

Tour 606    Discover EUROPE