Legendary Waterways of Europe:
From Budapest to Amsterdam
16 days, May 24 - June 8, 2010, Arranged and guided by Collette Vacations, Escorted by Doug Jackson
Unpack once for a relaxing 14 night cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond on four of Europe's most important waterways - the Danube, Main, Moselle, and Rhine. Our beautiful ship offers the newest technology, 84 cabins, panoramic deck, terrace café, panorama salon and bar, fitness centre, excellent cuisine, and outstanding service.
We visit five countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Holland) and experience the cultures and traditions of each with highlights including Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Wachau Valley, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Rodesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, and Amsterdam.
< Select a day to view
Day 1, Monday May 24
(depart home, board overnight flight)
Following our at-home-pickup-service, we transfer to the Vancouver Airport and depart this afternoon aboard KLM Airlines overnight flight via Amsterdam to Budapest.
Day 2, Tuesday, May 25
(arrive Budapest, Hungary, board cruise ship)
Arriving in Budapest, Hungary's famous capital city, we transfer to the MS Amadeus Diamond, and unpack once for a relaxing 14 night cruise of Europe's waterways. Launched in 2009, the Diamond is the newest vessel in the Amadeus Premium Class fleet and offers the latest technology, a panoramic deck, a panorama salon and bar, excellent cuisine, nightly live entertainment, and outstanding service. Our bright and airy 170 square foot cabins feature French Balconies with windows that stretch across the entire cabin width. Amenities include two individual beds (separate or put together), bathroom (with shower, toilet, and basin), air conditioning, and television. This evening includes a cocktail reception followed by a welcome Hungarian dinner. Wine is included with all dinners.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3, Wednesday May 26
(a day in Budapest)
This morning, our sightseeing tour of this capital city features the historic Buda Castle area with its turreted Fisherman’s Bastion and 500-year-old St Matthias Church. From this vantage point we have splendid views of Chain Bridge and the twin cities of Buda and Pest, spread over both banks of the Danube River. This afternoon is at leisure to shop and explore Budapest on our own. Our Collette guide will assist us with key words and phrases, to help us communicate with the local people. This evening we enjoy the scenic skyline of Budapest, queen city of the Danube, as our ship departs for Bratislava, Slovakia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4, Thursday May 27
(a day in Bratislava, Slovakia)
Our morning tour of Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, includes the enormous 13th century castle that towers 91 meters above the Danube, the old town, St Martin's Cathedral, Michael's Gate, and the Archbishop's palace. This afternoon is at leisure to shop and explore the city. Tonight our senses will be delighted with a musical performance by a Slovakian ensemble aboard our ship. This evening the cruise continues to Vienna, the capital city of Austria.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5, Friday May 28
(a day in Vienna, Austria)
With a local guide we explore Vienna's Imperial architecture including the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy this beautiful city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6, Saturday May 29
(cruise to Durnstein and Melk, Austria)
We cruise through the Danube's narrow Strudengau, reaching the picturesque Wachau Valley and the medieval town of Durnstein, known to be the loveliest town in the Wachau Valley. Above the town, we'll spot the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionhearted, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Following a walking tour exploring Durnstein's many hidden treasures, our cruise continues to the charming town of Melk. A guided tour takes us to Melk's magnificent 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries. Tonight our cruise continues toward Linz, and we enjoy a wonderful evening of food, music, and entertainment at the Captains Dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7, Sunday May 30
(cruise to Linz, Austria and Passau, Germany)
After breakfast our ship arrives in Linz, Austria, a favourite city of Mozart, who dedicated his Linz Symphony to the town. There's time to explore the large town square, surrounded by patrician houses, and displaying its 66 foot high Trinity Column. Our cruise continues to Passau, Germany where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. We enjoy a walking tour of this beautiful town's cobblestone streets and graceful arcades. Passau is home to St Stephen's Cathedral, known to have the world's largest church organ with 17,000 pipes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8, Monday May 31
(cruise to Regensburg, Germany)
Our ship arrives in magnificent Regensburg. Founded 2,000 years ago, Regensburg escaped major WWII damage and today stands as Germany's best preserved medieval city. Our guided tour features the Old Town Hall, 12th century Stone Bridge, towering St Peter's Cathedral, and the Porta Pretoria. This evening aboard ship, we enjoy a traditional Bavarian night, complete with local foods, music, and dancing. Tonight our ship enters the first stretch of the fascinating Main Danube Canal, an engineering marvel that crosses the continental divide through a series of locks, allowing ships to travel between the Main and Danube rivers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9, Tuesday June 1
(cruise to Nuremberg, Germany)
This morning, continuing along the Main-Danube Canal, we ascend through stair step locks to the continental divide, the highest point of our cruise 1,332 feet above sea level and begin our descent toward the Main River. Pausing this afternoon to enjoy a leisurely paced guided tour of Nuremberg, Bavaria's second largest city, we'll view the storybook 900 year old ramparts, the Imperial Castle, and the Justice Palace where the WWII War Crimes Tribunal took place in 1946.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10, Wednesday June 2
(cruise to Bamberg, Germany)
Today as our ship cruises the final stretch of the Main Danube Canal, we disembark for a guided tour of enchanting Bamberg, a medieval gem. Founded in 902, Bamberg maintains quaint baroque patrician houses along its winding cobbled streets. We'll see the 11th century cathedral and the Old Town Hall straddling the Regnitz River, stroll the serpentine streets crowded with 18th century mansions, and sample the famous Rauchbier (smoked beer)! Departing Bamberg, our ship enters the Main River and our cruise continues toward Wurzburg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11, Thursday June 3
(cruise to Wurzburg, Germany)
We arrive in Wurzburg, known as The Pearl of the Romantic Road, a charming town on the Main River, surrounded by sloping hills and vineyards. Nearly destroyed during WW II, Wurzburg has been rebuilt into a beautiful Franconian town boasting well preserved baroque architecture. During our morning tour, we visit the major sights including the magnificent Bishops' Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Departing Wurzburg, our cruise continues through the Franconian wine region. Tonight, after dinner, we enjoy traditional music and dances performed by local artists.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12, Friday June 4
(cruise to Wertheim and Miltenberg, Germany)
Our cruise continues through the picturesque valleys of the meandering Main River to visit the beautiful city of Wertheim, situated at the meeting of the Main and Tauber rivers. We enjoy free time to explore the historic town square and its ancient castle ruins. We continue to Miltenberg, for a guided walking tour along the town's narrow cobblestone streets and gabled half timbered houses
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13, Saturday June 5
(cruise to Rudesheim, Germany)
Departing the Main, our ship enters the Rhine River, and we make a morning stop in charming Rudesheim, the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. The Winzerexpress mini train takes us to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a fascinating guided tour. There's time to explore the pedestrian street, Drosselgasee, and sample some local wines, before continuing our cruise along one of the Rhine River's most beautiful stretches the dramatic Rhine Gorge, where the landscape is dotted with magnificent hilltop castles! We'll see the legendary Lorelei Rock as we cruise toward our next stop in Koblenz.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14, Sunday June 6
(cruise to Koblenz and Cologne, Germany)
Cruising to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, we dock along the Moselle, and explore this charming town surrounded by vine covered hills. Continuing along the scenic Rhine River to Cologne, the Rhineland's largest city, and one of Germany's oldest and most distinguished, we tour through the old part of the city and visit the massive, twin-steepled, 13th century gothic cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15, Monday June 7
(cruise to Amsterdam, Holland)
Welcome to Amsterdam, the delightful 700 year old capital city of the Netherlands. After lunch, we depart with a local guide on a leisurely paced walking tour to admire the city's Golden Age architecture; which includes over 500 bridges, an intricate canal system, beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches, and 16th century merchant houses. Tonight we enjoy a memorable farewell dinner, aboard our ship!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16, Tuesday June 8
(homeward bound)
This morning, following breakfast aboard our ship, we disembark and transfer to the Amsterdam Airport and board our KLM flight to Vancouver. Transfers included to home from the Vancouver Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
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Legendary Waterways of Europe
Tour Includes
- Airfare and taxes Vancouver to Budapest with return from Amsterdam
- 14 night cruise aboard MS Amadeus Diamond
- Motorcoach transfers
- Gratuities to drivers, guides, and all cruise personnel
- Attractions and shore excursions as described in brochure
- At home pickup and return (lower mainland)
- Baggage handling
- 41 meals (14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners with wine included)
- Collette Vacations Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan (see below)
Legendary Waterways Tour Dates
Tour Price (Canadian Dollars):
Each person, 2 sharing cabin:
- Middle deck outside cabin $7690
- Upper deck outside cabin $8180
Single occupancy cabins may be requested but are limited
Note: All cabins are the same size. Middle and Upper deck cabins have floor to ceiling sliding glass doors which open onto a French Balcony. All cabins have two floor level twin beds which can, if you prefer, be made into one super queen bed.
Deposit: $600 per person, due 10 days after reservation
Balance Due: Jan 15, 2010
Collette Vacations Waiver & Insurance Plan Included With This Tour
The Collette Vacations Waiver & Insurance Plan is included with your tour deposit. This plan guarantees a full refund of all payments (except the waiver fee of $350) in case of cancellation for any reason prior to the day of departure. On the day of departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price.
The plan does not cover any single supplement charges if your traveling companion cancels and you elect to continue. In this case the single supplement will be deducted from the refund of the person who cancels. After departure, the plan provides transportation home and a refund of unused services if you are forced to cancel for medical reasons.
This plan also includes medical coverage without exclusions due to age or pre-existing medical conditions. You must not be disabled from travel when you pay your deposit.
Please see the Collette Vacations Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan Description of Coverage booklet for full details.