| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
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Depart Home / Amsterdam,The Netherlands / Embark Ship
Depart your U.S. gateway city for your overnight flight to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Upon clearing Customs you will be met by a Vantage Representative who will assist you with your motorcoach transfer to the pier where you embark your Vantage river cruise ship. Settle in and enjoy a Welcome Briefing on board.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship |
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Cruise the Rhine River / Cologne, Germany
Enjoy a morning at leisure on board and attend a German language lesson. Cultural Connection: Enjoy an afternoon lecture on the history of the great European Rivers. Upon arriving in Cologne, disembark for an afternoon tour of Cologne Cathedral including the Shrine of the Three Magi (when not available, you will visit the Roman Germanic Museum instead). This evening, enjoy a gala Captain’s Welcome Party and Welcome Dinner following by an evening of entertainment courtesy of the First Cologne Shanty Choir.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
4
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Scenic Sailing / Rüdesheim, Germany
Scenic cruising through the Rhine Valley includes commentary from the Bridge on the Legend of the Lorelei and the romantic castles on spectacular view. This evening enjoy dinner with music at a local restaurant in Rüdesheim.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
5
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Rüdesheim
While docked in Rüdesheim today you have your choice of included morning tours:
ride a mini-train to and from pier to a gondola ride that takes you up to the breathtaking Niederwald Denkmal monument, or make a visit to Siegfried’s Musikkabinett, a museum of mechanical musical instruments.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
6
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Frankfurt, Germany / Aschaffenburg (Heidelberg), Germany
A full-day excursion by motorcoach takes you to Heidelberg for a visit to
Heidelberg Castle; afterwards, enjoy free time for lunch (you will be given a set
amount of Euros for lunch) and time to explore at your leisure before travelling to
Aschaffenburg, where your cruise ship awaits. This evening relax with local entertainment on board.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
7
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Wertheim, Germany
Another day of scenic cruising unfolds with more insightful commentary from the bridge. Cultural Connection: Enjoy a glassblowing demonstration on board as well as a fascinating lecture: "Introduction to Germany: Facts and Figures About Present Germany." Arriving in Wertheim, disembark for a walking tour of this charming town.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
8
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Würzburg, Germany / Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Today you have your choice of included tours: embark on an excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for a walking tour and free time, or tour the medieval Würzburg Residenzwith a wine-tasting in the Residenz cellar. Later enjoy scenic sailing with commentary from the Bridge during your afternoon at leisure on board ship.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
9
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Bamberg, Germany
Cultural Connection: Learn about "The European Union and Expansion to the East" before disembarking for a walking tour of Bamberg — a UNESCO World Heritage Site —
viewing the Old Town Hall, Imperial Cathedral, and viewing of St.
Michael’s Abbey. The afternoon is yours to enjoy
at leisure in Bamberg. Later in the evening enjoy local entertainment on board.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
10
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Nuremberg, Germany
Cultural Connection: A fascinating lecture on "The Development of a Typical German Town" prepares you for your tour of Nuremberg, which includes visits to the Documentation Center
and Rallygrounds. Enjoy lunch in Nuremberg with money provided by your Vantage Program Manager. Later, you have your choice of an included visit to the Toy Museum or to the Dürer House.
Cultural Connection: Attend an onboard lecture on the Main-Danube Canal to learn more about the next leg of your voyage.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
11
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Regensburg, Germany
The marvel of the Main-Danube Canal unfolds today, with commentary from the Bridge explaining the history of this engineering milestone. Arriving in Regensburg, enjoy a walking tour followed by time at leisure to explore on your own. This evening, enjoy local entertainment on board.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
12
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Passau, Germany
A guided walking tour of Passau includes St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Bishop’s Residence. Cultural Connection: Attend an Organ Concert at the Dom. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
13
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Vienna, Austria
As you sail through the scenic Wachau Valley this morning, enjoy more colorful commentary from the ship's Bridge. Cultural Connection: Attend an apple strudel baking demonstration on board as you cruise. Arriving in Vienna, disembark for a panoramic city tour of magnificent Vienna, including the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
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Vienna
Cultural Connection: Following a lecture on Vienna's rich musical heritage, you can set off on a tour of Musical Vienna or visit elegant Schönbrunn Palace. The afternoon is yours to enjoy Vienna at leisure. Cultural Connection: This evening enjoy a classical music concert at Kursalon Music Hall.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
15
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Budapest, Hungary
More gorgeous scenery unfolds as you cruise to Budapest, with commentary from the ship's bridge pointing out sights of particular interest. Disembark for a city tour of Budapest that includes visits to Matthias Church and magnificent Fishermen’s Bastion.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
16
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Budapest
Set off on a half-day excursion to the artists’ haven in Szentendre, then enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
17
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Budapest
Cultural Connection: A morning lecture aboard ship will acquaint you with Hungarian history, customs, and traditions. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
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Budapest / Kalocsa, Hungary
Today you venture into the vast plains of Hungary's famed Puszta to visit a horse ranch. Enjoy an unforgettable carriage ride and equestrian show, with lunch included. Back on board, attend a Captain’s Party and Dinner this evening.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
19
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Vukovar (Osijek), Croatia
Cultural Connection: Attend a lecture on Croatian history, geography, and the present day before setting off on a full-day tour to Vukovar and Osijek. A home-hosted lunch in Osijek affords you a rare opportunity to see what life in this rapidly-changing Eastern European country is really like. Later enjoy local Croatian entertainment on board.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
20
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Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
A city tour of Novi Sad includes Petrovaradin Fortress, Liberty Square, and the Serbian National Theater. Cultural Connection: Enjoy a talk on the colorful history of the Danube.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
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Belgrade
Cultural Connection: Enjoy an "Introduction to Modern Serbia" before embarking on a city tour of Belgrade including a visit to the Kalemegdan Fortress. Th afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. This evening, enjoy a performance by a Serbian folk ensemble on board ship.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
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Cruising the Iron Gates of the Danube
Spend the morning taking in the scenery as centuries of history glide by. You’ll experience a travel milestone as your river ship passes through as series of gorges known as the Iron Gates of the Danube. This spectacular section of the river only recently became accessible to river traffic. As the ship passes through two sets of locks, you’ll hear commentary from the Bridge explaining the process. Best of all, you’ll witness where the river breaks through the barrier of the Southern Carpathian Mountains in a dramatic series of gorges, some less than 500 feet wide.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
23
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Svistov (Veliko Turnôvo / Arbanassi) , Bulgaria / Ruse, Bulgaria
Set off on a full-day tour to historic Veliko Turnôvo and the nearby village of Arbanassi, including visits to a fortified house and an orthodox church. Cultural Connection: Lunch at local restaurant in Arbanassi offers a chance to meet with students and get their insights into life in Bulgaria.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
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Ruse
Cultural Connection: Following a lecture on the Expansion of the European Union, enjoy a morning panoramic city tour of Ruse including Sweta Troitse Church. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure; this evening enjoy an onboard dance performance by Bulgarian children.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
25
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Constanta, Romania
Cultural Connection: Enjoy a shipboard discussion by an icon painter about this centuries-old craft. Arriving in the Black Sea resort of Constanta, set off on a city tourincluding the National History and Archeological Museum and ancient Roman Mosaic. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a gala Captain’s Farewell Party and Farewell Dinner aboard ship.
Deluxe Vantage River Cruise Ship (B,L,D) |
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Oltenita, Romania / Disembark Ship / Bucharest, Romania
Disembark your Vantage river cruise ship and transfer by motorcoach to Bucharest, where you'll enjoy a panoramic city tour, including the famed People’s Palace, and lunch at a local restaurant. Later, after checking into your hotel, gather for your final Farewell Dinner.
JW Marriott Bucharest Hotel  (B,L,D) |
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Bucharest / Return flight home OR continue with our 4-night Transylvania extension
Transfer to the airport for return flight home, or begin our optional extension in Bucharest.
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Please note: This day-by-day itinerary is preliminary and is subject to change. For arrival and departure times, and additional details on daily activities, please refer to Castles Along the Rhine & Danube and Eastern Europe & the Black Sea. This itinerary is a combination of these two river cruises.
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