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EUROPE
Britain & Ireland Explorer & Splendours of Europe River Cruise
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Inclusions
Departure Dates
More Tours



The cruise and/or tour map shown is provided as a guide only.
The actual route of the cruise or tour may vary.
Tour Summary
Tour name: Britain & Ireland Explorer & Splendours of Europe River Cruise
Tour code: EBFC  
Days: 30  
Overview:

  
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Arrive London (D)
Welcome to London! You will be met at Heathrow Airport and transferred* to your centrally located hotel (please book flights to arrive before midday). Your half day sightseeing tour of London’s West End shows you Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. Meet up this evening with your Tour Director and fellow travellers over a welcome drink.
Overnight Stay: London
Day 2London - Stratford – York (FB)
This morning we drive through the Oxfordshire countryside into the ‘heart of England’ to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of the Bard, William Shakespeare. We then visit Chatsworth House,voted one of Britain’s favourite estates and the backdrop of the film “Pride and Prejudice”, before heading north to York, the ancient capital of Viking Britain.
Overnight Stay: York
Day 3York – Edinburgh (FB,D)
Our included guided walking tour will reveal York’s Roman and Viking heritage. Much-photographed narrow medieval streets such as “The Shambles” and the famous Stonegate bring centuries of history to life. Continue driving north to see Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s most impressive Roman monument. Cross the wild Northumberland moors into Scotland, passing Jedburgh Abbey and the house of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots en route to the capital of Edinburgh.
Two Night Stay: Edinburgh
Day 4Edinburgh Sightseeing (FB)
Our included guided tour will explore all of the key sights in the city. We’ll board the Royal Yacht Britannia and tour the ship which has been preserved in the state used by the Queen on her last official voyage. A guided tour takes you inside Edinburgh castle, dominating the city from its rocky crag.

Tonight, selected departures enjoy the Military Tattoo - a colourful mixture of historic battles and military manoeuvres, complete with pipes and drums.
Day 5Edinburgh – Highlands (FB,HD)
This morning we enjoy a private guided visit to Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland and visit Scone Palace, Royal coronation site. We then tour the historic Glenfiddich Distillery and sample one of the most celebrated whiskies in Scotland. This evening enjoy a Highlight Dinner with haggis, accompanied by dancing and the sound of the bagpipes. 
Overnight Stay: Highlands
Day 6Highlands - Glasgow (FB)
Mountains and glens greet you as you drive through dramatic Glencoe. On the ‘bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ you’ll board a guided Highlight cruise on one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs. We then visit the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle.
Overnight Stay: Glasgow
Day 7Glasgow - Lake District (FB,D)
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour which will include the 12th century cathedral and the gothic style infirmary, see elegant Georgian squares and stunning architecture. We travel past the original border where Hadrian’s Wall once stood into the Lakes District, where Wordsworth and Potter were inspired by the natural beauty of the mountains and lakes. 
Overnight Stay: Lakes District
Day 8Lakes District – Liverpool (FB)
We travel south and arrive in Liverpool and rediscover the 60’s phenomenon that was the ‘fab four’ at the Beatles Story Museum. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure for you to explore.
Overnight Stay: Liverpool
Day 9Liverpool - Chester – Dublin (FB,D)
Step back into Roman times in Chester. See the city’s ancient encircling walls and its remarkable 13th century black and white galleried ‘Rows’. Continue into Wales, and visit Caernarfon, dominated by its majestic 13th century Castle.
Two Night Stay: Dublin
Day 10Dublin Sightseeing (FB,HL)
A local guide will show you Dublin’s elegant Georgian squares and the impressive castle. We then visit the Guinness Storehouse to enjoy a highlight lunch and learn how to ‘pull the perfect pint’.
Day 11Dublin – Limerick (FB)
We take a spectacular drive along the Atlantic coastline of the Cliffs of Moher. We then visit BunrattyFolkPark, where 19th century Irish rural and urban life is recreated in the form of a local village.
Overnight Stay: Limerick
Day 12Limerick – Ring Of Kerry – Killarney (FB)
This morning we cross the mighty Shannon and into Killarney. We drive around the Ring of Kerry, a wonderful landscape hewn by the last Ice Age with some of the most beautiful and unspoilt coastline in Ireland.  
Overnight Stay: Killarney
Day 13Killarney – Waterford (FB,D)
Visit the famous 15th century Blarney Castle, the home of the stone of eloquence, once kissed, never forgotten! Take a tour and tasting at Jameson’s Irish Whiskey Distillery, followed by a visit to the Waterford Crystal Showroom.
Overnight Stay: Waterford
Day 14Waterford – Cardiff (FB)
Drive to Rosslare to take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Pembroke. Continue past the valleys of South Wales to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and the brilliant Millennium Stadium.
Overnight Stay: Cardiff
Day 15Bath - Stonehenge – London (FB,D)
We visit Bath with its Georgian streets and crescents, and visit the Roman Baths. Cross Salisbury Plain and stop to visit the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your tour director and fellow travellers.
Overnight Stay:London
Day 16London – Amsterdam Embarkation (FB,HD)
Today you will be transferred* to London Heathrow Airport, and fly to Amsterdam. You will be met and transferred* to your luxury Evergreen Tours river cruise ship. A warm welcome awaits you from your Captain and crew as you board. This evening enjoy a welcome cocktail reception followed by a Gala Welcome dinner.
Day 17Amsterdam - Cruising (FB,L,D)
This morning we join a glass top canal boat cruise and explore Amsterdam’s maze of canals. Cruise past 16th century merchant houses and charming churches, dating back to Holland’s Golden Age. We continue our sightseeing with a visit to the world famous Van Gogh Museum, containing the worlds largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, for a first hand appreciation of the Dutchman’s artistic genius.
Day 18Cologne - Koblenz (FB,L,D)
Founded by the Romans, Cologne is Germany’s oldest city and is famous for its magnificent World-heritage listed Gothic Cathedral. Join your guide this morning and explore the city including the Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical monuments. Return to your ship for lunch and afternoon cruising along the Rhine River, past quaint villages and spectacular landscapes to the beautiful 2,000 year old townsite of Koblenz, located at the intersection of the Rhine and the Moselle Rivers. Tonight after dinner, you will have time to take a walk and explore the village.
Day 19Koblenz - 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 to their doom onto treacherous rocks by enchanted temptresses. In the afternoon we arrive at Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most popular towns. Join the “Winzerexpress” mini-train ride to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum, where your guided tour features displays of self-playing instruments. On your way back to the ship see the huge Niederwald monument depicting the mythical figure of Germania and stroll along the Drosselgasse, a pedestrian street lined with wine taverns, shops and restaurants.
Day 20Miltenberg - Wertheim (FB,L,D)
A picturesque village on the Main River, Miltenberg creates an imitable feeling of Bavarian life in medieval times and the Old Town is lined with well-preserved half-timbered buildings. The gothic Merchant Hall is an impressive symbol of past affluence created by trade from river traffic. Return to the ship for lunch and cruise onto Wertheim, a beautiful town known for its glassworks, Franconian wine and friendly people. The highlight of your afternoon will be a walk through the medieval city along its cobblestone streets and discovering the traditional methods of Wertheim’s glassblowing tradition in a private demonstration.
Day 21Würzburg (FB,L,D)
Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”, Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. After breakfast, we join our guide for a walking tour of Würzburg followed by a visit to 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. After lunch, enjoy free time or take an optional tour the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, considered to be the best preserved medieval city in Europe (additional expense, must be pre-booked). Here the town walls with their fortified battlements form a protective circle around the precious relics of bygone ages.
Day 22Bamberg (FB,L,D)
Relax onboard this morning as we cruise through the Main-DanubeCanal, arriving after lunch at our destination, Bamberg. Feel the magic of the past as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage city with your guide today. Boasting one of Europe’s largest intact medieval town centres, Bamberg is bursting with original character and charm. At the centre of the town 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 23Nuremberg (FB,L,D)
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the ImperialCastle and the JusticePalace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. The city tour leads you to the major sites and sights of the city, from the medieval beginnings to the present. We then head to the Nazi party rally grounds, where the Nazi party rallies were held from 1933 until 1938 and take a self-guided tour of the WWII Documentation Centre.
Day 24Weltenburg - Regensburg (FB,L,D)
This morning takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal. Embark on an exciting boat trip through the lovely Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey the oldest monastery in Bavaria. After a short tour of the abbey church you can taste the famous dark beer of Weltenburg. Return to your ship in magnificent 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.
Day 25Passau - Linz (FB,L,D)
Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in 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 afternoon cruising to Linz. After dinner, catch a night view of the town square, where baroque-era houses surround the town’s Trinity Column. You may also wish to stop for an espresso and sample the famed Linzer Torte. Today there is also the opportunity to take an optional tour to either Salzburg, birth place of Mozart and the setting for the “Sound of Music”, or the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov (additional expense, must be pre-booked).
Day 26Melk - Dürnstein -Vienna (FB,L,D)
Situated within Austria’s wine-growing region, Melk is home toan imposing 900-year old Benedictine Abbey which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture, with its ornate goldleaf walls, 640ft Imperial Corridor and spectacular fresco ceilingsand offers spectacular views of the Danube. Later the ship sailsthrough the spectacular Wachau valley and on to Dürnstein, oneof the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. This isthe site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisonedafter returning from the crusades in the 12th century.
Day 27Vienna (FB,L,D)
Welcome to Vienna, the “City of Waltzes”. Today we explore Austria’s capital beginning with a drive along the Ringstrasse, where we will see Vienna’s world-famous Opera House, Burgtheatre, Spanish Riding School, Town Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace followed by a visit to the Belvedere Palace and gardens. This afternoon is at leisure to stroll the main shopping street or as an option a visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace (additional expense, must be pre-booked). This evening after dinner you’ll have the opportunity to attend a Viennese concert featuring the music of Mozart and Strauss (additional expense, must be pre-booked).
Day 28Bratislava (FB,L,HD)
Set on the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava the capital of Slovakia, embodies various cultures – primarily Celtic, Roman and Slavic. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. This evening the captain will be delighted to welcome you to the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Day 29Budapest (FB,L,HD)
Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan cities. Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Royal Palace of Buda, hilltop castle complex with Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church, and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest. This evening the ship will take you for a night-time cruise along the Danube, passing under the city’s numerous bridges, whilst enjoying a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner complete with folk dancing and music.
Day 30Disembarkation - Depart Budapest (FB)
After breakfast, it’s time to farewell your fellow passengers and disembark the ship for your transfer* to the airport.

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Tour itinerary is valid from 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2011 and is subject to change. Enquire for itinerary details that fall outside of these dates. If you have booked on a tour please refer to the itinerary provided in your tour documentation or on Tour Personaliser for any changes that have been made.


Evergreen Tours (a division of Scenic Tours Pty Ltd)
Lic No 2TA 002 633