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EUROPE
Splendours of Europe River Cruise & Britain & Ireland Explorer
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: Splendours of Europe River Cruise & Britain & Ireland Explorer
Tour code: EBRC  
Days: 30  
Overview:

  
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Budapest - Embarkation (HD)
Welcome to Budapest! You will be met and transferred* from the airport to the dock. A warm welcome awaits you from your Captain and crew as you board your luxury Evergreen Tours river cruise ship. After boarding, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore Budapest. This evening join your fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail reception followed by a night-time cruise along the Danube, passing under the city’s numerous bridges, whilst enjoying a traditional Hungarian welcome dinner complete with folk dancing and music.
Day 2Budapest (FB,L,D)
Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. 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 afternoon you have free time before departing for Bratislava.
Day 3Bratislava - Vienna (FB,L,D)
This morning we arrive at the city of Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. We then depart and cruise along the Danube towards Vienna the “City of Waltzes”. 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 4Vienna (FB,L,D)
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).
Day 5Dürnstein - Melk (FB,L,D)
In the morning we arrive in Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. This is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th century. Thereafter you drive through the picturesque landscape of this district to the 900-year old Benedictine abbey of Melk, which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture.
Day 6Linz - Passau (FB,L,D)
This morning explore the riverside city of Linz. There is an 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). In the afternoon we reach Passau. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this beautiful city. On this afternoon’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.
Day 7Regensburg - Weltenburg (FB,L,D)
This morning after breakfast we arrive in magnificent Regensburg. 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. After lunch 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.
Day 8Nuremberg (FB,L,D)
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace 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 9Bamberg (FB,L,D)
Relax onboard this morning as we cruise through the Main- Danube Canal, arriving after lunch at our destination, Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage city. 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.
Day 10Würzburg (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. After lunch, enjoy free time or take an optional tour on the Romantic Road to Rothenburg (additional expense, must be pre-booked).
Day 11Wertheim - Miltenberg (FB,L,D)
This morning cruise into Wertheim, a beautiful town known for its glassworks, Franconian wine and friendly people. The highlight of your morning will be a walk through the medieval city and discovering the traditional methods of Wertheim’s glassblowing tradition in a private demonstration. We continue the journey into the picturesque village of Miltenberg. The village creates an imitable feeling of Bavarian life in medieval times and the Old Town is lined with well-preserved half-timbered buildings.
Day 12Rüdesheim - Koblenz (FB,L,D)
After breakfast 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. Today’s cruising will be a highlight of your trip, as we cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. We’ll pass the infamous Lorelei Rock where sailors are said to have been lured to their doom onto treacherous rocks by enchanted temptresses. In the late afternoon we arrive into the beautiful 2,000 year old townsite of Koblenz.
Day 13Koblenz - Cologne (FB,L,HD)
The ship sails from Koblenz in the early morning, cruising along the Rhine we arrive in Cologne. 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. This evening the captain will be delighted to welcome you to the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Day 14Cruising - Amsterdam (FB,L,HD)
The ship sails along the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal and into Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. This afternoon 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, for a first hand appreciation of the Dutchman’s artistic genius. This evening join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner.
Day 15Disembarkation Amsterdam – London (FB)
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer* to the airport and fly 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 16London - 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 17York – 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 18Edinburgh 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 19Edinburgh – 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 20Highlands - 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 21Glasgow - 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 22Lakes 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 23Liverpool - 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 24Dublin 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 25Dublin – 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 26Limerick – 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 27Killarney – 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 28Waterford – 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 29Bath - 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 30Depart London (FB)
Today you will be transferred* to London Heathrow Airport where your tour concludes.

*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)
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