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EUROPE
Splendours of Europe River Cruise & Dalmatian Coast
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 & Dalmatian Coast
Tour code: EGFD  
Days: 26  
Overview:

  
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Amsterdam - Embarkation (HD)
Welcome to Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, a fascinating 700 year old city of picturesque canals, world class museums, theatres and cafés. 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 Amsterdam. This evening join your fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail reception followed by a Gala Welcome dinner.
Day 2Amsterdam - 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 3Cologne - 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 4Koblenz - 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 5Miltenberg - 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 6Würzburg (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 7Bamberg (FB,L,D)
Relax onboard this morning as we cruise through the Main-Danube Canal, 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 8Nuremberg (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 9Weltenburg - 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 10Passau - 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 11Melk - 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 12Vienna (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 13Bratislava (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 14Budapest (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 15Disembarkation Budapest - Zagreb (FB,L)
After breakfast this morning it’s time to disembark the ship and travel south through gentle countryside towards central Europe’s largest lake – Balaton, regarded as a major wine growing region. Take in the spectacular views of the lake whilst enjoying lunch. We continue our journey across the border to Croatia, arriving in Zagreb.
Two Night Stay:Zagreb
Day 16Zagreb (FB,D)
This morning we will take in the sights of the city. Enjoy the architecture of the Archbishop’s Palace, Opera House, Cathedral and St Mark’s. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore this lively capital or perhaps take an excursion into the surrounding countryside.
Day 17Zagreb - Trogir - Dubrovnik (FB,L)
Our journey this morning takes us to the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic on the north Dalmatian coastline, where we reach the seaport of Trogir, the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic old town in central Europe. Trogir’s medieval core, surrounded by walls, comprises a preserved castle and tower and a series of dwellings, churches and palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Then we hug the coastline with the sparkling sea on our right and majestic mountains on our left as we head to Dubrovnik – commonly known as the Pearl of the Adriatic.
Three Night Stay: Dubrovnik
Day 18Dubrovnik (FB,HD)
The walled old town of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World heritage site and has remained largely unchanged since medieval times. Enjoy a walk around the medieval ramparts which enclose the town and provide magnificent vistas of both the sea and the famous city of red roofs and grey stone. We will also see Onofrio’s Fountain, the Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. This evening we savour Croatian cuisine at a local restaurant.
Day 19Dubrovnik at leisure (FB)
Today is at leisure to explore the lively market, enjoy lunch in a seaside restaurant or simply relax. Your Tour Director will be happy to advise how best to use your free time.
Day 20Dubrovnik – Mostar - Split (FB,L)
We farewell Dubrovnik and head inland to the pretty town of Mostar, Herzegovina, which is famous for its Old Bridge which was built by the Ottoman empire in 1565. We then continue our spectacular drive to Split, site of the former Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. Today, the Palace constitutes the inner core of this bustling port city and is inhabited with shops and market squares.
Two Night Stay: Split
Day 21Split (FB)
With a local guide we will enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour of this gracious city by the sea. We will visit the Roman Palace of Diocletian, a well preserved fortress which was once encircled by 750 feet long walls. Highlights include remains of the original palace, a colonnaded square and the Temple of Jupiter. You will then have some free time to explore the maze of streets in the old town or wander down to the port.
Day 22Split - Plitvice Lakes (FB,D)
Our journey continues this morning north along the Dalmatian coastline, before heading inland, there is last chance to enjoy the sea-breeze before we turn inland and enjoy the rugged natural scenery of the Balkans as we head towards the unique Plitvice National Park. On arrival we will enjoy an included guided tour of the world famous National Park along meandering pathways as we view a series of emerald green lakes, stepped and linked by increasingly impressive waterfalls.
Overnight Stay: Plitvice
Day 23Plitvice Lakes - Ljubljana - Lake Bled (FB,L)
Continuing our journey, we pass through Karlovac, and cross into Slovenia and arrive in its capital Ljubljana, which means ‘much loved’. Our included sightseeing tour includes the Castle, Opera House, National Museum, Franciscan Church and St. Nicholas Cathedral. Soon we reach Lake Bled, an earthly paradise at the foot of the Julian Alps, for our two-night stay!
Two Night Stay: Lake Bled
Day 24Postojna Excursion - Lake Bled at Leisure (FB,D)
Today we will visit Slovenia’s greatest tourist site – the Karst Caves at Postojna. A mini-train will take us underground through a series of beautiful halls adorned with stalagmites and stalactites, unique shapes that will leave you spellbound. We return to Lake Bled and have the afternoon at leisure to either take an optional cruise on the lake or relax and enjoy the beautiful views.
Day 25Lake Bled – Graz - Vienna (FB,D)
This morning we leave Slovenia and cross the border into Austria. Crossing the Karawanken Mountains we arrive in Vienna, capital of Austria. This evening join your tour director and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner.
Overnight Stay: Vienna
Day 26Depart Vienna (FB)
Your tour concludes after breakfast when you are transferred* to the airport for your onward or home bound flight.

*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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