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EUROPE
Splendours of Europe River Cruise & Grand Tour of Italy
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 & Grand Tour of Italy
Tour code: EIFC  
Days: 27  
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 4Cologne - 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-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 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 - Fly to Rome (FB,D)
After breakfast this morning it’s time to disembark the ship and transfer to Budapest Airport for your flight to Rome. You will be met at Fiumicino Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Our first excursion today is an afternoon walking tour to see many of Rome’s famous sights including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. (Please schedule flights to arrive before midday).
Two Night Stay: Rome
Day 16Rome Sightseeing (FB)
We begin today’s included guided sightseeing at the Vatican City. See centuries of accumulated wealth during our visit to the Vatican Museums and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. The highlights here are Michelangelo’s Last Judgement and Old Testament Frescoes. We enter the world’s largest church, St. Peter’s Basilica and emerge into St. Peter’s Square to marvel at Michelangelo’s impressive dome. From here we cross the Tiber into ancient Rome to overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, where chariot races took place, and to visit the mighty Colosseum.
Day 17Rome – Siena - Florence (FB,D)
Our day begins with a drive through the Chianti vineyards and olive groves to the medieval city of Siena. Here an orientation includes a walk along the narrow cobblestone streets to the Piazza del Campo, scene of the annual Palio. See Della Quercia’s “fountain of joy” and the cathedral. There is some free time maybe to shop for beautiful ceramic pottery before we drive to the magnificent Renaissance city of Florence.
Two Night Stay: Florence
Day 18Florence Sightseeing (FB)
Today we enjoy an included guided walking tour of Florence, starting at the Academy of Fine Arts, to admire Michelangelo’s David. We then visit the Duomo with its spectacular exterior of marble panels. The immediate vicinity features Giotto’s Belltower, Brunelleschi’s Dome and Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’. A walk onto the stunning Ponte Vecchio and through Piazza della Signoria will take us back to the historic centre.
Day 19Florence - Pisa - Milan - Italian Lakes (FB,D)
Today we will travel into the Tuscan countryside and to the once maritime city of Pisa where we visit the Square of Miracles with its monumental cathedral and famous Leaning Bell Tower. We visit the fashionable city of Milan for a walking tour, which shows us the gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera house and the famous Galleria. We continue our drive to the lakeside resort of Stresa.
Two Night Stay: Stresa
Day 20Lugano Day Excursion (FB)
We drive into the Ticino, the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, where we stop to visit the beautiful resort of Lugano. On our arrival there’s time to shop or simply relax with a cappuccino.
Day 21Verona - Venice (FB,D)
This morning we cross the plains of Lombardy to the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Verona. We stop to admire the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony. Its then a short drive to the water bound Renaissance city of Venice. On arrival we enjoy a highlight gondola ride through the canals.
Two Night Stay: Venice
Day 22Venice Sightseeing (FB)
We will appreciate the wealth and power that pervaded this maritime city state in times past during our included walking tour of the city. See the bustling cafés in the square, the clock tower ‘dei Mori’, the Campanile and visit both the stunning Basilica of San Marco and the spectacular Doge’s Palace. The balance of the day is at leisure. Maybe just stroll through the maze of little pathways and absorb the unique atmosphere.
Day 23Venice – Ravenna - Assisi (FB)
This morning we visit the Roman town of Ravenna with its ancient mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Here we will visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe to see the ancient mosaics. Our journey continues to the province of Umbria and mystical Assisi, perched on Mount Subasio and overlooking a peaceful Umbrian landscape. This city under the protection of St. Francis is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. On our arrival a guided walking tour includes the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its fresco paintings depicting the life of this much-loved saint. Later time is your own to do as you please.
Overnight Stay: Assisi
Day 24Assisi - Sorrento (FB,D)
This morning’s drive takes us through the Apennine Mountains towards the coastline of the Bay of Naples. We continue along the cliff tops to the picturesque resort town of Sorrento.
Two Night Stay: Sorrento
Day 25Isle of Capri Excursion (FB)
After breakfast our day begins with a mini-cruise across the Bay of Naples to the Isle of Capri (weather permitting). Take a funicular train up to Capri Town and spend some time wandering the narrow alleys and exclusive boutiques.
Day 26Sorrento – Pompeii - Rome (FB,HD)
It’s a short drive to Pompeii for a guided walking tour with our audio system of the excavations of the town petrified by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Then we drive through Campania, stopping at Monte Cassino to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Return to Rome where you will enjoy a farewell dinner with your tour director and fellow travelling companions.
Overnight Stay: Rome
Day 27Depart Rome (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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