Voyage Across the Continent Amsterdam to Tulcea

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Giving you the chance to get under the skin of a destination by enjoying the local food and culture.

Amsterdam Culinary Walking Tour

After disembarking your ship and meeting your guide, take a tram to Central Station from where you will begin a walking tour of the Dutch capital. Along the way look forward to tasting local delicacies including herring, cheese and croquettes and rounding it off with a sweet treat from a bakery. Walking Grade 4

Please be advised that this excursion is PRE BOOKABLE ONLY up to 7 days before departure and has a minimum number of 7, if this is not reached then the excursion may be cancelled.

Three hours

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Budapest Culinary Walking Tour

Your tour begins with a tram ride to the First Strudel House, where you can enjoy a video about the traditions of strudel-making in Hungary followed by a live demonstration of how to prepare, stretch and fill the dough – with instructions in English. Perhaps try your own hand at the skill and then relax with a hot drink while you wait for your creations to bake. After enjoying your strudel, take a walk through the city to enjoy some authentic chimney cake and after a brief stop continue to the Central Market Hall where you can try some authentic Hungarian salami before you return to your ship by tram. Walking Grade 4

Please be advised that this excursion is PRE BOOKABLE ONLY up to 14 days before departure and has a minimum number of 7, if this is not reached then the excursion may be cancelled. This excursion may run at the same time as an included one, if this is the case the cost of the included will have been deducted from the selling price.

Four hours

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Vienna Culinary Walking Tour

Look forward to a series of tastings in Vienna which are sure to leave your tastebuds in a whirl. After transferring from your ship to Albertina Square, enjoy a guided walk through the city, winding up at the Imperial Palace. Along the way you will pause to sample some of the famous sandwiches for which Vienna is renowned, try the local speciality sausage, served with horseradish and bread, raise a glass of sparkling wine and even sample some delicious Mozart Thaler sweet chocolate biscuits. Walking Grade 3

Please be advised that this excursion is PRE BOOKABLE ONLY up to 2 days before departure and has a minimum number of 5, if this is not reached then the excursion may be cancelled. This excursion may run at the same time as an included one, if this is the case the cost of the included will have been deducted from the selling price.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Bamberg Culinary Walking Tour

Enjoy a themed tour of Bamberg, which promises to bring hundreds of years of the city’s culinary traditions to life. Your tour will begin at the Schlachthaus - abattoir – and continues into the old town. Enjoy commentary from your knowledgeable guide and the chance to sample local specialities along the way before your tour wraps up with the chance to sup a cold beer, brewed locally. Walking grade 4

Please be advised that this excursion is PRE BOOKABLE ONLY up to 7 days before departure and has a minimum number of 13, if this is not reached then the excursion may be cancelled. This excursion may run at the same time as an included one.

Two hours

Cologne Chocolate Museum

Treat yourself to this very special tour which includes a tasting of the finest Lindt chocolate, in the company of a master chocolatier. Take a journey through chocolate history, learn where cocoa originates from and how it has been enjoyed through the ages. Take the chance to nibble on an authentic cocoa bean and marvel as you follow the production process, from bean to bar. Of course you can sample some of the handiwork yourself as your tour concludes with a visit to Lindt’s grand chocolate fountain, where you can tuck in to your heart’s content. Walking Grade 3

Two hours

Belgrade and the Kalemegdan Fortress

Belgrade is the capital of the Republic of Serbia and lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube. See the city highlights on a coach tour that takes in Republic Square where the National Theatre and Museum are located. Visit Saint Sava basilica, one of the world’s largest churches. The Kalemegdan Fortress, parts of which date back to the 18th century, looms over the city below commanding glorious views. The site of military fortifications from the 2nd century onwards, it has been tussled over by the Romans, the Goths, the Huns, the Avars, the Serbs, the Turks and the Austrians in turn. Today it also serves as Belgrade’s central park for all to enjoy. Walking Grade 3

Three hours

Danube Delta Exploration

Explore Europe's second largest delta through a series of channels and lakes that cannot be reached by large ships. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has a wild landscape and a diversity of habitats that attract many species of birds. Near Nebunu Lake, during the breeding season, you may see pelicans plus a large variety of other bird species such as heron, swan and wild duck, although obviously we cannot guarantee sightings.

Walking Grade 1

Two-and-a-half hours

Godollo Palace

Visit Godollo Palace, the second largest baroque palace in the world. This grandiose former summer residence of Queen Elisabeth and Franz Joseph, the Hapsburg Emperor and King of Hungary between 1867-1916, fully reflects their resplendent lifestyle. Explore the interior of the palace, and the beautiful gardens, and gain an insight into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. You'll also visit the decorative baroque Palace Theatre, where Prince Antal Grassalkovich II once kept a permanent 24-piece orchestra at his beck and call! Walking Grade 2

Four hours

Kalocsa and Puszta

Find out more about the Hungarian way of life with a visit to the Folk Art House to see wall and furniture painting in a former peasant’s cottage. You’ll also learn about the significance of the favourite regional spice with a visit to the Paprika Museum. Having learnt about flavouring you’ll sample typical Hungarian cuisine with lunch at the Inn of Bakod Puszta. Later enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, followed by a performance of Hungarian horsemanship. The harmony between the horsemen and horses, the elegant carriage and the breathtaking sight of a team of eight horses ridden together, all add up to an unforgettable experience. Refreshments are served during the performance. Walking Grade 2

Full day

Koblenz and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Immortalised by Byron and Herman Melville, lofty fortifications have glowered over Koblenz since 1,000AD and changed faces over the centuries. The Prussians constructed Festung Ehrenbreitstein in the early 19th century, when Rhineland became a Prussian province. Despite being Europe’s second largest fortress, after Gibraltar, it played no part in either WWI or WWII. Enjoy a panoramic cable car ride from Koblenz up to the fortress, the views are astounding and you’ll learn about the history of the site. There will be a guided walk around the historic city of Koblenz, and you can admire the elegant architecture. Walking Grade 4

Three hours

Lazar Equestrian Park Horse Farm

Travel by coach from Budapest to the Lazar Equestrian Park, owned by the world champion horse and carriage drivers, the Lazar brothers. After a warm welcome and refreshments of freshly-baked leavened biscuits and palinka - Hungarian brandy - you'll take your seats for a fascinating show demonstrating exceptional horsemanship: there'll be commentary in English to explain about the horses and the skills required. Afterwards you have the opportunity to take a carriage ride around the park, followed by a walk through the yard, typical of a Hungarian village, where you can see various local breeds of livestock. You also have the chance to visit the stables where the Lazar's champion horses are kept. Walking Grade 1

Two-and-a-half hours

Melk Abbey

Set in a beautiful position on a promontory overlooking the Danube River, the wonderfully ornate Melk Abbey is a masterpiece of high baroque architecture. Formerly the site of a castle given to Benedictine monks by Leopold III von Babenberg in the 11th century, work on the present monastery began in 1702 to the plans of Jakob Prandtauer. The exterior is an imposing and majestic sight with symmetrical towers and a large octagonal dome, while the interior is lavishly decorated and contains innumerable artistic treasures. After visiting the abbey you can enjoy some free time in the beautiful garden, before returning to the ship. Walking Grade 3

Two-and-a-half hours

Miltenberg beer tasting

A short walk from the ship’s berth in the heart of Miltenberg’s old town is the Brauhaus Faust, the only remaining independent brewery in the city founded in 1654. You’ll be taken on a tour and gain behind-the-scenes insights into a working brewery, and learn about the history and heritage of Bavarian beer making. Of course, the visit wouldn’t be complete without sampling a couple of beers with a typically Bavarian pretzel! Walking Grade 3

Two hours

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the capital of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Situated on the Danube between Budapest and Belgrade, it's a treasured regional and cultural centre. Enjoy a short walking tour of the old town centre, which boasts a fine selection of 18th and 19th-century buildings. Then continue to an old family wine cellar where you can taste the local wines, and also honey, produced here. Walking Grade 3

Three hours

Passau City Walk

Also known as the ‘Venice of Bavaria’, Passau is set in the beautiful location at the meeting point of three rivers – the Danube, Inn and Ilz. The surrounding hills create a picture-postcard backdrop to the city’s towers, spires and red-roofed houses. A historic city full of culture, Passau’s wealthy past is reflected in its many fine buildings, including the magnificent baroque St Stephen’s Cathedra as well as the old and new Bishop’s Palaces. Enjoy a walking tour through the charming streets to the banks of the Danube and riverside promenades, following on to Cathedral Square dominated by St Stephen’s Cathedral with its distinctive three towers. Maybe you'll get lucky and hear Europe's largest church organ which is housed in this great place of worship. Walking Grade 3

Two hours

Regensburg City Walk

Regensburg's old town, a labyrinth of charming medieval streets and alleys with a skyline punctuated by historic towers, dates back two millennia. This one-time centre of the Holy Roman Empire, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was fortunate to escape damage during WWII. Highlights of your tour include Gothic St Peter's Cathedral, the splendid eight-storey Old Town Hall and the 12th-century Stone Bridge, which was, until the 1930s, the only bridge across the river. Walking Grade 3

Two hours

Tour of Rousse

Drive to the village of Ivanovo in the Rusenski Lom Natural Park, named after the river which has carved canyons and caves through the limestone rock over many hundreds of years. The Park is renowned for being the site of around 300 historic churches and chapels built out of rock by monks in the 12th-century. The location was chosen so they could worship in silence and solitude and it was not until 100 years ago that their ruins were discovered by archaeologists. One structure – The Church of the Holy Mother – was perfectly preserved, featuring colourful murals from the 14th century, and has now been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After visiting the church you can look forward to a short bus ride to a local family-run winery where you can look forward to a tasting and a snack of Banitsa, the Bulgarian national dish, while enjoying superb views over the Danube and the surrounding vineyards. Your tour concludes with a walking tour of central Rousse, taking in the architectural and historic highlights. Walking Grade 3

Three-and-a-half hours

Rudesheim Wine Tasting

Board a tourist train and travel into the centre of Rudesheim to Weingut Adolf Storzel. Located just a few steps from the famous Drosselgasse, this family owned winery dates back to the 16th century. Your knowledgeable host will introduce you to 3 different white wines from the winery. A pretzel is served alongside to neutralise the taste of the different wines. After the wine tasting you will have the possibility to taste and purchase other white and red wines and different liquors and brandies. A small glass decorated with the coat of arms of the family is yours to take away as a souvenir. Afterwards, the tourist train will take you back to your ship, unless you decide to stroll back at your leisure; perhaps via the Drosselgasse! Walking Grade 1

One-and-a-half hours

Salzburg

The beautifully preserved romantic city of Salzburg is Mozart's birthplace. It is split by the River Salzach and overlooked by two hills: the Kapuzinerberg and the Monchsberg. From the city you can also see the famous hill of Festungsberg, crowned by Hohensalzburg castle. Journey through picturesque mountain scenery and on arrival enjoy a guided walk through the old town to see churches, elegant squares and winding narrow alleys line with houses that, in parts, date back to medieval times. On the 'Getreidegasse', you'll find the house where, in 1756, Mozart was born, now a museum dedicated to his life. Enjoy free time to explore independently - fans of The Sound of Music might like to head for the Mirabell Gardens and Residenz Square to see film locations - and perhaps find time to stop for a slice of that famous Austrian chocolate cake Sachertorte! Lunch is included. Walking Grade 4

Full day

Schonbrunn Palace

The sumptuous Imperial Summer Palace of the Hapsburgs was the centre of royal life in the 18th century. Leopold I commissioned Fischer von Erlach to create it in 1695, after being inspired by the glories of Versailles. It lies in beautiful formal gardens and parkland and the lavish interiors are adorned with priceless treasures. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is bursting with fine examples of the decorative arts. Discover riches such as the Millions Room – panelled in rosewood with Persian miniature watercolours – and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart played a recital for Maria Theresa. Stroll through the grounds with their vast flowerbeds and perhaps visit the Coach and Carriage Museum. Walking Grade 3

Four hours

Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum

Siegfried Wendel’s eccentric collection of 350 self-playing instruments is a veritable treat for eyes and ears. In this whimsical museum you’ll find a fantastical, nostalgic and joyous cacophony of beautiful music boxes, barrel organs, hand-cranked carnival machines and early jukeboxes, all in full working order. High points include the ‘Puppet Orchestrion’, a huge cabinet containing puppet musicians (1888) and the later ‘Phonoliszt Violina’ a blend of piano and violins that plays in perfect harmony. Walking Grade 2

One-and-a-half hours

Topola and Oplenac

Travel through the heart of the Serbian countryside to the top of Oplenac Hill in Topola. Here you will visit the incredible St George’s Church, with its unmistakable white marble exterior. The church serves as a mausoleum for the Serbian Royal Family and its simple façade is a huge contrast to its intricate vibrant interior, replicating various frescoes from medieval artwork found in churches throughout Serbia. The crypt itself is a breathtaking masterpiece, covered in mosaics with 40 million individual pieces of glass, expanding over 3,500 square metres. After visiting the church, relax with refreshments on the hilltop and maybe take a stroll to enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside before journeying back to your ship. Walking Grade 3. Refreshments Included.

Four-and-a-half hours

Veliko Tarnovo

One of Bulgaria’s most stunning medieval towns, Veliko Tarnovo perches astride three hills overlooking the dramatic gorge of the river Yantra. Here you’ll see the ancient fortress of Tsarevets with its far-reaching walls that encircle the Royal Palace, the Church of the Blessed Saviour, and the monastery with its grisly Execution Rock. Explore Veliko Tarnovo’s winding historic streets and admire the commanding views before enjoying lunch at a typical Bulgarian restaurant. If time permits, you may also visit the nearby town of Arbanassi, home to quaint, painted churches and unusual, fortress-style houses. Walking Grade 3

Full day

Vienna Evening Concert

A trip to Vienna would not be complete without an after-dinner concert of Viennese music. Travel to Palace Auersperg, or one of Vienna’s other impressive palaces near the famous Ringstrasse and parliament. Relax and enjoy the uplifting music of the Strauss family, and be transported back to 18th-century Vienna as you listen to Mozart. Details of performances are provided on board. Walking Grade 1

Two-and-a-half hours

Weltenburg Abbey and the Danube Gorge

Weltenburg Abbey lies in beautiful countryside on a gorge beside the Danube River in eastern Bavaria. Built between 1715-1734, the abbey is a masterpiece of German baroque architecture and is exquisitely painted. The Benedictine monks who live here are renowned for their award-winning dark ale - Weltenburger Kloster Baroque Dunkel - that they have brewed since the 11th century. Enjoy a thirty-minute boat ride through the Danube Gorge and a visit to the abbey, where a guide will give a short talk. With some free time at leisure, why not sample some ale of cheese in the restaurant? Walking Grade 4

Four hours

Royal Palace and Tito Memorial

Visit the Royal Compound, which sits on Dedinje Hill – one of the seven hills across which Belgrade is spread. Your walking tour visits the Royal Palace, the residence of Crown Prince Alexander II and Princess Katherine and the Church of Saint Andrej, the patron of the Royal family. The Royal Palace was built between 1924 and 1929 with the private funds of His Majesty King Alexander I Karadjordjevic – the grandfather of the current crown prince.

Walking Grade 3

Three-and-a-half hours