Day 1 - Arrive Paris Be met on arrival in Paris and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy time at leisure, before tonight's Welcome Reception with your APT Tour Director and fellow guests.
Three nights: Paris - Hilton Arc de Triomphe
Day 2 - Paris Sightseeing, Freedom of Choice Touring After breakfast, discover the sights and attractions of the French capital with a choice of activities. Perhaps take a sightseeing tour, including the famous Avenue des Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, where you will ascend to the second level to enjoy amazing views out over the Paris skyline. Alternatively, you could opt to discover French cuisine during a cooking class, or learn about photography during a tour designed to help you take the perfect photograph of Paris. An excursion to Giverny, the picturesque village that was once the home and inspiration of celebrated Impressionist artist Claude Monet, is another option. Tonight, enjoy a lovely Welcome Dinner cruise along the Seine River for a unique look at the city. Afterwards, embark on a Paris Illuminations Tour and see why Paris is known as the City of Light. Learn about the city's fascinating history as you tour the boulevards with their animated cafes and brilliantly illuminated monuments and squares.
Day 3 - Paris at Leisure Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Relax or explore independently, perhaps stroll along the boutique lined boulevards, sip coffee in the Latin Quarter or wander the famous Rue Mouffetard, one of the city's most lively market streets. This evening, you may like to visit the famous Moulin Rouge, the historic cabaret and birthplace of the can-can (own expense).
Day 4 - Paris, Amsterdam After breakfast, begin a stylish 3.5 hour journey by high-speed Thalys train across France, through Belgium and on to Amsterdam. On arrival, visit the fascinating Netherlands Maritime Museum before boarding your river ship.
Day 5 - Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring Today select your activity from our options. Perhaps take a canal cruise and admire the city's architecture as you cruise in a glass-top boat past 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Or visit the Van Gogh Museum which contains the world's largest collection of Van Gogh paintings. Alternatively, take a guided Wetland Safari canoe tour through extraordinary landscapes. Later, all guests will stop for a photo at Rembrandt's Windmill, rejoin your ship in Utrecht and cruise along the Rhine River. Tonight enjoy the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner on board.
Day 6 - Dusseldorf, Freedom of Choice Touring, Cologne This morning, choose your touring activity in Dusseldorf. Perhaps travel to Venlo and explore the spectacular displays on show at the 2012 Floriade Horticultural World Expo. Enjoy time to admire the impressive landscaped gardens and floral exhibitions. Alternatively, you may like to take a trip to Maastricht, an historic Dutch city with spectacular medieval architecture and many cultural attractions. After your chosen activity, continue to Cologne, where a guided walking tour includes a visit to the city's famously spectacular Gothic cathedra.
Day 7 - Rudesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is known as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Arrive in Rudesheim, where you have a choice of activities. The Winzerexpress mini-train will take you to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, a tour will highlight one of the most beautiful collections of automated musical instruments in Germany. Alternatively, alights your ship and explore the surrounding Rhine Valley area, where you can visit a winery and enjoy a tasting. Later, your ship enters the Main River.
Day 8 - Freudenberg, Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Touring Cruising to Freudenberg, enjoy a fascinating demonstration of glass blowing on board. On arrival, travel by coach to Wertheim. Perhaps embark on a guided bicycle tour, take in the sights of the town on a walking tour, or go for a paddle on the Tauber River. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the hilltop Wertheim Castle and a sparkling glass of Sekt, a German wine, as you look out over the Main River.
Day 9 - Wurzburg, Kitzingen Surrounded by green hills covered with vineyards, Wurzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and a crucial centre for wine and trade. This morning, you may like to embark on a tour taking in the Resi-dential Palace and churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. Alternatively, visit medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled town on the Romantic Road. After a tour here, have a look through the city's famous German Christmas Museum. Later, reboard your ship for lunch and cruise to the Bavarian town of Kitzingen. Enjoy a special wine tasting event, hosted by a 'Wine Queen' and members of the Aulic Council at Germany's oldest wine cellar. This 'Alter Klosterkeller' (old monastery cellar) was built by Benedictine nuns and today offers an historic setting in which to sample delicious wines of Bavaria. Back on board tonight, enjoy a medieval themed evening.
Day 10 - Bamberg After breakfast, disembark and travel to the World Heritage listed city of Bamberg for a guided tour. Then, during free time, visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT. Later, return to your ship and cruise onto the Main Danube Canal, sailing for Nuremberg.
Day 11 - Nuremberg In Nuremberg today, choose from a range of touring activities. Perhaps visit a range of significant sites from the war, including Courtroom 600, the site of the famous Nuremberg trials. Alternatively, choose a medieval tour, or explore the sights by Segway, a self balancing electric vehicle. At lunch, reboard your ship and continue along the Main-Danube Canal.
Day 12 - Regensburg Arrive in Regensburg today, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities and home to one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Your touring options here include a guided tour of the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria. Alternatively, visit the nearby Audi Museum and Factory, or you could take a guided bicycle tour to Walhalla temple.
Day 13 - Passau, Linz This morning arrive in Passau. Perhaps travel by coach to Salzburg for a tour of the city's 'Sound of Music' sights or take a day tour to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. You may like to tour Passau then cruise into Austria and to Linz, as an apple strudel cooking demonstration takes place on board. After dinner tonight, perhaps enjoy an evening stroll through pretty Linz.
Day 14 - Melk, Durnstein This morning, take a tour of Melk Abbey, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, and one of the world's most famous monastic sites. Then perhaps take a guided bicycle ride on a path along the banks of the Danube from Melk to Durnstein. Alternatively, rejoin your ship and continue to Durnstein for a walking tour. Afterwards, both groups enjoy an evening of wine tasting in Durnstein.
Day 15 - Vienna Disembark in beautiful Vienna this morning. Famed for striking architecture, classical musical and vibrant cafe culture, Vienna is a truly delightful place to explore, packed with historical and cultural landmarks. A wide variety of architectural masterpieces can be seen here, including examples of Baroque and Romanesque design, representing many centuries of development. Enjoy a walking tour of the historic city, founded in 500 BC, followed by coffee and a traditional 'Sachertorte' chocolate cake. This evening, choose from three tantalising dining options. Opt for dinner on board your ship, followed by a Mozart concert at the Hofburg Palace; choose a dinner of famous schnitzel in an ambient Austrian beer garden, or enjoy a traditional dinner in a classic Heuriger wine inn.
Day 16 - Vienna Enjoy your second day in the Austrian capital with a selection of our Freedom of Choice options. Perhaps visit Schonbrunn Palace for a tour inside this magnificent residence, including the Carriage Museum within the palace grounds. Alternatively, explore the impressive collection of artwork at the Fine Arts Museum, or take in another impressive collection of the Hofburg Crown Jewels at the Imperial Treasury Schatzkammer, which houses a thousand year old collection of priceless treasures. Otherwise, you may like to take an excursion to Bratislava, nearby in Slovakia, for a Communist themed tour.
Day 17 - Budapest Still on the Danube River this morning, arrive in Budapest, the romantic Hungarian capital. Disembark for a tour that includes such places as 500 year old Matthias Church, St Stephen's Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace and historic Buda Castle, where you have views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. In the afternoon, exclusive to APT, visit the Hungarian State Opera House, which is widely recognised as one of the most splendid examples of neo-Renaissance architecture in the world. Absorb the grandeur of the building from outside, then venture inside for an exclusive tour, a glass of champagne and a private opera recital of two or three ariettas. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board, before your ship sets off on a twilight cruise through the city, allowing you to take in the glittering lights of Budapest. You will also enjoy an enthralling onboard performance by Gypsy violinists.
Day 18 - Budapest, Disembark Ship, Velke Bilovice, Prague This morning after breakfast, disembark your ship and travel to the historic town of Velke Bilovice, in the Czech Republic, for lunch in a traditional Czech winery cellar. Then continue to Prague.
Three Nights: Prague, Art Deco Imperial Hotel
Day 19 - Prague Sightseeing This morning following breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Prague's Old Town. Visit the 1,000 year old Hradcany Castle courtyard and St Vitus, then stroll across Charles Bridge, which links Prague's Old Town with the city's castle, on the way to the Old Market Square. Later, you will enjoy a private tour of Municipal House, a jewel of the city's Old Town. Opened in 1911, the building played a significant role in the architectural and political history of the Czech Republic. Today it's Prague's premier Art Nouveau building, a truly striking edifice featuring a wealth of historic artwork including murals, sculptures and lovely stained glass windows. After your visit, relax and indulge with a traditional Czech afternoon tea of coffee and cake.
Day 20 - Prague at Leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure today to further explore the enchanting city of Prague as you please. Perhaps join an optional tour to Terezin Concentration Camp Memorial for an insight into what was an horrific but fascinating era (own expense). Tonight, indulge in a delicious Farewell Dinner at the Art Nouveau Cafe and Restaurant Imperial, famous for its original ceramic wall tiling, mosaic ceiling, unsurpassed cuisine and cosmopolitan ambience.
Day 21 - Depart Prague After breakfast this morning, your tour concludes and you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Aria Class Ships operating this itinerary:
MS AmaDolce - Launched 2009
MS AmaLyra - Launched 2009
MS AmaDante - Launched 2008
MS AmaCello - Launched 2008
MS AmaLegro - Launched 2007
MS AmaDagio - Launched 2006
Length: 110m
Width: 11.4m
Suites: 75
Maximum Passengers: 148
Crew: 43
Home Port: Basel
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Amsterdam
Take a boat ride along Amsterdam’s charming canals past sturdy old houses and under quaint bridges. Visit one of the city’s superb museums housing many of the Dutch Masters’ most outstanding works or learn about Anne Frank and the city’s Jewish heritage. Or, journey into the countryside and see historic windmills and the fascinating porcelain works in Delft.
Country - Netherlands Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from port to Airport - 15kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Dam Square, Anne Frank's House, Volendam & Marken
Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf lies beside the Rhine River and is one of Germany's busiest cities. Well-known for its nightlife, carnival, events, shopping as well as its regular fashion & trade fairs, Dusseldorf has many attractions to appeal to all visitors.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 5kms Distance from port to Airport - 12kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Große Düsseldorfer Kirmes, Rhine Promenade, Media Harbour, Altstadt, Königsallee
Cologne
The city's very name bears witness to its Roman past as the town of Colonia. As well as the legacy from Roman times and the Middle Ages, particularly the world-famous cathedral, Cologne has an extremely lively arts and culture scene. And besides being a centre of carnival activity and the "capital of Rhenish joie de vivre", Cologne is also an extremely attractive trade fair centre. Open, friendly and uncomplicated: that's Cologne!
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 16kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Cologne Cathedral, Philharmonic Hall, Zoo
Rudesheim
Rudesheim sits at the entrance to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. If you come from the direction of Frankfurt or Mainz, it is one of the first major tourist towns you'll reach along the Rhine River. Rudesheim makes a good base for exploring the entire Rhine Valley, which is the home of famous wines, medieval villages and beautiful scenery.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 55kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Drosselgasse, Niederwald Monument, Rheingau Wine Museum, Asbach Brandy Distillery, Medieval Torture Museum, Bird of Prey Zoo, Jagdschloss, Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet
Wertheim
The former capital of the counts of Wertheim, situated at the point where the river Tauber flows into the river Main, with its medieval lanes, frame houses and awe-inspiring castle has an atmosphere of its own and – unlike other towns – has kept its character of a small Franconian town.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 95kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Kilian's Chapel, Glass making Foundry and Museum, Spessart Forest, Tauber Valley
Wurzburg
Surrounded by pleasant hillside vineyards Würzburg is both an old episcopal see and a vivacious modern university city. The great medieval fortress of Marienburg dominates the skyline, overlooking the beautiful Old Town with its architectural masterpieces from many different periods. Art, culture and the fine wines of Franconia are all important elements of the Würzburg lifestyle. This carefree city with its relaxed southern atmosphere is the perfect starting-place for a journey of discovery on the Romantic Route.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 90kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Fortress Marienberg, Town Hall
Bamberg
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 1km Distance from port to Airport - 50kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest
Nuremberg
Visitors to Nuremberg, a lively city with a medieval feel, will find evidence of its 950-year history at every turn. These legacies of the past also reveal much about the past and present of the German people. Here in Nuremberg, monuments to the city's inventiveness and its cultural self-confidence over many centuries stand in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a modern, dynamic urban centre.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 6kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Castle, City Wall, Zoo, Toy Museum, Verkehrs Museum, Old Quarter
Regensburg
Regensburg bills itself as "Germany's best-preserved medieval city." It's hard to argue with that description, at least when you're wandering through the Altstadt (old city) with its 13th to 15th Century houses or crossing the Steinerne Bruke (Stone Bridge), which has carried traders and touists across the Danube since the 1100s. Preservation may be Regensburg's most important industry after the BMW and Siemens plants in the modern suburbs. The medieval streets in the city center have been protected by strict laws since the 1970s, and the Bavarian state's conservation experts keep a close eye on all maintenance or renovation
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 78kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Medieval city centre, Historic Sausage Kitchen, Johannes Kepler Memorial House
Passau
Passau is not merely a transfer point but a destination unto itself. Life is easy-going and lived outdoors where street cafes and restaurants abound. Student life is vibrant and multifaceted. Guests can actively interface with young people from around the world over a Hacklbräu, Andorfer Weissbier or Passauer Löwenbräu brew in the beer gardens.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 100kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Bavarian Forest, Local Breweries, Danube River
Linz
Linz is a city of the third millennium. In and around the city, its Roman and medieval past slumbers. The opulence of the Baroque and the boldness of industrial architecture from the early 20th century are part of present-day life. Linz on the Danube is manageable, cosy, cherishes its traditions and, as the third biggest city in a small country, it is both metropolis and province, Central European crossroads and regional niche.
Country - Austria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 11kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Old Town, Linz Castle, Arts Electronica Centre, Brucknerhaus Concert Hall
Melk
Empress Maria Theresa said of Melk, "If I had never come here, I would have regretted it." The center of Melk is the Abbey and the Stiftskirche (the abbey church), some of the best examples of Baroque architecture anywhere in the world. The abbey library contains allegorical paintings by Troger on the ceiling while the Stiftskirche, has works by Rottmayr and Troger and is almost completely decorated in gold. Stand on the terrace of the abbey and view the river much as Napoleon did during the campaign against Austria so many years ago.
Country - Austria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - 105kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Melk Abbey and Museum
Durnstein
One of the Wachau district’s most attractive villages is Durnstein, where the ruins of a castle - the Kuenringerburg - high up on a hill commands a superb view of the Danube as it winds through the valley. Stroll among the ruins and soak in the historic atmosphere of the castle where King Richard I of England was incarcerated in 1192. And after your journey into the past rejoin the 21st century and sample some of the splendid local wines in one of the local taverns.
Country - Austria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - 95kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Kuenringerburg, Wachsu Wine District
Vienna
Vienna is known worldwide as a city of music. Quality orchestras and ensembles are its seal of excellence. Along with well-established ensembles for contemporary music classical music continues to play a vital role, as made evident by the City of Vienna Concert Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, amongst others. The Vienna Academy, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Women's Chamber Orchestra are dedicated to tradition and modern music alike. International artists are a great gain to cultural life in Vienna.Vienna's cultural life is multi-faceted. You have the choice of 50 theatres, four opera houses, two stages for musicals, 100 museums and numerous theatre, music and dance festivals. The museum quarter with its baroque facade is home to one of the biggest cultural districts in Europe.
CountryAustria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 15kms Currency -Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Spanish Riding School, Prater Park, Danube Tower, Vienna Zoo
Budapest
Budapest possesses a rich and fascinating history as well as a vibrant cultural heritage. Recognizing the unique value of its traditions it has managed to maintain its magic and charm, and is rightly known as the Queen of the Danube. It has also been called the City of Spas, as there are a dozen thermal baths complexes served by over a hundred natural thermal springs.
Country - Hungary Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 14kms Currency - Forint (HUF)
Places of Interest Ecseri Flea Market, Royal Palace, National Gallery, Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum, Fisherman's Bastion, Statue Park
Prague
Prague: The magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, whose image has been mirrored in the surface of the Vltava river for more than ten centuries. Prague is also a modern European metropolis full of energy, music, and art. It's a city of contrasts: Serene green isles in the river and peaceful parks draping the city's seven hills are just steps away from the architectural treasures and bustling street life of the city center.
Country - Czech Republic Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 14kms Currency - Czech Koruna (CZK)
Places of Interest Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, National Theatre, Prague Observatory, Prague Botanic Gardens, Prague Zoo, Old-new Synagogue
ms Amalegro Cabin Info
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Cruise line info
APT (Australian Pacific Touring)
A family - owned company since its auspicious conception in the 1920s, we began when Bill McGeary built a bus body on a tray truck after a tram strike crippled the city of Melbourne. Through Bill's son Geoff, we pioneered Australia's dynamic travel industry in the 1960's and 70's via a diverse range of modes. Such innovation continues to thrive within us today, now a multi-brand business with an extensive global portfolio of touring and cruising products still owned and controlled by the McGeary family. Now, with a third generation of the family contributing to our success, the benefits of the Company's family - style culture are increasingly apparent.
While vigorously pursuing a global vision, the unwavering focus is on delivering a life - enriching and memorable holiday experience for each and every individual that entrusts us with their valuable time and travel. Such longevity in a competitive environment coupled with a proven ability to meet the shifting expectations of the modern holidaymaker is testament to the pioneering spirit upon which the company was founded, and upon which it continues to operate and flourish today.
Ship info
ms Amalegro
Ms Amalegro is sister ship to the ms Amadagio. On board you will enjoy the luxury of more space than on any other cruise ship in Europe. There are 2 lounges located on the upper deck where you can enjoy panoramic river views, the Panorama Lounge which accommodates up to 150 passengers, and the smaller Adagio Lounge which is perfect for groups and located in a glassed-in wellness area featuring a Fitness Center and a Massage and Beauty Salon. The ship has an elevator as well as bicycles on board for you to enjoy, while exploring on shore.
Inside your tastefully decorated cabin, you'll find all the amenities of a fine hotel, white-on-white plush bedding with down pillows and down duvet, a cozy sitting area, direct-dial telephone, flat-screen TV with local and satellite channels, internet access, safe, individually controlled airconditioning and ample closet space. All 75 staterooms are outside; 62 (82%) feature French balconies.
Although rarely found on European river cruise ships, suites aboard the MS Amadagio are extra spacious - 255 square feet. They feature a sitting area with a sofa and two chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows with French balcony and a luxurious, extra spacious bathroom with bathtub and shower.
