Ultimate European Journey

Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)

Enjoy a delightful tour of Cologne's Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its stunning Renaissance façade. Wander through the historical center and take in its charming atmosphere and narrow alleyways flanked by old houses. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you'll also have ample free time to explore the city on your own. (B/L/WD)

Featured Excursion: Cologne Walking Tour

Note: In the evening, a special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine this morning as you cruise past the famous Middle Rhine Valley. Later, experience Germany's fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region's famous vineyards from the perspective of an aerial cable car, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. Like many cities along the Rhine, Rüdesheim has a lengthy history that stretches back to Roman times. These days, the town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse and its impressive Niederwald Monument. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Rüdesheim Wine Village and Panoramas of Niederwald Monument (mid-May through late October) OR Abbey Eberbach Medieval Monastery Tour with Riesling Tasting

Vibrant Frankfurt, often referred to as the “Mainhattan” of Europe, boasts world-class museums, soaring skyscrapers, cozy wine taverns and lovely parks. Choose a brief tour that gives you an overview of this major European financial and trade center. Alternatively, visit romantic Heidelberg and its Renaissance castle. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Heidelberg Castle Visit OR Frankfurt Walking Tour with Local Treats OR Heidelberg School Visit

After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the town of Wertheim. You'll meet one of Germany's best pretzel makers, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate. If you're more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are welcome to do that instead. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Let's Go: Wertheim Bicycle Tour OR Wertheim Walk with Local Treats

Your ship will dock in the charming Franconian town of Würzburg, where you can visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence, one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursion: Würzburg Residence Visit with Court Gardens

Step into a fairytale version of the Middle Ages in Rothenburg and visit a medieval castle that's been described as a miniature Versailles. Spend a relaxing day onboard as your ship wends its way along the Main River between Würzburg and Bamberg. It's something of a truism to say that this route takes you from wine to beer, and you'll see the transition as you sail past the vineyard-covered slopes around Würzburg toward Bavaria's famous beer-brewing center, Bamberg.

Along the way, you'll pass delightful little villages and romantic castle ruins, drift under lovely old bridges, and have plenty of time to observe the fascinating variety of vessels plying the river, from heavily loaded barges to jaunty little pleasure craft. (B/D)

Featured Excursion: Fairytale Rothenburg

Your floating boutique hotel takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life—including a tractor ride. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Bamberg Walking Tour OR Village Day: Franconian Village

Note: You'll spend the rest of the day on the peaceful Main River, cruising past quiet Franconian hamlets and picturesque countryside. It's the perfect time to indulge in the many comforts of your luxury ship while watching some of Europe's loveliest scenery glide by.

Head up to the top deck or find a seat with a good view—you won't want to miss seeing the ship navigate its way through a marvel of modern engineering, the Main-Danube Canal. A formidable set of locks, 16 in all, lifts your ship to the crest of the European “continental divide.” Arrive in the archetypal medieval German city of Nuremberg. Nuremberg is justifiably famous for its gingerbread and pocket watches, and it was also the site of some key moments in 20th-century history.

You'll choose between two memorable ways of exploring this exceptional city. You can join a tour of the pencil manufacturer Faber-Castell's factory and expansive headquarters, or you can accompany a local expert to the city's most important WWII sites, including the enormous Nazi Party Rally Grounds—the actual site of the Nazi Party rallies. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Faber-Castell Visit OR Nuremberg City Tour with WWII Rally Grounds and Documentation Center Visits

Bavaria's first capital, Regensburg, owes its impressive historical lineage and rich architectural heritage to 600 years as a Free Imperial City, a fact recognized by UNESCO in 2006. Today, you'll discover how the beautifully preserved medieval city coexists with a vibrant modern urban center. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Regensburg Walking Tour OR “From Hops Field to Beer Stein” Farm Visit

Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn and Ilz— Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you'll see on your walking tour. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Passau Walking Tour OR Let's Go: Bicycle Ride along the Inn River

Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies, including a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Let's Go: Vineyard Hike OR Weissenkirchen Village Walk with Wine Tasting OR Melk Abbey with Library Visit

Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Begin your day at the Vienna Art History Museum, then embark on a tour of the city's imperial highlights. (B/L/FD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum OR Vienna - Imperial City Highlights

Note: A special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts— Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube, Hungary's capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You'll have two enticing ways to experience the city—a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach with a visit to the Parliament, or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour of the city's most important landmarks. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Budapest Walk with Local Treats OR Budapest Panoramic Highlights with Parliament Visit

Other passengers are heading home today, but you are only halfway through your marvelous holiday. Enjoy a day of leisure exploring beautiful and historic Budapest. (B/D)

Featured Excursion: Unicum Distillery Visit

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multifaceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local's perspective on our walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary's capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West. (B/L/WD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Budapest Communist Tour OR Budapest Panoramic Highlights with Synagogue Visit

Note: In the evening, a special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country, which has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, is noted for its beautiful countryside and thriving folk traditions, as well as simple, delicious local rustic food. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Vučedol Culture Museum and Lunch at a Family Restaurant OR Vučedol Culture Museum and Home Hosted Lunch

Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe's oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city's vibrant modern-day present. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Belgrade City Tour with Visit to the Royal Grounds of Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace OR Let's Go: "I Bike Belgrade" Tour OR Nights Out: Saint Sava Concert and Wine Tasting

Head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan's Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars, and Turks. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursion: Lepenski Vir Archaeological Park and Golubac Castle

Note: Unwind onboard as you cruise the breathtaking Iron Gates, an 83-mile-long (134-kilometer-long) stretch of scenic gorges that were cut through the Carpathian and Balkan mountains over eons by the Danube River. These gorges, which act as a natural border between Serbia and Romania, are among the most dramatic and beautiful sights in all of Europe. This was one of the swiftest and most dangerous stretches of the river before two dams were built: Iron Gate I and Iron Gate II. Construction on the dams began in 1964 and took 20 years to complete; they have dramatically altered the area's landscape, raising the water level by 114 feet (35 meters) and drowning several islands and villages.

Vidin is a port town on the Danube that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests. It's your base for an unusual excursion today—a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations. Or you can head to a local's home to bake a traditional Bulgarian dish called banitza. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Belogradchik Red Rock Valley OR Banitza Home Baking Experience

Bulgaria's foremost Danube port, Ruse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Ruse Walking Tour with Ivanovo and Basarbovo Monasteries OR Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi with Authentic Bulgarian Lunch

Note: In the evening, a special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

This morning, you'll disembark the ship in Giurgiu and drive through the countryside to Bucharest, where you'll enjoy a panoramic city tour and a visit to People's Palace. Tonight, you'll relax in the comfort of a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, Romania's capital and its cultural and economic center. (B)

Featured Excursion: Bucharest Communist Tour with People's Palace

Get to know the bustling heart of Romania's capital city with a full day to explore Bucharest on your own. (B)

Check out of your hotel this morning. If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport for your flight home. (B)