2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

Amsterdam NETHERLANDS 14 Aria or Concerto river ship Rhine River BELGIUM Versailles 3 Paris SEASONAL CRUISING Spring Time Cruising March – May Autumn Colours FRANCE September – mid-November Christmas Markets November & December See pages 46-47 for details. Salzburg AUSTRIA Day 7. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is known as the Rhine's most beautiful stretch. Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you might like to ride the Winzerexpress mini-train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where a tour will highlight one of Germany's most beautiful collections of automated musical instruments. Alternatively, take a ride in a gondola for views over the Rhine Valley, or perhaps explore the Rhine Valley wine region during a guided tour and wine tasting at a local winery. Later, your ship enters the Main River. THE MEANDERING MAIN RIVER Day 8. Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. After an onboard glass-blowing demonstration this morning, disembark and travel to Wertheim to take in the sights on either a guided bicycle tour or a walking tour. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a visit to Wertheim Castle, which was built in the 12th century. Here, you'll learn about the history of the castle from a local guide and enjoy a glass of Sekt (a German sparkling wine), as you take in the wonderful views from the castle out over the Main River. BLD Day 9. Würzburg, Freedom of Choice Inclusions, Kitzingen. In Würzburg this morning, you may like to embark on a tour that will take you to the Resi dential Palace and past churches ranging in styles from Baroque, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance to Modern. Or perhaps travel to Rothenburg on the Romantic Road. After a tour of this medieval walled town, wander through the German Christmas Museum. Later, cruise to the Bavarian town of Kitzingen. This evening venture back in time as a guest at a special Medieval Banquet on board. Afterwards, disembark for a unique 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 Franconian wines. THE MAIN-DANUBE CANAL Day 10. Bamberg. Today you'll travel to World Heritage-listed Bamberg, one of the few German cities that wasn't destroyed by bombs during World War II. After a tour, 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. Having taken 32 years to construct, the canal links the North and Black seas and is recognised as a feat of modern engineering. BLD Day 11. Nuremberg, Freedom of BLD Choice Inclusions. On arrival in Nuremberg, perhaps take a World War II tour that includes Courtroom 600, which hosted the Nuremberg trials. Or take a medieval tour and see the 900 year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and more. At lunch, continue along the Main-Danube Canal. This afternoon, arrive at the highest point of your cruise, 435 metres above sea level, and cross Europe's Continental Divide. This evening, enjoy a special Continental Divide Cocktail Celebration before dinner. Cologne Koblenz Rüdesheim Kitzingen GERMANY Wertheim Würzburg Main River Bamberg Main-Danube Canal Rothenburg Nuremberg Regensburg Danube River CZECH REP. Prague 3 Passau Linz Ceský Krumlov Dürnstein Melk Vienna Bratislava Coach Cruise No. of nights stay Freedom of Choice InclusionsTM Included Sightseeing / Velké Bílovice SLOVAKIA Danube River Budapest HUNGARY Day 14. Melk, Freedom of Choice Inclusions, Dürnstein. Cruise through the Strudengau region this morning to the delightful Wachau Valley. Disembark in Melk for a guided tour of Melk Abbey, one of the world's most famous monastic sites that's perched spectacularly on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. Then perhaps take a guided bicycle ride on a path along the banks of the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein. Alternatively, rejoin your ship and continue cruising to Dürnstein, where you'll enjoy a walking tour and a tasting of Wachau Valley wines. BLD BLD THE BLUE DANUBE Day 12. Regensburg, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Regensburg is known as one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities, and is home to one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. On arrival here, perhaps take a tour of the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage-listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria. Or take a bicycle tour to the 18th-century hillside temple of Walhalla, which honours laudable and distinguished Germans. Day 13. Passau, Freedom of Choice BLD Inclusions, 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 Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, take a tour of Passau then cruise into Austria and on to Linz, as an apple strudel cooking demonstration takes place on board. After dinner, perhaps enjoy an evening stroll through the pretty city of Linz. BLD Day 15. Vienna. Disembark in the Austrian capital of Vienna this morning. Famed for its striking architecture, classical musical and vibrant café culture, Vienna is a delightful place to explore. A wide variety of architectural masterpieces can be seen here, representing many centuries of development. Enjoy a walking tour of the city followed by coffee and a traditional 'Sachertorte' chocolate cake at Café Hofburg, set in the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace. After dinner on board this evening, visit Albertina, a Viennese palace built in 1744 in the distinctive Neoclassical architectural style. Here, be welcomed at a Cocktail Reception then discover why Vienna is known as Europe's centre of classical music during a private concert. BLD Day 16. Vienna, Freedom of Choice BLD Inclusions. On your second day in Vienna, perhaps visit Schönbrunn Palace for a tour inside the magnificent residence, including the Carriage Museum within the palace grounds. You may instead choose to explore the Fine Arts Museum then head to the Imperial Treasury, which houses a collection of priceless treasures including the Hofburg Crown Jewels. Alternatively visit Vienna's famous Spanish Riding School and enjoy a guided tour, then explore the Imperial Crypt, where more than 140 royals from the Habsburg dynasty are buried. Or perhaps embark on an excursion to Bratislava, the capital of nearby Slovakia, and see some of the key landmarks of the city's time under Communist rule. www.aptouring.com.au BLD 65 MAGNIFICENT EUROPE CRUISING P L A T I R I N E E U M S S

• Cover