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. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. On your second day in Vienna, perhaps visit Schönbrunn Palace for a tour that includes 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 take an excursion to Bratislava, the capital of nearby Slovakia, and see some of the key landmarks of the city's time under Communist rule. Day 8. Dürnstein, Freedom of Choice Inclusions, Melk. This morning stop in Dürnstein, a small Austrian town set right on the banks of the Danube. Here, above town, lie the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Disembark your ship and perhaps set off on a guided bicycle ride along the pretty banks of the Danube from Dürnstein to Melk. Alternatively, embark on a walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets that reveal 16th-century townhouses and wine taverns. Then enjoy a wine tasting before re-boarding your ship and cruising to Melk. On arrival, both groups will then tour Melk Abbey, located high above the town of Melk overlooking the Danube. BLD Day 9. Linz, Freedom of Choice Inclusions, Passau. This morning your ship will arrive in Linz. Here, disembark and perhaps travel by coach to the city of Salzburg for a tour of the city's 'Sound of Music' sights, including the Wedding Church, Mirabell Gardens and Great Salzburg Festival Hall. Or you may like to take a day tour to the World Heritage-listed city of Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, take a guided tour of Linz, before re-boarding your ship for a lovely cruise into Germany and on to Passau. During your cruise, perhaps take in an insightful apple strudel cooking demonstration. Day 10. Regensburg, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Arrive in Regensburg today, located at the confluence of the Regen and Danube rivers. Here perhaps take a tour of the city's 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 distinguished Germans. Coach Cruise Cologne Koblenz Rüdesheim Kitzingen GERMANY Wertheim Würzburg Main River Bamberg Rothenburg Nuremberg Main-Danube Canal Regensburg Danube River No. of nights stay Freedom of Choice InclusionsTM Included Sightseeing CZECH REP. Prague 3 / Ceský Krumlov Passau Dürnstein Linz Melk Vienna Bratislava Velké Bílovice SLOVAKIA Danube River Budapest HUNGARY Day 14. Wertheim, Freedom BLD BLD THE MAIN-DANUBE CANAL Day 11. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Today your ship enters the Main-Danube Canal and arrives at the highest point of the cruise, 435 metres above sea level. Cross Europe's Continental Divide then arrive in Nuremberg, which played a pivotal role for the Nazi Party and was thus systematically bombed during World War II. Here, perhaps visit a range of sites from the war. Or take a medieval tour and see the 900 year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and more. Tonight, enjoy a Continental Divide Cocktail Celebration before dinner. of Choice Touring. This morning you'll disembark and travel to Wertheim to take either a guided bicycle tour or set off on a walking tour. Afterwards, enjoy a visit to Wertheim Castle. 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. CRUISING THE LEGENDARY RHINE Day 15. Rüdesheim, Freedom of BLD THE MEANDERING MAIN RIVER Day 12. Bamberg. Today disembark and travel to World Heritage-listed Bamberg, one of the few German cities that wasn't destroyed by bombs during World War II. Here, tour the city's streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. Then, visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT, before you continue your cruise, now on the waters of the Main River. Day 13. Kitzingen, Würzburg, BLD Freedom of Choice Inclusions. On arrival in Kitzingen, enjoy a special wine tasting event, hosted by a 'Wine Queen' and members of the Aulic Council at Germany's oldest wine cellar, an historic setting in which to sample Franconian wines. Later, cruise to Würzburg where you may like to tour the Residential Palace or perhaps travel to Rothenburg on the Romantic Road. This evening venture back in time as a guest at a special Medieval Banquet on board, followed by a medieval music performance in the Showroom. BLD Choice Inclusions, Koblenz. In Rüdesheim this morning, perhaps ride the Winzerexpress mini-train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where one of Germany's most beautiful collections of automated musical instruments is on display. Alternatively, take a ride in a gondola for views over the Rhine Valley, or perhaps explore the Rhine Valley wine region during a tour and wine tasting at a local winery. Later, re-join your ship and cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is known as the Rhine's most beautiful stretch. After dinner, you may have the chance to step out for a stroll through the 2,000 year-old city of Koblenz. BLD BLD Day 16. Cologne. This morning, continue cruising towards Cologne, Germany's fourth largest city. Here, you'll join a local guide for a tour that includes the city's imposing Gothic cathedral, once the tallest building in the world. Afterwards, rejoin your ship and continue along the Rhine River, bound for the Netherlands. BLD Day 17. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. This morning in Amsterdam, perhaps take a canal cruise and admire the city from a glass-top boat as you glide past 17th-century homes, churches and 16th-century merchant houses. Or visit the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world's largest collection of Van Gogh paintings. Alternatively, tour the National Maritime Museum, which offers a look at the Netherlands' centuries-long tie to the sea. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board, then perhaps step out to experience the city's famous nightlife. www.aptouring.com.au BLD BLD 71 MAGNIFICENT EUROPE CRUISING P L A T I R I N E E U M S S

• Cover