2013 - TM Europe River Cruising

NETHERLANDS – Amsterdam's illuminated canal bridges and waterfront facades are a sight to behold Classical Europe – Amsterdam to Budapest 15 days | Five countries – Netherlands | Germany | Austria | Slovakia | Hungary YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES 14 nights on the MS Johann Strauss The services of a Travelmarvel Cruise Director during your river cruise 41 fine meals – 14 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L) and 14 dinners (D) Soft drink, beer and local wine during every dinner on your river cruise Explore 16 different towns, villages and cities with an expert local guide Transfers, port charges & tipping included in your price INSIDER EXPERIENCES Relax aboard a premium 15-day river cruise through the heart of Europe Enjoy beer tasting at a Cologne brewery Visit a local bakery in Wertheim Sample Vienna's finest Schnapps as you enjoy a tour of a traditional distillery Dine on local dishes and enjoy gypsy violinists perform in Budapest OTHER HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS Explore Amsterdam's picturesque canals on a glass-top boat Visit Rüdesheim and Regensburg Delve into WWII history in Nuremberg Experience the grandeur of Melk Abbey Admire Vienna's glorious architecture Discover enchanting Budapest Day 1. Amsterdam. Today, you'll arrive in the colourful Dutch capital, Amsterdam. Special Stay – step on board your premium river ship, the MS Johann Strauss. On board tonight, you'll gather to meet your Travelmarvel Cruise Director before dinner. Stay (14 Nights): MS Johann Strauss. Day 2. Amsterdam. Amsterdam's network of 17th-century canals lends the city its nickname – 'The Venice of the North'. Today, you'll board a glass-top boat and glide past the city's impressive waterside facades. Back on land, travel by coach via Rembrandt's Windmill, immortalised in the artist's paintings, to Utrecht. From here, your ship sets off cruising along the Rhine with the Captain's Gala Wel come Dinner on board tonight. Day 5. Wertheim. D As your ship cruises the Main River, an onboard demonstration illustrates the intricate art of glass-blowing. Then, arrive in the quaint town of Wertheim and set off on an insightful walking tour of its historic landmarks and well-preserved half-timbered buildings. Like a Local – here, you'll visit a local bakery and get to witness the art of pretzel making. Reboard your boutique river ship as it continues through the night to the charming city of Würzburg. Day 6. Würzburg, Kitzingen. BLD Day 3. Cologne, Koblenz. Having entered Germany, your cruise continues to Cologne, home to what once was the world's tallest building, the city's cathedral. Enjoy a guided tour and a Taste of Cologne – a visit to a local brewery to sample some beer, before cruising to Koblenz in the Rhine Valley. With your ship docked here, you have time to go for an evening stroll through this 2,000-year-old city. Day 4. Rüdesheim. Today, cruise through the Rhine Gorge, (a popular name for the World Heritage-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley) to Rüdesheim, which exemplifies a beautiful Rhine Valley wine town. Here, the Winzerexpress mini-train takes you to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, which is home to Germany's most remarkable collection of automated musical instruments. – www.travelmarvel.com.au – BLD The architectural beauty that defines Würzburg is on show this morning as you visit the Residential Palace and local churches whose styles range from Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance to Modern. Later, you may wish to take an optional excursion along the Romantic Road to the well-preserved walled medieval town of Rothenburg. Here, a local guide will provide a resident's perspective (see page 49 for details). Alternatively, reboard your river ship and enjoy the scenery as you cruise through the undulating valleys of the Main River. You'll then arrive in the Bavarian town of Kitzingen, which is an important wine centre in the region. Day 7. Bamberg. BLD One of the few German cities not destroyed by bombs during World War II, World Heritage-listed Bamberg beckons this morning. You'll gain local insight into this beautiful city during a guided tour of the city centre, which boasts historic churches, palaces and famous breweries. Later, you reboard your ship and cruise onto the Main- Danube Canal, heading for Nuremberg. BLD BLD BLD

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