European Grandeur Journey

Arrive in Munich and meet your tour host and fellow travellers. Enjoy a half-day city tour with a local guide to see the main sights, followed by lunch and check-in at the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free at leisure.

A full day free at leisure. Relax at the hotel facilities or venture out into the city. Your tour host is available for suggestions if needed.

Full-day excursion to two of Bavaria's most fascinating historic cities. Begin in Nuremberg with an expert local guide exploring the medieval Old Town and the Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Visit the famous Christkindlesmarkt Christmas Market with its handcrafted gifts, gingerbread, and mulled wine. Continue to the UNESCO-listed city of Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval towns, with free time to explore the cobblestone streets, Gothic cathedral, historic Stone Bridge, and cafés along the Danube. Return to Munich for dinner.

Full-day excursion to the picturesque Bavarian villages of Hohenschwangau and Oberammergau. Visit the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, Ludwig II's fairy-tale masterpiece set against a stunning mountain backdrop (approximately 40 minutes uphill walk or shuttle buses available at nominal cost). Enjoy lunch together sampling regional Bavarian cuisine. Continue to the charming village of Oberammergau, renowned for its beautifully painted houses and woodcarving traditions, with free time to explore. Return to Munich for an evening at leisure.

A full free day at leisure to explore as you wish. Come together this evening for dinner.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning before checking out and transferring by coach to Passau to board the river cruise. Welcome to this magical Christmas cruise along the wintery Danube in the Bavarian 'City of Three Rivers'. A Welcome Cocktail with the Amadeus crew awaits, followed by a festive Welcome Dinner. The ship remains in Passau overnight.

After breakfast, enjoy a city sightseeing walk to discover the most beautiful sights of Passau. The baroque city on three rivers features 'Little Venice' with its winding streets and the impressive St Stephen's Cathedral, known as a baroque cathedral with a gothic soul. The Veste Oberhaus, one of the largest fortress complexes in all Europe, can be discovered at leisure after the walking tour. Return to the ship for lunch as you cruise to Linz, then wind down with a walk through the festive Christmas market in Linz.

Early in the morning, arrive in Melk/Emmersdorf in the beautiful Wachau region. Tour the 900-year-old Melk Abbey, an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world's most famous monastic sites. The impressive Baroque abbey features a church with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr and an impressive library with medieval manuscripts and frescos by Paul Troger. Celebrate Christmas Eve on board with a festive ambience, decorating the Christmas tree to the sound of contemplative carols, followed by a magical Christmas dinner. Those who wish can attend a Christmas mass in Dürnstein after dinner. Late at night, the cruise continues to Vienna.

Merry Christmas! Christmas day is spent in the Austrian capital, Vienna, which will amaze you with its countless sights and imposing architecture. Enjoy a city sightseeing tour in the morning, driving along the famous Ringstrasse and passing several magnificent buildings including the stunning opera house, parliament, Court Theatre, and Vienna's imposing city hall. A guided walk through the city centre begins at the well-known Hofburg Imperial Palace, continues along the Kohl market, and finishes at Vienna's iconic St. Stephen's cathedral. Enjoy free time to stroll along the pedestrian area before returning to the ship.

Spend the morning in Bratislava, where the ship docks during the night, and get to know the capital of the young Slovakian Republic. Drive past St. Martin's Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace before continuing to the castle hill above the old town for stunning panoramic views. A guided walking tour leads through the old town from Michael's Gate through the historic city centre, admiring sights such as the Primatial Palace, St. Martin's Cathedral (a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings), and the Academia Istropolitana (the oldest university of the city, dating back to the 15th century). See the main square with the old City Hall, Opera House, and Maximilian Fountain. Enjoy the famous Pressburger rolls with nut and poppy seed filling at a cozy out-of-the-way place, and end the walk at the historical Opera House in front of Ganymede's Fountain. Afterwards, there will be some free time to explore further. Return to the ship at midday as it continues its journey downriver. An elegant captain's Gala Dinner awaits in the evening.

Spend the morning on board, enjoying the view of the passing wintery landscapes from the comfort of the five-star premium ship. At midday, arrive in Linz, Austria's third-largest city. In the afternoon, discover the upper Austrian state capital on a walking tour. It was a provincial and local government city of the Holy Roman Empire and an important trade centre. As the city where the Habsburg Emperor Friedrich III spent his last years, it was briefly the most important city in the Empire before losing its status to Vienna and Prague after the Emperor's death in 1493. Stroll down the main street to the main square, viewing the medieval town square in the historic old town, the Mozarthaus, Renaissance villas, the old cathedral with the Bruckner organ, and the new cathedral. The pilgrimage basilica on the mountain Poestling is visible from afar as the landmark of the town. Modern counterparts include the Lentos art museum and the Ars Electronica centre with its striking glass facade. In the evening, the ship departs and heads towards Passau.

After a generous breakfast on board, bid farewell to the river cruise ship and the entire Amadeus crew. The coach and local guide meet you in Passau as you disembark and transfer to the hotel in Innsbruck. After checking into your rooms and having time to freshen up, meet for dinner.

Start the day with breakfast before departing on a full-day excursion to the elegant city of Salzburg, accompanied by an English-speaking guide. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided city tour followed by a walking tour through Salzburg's charming Old Town. Discover the city's rich cultural heritage visiting iconic landmarks including the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, the impressive Dom Cathedral, and the historic Residenzplatz. Gain further insight into the life and legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the Mozart Museum, located in his birthplace. There will be free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure (own expense), offering the opportunity to sample local Austrian cuisine or explore Salzburg at your own pace. Return to Innsbruck with time to freshen up before coming together for dinner.

Following breakfast, set out on a scenic half-day excursion to the town of Wattens to visit the enchanting Swarovski Crystal World, where art, design, and sparkling installations come together in a unique and immersive experience. Explore the imaginative Chambers of Wonder and beautifully landscaped gardens, showcasing the brilliance of Swarovski crystal. Continue back to Innsbruck for a relaxed lunch together. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Hofburg and discover the opulent Imperial Apartments, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Habsburg dynasty. Take a leisurely walk back to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure, providing time to further explore, shop, or simply relax at the hotel.

A full day at leisure. This evening, come together in the hotel for a New Year's Eve celebration dinner and ring in the New Year with your newfound friends.

Enjoy breakfast at leisure followed by some free time in the morning to relax. Later, meet your English-speaking guide for a walking tour of the city. Discover Innsbruck's rich history and alpine charm as you visit its landmarks, including Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the famous Golden Roof, and the Imperial Court area, as well as the Opera House and other notable attractions. Late afternoon there will be time to relax and take in some final moments in the stunning mountain surroundings. In the evening, come together for a memorable Farewell Dinner, the perfect opportunity to reflect on your journey and celebrate time spent together.

Early this morning, collect a boxed breakfast, check out, and board the coach to Munich airport for your flights home. Say goodbye to interstate passengers enroute as you all board your onward flights home filled with memories of the European Delights.