Italy and Blue Danube Discovery

Italy and Blue Danube Discovery, aboard Ms Amadagio

24 Days, Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Verona, Venice, Budapest, Vienna, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Prague

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Rome.
Arrive in Rome today where you are met at the airport and taken for a glimpse of the ‘Eternal City’. Visit the grandiose Colosseum and view the Trevi Fountain. After checking into your hotel, enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Tonight gather for a welcome reception and snacks at the hotel’s rooftop Tazio Brasserie with magnificent views over the city.
Two Night Stay: Rome, Hotel Exedra Boscolo.

Day 2. Rome – Vatican.
After a morning at leisure, enjoy an afternoon visit to the Vatican Museum, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. This evening tour the Roman Castles area including dinner and wine tasting at a restaurant on Castelgandolfo Lake.
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Day 3. Siena – Florence.
This morning travel to Siena. On arrival, enjoy lunch and wine tasting at a local restaurant, then explore Siena on a guided walking tour. Visit St Catherine’s birthplace and the Basilica de San Francesco and see the famous Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Two Night Stay: Florence, Villa Medici.
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Day 4. Florence Sightseeing.
Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Florence this morning, including a visit to the magnificent Dome, the Piazza della Signora and the Piazzale Michelangelo with picturesque views of Florence. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
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Day 5. Portofino – Santa Margherita Ligure.
Travel to the coast today and visit Portofino. This rocky promontory offers one of the most attractive landscapes on the Italian Riviera. After lunch, enjoy the afternoon free at leisure before our short transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure for dinner and our overnight stay.
Two Night Stay: Santa Margherita Ligure, Park Suisse Hotel with Sea-View rooms.
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Day 6. Cinque Terre.
Enjoy a full day excursion to the Cinque Terre today, five picturesque villages clinging precariously to the steep cliffs. A ‘Cinque Terre Card’ is included in your visit for the train running between the villages. Walk along the Via dell’Amore, the path of lovers overlooking the impressive coastline. Return to Santa Margherita Ligure and enjoy a free evening.
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Day 7. Mantova – Italian Lakes – Verona.
Leave the coast behind and travel to Mantova. Enjoy a walking tour of Mantova and view beautiful Lake Garda. In the afternoon continue the short distance to Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet. Tonight a special treat awaits with dinner and wine tasting followed by an opera performance at the open-air Arena di Verona. (Note: due to the opera schedule, the May departure will not include an opera performance.)
Stay: Verona, Hotel Antares.
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Day 8. Padova – Venice.
Enjoy time this morning to explore Verona on foot.Then travel a short distance to Padova including a brief orientation tour. Continue to Venice and transfer by private boat to your hotel, located on Venice Island, right on the Grand Canal. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Two Night Stay: Venice, Westin Europa & Regina.
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Day 9. Venice Sightseeing.
This morning discover the treasures of Venice on a guided walking tour. See the famous Bridge of Sighs, then continue to St Mark’s Square and the St Mark’s Basilica. Visit a glass blowing factory and enjoy a display of glass blowing. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
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Day 10. Venice – Graz.
Bid farewell to Italy today as we travel north towards the Alps and Austria. Arrive in Graz this afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Stay: Graz, Hotel Grand Wiesler.
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Day 11. Heviz.
Travel to Hungary today and arrive in the spa town of Heviz. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to visit the thermal baths or stroll through the lovely town.
Stay: Heviz, Rogner Lotus Therme.
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Day 12. Herend – Budapest.
Travel the short distance to the town of Herend, world-famous for its porcelain. Take a guided tour of the mini porcelain factory and museum and enjoy free time to browse through the Herend Porcelain shop. Continue to Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free.
Two Night Stay: Budapest, Hilton Hotel.
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Day 13. Budapest Sightseeing.
Our Budapest city tour includes historic Buda Castle for splendid views, the impressive Fisherman’s Bastion, historic Matthias Church and the marvellous Royal Palace. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon to explore on your own.
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Day 14. Embark cruise.
Enjoy a free morning in Budapest. This afternoon, transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship, where your crew waits to welcome you on board. Step aboard and settle in for an enchanting week of cruising. Tonight gather for a Welcome Dinner.
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Day 15. Danube Cruising – Vienna.
A beautiful day on the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise up river, and Slovakia is on your right. Later this afternoon arrive in Vienna. After dinner, explore the Austrian capital on your own or join us for an optional concert of Mozart and Strauss waltzes.
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Day 16. Vienna Sightseeing.
Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer. Sightseeing includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Enjoy time to stroll along the shopping street, Kärntnerstrasse, and sample Viennese pastries.
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Day 17. Dürnstein – Melk Abbey.
Cruise through the Wachau Valley and stop in Dürnstein, known for the baroque Stiftskirche with its blue facade. Continue on a short cruise to Melk. A guided tour takes you to the town’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries. An evening wine tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau Valley.
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Day 18. Linz – Passau.
After breakfast, you may wish to take an optional full day excursion to fascinating Salzburg and its Sound of Music sights. Alternatively, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the Rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube.
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Day 19. Regensburg.
Afternoon arrival in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, a tour will show you the architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD.
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Day 20. Nuremberg – Main-Danube Canal.
This morning enter the Main-Danube Canal and cruise through the Altmühl Valley. The Main-Danube Canal straddles the Franconian Alps via 16 locks, truly a feat of modern engineering. This afternoon enjoy a tour of Nuremberg with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg’s traditions include its famous ginger bread called ‘Lebkuchen’, toy making and metal working.
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Day 21. Nuremberg – Plzen – Prague.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Prague, via the famous beer-brewing town of Plzen. Enjoy a brewery tour and free time before continuing to Prague. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Three Night Stay: Prague, Renaissance Hotel.
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Day 22. Prague Sightseeing.
This morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year old Hradcany Castle courtyard, St Vitus and Golden Lane, then walk through the Jewish quarter to the Old Market Square. The afternoon and evening are free to mix with the locals at Wenceslaus Square, shop for souvenirs or enjoy one of the charming cafes or restaurants.
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Day 23. Prague.
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Or join an optional morning tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII labour camp, now a memorial to those who perished. In the afternoon you may opt to venture to Konopiste, Palace and former home of the Emperors.
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Day 24. Depart Prague – Fly Home.
Bid farewell to Prague and transfer to the airport flight home.
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What’s Included

Inclusions

• Cruise From Budapest To Nuremberg
• Excursion to Portofino & Cinque Terre
• Visit Mantova & Verona
• Opera at Arena di Verona (June departure only)
• Venice Sightseeing
• Visit the towns of Heviz and Herend
• City tours of Budapest and Vienna
• Tour Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey
• Walking tour of Dürnstein, Passau and Regensburg
• City tours of Nuremberg and Prague
• Travel from Nuremberg to Prague, Plzen brewery

Finest Dining

• 19 meals during your Italy tour: 11 full breakfasts, 2 lunches and 7 dinners
• All meals included whilst on board the ship
• Cocktail reception and Welcome Dinner on board
• Quality wines with dinner
• Special highlights including folklore performances, wine tastings and on board music performances

Outstanding Places to Stay

• Two nights in Rome, Florence, Santa Margherita Ligure, Venice and Budapest
• Overnight in Verona, Graz and Heviz
• 7 night cruise on board the ms Amadagio in an outside cabin
• On board amenities including bicycles, elevator, fitness centre, massage & beauty salon and shop
• Non-smoking ship (smoking only on Sun Deck)

Additional Information

• Port charges – add A$180 per person
• Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day of your package are included in your tour price
• Cruise operated in conjunction with Amadeus Waterways
• Pre/Post Tour Accommodation. We offer accommodation before and/or after your tour Contact Us for further details
• Cruise Upgrades Contact Us for further details

Earlybird Savings

• Ask about our Early Booking discounts on cruises and airfares

The APT Difference

• Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day
• Services of an APT Tour Director and professional Cruise Manager
• All English language on board
• 6-star service and facilities
• APT Ownership

Air$aver Airfares

• Enquire about our great airfares to Europe

Additional Information

• Europe River Cruising pdf
• Europe – What to Bring pdf
• Europe – While on Tour pdf
• Europe Travel Documents pdf
• Europe, ms Amadagio deckplan pdf