Italy and Blue Danube Discovery

Eastern Europe is a treasure trove of new sights, sounds, smells and tastes. Challenge your senses as you make your way from Italy to Budapest and then embark on a cruise to Nuremberg in Germany. Following seven nights on the water, conclude your expedition with a stay in the lovely city of Prague.

ms Amadagio or Amacello • Rome • Florence • Venice • Budapest • Vienna • Prague

• Fully Escorted Exclusive Sailing
• 7 nights aboard APT’s ms Amadagio or ms Amacello

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Rome.
Be met at the airport and transferred, via the famous Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, to your hotel. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.
Two Night Stay: Rome.

Day 2. Rome – Vatican.
After a morning at leisure, we visit the Vatican Museum, including Michelangelo’s renowned Sistine Chapel. Later tour the Roman Castles area, and indulge in dinner and wine tasting in a picturesque area near Castelgandolfo Lake.
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Day 3. Siena – Florence.
This morning travel to Siena and enjoy an exploration by foot, visiting Basilica de San Francesco and St Catherine’s birthplace. Later continue to Florence, where you’ll enjoy a fine dinner at the hotel.
Two Night Stay: Florence.
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Day 4. Florence Sightseeing.
Take a guided tour of Florence this morning, visiting the magnificent Duomo and Piazzale Michelangelo. 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 free time then transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure.
Two Night Stay: Santa Margherita Ligure.
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Day 6. Cinque Terre.
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Cinque Terre today, five picturesque villages clinging precariously to 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 coastline. The evening is free in Santa Margherita Ligure.
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Day 7. Mantova – Italian Lakes – Verona.
Leave the coast behind and head for Mantova, where we take a walking tour and view beautiful Lake Garda. In the afternoon continue the short distance to Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Stay: Verona.
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Day 8. Padova – Venice.
Enjoy time this morning to explore Verona on foot. Then travel 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.
Two Night Stay: Venice.
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Day 9. Venice Sightseeing.
Discover the treasures of Venice on a fascinating guided walking tour. See the famous Bridge of Sighs, then continue to St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica. Visit a glass blowing factory then the remainder of the day is yours to explore Venice as you choose.
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Day 10. Venice – Graz.
Bid farewell to Italy today as we travel towards the Alps and Austria. Arrive in Graz, a city that was recently title holder of the ‘European Capital of Culture’ award.
Stay: Graz.
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Day 11. Heviz.
Travel to Hungary today and arrive in the delightful spa town of Heviz. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to visit the thermal baths or stroll through the lovely town.
Stay: Heviz.
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Day 12. Herend – Budapest.
Travel to Herend, famous for its porcelain. Take a guided tour of the mini porcelain factory and museum then continue to Budapest and transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board.
Stay: 7 nights aboard APT’s ms Amadagio or ms Amacello
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Day 13. Budapest – Bratislava.
Cruise along the Danube to Bratislava today where we take a walking tour, before a free afternoon. Perhaps venture to the city’s 13th century castle with views of Slovakia, Austria and Hungary, before dinner and music on board.
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Day 14. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today choose from a guided sightseeing tour or a visit to the Hundertwasser House, home of the works of one of the most well-known Austrian artists of contemporary times (refer to page 22 for details). Enjoy the afternoon at leisure then tonight explore the vibrant capital on your own or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.
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Day 15. Dürnstein – Melk Abbey.
Cruise through the Wachau Valley and stop for a walking tour of Dürnstein, revealing 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Continue on to Melk, where a guided tour takes you to the town’s Benedictine Abbey, located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube.
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Day 16. Linz – Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring.
With our Freedom of Choice Touring, perhaps join a full day tour to Salzburg and its ‘Sound of Music’ sights or take a scenic cruise to Passau for a tour of this historic city, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube
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Day 17. Regensburg.
Arrive in Regensburg today, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights includes the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Tonight, folklore entertainers perform on board.
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Day 18. Nuremberg – Main-Danube Canal, Freedom of Choice Touring.
This morning enter the Main-Danube Canal and cruise through the lovely Altmühl Valley. The Main-Danube Canal straddles the Franconian Alps via 16 locks, truly a feat of modern engineering. This afternoon with our Freedom of Choice concept, you’ll choose between a World War II tour or a medieval city tour.
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Day 19. Nuremberg – Karlovy Vary – Prague.
Disembark the ship after breakfast and travel to Prague, via the spa town of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad). Arriving in Prague, enjoy the balance of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Three Night Stay: Prague.
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Day 20. Prague Sightseeing.
This morning take a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town. Visit the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard, the Jewish Quarter and the Old Market Square. This afternoon is at your leisure.
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Day 21. Prague.
A relaxing day at leisure to explore or take an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi World War II labour camp, now a war memorial to those who perished.
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Day 22. Depart Prague – Fly Home.
Today after breakfast your tour comes to its completion as we bid farewell to the city of Prague and transfer to the airport.
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What's Included

APT Guaranteed Inclusions

• Services of APT Cruise Director
• Cruise staff gratuities included – save up to $600 per couple
• Free airport transfers on first and last day – save $260 per couple
• Freedom of Choice touring at no cost in Vienna, Passau, Nuremberg & Amsterdam
• Rome sightseeing including the Vatican Museum
• Guided city tour of Siena and Florence
• Excursion to Portofino & Cinque Terre
• Venice Sightseeing
• Guided tour of Budapest, Bratislava, Dürnstein, Prague & Regensburg

Finest Dining

• In Italy, Austria & Hungary & Prague enjoy 14 Breakfasts (B) and 7 Dinners (D)
• On ship: All meals, as well as quality local wines with dinner
• Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner
• Gala Farewell Dinner

Outstanding Places to Stay

• 7 night cruise with 6-star service and facilities
• 2 nights in Rome, Florence, Santa Margherita Ligure and Venice
• Overnight in Verona, Graz and Heviz

On Board Facilities

• Spacious Main Entertainment Lounge
• Elegant, world-class Restaurant, serving fresh local produce daily
• On-board Fitness Centre
• Massage and Beauty Salon
• Expansive Sun Deck offering superb panoramic riverside views
• Peaceful on-board Library
• Plush Bedding, daily turndown service
• Full Ensuite Bathrooms in Suites
• French Balcony Suites
• No Suites located over Engine Room
• High staff to passenger ratio

APT Amadeus Waterways Ships

• All-weather Private French Balconies in 82% of suites
• Complimentary Bicycles on board
• Second, Lower Sun Deck
• All-weather Teak Front Deck
• Elevator to all suites
• Second Private Rear Lounge

Additional Information

• Single supplement available on application
• Port charges – add A$150 per person.
• Arrival/Departure Transfers on first and last day included.
• Cruise Upgrades available Contact Us for further details
• Prices are for Land Content only per person

Air$aver Airfares

• Enquire about our great airfares to Europe

Departure Dates and Prices

**Number of travellers, per person price.

All prices are displayed in Australian Dollars (AUD)