Italy and Magnificent Europe

Before your cruise, take the time to uncover Italy’s inspiring landscapes. From ancient Rome, travel beneath the Tuscan sun to Florence, then to the coastline of Cinque Terre and on to Verona, of Romeo and Juliet fame. After this, Venice and its intricate maze of canals await, before the tour weaves inland, via Graz in Austria to Budapest, where you embark on a luxurious 15 day cruise to Amsterdam stopping on the way to explore the quaint towns, historical cities and castle ruins along the riverside.

ms Amadante • Rome • Florence • Cinque Terre • Venice • Budapest • Vienna • Dürnstein

• Fully Escorted Exclusive Sailing
• 14 nights aboard APT’s ms Amadante

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, Hungary.
Travel the to the town of Herend, world-famous for its porcelain. Take a guided tour of the mini porcelain factory and museum then continue to Budapest. Tonight we dine at a local restaurant.
Stay: Budapest
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Day 13. Budapest.
After breakfast, board your river cruise ship. The rest of the day is free, tonight enjoy Welcome Dinner and Drinks on board.
Stay: 14 nights aboard APT’s ms Amadante
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Day 14. Budapest, State Opera House Performance.
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Budapest taking you to such places as historic Buda Castle, where you have views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion and the marvellous Royal Palace. Today APT also presents the exclusive opportunity to see a private music performance over a glass of champagne at the Hungarian State Opera House. Enjoy some time in the afternoon to explore on your own, before re-boarding the ship this evening for dinner and an entertaining performance by Gypsy violinists.
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Day 15. Bratislava, Slovakia.
THE BLUE DANUBE Relax this morning as you cruise towards Bratislava, the intriguing capital of Slovakia. An afternoon walking tour reveals to you the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St Martin’s Cathedral. From Bratislava Castle, you will enjoy views overlooking three countries – Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, -followed by an eve-ning music -performance on board as we cruise towards Austria and its capital city.
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Day 16. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today savour the Baroque elegance of Vienna with our two Freedom of Choice Touring options. A guided sightseeing tour includes Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and St Stephen’s Cathedral. The second option is to visit the Hundertwasser House, home of the works of arguably the best-known Austrian artist of contemporary times. Tonight perhaps come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.
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Day 17. Dürnstein – Melk.
This morning we reach the beautiful Wachau Valley, stopping in Dürnstein for a walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets that reveal 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Here, high above town, lie the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was -imprisoned in 1192. At lunch, continue to Melk and take a guided tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. It is located above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube and has the rare distinction of surviving as an active Benedictine monastery continuously since its foundation. An evening wine tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau Valley.
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Day 18. Linz – Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring.
With our Freedom of Choice Touring, perhaps join a full day tour to Salzburg and its popular ‘Sound of Music’ sights including the Wedding Church, Mirabell Gardens and the Great Salzburg Festival Hall. Alternatively, take the scenic cruise to Passau and take a fascinating tour of this historic city, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube.
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Day 19. Regensburg.
Arrive in Regensburg today, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, featuring one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. A guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights includes the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Tonight, folklore entertainers perform on board.
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Day 20. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring.
MAIN-DANUBE CANAL AND MAIN RIVER Enter the Main-Danube Canal and cruise through the Altmühl Valley. In Nuremberg choose from a medieval tour, visiting the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and Kaiserburg Fortress. Or perhaps visit some famous World War II sites. Nuremberg played a central role to Hitler’s Nazi Party and was thus bombed by the British and US air forces. It went on to become the symbolic host to the Nuremberg Trials. Visit the site of these trials, the building in which the War Crimes Tri-bunal sat in 1946 and much more.
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Day 21. Bamberg.
Today’s port of call is the enchanting town of Bamberg, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Here we take a guided tour of the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Visit a local Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew on us. Later enjoy free time before you continue your cruise, now gliding along the waters of the Main River.
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Day 22. Würzburg.
Arrive this morning in Würzburg, surrounded by green sloping hills covered with vineyards. Würzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and an important centre of wine and trade. During your tour here today see all the major sights, including the impressive Resi-dential Palace. This afternoon enjoy some time at leisure or take an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled city on the Romantic Road.
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Day 23. Wertheim – Miltenberg.
Disembark in Wertheim, a pretty town strategically located where the Main and Tauber rivers meet just over 150 kilometers upstream from where the Main flows into the Rhine River. Known for its glassworks, Franconian wine and friendly people, the free time we spend in Wertheim provides an ideal overview of a typical medieval German village. Witness an interesting local glass-blowing performance before re-boarding the ship, then relax over lunch while you cruise through the sunny valleys of the meandering Main to Miltenberg. Here, disembark for an afternoon walking tour of this picturesque Franconian town, revealing narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. Tonight as the ship sails, we leave Bavaria, Franconia and the Main River behind.
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Day 24. Mainz – Rhine Castles – Koblenz.
This morning arrive in Mainz and disembark for a walking tour of this beautiful town. There is free time to explore, before the ship sails at lunchtime along what is widely regarded as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Pass through Rhine Gorge and perhaps relax up on the Sun Deck, taking in the extraordinary views of the imposing castles that we frequently pass on this particular stretch. You’ll also see the -legendary Lorelei Rock, where sweet sounding songs lured sailors to their doom. Later this afternoon, we arrive and dock for the evening in Koblenz.
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Day 25. Koblenz – Cologne.
This morning we enjoy a walking tour of 2,000-year-old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers. The abundance of cultural monuments, historic buildings, cosy lanes, narrow alleyways and the relaxed atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a very welcoming destination. Back on board, we continue cruising along the Rhine, heading for Cologne. Here, after dinner, an evening walk through the city takes you through the heart of town, set in one of Germany’s most important wine producing regions
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Day 26. Cologne – Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today after breakfast we reach the famous Dutch capital of Amsterdam, a city that originally sprung up from wetlands and marshes. On arrival here you’ll choose from two Freedom of Choice Touring options. Either admire the stunning architecture of the city on a guided canal boat tour, sailing in a thoughtfully designed glass-top boat past beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Or choose to visit the famous Van Gogh Museum for a first-hand appreciation of some of the Dutch artist’s finest works. Enjoy some time to spend at leisure before a Farewell Dinner tonight, after which you may relax on board in the ship’s lounge or stroll into town to take in the nightlife.
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Day 27. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam.
Today your cruise ends and you disembark the ship then are transferred to Amsterdam’s 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
• Exclusive to APT! Private music concert at the State Opera House in Budapest
• Rome sightseeing including the Vatican
• Full day trip to Italy’s Cinque Terre
• Guided tour of Venice
• See legendary Lorelei Rock
• Take a guided city tour of Mainz
• Guided walking tour of Miltenberg
• Wertheim, glass-blowing demonstration
• Guided town tour of Würzburg
• Cruise the Main-Danube Canal
• Tour Bamberg with a visit to a local Beer Haus to sample a traditional smokey beer
• Cross the Continental Divide and cruise the meandering Main River
• Guided tour of Regensburg, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria
• Guided evening stroll through Linz
• Guided tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and walking tour of Dürnstein
• Guided city tour of Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, including Bratislava Castle, Mirbach Palace and the Old Town Hall

Finest Dining

• In Italy, Austria & Hungary enjoy 12 Breakfasts (B) and 8 Dinners (D)
• On ship: All meals, as well as quality local wines with dinner
• Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner
• Gala Farewell Dinner
• Also includes wine tastings and traditional theme dinners

Outstanding Places to Stay

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

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$260 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)