Cruising the Waterways of Hungary

Before the advent of cars and trains, the waterways of Europe were its commercial highways. Goods and people were transported from area to area by boat. As a result of this trade, villages and towns grew along the riverbanks and prospered. Cruising these waterways allows you to enjoy these villages, towns and the countryside close up.

For over one thousand years, the great rivers of Europe – the Seine, the Rhine, the Danube and more - have been the travel and trade routes of choice. To this day, great castles, magnificent cathedrals, and elegant cities tempt travelers to step ashore from river cruises. Stroll the picturesque villages of Bordeaux and Burgundy, glory in the tulip fields of Holland, and explore the great museums and palaces of the Russian Czars. Wherever rivers lead, we allow you to enjoy the best of Europe from a delightful and unique perspective.

Bellow you have a sample description of a cruse from the whole variation of cruses available. For more information please contact Varsovia Travel.

The Ultimate River Cruise

Three nights in Paris and a Grand Cruise on the lovely ms ‘Symphony’ from Trier to Budapest

19 days • Air, land & cruise
18 days • Paris/Budapest

Your Travel Value Includes

• Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Paris on day 2 and Budapest on day 19 when we will issue the airline tickets
• Three nights hotel accommodation in Paris including buffet breakfast daily
• Transfer from Paris to the ship in Trier
• 14 night deluxe cruise accommodation in outside cabin with hotel-style beds
• Superb dining with all meals included on cruise
• Quality wines with dinner
• Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner
• Captain’s Gala Dinner
• Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
• Special highlights including folklore performances, wine tasting, lectures, theme dinners, local festivities and on board music performance
• Services of a professional Cruise Manager throughout your cruise
• Nightly piano music on board
• On board amenities including fitness center, physician, massage and beauty salon, souvenir shop and Club Lounge
• All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking only on the Sun Deck)
• All local taxes
• Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Itinerary

Day 1, Wed. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2, Thu. ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE.
Arrive in Paris and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to relax or start exploring the captivating city of Paris.

Day 3, Fri. PARIS.
This morning’s guided sightseeing tour will take you to Notre Dame, the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many museums, galleries and other attractions the city has to offer. (B)

Day 4, Sat. PARIS.
Enjoy a full free day to explore the amazing City of Lights, where romance fills the air. Stroll along the Champs Elysées, the boutique-lined boulevard, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World’s Fair in 1889. Sip a coffee or taste some French wines in the buzzing Latin Quarter, or chat with one of the many artists along the banks of the Seine River. Paris has much to offer for every taste. (B)

Day 5, Sun. PARIS / TRIER, GERMANY.
Enjoy free time in Paris this morning. After lunch, drive through the scenic French countryside to Trier and board your deluxe river cruise ship. Explore charming Trier with its Roman monuments, Porta Nigra gate and amphitheater and perhaps taste the famous Moselle wines. Tonight gather on board for a Gala Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Trier. (B,D)

Day 6, Mon. TRIER / MOSELLE VALLEY / BERNKASTEL / ZELL.
This morning enjoy stunning views as you cruise to the charming village of Bernkastel. Located in the middle of the Moselle wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Take a walk through the old town center with its many Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Then, sail to Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine, “Zeller Schwarze Katz.” Before dinner, a dance group will perform on board. Tonight’s festive Zell celebration with wine tasting and a local band is a highlight of your cruise. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Tue. COCHEM / KOBLENZ.
The ship departs very early this morning, gliding down the winding Moselle River to magnificent Cochem. Here, a guided morning tour will take you to hilltop Reichsburg Castle, which offers views of the river valley. Bid farewell to the Moselle as you arrive in Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine River. Late this afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of this historic hub of trade. After dinner, join your cruise manager for an evening outing in Koblenz. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Wed. RÜDESHEIM.
This morning, be on deck to see the most famous part of the Rhine River. View castle after castle, and the infamous Lorelei Rock. Today’s scenic cruise ends in Rüdesheim. Tour the town and visit unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Return to the ship via the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants. An overnight cruise takes you past Frankfurt into the Main River. (B,L,D)

Day 9, Thu. MILTENBERG / WERTHEIM.
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking tour. Shop for souvenirs before a motorcoach takes you to charming Wertheim, where you can browse in the market square before re-boarding the ship. The rest of the day, cruise through the sunny valleys of the meandering Main. Tonight, dress up for the Captain’s Dinner which is followed by a Crew show. (B,L,D)

Day 10, Fri. WÜRZBURG.
After a morning filled with wonderful Main River scenery, you will be romanced by the beauty of Würzburg. Surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards, the city is the capital of Lower Franconia, a center of wine and trade. During your morning tour visit the major sights including the magnificent Residential Palace. Your afternoon cruise takes you past charming Volkach and through the Franconian wine region. After dinner join your fellow travelers in the lounge to listen to an enchanting medieval music performance. Cruise overnight to Bamberg. (B,L,D)

Day 11, Sat. BAMBERG.
This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided tour of this medieval gem. Marvel at the Old Town Hall, which straddles the river, and the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. From here your motorcoach will take you through the picturesque countryside to rejoin your ship. Continue along the Main-Danube Canal to ancient Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. (B,L,D)

Day 12, Sun. NUREMBERG / ROTHENBURG EXCURSION.
After breakfast depart on a full day excursion along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg. Enjoy shopping in this charming walled town, then a traditional German lunch in a local restaurant. Return to the ship in Nuremberg, where it will moor overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 13, Mon. NUREMBERG / BEILNGRIES.
Take a guided morning tour of this historic and beautiful city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. See the storybook 900-year old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. At lunchtime, continue to transit the Main-Danube Canal as you arrive at the highest point of your cruise – 1,332 feet above sea level. Descend through stair-step locks to charming Beilngries, where Bavarian folklore entertainers will come aboard for some hearty Oompah music. (B,L,D)

Day 14, Tue. DANUBE GORGE / REGENSBURG.
This morning takes you through the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal. Arrive in Kelheim and embark on a boat trip through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey. Return to your ship in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will show you the city’s highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. After dinner, enjoy a Bavarian “Schuhplattler” dance performance on board. (B,L,D)

Day 15, Wed. PASSAU / LINZ, AUSTRIA.
After breakfast, arrive in Passau. During your walking tour gaze at this fairytale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or, take an optional full day tour to Salzburg and its most popular “Sound of Music” sights including the Wedding Church, exquisite Mirabell Gardens, the Great Salzburg Festival Hall and much more. For those staying on board, enjoy a cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town, Austria’s third largest city. (B,L,D)

Day 16, Thu. MELK / VIENNA.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A guided tour takes you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries. At lunchtime, continue through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the “City of Music” and Austria’s magnificent capital. Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)

Day 17, Fri. VIENNA / BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA.
A wonderful day to savor the baroque elegance of romantic Vienna. A guided sightseeing tour includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral. At lunchtime the ship continues to Slovakia. A guided tour of Bratislava reveals the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. From 13th century Bratislava Castle, you’ll delight in breathtaking views. Enjoy an evening music performance on board before your midnight departure for Hungary. (B,L,D)

Day 18, Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Morning sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, where you have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year old Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Tonight gather on board for a Gala Farewell Dinner with gypsy violins. (B,L,D)

Day 19, Sun. DEPART BUDAPEST.
Your fascinating cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport your onward flight. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your stay in Europe. (B)