Tauck River Cruises, Grand European Cruise from Amsterdam, June 15, 2023

Cruising from: Amsterdam, Netherlands;

Departure Date: 15 June, 2023;

Cruise Line: Tauck River Cruises;

Cruise Ship: MS Treasures;

Duration: 25 days;

Ports of Call: Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Main River, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Budapest, Mohacs, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Iron Gates, Ruse, Constanta, Bucharest, Transylvania, Bucharest;

Day 0 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.

Day 1 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.

Day 2 Cologne, Germany

Cologne is fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia. One of the key inland ports of Europe, it is the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland. Cologne is famous for its 12 great Romanesque churches - especially the magnificent Cologne Cathedral - all an easy walk from the historic Old Town. Its university is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Among its attractions are Roman remains, medieval churches, Baroque palaces, and museums that reflect such diverse subjects and the various products for which it is known: fragrances, mustard, and chocolate.

Day 3 Rudesheim, Germany

Rudesheim is a German town in the Rhine Gorge, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in this region. Rudesheim is known for two things: wine and the Rhein (Rhine) river. A historical landmark Drosselgasse is an integral part of the town's past. Rudesheim offers restaurants, cafes, bars, wine stalls, gelaterias, souvenirs shops and hotels. Next to its extensive vineyards, the city's rich cultural and historic background make it one of the most intriguing places to visit in the country.

Day 4 Main River, Germany

The Main river cruises provide travellers with the opportunity to cruise along the serene waters of the Main, through the heart of Germany. The Main river is considered the most significant right tributary of the Rhine and bridges western and eastern Europe together by connecting to the Danube via the Main-Danube canal. Cruising the Main is a nice way to take in the beauty of Germany's rolling countryside, forests, and vineyards, and charming architecture.

Day 5 Wurzburg, Germany

Wurzburg, a city in the region of Franconia, is located on the Main River. The city itself is set in a beautiful hilly location on a river and possesses a wealth of history. One of the city's most important sites is the Fortress Marienberg, a castle on a hill across the Old Main Bridge, that overlooks the whole town area as well as the surrounding countryside. Another significant point-of-interest is the Wurzburg Residenz, a vast compound on the eastern edge of the town. Wurzburg is also smack in the middle of one of Germany's biggest wine-producing areas and has superb connections to other parts of the country.

Day 6 Bamberg, Germany

Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a German medieval town in Upper Franconia, Bavaria. The town consistently charms tourists with its beautiful architecture, abundant culture, beauty spots and lively gardens. Some of the main sights are: Cathedral, Altenburg, and The Neue Residenz and its Rosengarten with over 4500 roses. Bamberg is known for its smoked Rauchbier and is home to nine breweries.

Day 7 Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria and the unofficial capital of Franconia. Beautiful German, medieval Old Town is home to a 1000 year-old castle. The Imperial Castle in Nuremberg was one of the most important fortified imperial palaces of the old Holy Roman Empire., Nuremberg is also famous for its bratwurst and Franconian beer.

Day 8 Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg is a city in south-east Germany, at the confluence of Danube, Naab and Regen rivers. Long an important trade and cultural center, Regensburg's medieval Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of lovely churches and fine old aristocratic houses from the 13th and 14th centuries.Located near the Stone Bridge in Old Town lies the Domplatz, the Cathedral Square, for centuries the hub of the city.

Day 9 Passau, Germany

Passau in the southeast of Germany is located at the Austrian border. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau is worldwide known as "The Three Rivers City". In the heart of Passau on the Old Town's highest point rises St. Stephen's Cathedral, in which the world's largest cathedral organ sounds. The majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus on the Danube's side and the Pilgrimage Church "Mariahilf" on the Inn's side give the city outstanding beauty.

Day 10 Melk, Austria

Melk, located on the banks of the River Danube, is a picturesque city with a rich history in lower Austria's Wachau valley. Melk is best known for its massive Benedictine Abbey, one of the most splendid monastic houses in Austria. The countryside surrounding Melk also has several attractions for tourists. The Donauradweg cycling path is one of the loveliest bicycle routes in all Europe, connecting riverside towns and scenic natural areas. Several castles are within a few kilometers, including the 900-year-old Renaissance Schloss Schallaburg, Schloss Schonbuhel, and Aggstein Castle, in romantic ruins.

Day 11 Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the federal capital, largest city and one of nine states of Austria. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. Apart from being regarded as the City of Music because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psychoanalyst - Sigmund Freud. Vienna is Austria's main centre of education and home to many universities, professional colleges and high schools.

Day 12 Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is one of the smaller capitals of Europe but still the country's largest city. One of the city dominants is The Castle of Bratislava. The most attractive part of Bratislava is the Old Town where the most historical sights, as well as cultural institutions, are concentrated. Its tiny lanes offer an ideal atmosphere for romantic walks to those who love to follow signs of history in the middle of the modern world.

Day 13 Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and the most populous city of Hungary. With its wide boulevards and stunning architecture, steamy thermal baths, Budapest is a true cosmopolitan European capital. No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to the Castle Quarter, including Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and the quaint cobbled streets and pastel buildings throughout. In a city filled with spectacular architecture and sites, the Hungarian Parliament Building stands out as a symbol of the city and impossible-to-ignore presence on the Danube.

Day 14 Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and the most populous city of Hungary. With its wide boulevards and stunning architecture, steamy thermal baths, Budapest is a true cosmopolitan European capital. No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to the Castle Quarter, including Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and the quaint cobbled streets and pastel buildings throughout. In a city filled with spectacular architecture and sites, the Hungarian Parliament Building stands out as a symbol of the city and impossible-to-ignore presence on the Danube.

Day 15 Mohacs, Hungary

Mohacs is a town in Hungary on the right bank of the Danube. The town's identity is rooted in a major battle that took place here in 1526 when the Turks swept in, defeated the Hungarians, and then ruled over them for some 450 years. The Historical Memorial Park just outside of town has a comprehensive collection of clothing, tools, and arms. Main sights are the Cathedral of Pecs, and Szechenyi Square.

Day 16 Novi Sad, Serbia

Novi Sad is the second-largest city in Serbia. Lying on the banks of the Danube river, the city faces the northern slopes of Fruška Gora. Novi Sad is the city of young people, music, fun and great nightlife. It is the home of The EXIT festival, one of the best music events in Europe. The most visited tourist attraction in Novi Sad is Petrovaradin Fortress.

Day 17 Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. One of the oldest cities in Europe and the only one built on the confluence of two rivers, Belgrade is the city that never sleeps and the symbol of great nightlife. Belgrade has wildly varying architecture. The oldest architecture is found in Kalemegdan Park. Like any other metropolis, it has many museums, annual cultural events and different sites to visit

Day 18 Iron Gates, Serbia

The Iron Gates is a gorge on the river Danube. It forms part of the boundary between Serbia (to the south) and Romania (north). In the broad sense, it encompasses a route of 134 km. At this point in the Danube, the river separates the southern Carpathian Mountains from the northwestern foothills of the Balkan Mountains. The Romanian side of the gorge constitutes the Iron Gates natural park, whereas the Serbian part constitutes the Đerdap national park.

Day 19 Ruse, Romania

Whether you spell it Ruse, Russe, or Rousse, this city in northern Bulgaria is located on the right bank of the Danube River, not far from the mouth of the Rusenski Lom River and directly across from the Romanian city of Giurgiu via the Friendship Bridge. This is a major commercial, cultural, and industrial hub, and one of the largest cities in the country. Ruse was also known as "The Small Vienna" because to the stunning architecture and intricate interior design of the buildings created by Italian, Austrian, German, and Bulgarian architects. Ruse Carnival, March Music Days, Autumn Days of Arts and Science, etc., are only a few of the cultural events that take place in the city. There are many cultural institutions in Ruse, such as an agricultural research center, an opera house, a state symphony orchestra, a museum, and an art gallery.

Day 20 Constanta, Romania

Constanta is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania and the country's largest seaport. Constanta is an important cultural and economic centre, worth exploring for its archaeological treasures and the atmosphere of the old town centre. Its historical monuments, ancient ruins, grand Casino, museums and shops, and proximity to beach resorts make it the focal point of Black Sea coast tourism.

Day 21 Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country. Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle epoque buildings and a reputation for the high life which in the 1900s earned its nickname of "Little Paris. Bucharest has landmark buildings and monuments. The most prominent of these is the Palace of the Parliament, the largest Parliament building in the world, built in the 1980s during the reign of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Day 22 Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania, Romania. Cruising Danube. Romania river cruise.

Day 23 Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country. Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle epoque buildings and a reputation for the high life which in the 1900s earned its nickname of "Little Paris. Bucharest has landmark buildings and monuments. The most prominent of these is the Palace of the Parliament, the largest Parliament building in the world, built in the 1980s during the reign of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.