On arrival in Nuremberg today, you'll be met and transferred by coach to your luxurious river ship, which will be moored on the Main-Danube Canal. After settling in to your suite, attend a Welcome Reception in the ship's lounge tonight before the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner this evening. Your ship remains moored in Nuremberg overnight. (D)

See the 900 year-old ramparts that surround the cirty, the Imperial Castle, the Kaiserburg Fortress and more on a morning tour. At lunch, re-board your ship and cruise along the Main-Danube Canal. Today you'll arrive at the highest point of the cruise, 435 metres above sea level, and cross Europe's Continental Divide. (B,L,D)

This morning, arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Here, a tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. (B,L,D)

This morning arrive in Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Embark on a guided walking tour of this 2000 year-old city, then re-board the ship and cruise into Austria to Linz. Alternatively, you may like to substitue the tour for an optional excursion to Salzburg. (B,L,D)

On arrival in Melk today, embark on a guided tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey, one of the world's most famous monastic sites. Located above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, it has the rare distinction of surviving as an active Benedictine monastry continuously since its foundation. (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast, embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the Austrian capital, that includes Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and St Stephen's Cathedral. After an afternoon at leisure, perhaps take in an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)

Today a tour of Hungary's beautiful capital includes historic Buda Castle Matthias Church, St Stephen's Basilica, the distinctive Fishermans's Bastion and the marvellous Royal Palace. Enjoy some time in the afternoon to shop, relax or further explore on your own, before re-boarding the ship this evening for dinner and an entertaining performance by Gypsy violinists. (B,L,D)

Today you have the chance to explore the Hungarian Puszta region, the vast flat Great Plain, where Hungarian 'cowboys' still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Visit a typical village, where you will be met by horse-herds, take a ride in an ox-cart and marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders and drivers during a horse show. There will be a light lunch of goulash, the Hungarian national dish, before returning to the ship in Budapest. (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast, arrive in Mohács today and travel by coach to Pécs for a guided sightseeing tour. Afterwards, return to your ship and continue cruising along the Danube River tonight. (B,L,D)

Tour the Croatian city of Vukovar by bus and foot today, taking in the Franciscan Monastert of St John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and much more. Then re-board your ship and cruise into Serbia. The ship docks in Novi Sad, where you will disembark for a tour of Petrovaradin Fortress, which stands guard over the Danube. (B,L,D)

Today arrive in Serbia's fascinating capital, Belgrade. On arrival, you'll be taken on a guided tour to such places as home of the Patriarch and The Cathedral of St Sava, the largest Orthodox church in the country, as well as Tito's Memorial, the Federal Parliament Building and Kalemegdan Fortress. Following the tour, return to your ship and continue cruising. (B,L,D)

After breakfast today, settle in and relax on board as you embark on a day of unforgettable cruising through one of Europe's most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrow gorges as the river winds past the Carpathian Mountains on one side and the Balkan Mountains on the other. These natural borders today make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Vidin today and see the Baba Vida Fortress, a 14th century castle that stands guard over the Danube. Then travel overland to see Belogradchik, a restored 6th century castle, located in a landscape of unusual rock formations. (B,L,D)

Take an excursion to Bucharest, capital of Romania. See the Archul de Triumf, Anthenaeum and Library and visit the Parliament Palace - the second largest building in the world. Following lunch, enjoy free time or visit an open-air museum dedicated to the traditional architecture of rural Romania. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you'll disembark the ship and be transferred back to the airport in Bucharest for your flight. (B)