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Grand River Danube Itinerary
Day 1 - Nuremberg (Germany)
Embark the ship in Nuremberg and meet your fellow travellers at the Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 2 - Nuremberg
Today, decide to either tour the medieval history of Nuremberg to see the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle, or join the WWII tour to see the Nazi Parade Ground, Coliseum and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Cruise through the Main-Danube Canal en-route to Regensburg. In 2019 there is the option to sample local specialties including Nuremburger Bratwurst and Lebkuchen at a Franconian tasting. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Regensburg
In Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities, see the highlights on a guided tour including the Old Town Hall and Porta Praetoria, join in a Bavarian Specialties tasting or take the Walhalla guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Passau - Linz (Austria)
Arrive in Passau where the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers meet. Explore Passau on a guided walking tour of the Old Town and visit St Stephan's Cathedral, home to the world's largest organ, or the more active may prefer to join the bike ride along the Danube or the hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Return to the ship and enjoy a scenic cruise to Linz. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Melk - Vienna
Enjoy a guided tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, take the guided tour of Durnstein or join the guided bike ride along the Danube before cruising through the scenic Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Vienna
See the Baroque elegance in Vienna on a guided city tour past the famous Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and St Stephen's Cathedral. Alternatively join a bike tour along the Danube. This afternoon explore at leisure or take the guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Budapest (Hungary)
See the twin cities of Buda and Pest on a sightseeing tour and visit the Fisherman's Bastion, St Stephen's Basilica and the Heroes' Square, or enjoy an active hike to Castle Hill. After dinner, enjoy an 'Illuminations Cruise' this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Budapest
Visit the famous Puszta region, the vast flat plain where Hungarian cowboys still wear traditional dress. Try a traditional lunch goulash, tour a genuine Hungarian farm and watch an unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Mohacs
Arrive in Mohacs this morning and depart for an excursion to Pecs, an important early Christian bishopric and Turkish cultural base during many centuries of Ottoman rule. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Vukovar (Croatia) - Novi Sad (Serbia)
In Vukovar join the tour including the Ovcara Memorial, a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia's struggle for independence, or travel to Ilok for a wine tasting. Cruise to Novi Sad and take a walking tour of the city to see the mighty Petrovaradin fortress, or join an active biking or hiking tour. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Belgrade
Explore Belgrade's plazas and squares. See the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox temple of St Sava. Choose to either visit the Royal Palace and the mausoleum of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, first president of Yugoslavia; enjoy Serbian plum brandy and snacks at a local distillery; or join a guided bike tour through Belgrade. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Cruising the Iron Gates
Enjoy a full day of cruising through the awe-inspiring landscape of the Iron Gates where the Danube winds its way through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Vidin (Bulgaria)
Visit the Baba Vida fortress which stands guard over the Danube here and take the excursion to Belogradchik, a beautifully restored 6th-century castle located in a landscape of stunning rock formations. Alternatively enjoy a Banitsa pastry and yoghurt tasting in a local home or see the sights on a guided bike ride. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Rousse or Giurgiu (Romania)
Tour the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo and see highlights including the old citadel, Royal Palaces and Baldwin's Tower. Alternatively discover the beautiful architecture of Rousse then visit the Churches of Ivanovo, where churches, chapels and monasteries have been hewn into the side of a mountain. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Giurgiu
Disembark in Giurgiu after breakfast. (B)
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. Key: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner.