Spectacular European River Cruise

Day 1 - Sunday 5 August 2018

Melbourne to Paris (Meals Inflight)

Welcome to your next Sisterhood adventure!  Join your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the designated meeting point at Melbourne Airport for our mid afternoon flight to Paris via Singapore.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment and hospitality of Singapore Airlines as we head towards Paris.

Day 2 - Monday 6 August 2018

Paris (D)

Ohhh La La!  Welcome to Paris!  Upon our early morning arrival we'll be met and transferred to our hotel where the remainder of our day is free.  Tonight we'll get together and enjoy a "Welcome to the City of Love" dinner at a nearby restaurant.  

4 Night Stay: Paris

Day 3 - Tuesday 7 August 2018

Paris (B)

Good Morning Paris.  A day at leisure; your Tour Hostess will be on hand to point you in the right direction to start your sightseeing of Paris.  This evening we are met by our Tour Director and other cruise travellers for a welcome drink and reception at our hotel.

You're invited:           Dinner at our hotel (own cost)

Day 4 - Wednesday 8 August 2018

Paris (B)

Today we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour with a local guide with sights including Notre Dame Cathedral, famous for the tale of Quasimodo the hunchback of Notre Dame. We'll see the Obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the elegant Champs Élysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the River Seine finishing at the Eiffel Tower. This tour will give us an excellent overview of the city. Dinner at leisure tonight.

Day 5 -Thursday 9 August 2018

Paris (B,D)

Today we'll visit the Louvre to witness the legendary Mona Lisa smil in person.Sightseeing is an endless pleasure in Paris, and your Tour Hostess and Director is on hand to help you plan your day to explore the romance capital of the world. Tonight will be a scrumptious Parisian dinner to enjoy.

Discover More - Walking Tour with a Parisian (extra expense)

Day 6 - Friday 10 August 2018

Paris to Amsterdam / Embarkation (B,D)

This morning travel by coach from Paris to Amsterdam. A warm welcome awaits us from our Captain and crew as we board your luxury Evergreen river cruise ship. This evening join we'll join our fellow cruise travellers for a cocktail reception followed by a welcome dinner.

Day 7 -Saturday 11 August 2018

Amsterdam Cruising (B,L,D)

This morning the choice is ours; board a glass top canal boat and explore Amsterdam’s maze of canals, cruising past 16th century merchant houses and charming churches, dating back to Holland’s Golden Age. Alternatively, join Emerald Active for a city tour including a guided walk around the famous landmarks of Amsterdam. Both options are followed by free time in the city centre. After lunch on board, we'll depart on our first day sailing through the Dutch countryside, including canals, locks and windmills. Tonight our Captain will be hosting a gala dinner.

Emerald Active - Guided Bike Tour

Day 8 - Sunday 12 August 2018

Cologne (B,L,D)

Today we'll relax onboard our beautiful ship before arriving into Cologne. Founded by the Romans, and one of Germany’s oldest cities, Cologne is famous for its magnificent World–Heritage listed Gothic Cathedral. Join our guide and explore the city including the Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical monuments. During our free time we'll have the opportunity shop for handicrafts or visit a local market before returning to our ship.

Discover More: Take a tour to Drachenburg Castle extra expense - passengers on this tour will have the guided tour of Cologne afterwards

Day 9 - Monday 13 August 2018

Rhine Gorge - Rudesheim (B,L,D)

Speaking from experience today’s cruising will be a highlight of our trip, as we cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. Keep your camera at the ready as around every bend there are stunning vistas of castles perched above steep vine–covered slopes. We’ll also pass the infamous Lorelei Rock where sailors are said to have been lured onto treacherous rocks by enchanted temptresses. We also pass the impressive Pfalzgrafenstein Castle which was formerly a toll gate perched on an island in the middle of the river. In the afternoon we arrive at the gorgeous village of Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most popular towns. Enjoy a cable car ride up to the impressive Germania monument with stunning views of the Rhine Valley, then free time to shop for handicrafts or taste the famous Rudesheim ice coffee.

Emerald Active - Hike to Local Winery

Day 10 - Tuesday 14 August 2018

Miltenberg - Wertheim (B,L,D)

Welcome to Miltenberg, another picturesque village on the Main River, which creates an imitable feeling of Bavarian life in medieval times due to the Old Town being lined with well-preserved half-timbered buildings. The choice of a guided tour of Miltenberg or you might like join Emerald Active for a guided hike to Wertheim Castle (active fitness level) and well worth for the spectacular views.

Emerald Active - Guide hike to Wertheim Castle (active fitness level recommended)

Day 11 - Wednesday 15 August 2018

Wurzburg (B,L,D)

Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”, Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. After breakfast, visit the Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour highlights the palace’s unique staircase, elaborate 18th century frescoes and the amazing 3–dimensional stuccowork. Then join our guide for a walking tour of Würzburg.

Discover More: Rothenburg, a perfectly preserved fortified town. Step back to the middle ages as you walk the cobbled streets admiring the gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture - extra expense NB: If you take this tour you will not be able to atend the included walking tour of Wurzburg as both tours run at the same time.

Day 12 - Thursday 16 August 2018

Bamberg (B,L,D)

This morning the opportunity to relax on board this morning as we cruise through the Main–Danube Canal, to Bamberg. Feel the magic of the past as we explore this UNESCO World Heritage city with your guide. Boasting one of Europe’s largest intact medieval town centres, Bamberg is bursting with character and charm. At the town centre is the largest preserved old quarter in Europe. Around 2,400 listed buildings and the centuries–old garden quarter form a special cultural heritage. Admire hundreds of building façades richly decorated in fascinating detail with spectacular ornamentation.

Day 13 - Friday 17 August 2018

Nuremberg (B,L,D)

Today we'll take a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. The city tour leads us to the major sights, from the early beginnings to the present. Alternatively, journey to the Nazi party rally grounds, where rallies were held from 1933 until 1938 and take a self-guided tour of the WWII Documentation Centre.

 

Day 14 - Saturday 18 August 2018

Kelheim - Regensburg (B,L,D)

This morning takes us through the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Kelheim. Continue cruising along the Danube River to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. On our guided walking tour we’ll have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube.

Discover More: Local Brauhaus excursion - extra expense.  Traditional Bavarian beer meets art and architecture.  Includes tastings.

You’re Invited: Tonight, we enjoy a Bavarian Band on board.

Day 15 - Sunday 19 August 2018

Passau - Linz (B,L,D)

Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome us to the beautiful city of Passau. On this morning’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleys and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. Return for lunch and an afternoon cruising along the Danube River.

Discover More: Enjoy a day tour to Salzburg, the home of ‘The Sound of Music’ and the birth place of Mozart; OR Cesky Krumlov a UNESCO World Heritage site which has been preserved as an example of medieval life - extra expense.  NB:  If you take either of these optional activities you will not be able to join the included walk of Passau.

Day 16 - Monday 20 August 2018

Melk - Durnstein (B,L,D)

Situated within Austria’s wine–growing region, Melk is home to an imposing 900–year old Benedictine Abbey which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture, with its ornate gold leaf walls, 640ft Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings. Later our ship sails through the spectacular Wachau Valley and on to Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. This is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th century.

Emerald Active: A guided biking tour along the Danube River.

Emerald Active: A guided hike to Durnstein Castle (active fitness level recommended)

Day 17 - Tuesday 21 August 2018

Vienna (B,L,D)

Welcome to Vienna, the “City of Waltzes”. Today we explore Austria’s capital beginning with a drive along the Ringstrasse, where we will see Vienna’s world famous Opera House, Burgtheatre, Spanish Riding School, Town Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace.

Emerald Active:  A guided bike tour

Discover More:   Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss AND/OR Schonbrunn Palace - extra expense.  NB:  If you take the Palace tour you not be able to join the included Vienna tour.

Day 18 - Wednesday 22 August 2018

Bratislava (B,L,D)

Set on the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava the capital of Slovakia, embodies various cultures – primarily Celtic, Roman and Slavic. Today we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin.  This evening our Captain will welcome us to a Gala Dinner.

You’re Invited: The highlight will be a home hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family.

 

Day 19 - Thursday 23 August 2018

Budapest (B,L,D)

Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Today we'll enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Royal Palace of Buda, hilltop castle complex and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest. This evening the ship will take us for a gorgeous night–time cruise along the Danube, passing under the city’s numerous bridges, whilst enjoying a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner, complete with folk dancing and music.  A magical way to end our Evergreen cruise.

Emerald Active - A guided hike to Buda Hill (active fitenss level recommended)

You're invited - Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show & Budapest Cruise

Day 20 - Friday 24 August 2018

Budapest - Prague (B)

After breakfast we journey by coach to Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Situated on the banks of the River Vltava in central Bohemia.

Three Night Stay: Prague

Day 21 - Saturday 25 August 2018

Prague (B,D)

This morning we explore the sights of the Old Town Square on a guided walking tour. We see Mozart´s Theatre, Little Square and Astronomical Clock. We continue our tour and walk across the Charles Bridge spanning the River Vltava and full of portrait artists and small vendors, to board our coach to drive to the 1,000–year–old Prague Castle area. With our local guide we walk through Hradcany Square, for the spectacle of the Changing of the Guard. See the magnificent Loreta Monastery, and arrive at Hradcany Castle. Here we see Old Kings Palace, St. George´s Monastery, The National Gallery painting exhibition. This evening we'll experience a night of dancing and entertainment at a Czech Highlight Dinner in a local tavern.

Day 22 - Sunday 26 August 2018

Prague Day at Leisure (B,D)

Today your Tour Hostess and Tour Director is on hand to help plan your day’s exploring. The baroque quarter of Mala Strana is a must see, as is Josefov, the Jewish quarter. You will no doubt return to the lively atmosphere around the Charles Bridge for another look or perhaps a visit to the world's most beautiful library.  Tonight we'll get together at a local restaurant for a Farewell Dinner to celebrate great times shared with new friends.

Discover More: Blatná Castle one of the most beautiful historical country houses in the Czech Republic.  Meet the owner and afterwards enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

 

Day 23 - Monday 27 August 2018

Prague Morning at Leisure (B)

Another free day to explore Prague - We'll check out of our hotel mid morning and store our luggage for our mid afternoon transfer to the airport to begin our flight home to Australia.  

Optional Activity:  Vintage Car City Sightseeing - see behind the scenes of Prague with a fancy vintage car ride around the city - Approx EUR25

Day 24 - Tuesday 28 August 2018

Prague - Frankfurt - Singapore

Sit back, relax and reminise about great times shared with new friends.  Enjoy the inflight entertainment and hospitality of Singapore Airlines.

Day 25 - Wednesday 29 August 2018

Welcome Home!

Welcome Home!  Arriving into Melbourne early morning.  Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure!