GRAND EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE FROM PARIS TO ISTANBUL  Rhine , Main and Danube River Cruise  29Days/28nights  2008 3 nights in Paris, 21-night cruise from Trier to Romania, 1 night in a Black Sea resort and 3 nights in Istanbul

Early Booking Special for all 2009  departures
5% off for bookings made by Sep.30/2008!!!

Detailed Itinerary: (Paris to Istanbul) Day 1, Thu. ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE. Time to rest or start exploring the city during the balance of the day. Day 2, Fri. PARIS. Enjoy Paris' famous sights during this morning's guided tour. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many museums, galleries and other attractions that the city has to offer. (B)

Day 3, Sat. PARIS.
Enjoy a full day to explore the amazing "City of Light" on your own. (B)

Day 4, Sun. PARIS-LUXEMBOURG-TRIER, GERMANY.
This morning say "Au Revoir" to Paris as you drive through the scenic French countryside of Champagne to Luxembourg. There is free time for lunch and a guided city tour before continuing to Trier and embarkation on the ship. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

Day 5, Mon. BERNKASTEL-ZELL.
This morning, arrive in the charming village of Bernkastel. Take a guided walking tour through the old town center with its many medieval and Renaissance buildings, before continuing on to Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine "Zeller Schwarze Katz." (B,L,D)

Day 6, Tue. GONDORF/COCHEM-KOBLENZ-RHINE CASTLES-RUDESHEIM.
This morning you decide, you can either disembark in Gondorf and take the included excursion to Cochem and then continue with a motorcoach ride that brings you to Koblenz. Or, you can continue cruising the Moselle to it's confluence with the Rhine at Koblenz and enjoy a walking tour of this beautiful town. Together, this afternoon, cruise along the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine. Arrive in Rüdesheim, the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Wed. MAINZ-HEIDELBERG-FRANKFURT.
Today, again you decide: Either disembark in Mainz and travel by motorcoach to Heidelberg for a walking tour and free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon drive to Frankfurt, where you rejoin your ship. Or, you can enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Mainz before taking a lunchtime cruise on the Main and Rhine rivers to the wine village of Rüdesheim. Here tour the town by mini-train and visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Late, this afternoon everyone will cruise the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine River, and arrive in Koblenz after dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Thu. MILTENBERG-WERTHEIM.
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking tour of this old Franconian town, which reveals narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. Shop for souvenirs before your coach takes you to charming Wertheim where you can browse the market square before re-boarding the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 09, Fri. WÜRZBURG.
Würzburg, "the Pearl of the Romantic Road," is the capital of Lower Franconia, and a center of wine and trade. Visit the major sights including the magnificent Residence Palace. This afternoon why not join an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg. A walking tour helps you appreciate its ramparts and towers, cobbled lanes and 16th-century houses. Free time to explore before returning to Würzburg. (B,L,D)

Day 10, Sat. BAMBERG.
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruise before you 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, with its uniquely intact townscape. Late tonight arrive in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)

Day 11, Sun. NUREMBERG.
Today travel by train to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities, often given the nickname "Germany's secret capital" Your Cruise Director will escort your day, offer suggestions of what to do whilst you are there and take you to lunch in the world famous Hofbrauhaus. Tonight you will meet fellow travelers embarking from Prague (B,L,D)

Day 12, Mon. NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE - RIEDENBURG.
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. At lunchtime rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks to stop in the Bavarian town of Riedenburg (B,L,D).

Day 13, Mon. REGENSBURG.
Arrive in magnificent Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. In the evening enjoy folklore music on board. (B,L,D)

Day 14, Tue. PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA.
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or, take an optional full day tour to Salzburg. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town, Austria's third largest city and a major river port. (B,L,D)

Day 15, Thu. MELK - VIENNA.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. At lunchtime, continue through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the "City of Music." Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)

Day 16, Fri. VIENNA.
A tour of Vienna includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. Then enjoy a free afternoon to shop or to explore on your own. This afternoon continue cruising overnight to Hungary and Budapest. (B,L,D)

Day 17, Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
This morning is free for shopping, or sightseeing. In the afternoon your sightseeing tour includes Buda & Pest and features Buda Castle, the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica and much more. Tonight enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)

DAY 18, Sun. BUDAPEST.
Upon arrival you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. You can take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and will marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders and drivers during the horse show. Try a light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest. (B,L,D)

DAY 19, Mon. MOHACS - PECS EXCURSION, HUNGARY - CRUISE TO CROATIA. This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. Tonight the ship will arrive in Vukovar, Croatia. (B,L,D)

DAY 20, Tue. VUKOVAR-NOVI SAD (CROATIA & SERBIA).
There will be a bus and walking tour during which you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and Churchs St. Philip and St. Roch. During lunch, cruise to Novi Sad Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 21, Wed. BELGRADE, SERBIA.
This morning you arrive in the Capital of Serbia, Belgrade. During your tour, you will see both old and new towns, Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Square, Republic Square and Mihajlova street; as well as Belgrade Fort, "Varoš" Gate and visit the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 22, Thu: CRUISING - IRON GATES.
Today is a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. (B,L,D)

DAY 23, Fri. VIDIN, BULGARIA.
The "Bada Vida" fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. You will also travel overland to see Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations. (B,L,D)

DAY 24, Sat. GUIRGUI-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA.
Today enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest and see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, Athenaeum and Library, as well as visit the Parliament Palace. Followed by lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon you can choose to have free time for shopping and exploration on your own or visit the open air museum, a museum dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. (B,L,D)

DAY 25, Sun. ROUSE-VELIKO TURNAVO-NESSEBAR, BULGARIA.
This morning you will disembark in Rouse and continue your tour by coach to the Black Sea and Istanbul. First stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria Veliko Turnavo. Those pax who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia, traditional market street. You will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and the town of Nessebar. (B,L)

DAY 26, Mon. NESSEBAR-ISTANBUL, TURKEY.
Situated on a small peninsula, Nessebar is one of the oldest towns in Europe. During this mornings walking tour you will visit St.Stephan's, Pantocrator church and Nessebars oldest church the 5th-6th century Basilica on the Beach. After free time for lunch, you continue onto Istanbul, Turkey, arriving late this afternoon. (B)

DAY 27, Tue. ISTANBUL.
This morning's comprehensive city tour will show you feature the old city of Istanbul, the many Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her long past. Later you have the choice to see more of Byzantine Constantinople and visit one of Christendoms greatest church St.Sophia, or explore more of Ottoman Istanbul and visit the Grand Bazaar. (B,D)

DAY 28, Wed. ISTANBUL.
Today, you will visit the Ottoman Sultans Grand Palace of Topkapi. During your tour you will see the private chambers of the Sultans, the world famous Harem, treasury home to the Topkapi diamond, holy relics room, Hagia Eirene Church originally constructed by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reception rooms of the Imperial court. (B)

DAY 29, Thu. ISTANBUL
Check out and optional transfer to the airport.



INCLUDED FEATURES:

• 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Paris with daily Buffet Breakfast
• Transfer from the Hotel in Paris via Luxembourg to the Ship in Trier
• 21-night Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies
• Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Internet, Movie and Music Library & English Language TV Stations
• Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms
• Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise
• Unlimited Quality Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions with every Dinner on board the Ship
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Fully escorted Motorcoach Tour from the Ship in Rousse, Bulgaria to Istanbul
• 1 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Nessebar at the Black including daily Buffet Breakfast
• 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Istanbul including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary
• Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, on board Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
• Use of Amalegro Bicycles to explore
• Services of Professional Cruise Director
• All English Language on board in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All local Taxes
  

   Departures  for 2008:

  
  Departure dates 2009 

2008 Port Charges: $273 per person
2009 Port Charges: $294 per person
Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites 100% of twin price.
Single supplement for Land: $840 per person.

Prices are per person in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom with window. To upgrade to a higher Category, add per person:
Cat.		Deck		STATEROOM		2008 Price		2009 Price
D		Piano Deck		Window		$297		$447
C		Cello Deck		French Balcony		$1197		$1347
B		Cello Deck		French Balcony		$1497		$1797
A		Violin Deck		French Balcony		$1797		$2097
S		Violin Deck		French Balcony		$3897		$4497

Ships Used: MS Amadagio for ship description 
and pictures click here!