Magnificent Europe River Cruise - London to Budapest - Package incl. Flights from NZ

Fly NZ to London - Upon arrival in London, make your own way to your hotel and check-in. The remainder of the day will be yours for leisure activities. Have a peaceful overnight stay at your hotel.

Begin with a panoramic tour of the city’s most famous monuments, taking in the Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard, the Tower of London, a Thames cruise and the London Eye. You also have a choice of a walking tour. The Gothic grandeur of Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of many monarchs and famous figures such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Isaac Newton as well as the Unknown Soldier. Continue to St Paul’s Cathedral, which was built in the rare and short-lived English baroque style. Marvel at the meticulous mosaics that decorate the choir or test the acoustics of the Whispering Gallery. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of those quintessentially British events, an awe-inspiring ceremony endowed with pageantry, pomp and circumstance. Head to the Tower of London, where the legendary Beefeaters regale visitors with tales about the former ‘guests’, the resident ravens and the headless ghost that is said to haunt the fortress. After an optional lunch near the Tower (not included), it's all aboard for a cruise down the River Thames. Cap off a fantastic day with a visit to the London Eye, where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the city from high up over the Thames Embankment.

Today you are free to explore London on your own. You may choose to go around the town, exploring its rich culture and heritage. You can end your day by having a dinner at a local tavern or traditional restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel.

In the morning, make your own way to the London station and board the Eurostar train to proceed to Brussels. Once you reach Brussels, take the Thalys high-speed train to go to Amsterdam. The total journey will take around 4 hours and 30 mins. Upon arrival at Amsterdam, make your way to your hotel and check-in. Rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Amsterdam on your own.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Spend free time exploring the colourful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam-with its many cafes and art galleries. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age." This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE - Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY - Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR; CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country This morning cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see the famous rock of the Lorelei. ACTIVE - Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR: DISCOVERY - Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat. Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B,L,D)

Beauty on the Main River Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC - Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village. Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)

A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road CLASSIC - Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Wurzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz-with the largest known ceiling fresco. Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WURZBURG (B,L,D)

Storybook Settings You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists. Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity. ACTIVE - Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC - Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)

The City of Seven Hills ACTIVE - Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC - Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches. Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)

Legends and History Lessons Visit the Adventure centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE - Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth-with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR: CLASSIC - Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: CLASSIC - Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich. DISCOVERY - Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal-linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)

Bavaria's Medieval Miracle ACTIVE - Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC - Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Alternatively, spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC - Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers." You may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz. LINZ, AUSTRIA: Legendary, Lovely Linz This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below ACTIVE - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk's beautiful countryside, OR: CLASSIC - Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk's Benedictine Abbey. Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon. VIENNA: Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)

Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions ACTIVE - Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC - Explore the Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace-summer home of the Habsburg family or choose a Guided Optional Excursion to fascinating Bratislava. Consider a tram ride to Vienna's Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)

The Pearl of the Danube ACTIVE - Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes' Square. This afternoon choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or enjoy Budapest on your own. Indulge in a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafes. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B) Following that, make your own way to your hotel and check-in. Rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Amsterdam on your own.

Check-out from your hotel and make your own way to the airport for your flight back to NZ - or talk to us about extending your European Holiday.