TWO FOR ONE FARES ON THIS RIVER CRUISE

This travel offer is valid until 30 September 2012 For the latest prices call one of our luxury cruise specialists now on 0845 643 1878.

• Save over £5,000 per couple on APT’s Magnificent Europe river cruise with these 2 for 1 fares (or 50% off)
• Prices now starting from £1,972 per person - book by 30 Sept 2012.

The following is included at no extra cost:

• Return economy class flights from up to 15 UK airports
• 14 nights aboard a luxurious river ship
• 41 delicious meals plus free flowing wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
• Daily small group shore excursions worth £1,270 per couple
• APT's unique Freedom of Choice Touring in select locations allowing guests to tailor their cruise to their own interests
• Onboard APT Cruise Director
• All tipping, port charges and return airport to ship transfers saving up to £908 per couple

On APT’s inimitable 15 day Magnificent Europe tour, relax in the sunshine as lush fields, towering mountains and medieval ruins drift gently by. Weave your way from Amsterdam through five countries to Budapest (or vice versa), sailing down the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, stopping to take in the iconic attractions and charming secrets of Europe’s heartland.

Sightseeing highlights
•Tour medieval Wertheim Castle and enjoy a sparkling glass of Sekt
•Enjoy an exclusive wine event, hosted by the Aulic Council, in Germanys oldest wine cellar in Kitzingen
•Sample Rauchbier (smoked beer) with a complimentary drink at a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus
•Visit the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest for a tour, a glass of champagne and a private music recital

Finest dining
•Enjoy 14 Champagne Breakfasts, 13 Lunches and 14 Dinners
•Choose from three delicious Dine Around Dinner options in Vienna
•All meals, as well as regional wines and beer with dinner and lunch, are included onboard

Outstanding places to stay
•Enjoy 14 nights on a luxurious Aria or Concerto Class river ship
•Butler and Room Service for selected suite categories

Day 1 Arrive In Amsterdam, Embark Cruise
Fly from your chosen UK airport and be met on arrival in Amsterdam. Transfer to your river ship and tonight enjoy a Welcome Reception.

14 Night Stay: a luxurious Aria Class or Concerto Class river ship

Dinner

Day 2 Amsterdam
Today join your selected touring activity. Perhaps take a canal cruise and admire the city’s architecture as you cruise in a glass-top boat past 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Alternatively, visit the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings. Or take a guided Wetland Safari canoe tour through extraordinary landscapes. Afterwards, stop at Rembrandt’s Windmill for a photo opportunity. Rejoin your ship in Utrecht and tonight enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 3 Düsseldorf, Cologne
Arrive in Düsseldorf today and choose your touring activity. Perhaps travel to Venlo and explore the spectacular displays on show at the 2012 Floriade Horticultural World Expo†, with time to admire the impressive landscaped gardens and floral exhibitions. Alternatively, you may like to take a trip to the historic city of Maastricht, where you can explore the grand ancient architecture and boutique shops. Continue to Cologne, which you’ll discover with a guided walking tour. This historic and cultural hub is packed with attractions such as museums and galleries, and features stunning examples of architecture, including twelve Romanesque churches. Your tour will take you to the spectacular Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in the world.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4 Rüdesheim
Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is known as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Enjoy views of the slopes in vineyards and dotted with ancient castles and castle ruins. Cruise past the pretty villages of Boppard and Goarshausen, among others, as well as Lorelei Rock, rising an impressive 130 metres above the water. Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you have a choice of two Freedom of Choice Touring activities. Perhaps step aboard the Winzerexpress mini-train, which will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, a tour will highlight one of the largest collections of automated musical instruments in the world. Alternatively, you may like to discover for yourself why German Riesling is so renowned with a visit to a winery and a tasting of local wines. This afternoon, your ship enters the Main River.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 5 Freudenberg, Wertheim
Still in Germany, cruise to Freudenberg this morning as you enjoy a fascinating demonstration of the art of glass-blowing on board. On arrival in Freudenberg, disembark your ship and travel by coach to Wertheim, located where the Main and Tauber rivers meet. This small town is noted for three enticing attractions: delicious regional wine, a spectacular castle and an ancient town centre. During your time here, you have the choice of three touring activities. Perhaps embark on a guided bicycle or walking tour of this lovely medieval town, or go for a paddling tour in a canoe or kayak along the Tauber River. Afterwards, rejoin your fellow travellers and enjoy a private tour of medieval Wertheim Castle and a glass of Sekt, a German sparkling wine, as you absorb magnificent views over the Rhine.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 6 Würzburg, Rothenburg - Kitzingen
Surrounded by green hills covered with vineyards, Würzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and a crucial centre for wine and trade. This morning, you may like to embark on a tour taking in the Residential Palace and churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. Alternatively, visit medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled town on the Romantic Road. After a tour here, have a look through the city’s famous Christmas Museum. Afterwards, re-board your ship for lunch and spend an afternoon cruising to the picturesque Bavarian town of Kitzingen. During some time here, perhaps wander over to the town’s 13th century Leaning Tower, or search for Dracula’s Grave, rumoured to be located in the town cemetery. This evening, enjoy an exclusive wine tasting event, hosted by the Aulic Council at Germany’s oldest wine cellar. The Alter Klosterkeller was built by nuns and now offers an historic setting in which to sample Bavarian wines. Back on board your ship, enjoy a medieval themed dinner.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 7 Bamberg
After breakfast this morning, disembark your ship and travel to World Heritage-listed Bamberg, one of the few German cities that wasn’t destroyed by bombs during World War II. Here, tour the city’s streets, with their charming houses and 18th century mansions. Then, visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew, with compliments of APT. Later, return to your ship and cruise into the Main-Danube Canal. Having taken 32 years to construct, the canal is truly a feat of modern engineering. It links the North and Black seas, enabling ships to cross the entire continent.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 8 Nuremberg
Nuremberg played a pivotal role for the Nazi Party and was thus systematically bombed during World War II. It went on to act as the symbolic host of the Nuremberg Trials. Today, select from three touring options. Perhaps take a World War II tour and visit sites from the war, including the famous Courtroom 600. Or take a medieval tour and see the 900 year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle, the Kaiserburg Fortress and more. The more adventurous may like to see the sights by segway. At lunch, re-board your ship and continue along the Main-Danube Canal. Today, thanks to the series of stair-step locks, you’ll arrive at the highest point of the cruise, 435 metres above sea level, and cross Europe’s Continental Divide.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 9 Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg today, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Here you’ll enjoy the opportunity to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Your touring options include a guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights - including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage-listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria. You may opt to visit the nearby Audi Museum & Factory, where you’ll gain a fascinating insight into the past, present and future of the German car industry and the renowned Audi car. You could also opt to take a guided bicycle tour to the imposing hillside temple of Walhalla. This neo-classical building serves as a hall of fame honouring Germans of high distinction. The displays of plaques and busts commemorate over 2000 years of history, beginning in 9AD with Arminius, who fought victoriously in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. Tonight, enjoy a music performance on board. board after dinner.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 10 Passau, Linz
This morning arrive in Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Here, you’ll disembark and select from our touring options. Perhaps travel by coach to Salzburg and take a tour of the city’s famous ‘Sound of Music’ sights, including the Wedding Church, Mirabell Gardens and Great Salzburg Festival Hall. Then travel by coach to Linz and rejoin your ship. Or you may like to take a day tour to the World Heritage-listed city of Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, take a tour of Passau, including a visit to St Stephen’s Cathedral, before enjoying a cruise into Austria and to Linz. During your cruise, witness the culinary art involved in making apple strudels during a demonstration. After dinner tonight, perhaps enjoy an evening stroll through Linz.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 11 Melk, Dürnstein
Cruise through the Strudengau region to the pretty Wachau Valley this morning and take a guided tour of Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. Located high above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, it has the rare distinction of surviving as an active Benedictine monastery continuously since its foundation in 1089. When it’s time to depart Melk, choose from our two touring options. Perhaps take a guided bicycle ride on a path along the pretty banks of the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein. Alternatively, rejoin your ship and continue cruising to Dürnstein for a walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets that reveal 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Here, above town, lie the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. This evening, enjoy the chance to sample delicious regional Wachau Valley wines.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 12 Vienna
On arrival in Vienna after breakfast this morning, disembark your ship and enjoy a walking tour of the historic city, founded in 500BC. Famed for striking architecture, classical musical and vibrant café culture, Vienna is a truly delightful place to explore, packed with historical and cultural landmarks. A wide variety of architectural masterpieces can be seen here, including examples of Baroque and Romanesque design, representing many centuries of development. Museums, galleries, opera houses and theatres abound - standing as a testament to the world-class performances typically held here. The city is also a notable producer of fine cakes, one of which - the famous chocolate ‘sachertorte’ - you can sample with coffee as part of your tour. This evening, choose from three tantalising dining options. Perhaps stay on board your luxury river ship and enjoy a classic dinner followed by a Mozart and Strauss concert, celebrating Vienna’s reputation for classical music. Complete your evening with an Illuminations tour of the famous Ringstrasse. Alternatively, opt for a traditional schnitzel dinner in an Austrian beer garden, or enjoy a dinner of Viennese specialities in a Heuriger wine inn.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 13 Vienna
Enjoy your second day in the elegant Austrian capital today with our wide-ranging selection of four Freedom of Choice Touring options. Perhaps visit the impressive Schönbrunn Palace, the summer palace of the Hapsburgs and former home to Empress Maria Teresa, for a tour inside this magnificent residence. There’s also time to visit the Carriage Museum within the palace grounds, and explore the beautiful palace gardens at leisure. Alternatively, you may prefer to wander amid the impressive collection of artwork at the city’s renowned Fine Arts Museum, a palatial building crowned with an octagonal dome housing many celebrated paintings. Or you might like to admire another impressive collection - the Hofburg crown jewels - which are on display at the Imperial Treasury Schatzkammer, home to a thousand year-old collection of treasures. Finally, you may like to step outside of Austria and take an excursion to nearby Slovakia. Here, visit the capital, Bratislava - which in the not-so-distant past existed under a Communist regime. During your time here, you’ll enjoy a tour taking in the key historic landmarks of the former regime.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 14 Budapest
Still on the Danube River, arrive in Budapest, the romantic Hungarian capital. Disembark for a tour that includes such places as 500 year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and historic Buda Castle, offering views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. In the afternoon, exclusive to APT, visit the Hungarian State Opera House, which is widely recognised as one of the best examples of Neo-Renaissance architecture in the world. Absorb the grandeur of the building from outside, then venture inside for an exclusive tour, a glass of champagne and a private opera recital of two or three ariettas. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board, before your ship sets sail on a twilight cruise, allowing you to take in the glittering lights of Budapest. You’ll also enjoy an onboard performance by Gypsy violinists.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 15 Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest
After breakfast this morning, you’ll disembark your ship and be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Breakfast

Prices are per person based on two sharing a stateroom. Subject to availability and change. Cruise operates in reverse on some dates - check with consultant. Other grades of cabin are available on the 2 for 1 offer or 50% saving offer. Saving based on 26 Oct departure. Flights may incurr a surcharge due to late availability. Book by 30 SEPT 12.

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