Amsterdam to Budapest - 14 day River Cruise. Magnificent Europe.

Day 1 - 5 pm On board welcome reception, and first meal. If this is an indication of what we can expect, I think we will all be a little heavier at end of trip. Scrumptious five courses, with wine and Champagne.

Day 2 Amsterdam: Canal cruise, lunch and walking tour, overnight on ship. 
Very comfortable accommodation . . . attentive staff.
Huge selection for breakfast. I love the waffles!! Eggs, a dozen ways, cooked by a chef, on the spot . . . bliss!! 
And Champagne!

Day 3 Cologne: 
Good night sleep. Very comfy bed. Up 6am, to breakfast 7am. Another feast!
8am in lounge ready to go on tour of the old city. Germany’s fourth-largest city boasts a long and colourful history. For the past 2,000 years, Cologne has served as a melting pot for a host of nationalities. First the Romans, then the French, came to Cologne. They were followed by emigrants from Eastern Europe and Turkey, and by urban newcomers from the German provinces such as the Eifel and Westphalia. Today, their descendants all live together in the city’s 86 boroughs. This has given rise to a mentality that grants everyone the right to live as he or she sees fit – an attitude expressed in one of the many sayings typical for the city: “Jede Jeck es anders” (“It takes all sorts!”).

 

Back on board in time for lunch . . .  choices, choices!!!
Then cruising up the Rhine. Swans, ducks, people walking and even canoeing . .  plenty to see.

Day 4 Rhine Gorge. Breakfast at 7am, off for tour at 8am Rüdesheim: tour of mechanical music museum, walk through village and a beer tasting and/or glass of wine.
Scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge.

 

 Christmas decorations everywhere . . despite it being early October. Slight drizzle. not too cold.

  resisted buying anything . . . our tree is already packed.

 

  The trees are all starting to turn yellow and red. Everything is so very green. Very restful.

Day 5 Main River Village: Guided walk through small village with cobble stones. Lovely.

 Love the architecture. The vines changing color . . .autumn.

 

 

 

in time for afternoon tea

Evening entertainment

And then another great meal . . .

Day 6  - Würzburg: 
8am Guided sightseeing, visited the Bishop’s Residenz. Not allowed to take photographs inside. Gardens are delightful. Chapel is incredible.

 

Day 7 - Bavarian Village: Walking tour, wine tasting and a bit of shopping.

 

 

  Such a mix. Kitch, quaint, historical . . . touristy, but oH! so gorgeous.!

 Another vignette at each turn. Loving these small towns. The wood and stone buildings. 

Day 8 Bamberg:Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall
This is a truely beautiful town. The river flowing past the old town hall .. shops, cafe's.
would love to return and stay awhile.

 

Day 9 Roth. Excursion to Bamburg                                 Wine tasting with the Mayor

Fairy tale place. Rushing river, ginger bread houses and lots of flowers.

 

 I thought these quirky ceramics were adorable and the toys made me smile . . .  great shopping.

 This shop had some incredibly interesting jewelry. I had to have the ring and necklace. Very nice!

 Market in the square a delight.

 More Christmas shops with huge displays . . . then coffee in this quirky cafe. Another lovely day. 

 Back on ship in  time for afternoon tea and some water watching . . . trees are now all gold and red.

 

 Day 10 Regensburg: Guided tour Weltenburg, oldest Abby
This was another highlight . . Early morning trip up the river reminded us of traveling up the Li river in China. Mist, mystery and strangely moving.

On way back to ship . . .

 Another plethora of Christmas decorations. This antique shop had an entire section out the back of very old  glass decorations . . . and Yes! I did succumb to the temptation. One 1880's for our tree.

 

Day 11 - Tour to Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov

What a truly incredible place. Bus trip up through the Black forest, then into old town. We loved this place. Couldn't ask for a nicer day.

 

 

 

We walked and walked. Around . . . in and down . . then,

Up.

 

 This lady was surrounded by a hovering mass of Bees trying to steel the sugar she used on the outside of these pastries. The smell was lovely. We had one to share full of home made ice-cream and fresh berries.

 I have never thought too highly of amber, but seeing it here I found I was mesmerized by the honey quality of the luster. The shops were full to overflowing with a huge variety . . .again - hard to choose. But happy with my choices. Also, another lot of very old trading beads caught my eye and will find their way into a necklace.

 

  Time for a wee rest . . .

Back on ship, a wee rest and then another decision is necessary . . .  what to eat?

 

Day 12 Melk–Wachau Valley—Vienna:Guided tour of the Benedectine Abbey in Melk;  And scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley.

 

 

 

Most spectacular garden. This was worth the walk up the many stairs and down again. 

 

 

 Long walk back to the ship. Cruising through some stunning scenery.

 Again, the huge dilemma . .. what to eat?  And then Chess on deck and star gazing.

 Day 13 Vienna: Shronbrunn Palace, Royal musical concert

More incredible scenery and another lock.

  Out with the Glad rags, into the opera house and a night of singing. Brilliant.

 

 

 

  Day 14 - Budapest: day tour, Art and Architecture of Budapest

 Art Deco and stained glass

 I do like a bit of Tiffany.

  Opera house during the day time. Incredible architecture.
Enjoyed an impromptu performance.

 Most divine cakes and very palatable coffee.

Day 15 Budapest -  (Disembarkation): So sad! Last meal together on the ship. 
What a superb holiday. We would do it again in a blink of an eye . . . already looking at Spain or Russia . . . 
Now to our airBnB and to find Arron.