Grand Voyage through Europe

Titan Travel VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, embark MS Bellejour (4T), where light refreshments are available. A welcome cocktail and captain’s gala dinner are served this evening.

A guided tour of the characterful Dutch capital this morning will introduce you to highlights such as the distinctive tall and narrow merchants’ houses that line the canals, the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), central Dam Square and the Royal Palace. A short cruise along the canals is also included before we return to our vessel and set sail in the early afternoon.

We arrive in the wonderful city of Cologne this afternoon. Home to numerous sites of interest, it is impossible to not be entranced by the city’s hallmark – the incredible Gothic cathedral with a vast stone façade. On our included guided walking tour, we will visit this, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, said to house the remains of the Three Wise Men. The remainder of the day and early evening are free to make your own explorations.

We arrive in Koblenz early this morning, and remain here overnight allowing a full day to explore this 2,000-year-old city. Start with an included tour of Koblenz and a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, climbing up to its hilltop position by cable car. This grand castle has been through a series of wars and sieges from its conception in AD 1000 to World War I. Perhaps spend the rest of the day and evening exploring the town’s ancient old quarter.

A memorable morning sailing along the most beautiful part of the Rhine, passing castle after castle, renowned vineyards and the legendary Lorelei Rock – a stunning experience. Over lunch, we arrive in Rüdesheim, one of the Rhine Valley’s prettiest towns and famed for its winemaking traditions dating back to Carolingian times. You may like to spend your afternoon tasting the wines or visiting Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, a delightful collection of imaginative music boxes.

Frankfurt is immensely proud of its heritage, with a bustling city centre full of historical sites including the Kaiserdom (cathedral) and the Paulskirche, the cradle of German democracy. We explore much of this on an included city tour, including Romerberg, the historic heart of the city that has been the site of markets, fairs, tournaments, executions and coronations. You may like to head to the Old Sachsenhausen, an area full of fountains and timber-framed houses and Epelwoi pubs which serve the local apple wine and delicious food. The afternoon is free to explore before returning to our ship for tonight’s dinner, while sailing onwards.

This morning we dock in Miltenberg to explore the attractive medieval town, where you can see exquisite examples of the area’s gorgeous timber-framed houses, the small castle and surrounding wooded hillsides. The production of wine and beer contributed significantly to the town’s early wealth and you may choose to spend your morning on a beer tasting excursion. We continue our cruise this afternoon.

The Würzburg Residence Palace is a masterpiece of southern German Baroque and one of the most important castles by Balthasar Neumann. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century for Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schonborn and the wonderful frescoes and magnificent staircase, with its unsupported vaulted ceiling, have been painstakingly restored. We visit the palace on an included walking tour before an afternoon of scenic cruising.

This afternoon we arrive in Bamberg, a UNESCO-listed town that had a huge influence on Germany from the 10th century onwards, by inspiring eminent philosophers who lived here and encouraging links with neighbouring countries. Explore the attractive narrow streets and squares independently or join an optional guided walk of its historic old quarter and the exquisite Rose Garden.

We spend this morning in Nuremberg, with a city tour included to introduce highlights from its medieval beginnings to the present. It was the preferred residence of many German kings and artists, and led the industrial revolution, but much of the city was destroyed in January 1945. Since WWII, it gained fame for the Nuremberg Trials and many of the classic buildings have been painstakingly restored.

We arrive in Regensburg this morning to enjoy exploring the cathedrals, churches, monasteries and town hall of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany at leisure. This was the first capital of Bavaria, a status that has rewarded it with many fine sights. You may like to take an optional excursion to Weltenburg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery on a bend in the Danube renowned for its beauty and for holding the world’s oldest monastic brewery.

This morning, we arrive in Passau, a largely Baroque city situated on the Austrian border at the confluence of three rivers – the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. Perhaps take an optional walking tour and visit majestic St Stephen’s Cathedral to see the world’s largest cathedral organ. We cross into Austria this afternoon as we sail to Linz, where we spend the evening.

Spend this morning in the quiet town of Melk and perhaps join an optional visit to the glorious Austrian Benedictine abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites, sitting at the entrance of the picturesque Wachau Valley. We spend this afternoon taking the leisurely journey along the meandering river, winding our way to Vienna, where we dock this evening and remain overnight.

Vienna is the city of the waltz, the Spanish Riding School, Sachertorte and the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir. We enjoy an included city tour, taking you to the Ringstrasse and the famous St Stephan’s Cathedral. The last leg of our cruise commences this afternoon towards our final destination of Budapest. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s farewell gala dinner on board.

An early morning arrival into Budapest at the end of an enchanting two week voyage. You have the choice to take an optional tour of this fascinating city, or to spend the day exploring at leisure. With many monuments reflecting its long history, from Roman, Turk and Ottoman occupation, as well as riverside promenades, flea markets and antique shops, there are many to choose from.

We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.