Emerald Ireland with Magnificent Europe

Arrive in Dublin, a vibrant city with a fascinating history and culture. We'll meet you at the airport before personally escorting you to your hotel, ensuring a smooth transition into your Irish adventure. Later, join your fellow travellers at a delightful welcome reception, where you’ll have the opportunity to forge new friendships.

Set out on a guided tour of Dublin and allow yourself to become enchanted by this historic city’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems as your expert guide shares the fascinating stories behind each stop. Venture to the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland, where you’ll pay a visit to the iconic Titanic Belfast, offering a poignant journey through the history of the ship. This evening, relish a sumptuous welcome dinner, showcasing delicious Irish cuisine.

Travel to the Giant’s Causeway, a series of around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that rise from the sea. This geological marvel was formed due to volcanic activity approximately 50 to 60 million years ago. Continue to Derry and take in its rich history. Later, arrive at your five-star castle hotel, set upon a secluded lakeside estate. Here, savour dinner this evening.

Today, become immersed in the stunning sea vistas of the Slieve League Cliffs, one of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. Following this spectacular experience, a guided tour of the area will provide you with fascinating insights into the landscape. Later, enjoy a lunch that will tantalise your taste buds.

Visit the historic village of Drumcliff, where you will see the grave site of W.B. Yeats, a prominent Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. Afterwards, journey into the heart of rural Ireland and visit The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo. Learn about how gin is made, including the distillery’s unique Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, and enjoy a tasting.

Begin your day with a visit to the National Famine Museum at the Irish heritage-listed Strokestown Park House, where you'll uncover the moving story of the Great Irish Famine. Gain fascinating insights into the events that reshaped Ireland and led to a global diaspora of Irish emigrants. Later, unwind with a scenic cruise along the River Shannon, soaking up stunning views of lush greenery, quaint villages and the historic landmarks that line Ireland's longest river.

As you travel towards the captivating Cliffs of Moher, gaze upon the rugged karst landscapes carved into beautiful formations of bedrock. Stop in the charming village of Adare, where you’ll find fairytale cottages and quaint streets before continuing to the town of Killarney. Be delighted by an authentic and interactive Irish coffee-making demonstration.

This morning, travel along the Ring of Kerry, where you will bear witness to breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and verdant landscapes. Later, immerse yourself in the charm of Killarney with a pony and trap ride. In the evening, prepare for a memorable performance at the Killarney School of Music.

Signature Experience – Exclusive Celtic Music Experience

Delight in an exclusive Celtic music experience at the Killarney School of Music, which will transport you into Ireland’s vibrant musical heritage. Watch in awe at the extraordinary instrumental and vocal performances that capture the essence of Irish musical tradition. The traditional Irish dances will add another dimension to this cultural celebration.

Journey to Blarney Castle, where the famed Blarney Stone awaits discovery. Nestled within the castle's ancient battlements, this iconic treasure is composed of Carboniferous limestone. Later, visit the Rock of Cashel, a symbol of Ireland’s medieval history. Finish the day at your hotel in the heart of Kilkenny, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner.

Tour the Legends Hurling Museum and delve into the history and cultural significance of Gaelic football in Ireland. Afterwards, embark on a guided walking tour of Kilkenny and discover the city’s storied past and architectural treasures. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure where you might choose to explore Killarney’s hidden gems at your own pace.

Travel to the Irish National Stud and Gardens, where a Signature Experience awaits. Later, continue onwards to Dublin. Savour a delectable dinner this evening.

Signature Experience – Irish National Stud and Gardens

Embark on a private tour of the Irish National Stud and Gardens, the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public. Learn about thoroughbred breeding and get the chance to see foals, mares, stallions and retired geldings. After the tour, enjoy the award-winning Irish Racehorse Experience, an interactive journey that takes you through the rich heritage of the Irish thoroughbred industry. You will also delight in an exclusive Private Stallion Parade, showcasing two of the farm’s incredible stallions. Conclude with a leisurely stroll through the tranquil Japanese Gardens before enjoying lunch at the cafe.

Be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Amsterdam. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your luxurious floating home for the next 15 days. Unpack, relax and get acquainted with your ship.

Spend today on your preferred activity. Rejoin the ship in Utrecht and cruise towards Germany in the afternoon.

Freedom of Choice – Glass-Top Boat Canal Cruise 

A peaceful way to see the best of Amsterdam, step aboard a glass-top boat and glide through the city's iconic maze of World Heritage-listed canals, admiring the unique architecture along the way.

Freedom of Choice – Cheese Tasting

Visit a local cheese store for a tasting of regional cheeses. The Netherlands is renowned for its cheese production, including iconic varieties such as Edam and Gouda.

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride 

Join a guided bike ride through the countryside to the village of Durgerdam before visiting the Street Art Museum.

Freedom of Choice – Keukenhof Gardens in Spring 

On select spring departures, you also have the option to visit Keukenhof Gardens. Explore more than 70 acres of world-renowned gardens and admire the spectacular display of more than seven million flowering bulbs in bloom, including colourful tulips.

This morning will be spent cruising through Germany. Spend time enjoying the range of facilities on board. Perhaps indulge in a spa treatment or relax on the Daystar Deck and read a book. Disembark in Andernach, where an exclusive Signature Experience awaits. 

Signature Experience – Namedy Castle

Princess Heide von Hohenzollern graciously welcomes APT guests into her home, Namedy Castle, a royal escape set near the Rhine River in Germany. After wandering through the castle and its manicured gardens, you’ll attend a cocktail party, where a pianist sets the mood.   

Today you’ll approach what is known as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River. Glide past crumbling ruins that cling to rocky cliffs and rolling hillsides marked with perfectly planted vineyards. Dock in Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most revered cultural and historic cities. Here, you’ll set out on your chosen activity. 

Freedom of Choice – Gondola Ride

Glide over the emerald vineyards of the Rhine Valley in a gondola, enjoying stunning vistas. At the top, arrive at the Niederwald Monument, commemorating the unification of Germany in 1871.  

Freedom of Choice – Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum 

Take a tour of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. This eccentric and unique museum is home to a beautiful collection of fascinating automated musical instruments from all stages of history.

Freedom of Choice – Visit a Historic Wine Cellar 

Visit a historic wine cellar for a tasting of Rhine Valley wines. Discover why this location is one of Germany’s most well-known wine regions. 

This morning, delight in a relaxing cruise along the Main River before arriving in Miltenberg. Spared from the destruction of World War II, the town of Miltenberg is much like a time capsule, revealing what old-world village life was like in Germany before the war. Here, set out on your chosen sightseeing activity.

Freedom of Choice – Guided Walking Tour and Liqueur Tasting

Embark on a guided exploration of Miltenberg. Discover the town's remarkably preserved buildings and lively squares, offering a unique glimpse into Germany’s rich history. Then, visit one of Franconia's oldest wine cellars for a tasting of local liqueurs.

Freedom of Choice – Local Monastery Visit

Travel to the hills overlooking Miltenberg for a visit to a local monastery. Here, you'll meet with a Franciscan friar to hear about life in the monastery. You'll also sample some homemade sausages, cheese and bread before free time to wander through the gardens and vineyard.

Your day unfolds on your terms thanks to a choice of activities today.  

Freedom of Choice – Visit the Würzburg Residence 

Be enchanted by the immense architectural beauty of Würzburg as you stroll through this fascinating city to the Würzburg Residence. An 18th-century palace that once belonged to the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg, this regal building is home to a number of historic wonders. Inside, you’ll marvel at the intricate tapestries, gilded stucco work and ceiling frescoes by famed Tiepolo.

Freedom of Choice – Tastes of Franconia

Travel to the Volkacher Mainschleife, the largest wine-growing region in Franconia and home to one of the most famous Franconian whisky distilleries. Here, enjoy a guided tour and meet the whisky and winemaker to uncover the art of making whisky. Savour a tasting of their finest creations paired with freshly baked bread from a local bakery.

Freedom of Choice – Explore Rothenburg 

Travel to the walled town of Rothenburg and immerse yourself in medieval life. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets and admire the colourful houses. During free time, you may wish to visit Käthe Wohlfahrt’s ‘Christmas Village’, where you’ll find the largest selection of German Christmas decorations in the world. 

Freedom of Choice – Hike to Marienberg Fortress 

Enjoy a hike to Würzburg’s most visible landmark, Marienberg Fortress, an imposing castle overlooking the city, which boasts a fascinating history dating back many centuries.

This morning, your ship will arrive in World Heritage-listed Bamberg, another one of the few German cities that was not destroyed during World War II. As you explore the Old Town with a guide, you will discover a range of historic churches and buildings, including the town hall on the Regnitz River. Following your tour, rejoin your ship to cruise onto the Main-Danube Canal. 

This morning gives you the chance to choose your sightseeing activity. This afternoon, continue cruising along the Main-Danube Canal while indulging in a Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting on the Daystar Deck. Having taken 32 years to construct, the canal links the North and Black seas.

Freedom of Choice – Discover Nuremberg’s World War II Sites 

Journey through Nuremberg’s World War II sites, including the Reich Party Rally Grounds, the site of Hitler’s now infamous annual rallies that were held from 1927 to 1938.  

Freedom of Choice – Medieval History of Nuremberg Tour

Join a tour focused on Nuremberg’s medieval history. Discover medieval architecture, including the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the main market square, as well as its 14th century Gothic church.

Discover Regensburg on your chosen sightseeing activity today.  

Freedom of Choice – Explore Regensburg’s World Heritage-Listed City Centre

Set out on a guided tour to explore Regensburg's atmospheric World Heritage-listed city centre. With a history dating back to the Roman times, this incredible city was the first capital of Bavaria. Your tour will finish with a tasting at Regensburg’s historic sausage kitchen, thought to be one of the oldest working restaurants in the world. 

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride to the Walhalla Memorial 

Get active and take a guided bike ride to the Walhalla memorial. This neo-classical building sits above the Danube River and houses a hall of fame that honours notable politicians, artists, sovereigns and scientists from Germany’s past.

Take a guided tour of Salzburg before a Signature Experience.

Signature Experience – Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘Sound of Music’ Show 

Be welcomed by a Jagdhornbläser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a show featuring music from the classic film, The Sound of Music. 

Visit the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. Then, it’s up to you how you get to the next port of call. In Dürnstein, perhaps view the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192.

Freedom of Choice – Cruise Through the Wachau Valley 

Enjoy a cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, where you’ll roam its cobblestone lanes at your leisure.

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride from Melk to Dürnstein 

Take a guided bike ride along the Danube River from Melk to Dürnstein and take in the beautiful scenery of Wachau Valley along the way. 

Arrive in Vienna and set out on a city tour. Take in the Austrian capital's many landmarks along the Ringstrasse, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore. This evening is set aside for your magical Signature Experience.

Signature Experience – Cocktail Party and Private Performance at Vienna’s City Palace

After dinner, head to the princely family of Liechtenstein’s City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. A full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss. You will also be enchanted by an operatic recital. 

Head out on your choice of tours, then set sail for Hungary.

Freedom of Choice – Schönbrunn Palace Visit 

Delve into royal history as you wander the lavishly furnished rooms and beautiful gardens of the famous Schönbrunn Palace.  

Freedom of Choice – Visit Bratislava in Slovakia 

Tick another country off your list and journey to Slovakia’s Bratislava, where a mixture of 18th-century rococo design and communist era architecture make this a city of alluring contrasts. See some of the architectural landmarks that were built during the city’s time under communist rule. These include the UFO bridge, Slovak Radio building and Hotel Kyjev.

Freedom of Choice – Vienna Culinary Tour

Immerse yourself in Viennese cuisine on a culinary tour of Vienna's narrow streets. Visit a traditional cafe, try a classic Viennese sausage, and sample a sweet treat from one of the city's famous patisseries.

Choose your sightseeing option in Budapest today. The afternoon is yours at leisure to further explore. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell to remember. Enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music while you indulge in local brandy, as well as artisan meats and cheeses.

Freedom of Choice – City Tour 

Set out on a city tour of Budapest and take in its historic monuments, including Heroes’ Square and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Freedom of Choice – Culinary Tour

Eat your way through Budapest as you embark on a tour of the Great Market Hall. Wander through this large indoor market and discover a variety of sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables.

Freedom of Choice – Fisherman’s Bastion 

Enjoy a funicular ride up to Castle Hill and take in the sweeping views over the river, then walk to Fisherman’s Bastion, a beautiful historical monument.

Your extraordinary European adventure concludes today. Following breakfast, say goodbye and be transferred to the airport.