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Dates are tentative and subject to change
Celebrate the spirit and beauty of springtime
in the Low Countries on this journey along the waterways of Holland and Belgium
aboard the deluxe M.S. Amadeus Classic, one of the most elegant ships now cruising
the rivers of Europe. On this exclusive Village Life itinerary, cruise past centuries-old
windmills and charming canal-lined villages as Holland's tulips burst into full
spring bloom. Discover picturesque Dutch towns like Gouda, Middelburg and Delft;
explore the exceptionally well-preserved medieval Flemish cities of Bruges and
Antwerp; and visit Holland's most famous windmills at Kinderdijk. Also included
is a visit to the restored home of the great Flemish Master, Peter Paul Rubens,
a private canal cruise in Amsterdam, and a tour of the extraordinary gardens of
Keukenhof. Throughout the program, enjoy specially arranged educational presentations
and cultural activities, including private beer and chocolate tastings in Belgium
and an exclusive Village Forum with local residents to discuss life in the Low
Countries. We also invite you to join a special two-day pre-program option in
Amsterdam. Island Life
in Tahiti & French Polynesia - Details TBA
Explore the fascinating culture
of Japan, an island nation where the eternal quest for tranquility is juxtaposed
with a modern lifestyle. From the bustling capital of Tokyo, see the Imperial
Palace Plaza gardens and Tokyo's oldest temple, Sensoji. In Nikko, admire the
vast Tosho-gu shrine complex and surrounding mountain panorama. Then, partially
ascend majestic Mt. Fuji by motorcoach. Continue to the hot spring resort of Hakone,
and cruise Lake Ashi. Board a bullet train to Kyoto, where 1001 statues of the
goddess Kannon await in Sanjusangen-do Temple. Finally, tour the shogunate stronghold
of Nara. Marvel at the bronze Daibutsu, or Great Buddha, in Todai-ji Temple, and
admire the treasured deer, considered messengers of the Shinto gods, that roam
Nara Park.
Discover one of Europe's most
majestic and historic regions as you cruise the sapphire waters of the lovely
Elbe River. Begin your adventure in Berlin. Walk along its famous Unter den Linden
and Ku'damm boulevards, and see Charlottenburg Palace, the remnants of the Berlin
Wall and other historic landmarks, then travel to Potsdam to visit Cecilienhof
Palace, site of the Potsdam Conference. Sail to Wittenburg, the center of the
German Reformation, and Torgau, the former residence of medieval Saxon kings.
Tour a porcelain factory in Meissen, and learn about the production of this "white
gold," then admire the artistic and architectural treasures of Dresden. Conclude
in Prague, and marvel at St. Vitus Cathedral, the Charles Bridge, and the exquisite
blend of architecture and natural beauty that characterizes this superb capital.
Relish the splendor of the Italian
Riviera. Embrace a colorful painter's paradise among the winding streets of the
charming seaside village of Sestri Levante. Lose yourself in the stunning coastal
scenery leading en route to Santa Margherita, where the Gothic church of Santa
Margherita d'Antiochia awaits. Cruise placid waters to the enchanting harbor of
cosmopolitan Portofino and its awe-inspiring Punta del Capo lighthouse. In Genoa,
you'll have the opportunity to discover Christopher Columbus' House. Visit the
lovely Cinque Terre towns of Portovenere and Vernazza. Time has also been carved
out for a review of marble sculpting art in Carrara. Finally, explore the walled
city of Lucca, with its sensational Duomo, the Church of San Frediano and the
Church of San Michele.
A
land steeped in mythology and legend, Greece has captured the hearts and minds
of artists and writers for centuries. The magic of this ancient land is yours
to discover as you immerse yourself in the towns of the scenic Peloponnese and
the capital of Athens. Meander along the winding streets of Patras; visit the
treasures of Delphi; and travel back in time to the first Olympic games in Olympia.
Explore the remains of the palace at Mycenae, and marvel at the theater in Epidauros,
known for its superb acoustics. Enjoy the charm of the small town of Poros and
the cosmopolitan city of Hydra. Finally, discover the priceless treasures of Athens,
from the remains of the Acropolis to the fashionable Plaka district. Celtic
Lands - Details TBA
Long besieged by warring tribes seeking to claim
this unrivaled land, Poland today is visited by those who long to discover its
abundance of architectural, artistic, historic and natural treasures. Begin your
travels in Krakow, an open-air museum waiting to be explored. The abundance of
well-preserved historic buildings-miraculously spared during the destruction of
both World Wars-has earned Krakow its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit Auschwitz or Ojcow National Park. Descend below the earth's surface to marvel
at the crystalline sculptures and underground lakes of the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Journey to Warsaw, a capital collection of architectural splendors that now stand
beautifully restored. Marvel at its elegant squares and the magnificent houses
along the Royal Route, and admire the well-preserved Gothic architecture of Torun.
Grounded
in tradition but driven by a vibrant modern spirit, Ukraine is rapidly forging
a new identity within today's Europe. Explore the glittering domes of Kiev before
sailing the fabled Dnieper River through the heart of the country. Visit the historic
Caves Monastery, and stop in Zaporizhia, the cultural home of the Cossacks. Then,
travel to Kherson at the Dnieper's delta. In the charming Crimea, visit Sevastopol
and Bakhchisarai, a city that inspired author Aleksandr Pushkin. Experience Yalta
and Livadia Palace, former summer residence of the Romanovs and site of the famous
WWII conference. Admire elegant Odessa, the Pearl of the Black Sea. Disembark
in Tulcea, Romania, and enjoy the beautiful Danube Delta. Finally, transfer to
Bucharest, where stunning architecture and romantic squares await.
Described
by Napoleon as the "king of Europe's rivers," the Danube is steeped
in beauty, legend and lore. After admiring the stunning architecture and romantic
squares of Bucharest, Romania, embark for the harbor town of Ruse, Bulgaria. Experience
historic Vidin, and explore Roman ruins in Drobeta-Turnu Severin. Cross the Carpathian
Mountains through the Iron Gate Gorge. Discover Kovacica, Serbia, and Belgrade.
See Kalocsa, Hungary, and Mohács before marveling at the Gothic Parliament
Building and Opera House of Budapest. Sail to Bratislava, Slovak Republic. Tour
cultural Vienna, Austria, where the Ringstrasse and Hofburg Palace await, and
visit medieval Dürnstein. Cruise through the charming Wachau Valley, lined
with vineyards and castle ruins, to Melk. Finally, enjoy Passau, Germany.
Discover the stunning seascapes,
riveting histories and glorious countryside of the Normandy and Brittany regions.
From Cabourg, travel to Bayeux to see its famous tapestry. Learn about the Allied
invasion with visits to Caen and its Memorial and Museum for Peace; Omaha Beach;
and the British landing zone at Arromanches, then pay tribute to the brave soldiers
at the World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Enjoy a stop at a
Calvados distillery and sample the renowned brandy, then explore the harbor town
of Honfleur. Your home base in Brittany is Rennes, the capital of the region.
Immerse yourself in local history in Josselin, Vannes and Carnac, then cruise
along the Rance River from medieval Dinan to St-Malo. Your adventure concludes
with two nights in Paris, the City of Light.
Ireland
is a rare land where rugged beauty surrounds quaint villages and contemporary
cities alike. Explore this spellbinding country from the cosmopolitan capital
of Dublin. Learn about its literary heritage with a visit to the Writers' Museum,
stop at Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells and delight in some of
the sights in Dublin's West End. Discover Irish history with a journey to the
Neolithic monument of Newgrange; the Hill of Tara, the coronation site of 142
High Kings; and Slane, where St. Patrick lit the Pascal Fire. Marvel at the beauty
of the Irish countryside as you travel to Belfast and its impressive squares and
buildings. Admire the lovely Powerscourt Gardens and drive through Wicklow Mountains
and Gap, which boast some of the most breathtaking panoramas in Ireland.
Discover the rolling
hills of Tuscany, blanketed with verdant vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees.
From the idyllic village of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa in the heart of Chianti Country,
travel to Castello di Monsanto, and sip the region's distinctive and renowned
Chianti wine. Travel through the beautiful Tuscan hill country, stopping in the
market town of Greve; the medieval village of Radda; charming Castellina; and
the fortified town of San Gimignano. Witness the history in ancient Lucca, and
experience the brilliant artistic and architectural heritage of Florence, the
Cradle of the Renaissance, including the famous Duomo and the Old Palace. In Siena,
navigate narrow cobblestone streets lined with Gothic buildings, and visit the
city's magnificent Duomo, Mangia Tower and Gaia Fountain, lined with stunning
bas-relief artwork.
Enjoy six fabulous nights in
Paris, the City of Light, on this special travel program that gives you the flexibility
to explore the city at your own pace. Ernest Hemmingway once wrote that Paris
is a "moveable feast
and the memory of each person who has lived in
it differs from that of any other." You'll surely agree! From the soaring
Eiffel Tower to magnificent Notre Dame, from the incomparable Louvre to the Musée
d'Orsay, Paris is a city that embraces every visitor in a different way. It is
like no other place in the world. Optional excursions include a panoramic tour
showcasing the city's highlights; the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle; the Marais
District and the Louvre Museum; a tour of the nearby champagne country; and the
opulent palace at Versailles.
Discover
the magic of the holiday season with visits to Austria's renowned holiday markets.
This special program combines an itinerary of planned excursions and free time
at two of Austria's most spectacular cities with an exceptional value, making
this a journey you won't want to miss. Begin in the picture postcard town of Salzburg,
the setting for the beloved film The Sound of Music. Travel to the town of Steyr,
known for its exquisite nativity scenes, before arriving in the opulent capital
of Vienna, where dazzling sights abound at every turn. Optional excursions include
a walking tour of Salzburg's highlights, a tour of Mozart's home, an Alpine sleigh
ride, a panoramic tour of Vienna and a visit to Scönbrunn Palace and its
Christkindlmarkt. |
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