Imperial Cities & European Jewels

Bask in the splendour, history, and romance of Europe’s regal capital cities of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Your journey starts in Prague, the noble capital of the Czech Republic. Your adventure continues in Vienna, where you’ll delight in the Baroque marvels of the Schönbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. Listen to the lineage of Vienna’s history and indulge in a performance featuring the works of Mozart and Strauss, two former Viennese residents. In Budapest, visit a 14th-century Hungarian castle. Enjoy traditional local cuisine, and a glimpse into this region’s eminent past.

Indulge your passion for majestic art, architecture, music and history on an all-encompassing journey through four countries along three great rivers.

From exotic Budapest, “Queen of the Danube,” to imperial Vienna, “City of Waltzes,” to the sky-high spires of Cologne’s Gothic cathedral—centuries of intriguing history and culture unfold before your eyes. The Melk Abbey’s great library overlooking the Danube and the Würzburg Residence’s soaring ceiling fresco by Tiepolo will leave you mesmerized. And throughout your journey, tantalize your senses with exclusive wine, apricot brandy and beer tastings, along with regional culinary delicacies. Discover the grand sweep of history and the dynamic present along legendary rivers on a magnificent journey that gives you the best of Europe’s great treasures as well as off-the-beaten-path gems.

Your Fly, Tour & Cruise Package Includes:

• $2,100 flight credit per person
• 9 night Imperial Cities guided tour with Collette, Prague to Budapest
• 4 nights 4-star accommodation in Budapest with breakfast
• Budapest by Trabant
• Essential Hungarian Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour
• 14 night European Jewels cruise onboard River Duchess, Budapest to Amsterdam
• Includes all meals onboard, unlimited beverages, excursions, WiFi plus more
• 1 night 4-star accommodation in Amsterdam with breakfast
• Select private transfers 

Includes:

• Handpicked accommodation (x3)
• 14 meals (9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners)
• Must-see & culinary inclusions
• Cultural experiences & highlights

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 16 October – 13 November 2025

Solo traveller pricing available.

Budapest by Trabant

Explore Budapest in a Trabant! This is the ultimate sightseeing experience in a classic communist vehicle. There is no better way to see Budapest than with an original Trabant 601. Over 3 million of these amazing cars often called the “Paper-Jaguar” were made with features including: a 2-stroke engine, construction out of paper and plastic, 26 horsepower from a 600 cc displacement and acceleration in 21 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. There is a lot of affection for these quirky relics of the past that, although quite polluting, had the advantage of being simple to repair and being able to carry loads of up to 1 tonne on their small 600Kg frame. This tour is fun, and if you’re looking for something different, a Trabant sure beats a tour bus. You will be transported back to the past communist era and a Hungary so different to today. If you dare, you may even be able to try driving a Trabant for which you must have a valid driving licence. There are several options available to you for your sightseeing experience. A communist era tour includes a visit to the Communist Statue Park, the Ecseri flea market and a stop at typical prefabricated blocks of flats built in the 70s and 80s. Alternatively, you can do a regular city tour which explores the main general attractions in Budapest.

Essential Hungarian Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour

Where do you start tasting wine in a country with nearly 100 native grape varietals, 22 wine regions, and plenty of incomprehensible names? This tasting is a crash course on the increasingly fabulous wines of Hungary. Featuring a carefully curated selection of eight great Hungarian wines, this sommelier-led tasting distills the wide range of Hungarian wine into a comprehensible story, which we hope will be just the beginning of your Hungarian wine experience! Over two hours you’ll get a good overview of Hungarian wine—including the history, the major regions, the important varietals, unique characteristics and styles, and promising trends. We buy our wine directly from the producers, who we have gotten to know well over the years, and every wine you will taste during the course of the tasting will be there for a reason. By the end of the tasting, you will have a good understanding of Hungary’s place in the world of wine (and plenty of good wine in your belly).This tasting is designed for anyone with an interest in wine, who would like to know more about the relatively unknown wines of Hungary. The final wine in the line-up will be a glass of sweet Tokaj aszú wine, one of the world’s greatest sweet wines (and an essential part of Hungary’s wine story). This tasting is accompanied by a selection of local food pairings.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Prague, Czech Republic - Tour Begins

Arrive in Prague, the "City of 100 Spires" to witness ancient landmarks and medieval architecture. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Prague

Feel the magic and wonder of Prague. Your first chapter in this fairy-tale city begins with exploring the best of Prague's Old Town and its iconic landmarks. Marvel at the iconic, statue-lined Charles Bridge – a picturesque structure stretching over the Vltava River. After, enjoy some time at leisure for lunch on your own and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with free time to discover the city how you like. Perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion to Prague’s Old Jewish Quarter to see its historic Jewish Museum and Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery, founded in 1478.

Day 3: Prague

Start your morning with a panoramic tour and continue on to explore the “Castle District”, the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the majestic Prague Castle, and the Golden Lane. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. You may consider shopping for Bohemian crystal or visiting the city’s museums, such as the Lapidarium. Tonight, savour dinner and traditional folklore dances at a famous Prague restaurant where the menu is created based on original recipes from Czech grandmothers.

Day 4: Prague - Cesky Krumlov - Vienna, Austria

Travel through the scenic countryside on your way to Vienna. En route, make a stop in the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. Lined with towering Baroque architecture, explore the quaint preserved streets before continuing to the grand city of Vienna. This evening, join your Tour Manager for an evening stroll before having dinner on your own.

Day 5: Vienna

Join a local guide at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. Continue on to Vienna’s city centre and behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and gothic spires that fill the city. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure where perhaps you’ll partake in the city’s famous café culture as you walk the streets, watching locals take a moment out of their day for a hot coffee and bite of cake. Tonight, hear Vienna’s past come alive and experience a classical performance featuring the works of Mozart and Strauss.

Day 6: Vienna

Choose how you spend your day because it’s your choice! Venture down the Danube* to the medieval town of Durnstein and cruise to the 11th-century Melk Abbey -OR- join a local guide in the Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting The Kiss -OR- enjoy a leisurely morning before attending a Viennese Waltz lesson in the afternoon. The rest of the day is yours.

Day 7: Vienna - Bratislava, Slovakia - Budapest, Hungary

Say hello to Bratislava, the former Imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire. Get to know the city’s 4,000-year-old history on a tour with a local expert. Continue to the most famous Neszmély wine region. Enjoy lunch and learn how to make a traditional strudel in one of the most beautiful Hungarian wineries. Located on the top of the hill, it offers the most beautiful views over the Danube. Later this afternoon, arrive in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube" and your home for the next 3 nights. Enjoy the evening on your own.

Day 8: Budapest

Join a local expert for a panoramic tour of the city. Discover the incredible Neo-Gothic marvel of Matthias Church atop Buda Castle Hill, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the historic Old Buda and Gellert Hill, and the Parliament House. This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Budapest on your own. Perhaps you’ll head to the city’s famous thermal pools for an afternoon of relaxation, or maybe you’ll join an optional excursion to discover Budapest by Night.

Day 9: Budapest - Visegrad - Budapest

This morning, talk with a local and listen to stories about his life during the former communist era. Enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure. This afternoon, head out of the city to the former Renaissance capital of Visegrad for a magnificent view of the Danube Bend and the Borzsony Mountains. Embrace the lifestyle of the 14th-century castle, a former residence of Hungarian kings, and enjoy an exclusive Renaissance-style dinner in the castle.

Day 9: Budapest - Tour Ends

Say goodbye to these regal cities as your tour comes to a close today.

Cruise Itinerary:

Day 1: Budapest (Embark)

Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2: Budapest

Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts— Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube, Hungary’s capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You’ll have two enticing ways to experience the city—a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach with a visit to the Parliament, or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour of the city’s most important landmarks.

Day 3: Cruising the Danube River, Vienna

Today is your day to relax onboard, enjoying the luxuries of your river cruise ship while soaking in the spectacular scenery all around you as your ship heads for Vienna. Come up to the Sun Deck to admire the city’s landmarks strung along the riverbanks. This evening enjoy a night out with a private Johann Strauss experience.

Day 4: Vienna

Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Embark on a tour of the city's imperial highlights and a visit to Hofburg Palace or a visit to an interactive multimedia experience featuring the work of Mozart.

Day 5: Cruising the Wachau Valley, Weissenkirchen (Melk)

Awaken to the spectacular scenery of the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful stretches of river landscape in all of Europe. Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies, including a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike.

Day 6: Passau

Just before reaching Passau, the ship will pass through the famous Schlögener Schlinge—a “gooseneck” or hairpin turn in the Danube. Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn, and Ilz— Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you’ll see on your walking tour.

Day 7: Regensburg

Bavaria’s first capital, Regensburg, owes its impressive historical lineage and rich architectural heritage to 600 years as a Free Imperial City, a fact recognized by UNESCO in 2006. Today, you’ll discover how the beautifully preserved medieval city coexists with a vibrant modern urban center.

Day 8: Nuremberg

Arrive in the archetypal medieval German city of Nuremberg. Nuremberg is justifiably famous for its gingerbread and pocket watches, and it was also the site of some key moments in 20th-century history. You’ll choose between two memorable ways of exploring this exceptional city. You can join a tour of a secret Nazi art bunker hidden underground, or you can accompany a local expert to the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Nazi Party Rally Grounds—the actual site of the Nazi Party rallies.

Day 9: Bamberg

Your floating boutique hotel takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life—including a tractor ride. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one.

Day 10: Würzburg (Rothenburg)

Your ship will dock in the charming Franconian town of Würzburg, where you can visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence, one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe.

Day 11: Wertheim

After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the town of Wertheim. You’ll meet one of Germany’s best pretzel makers, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate. If you’re more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are welcome to do that as well.

Day 12: Frankfurt (Heidelberg)

Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe due to its profusion of bankers and soaring skyscrapers, which coexist with the city’s traditional Old Town architecture. Choose a brief tour that gives you an overview of this major European financial and trade center. Alternatively, visit romantic Heidelberg and its Renaissance castle.

Day 13: Rüdesheim

Experience Germany’s fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region from the Rüdesheim mini-train, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. The town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse. Experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine later in the afternoon as you cruise past the famous Middle Rhine Valley.

Day 14: Cologne

Enjoy a delightful tour of Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its stunning Renaissance façade. Wander through the historical center and take in its charming atmosphere and narrow alleyways flanked by old houses. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore the city on your own.

Day 15: Amsterdam

Disembark the ship.

Prices listed are per person in NZD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 09-04-2025 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.