DAY 1: UK - Bucharest.
Fly to Bucharest where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for one night. With its wide, tree-lined boulevards, elegant buildings and own Arc de Triomphe, all of which earned it the title 'Paris of the East', Romania's capital is now an exciting fusion of classical architecture, Soviet-style monuments, exquisite churches and bustling café life.

DAY 2: Bucharest - Oltenita.
Bucharest's colossal, 6000 room Palace of Parliament is the world's second largest building, second only to the Pentagon, while the impressive Royal Palace Square was the scene of the 1989 uprising that brought the fall of Communism. Other gems include the stunning Stavropoleos Church with its ornate frescoes and icons, and the Royal Palace, housing great works by the Old European Masters. Enjoy an exciting tour of this lively city's main sights, including the fascinating National Art Museum. This afternoon, embark your river cruise ship, MS Avalon Tranquility, at Oltenita. (B, D)

DAY 3: Silistra - Varna.
Bulgaria's summer capital and largest Black Sea resort, Varna, has a wealth of history which you can explore on this sightseeing excursion, including the National Archaeological Museum located in a wonderfully ornate 19th Century building. The museum is also home to the famous Gold of Varna, the World's oldest recorded gold dating back to approximately 4500 BC. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Svistov - Veliko Târnovo - Arbanassi.
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to admire Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Târnovo, a natural fortress standing on three hills above the Yantra River. With charming streets and ancient stone houses clinging tightly to the hillsides, Veliko Târnovo is a treasure trove for history buffs. The oldest area of the town, Tsarevits Hill, houses a magnificent Royal Fortress, numerous palaces and a resplendent Patriarch's Church. Offering a wonderful view of medieval Trapezitsa castle, the nearby village of Arbanassi is best known for its fascinating Ethnographical Museum and the exquisite frescoes displayed in the Church of the Nativity. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Iron Gates.
Relax and drink in incredible scenery today as your ship cruises past a string of memorable sights. The impressive rock memorial of Trajan's Tablet was carved by the Romans to commemorate the building of a road across the Danube, a feat overseen by the Emperor Trajan in the 1st century AD. Enjoy views of the crumbling Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo and marvel at the dramatic, steep-sided riverbanks as you see the Iron Gates Gorge, a narrow, and previously dangerous ravine forming a natural boundary between Serbia and Romania. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Belgrade.
Standing at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, Belgrade is bustling and vibrant. This elegant city is a feast for sightseers, with numerous historic monuments, museums and the mighty Kalemegdan fortress. Other highlights include the stately Church of St Sava and Marshal Tito's tomb, a reminder of the city's days as the capital of Yugoslavia. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Novi Sad.
Your guided tour includes a photo stop at the mighty Petrovaradin Fortress, overlooking Novi Sad. Known as the 'Gibraltar of the Danube', this vast edifice commands superlative views over the town. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Kalocsa.
Kalocsa is a charming Hungarian town renowned for its paprika and embroidery production, as well as its strong folkloric heritage. Founded by St Stephen in 1009, Kalocsa's serenity belies a turbulent past of Ottoman attacks and a terrible 19th century fire, which destroyed much of the town. Spend time today admiring its elaborate Baroque-style Archbishop's Palace and stately Cathedral, fronted by a handsome town square. Later rejoin your ship for your journey to Hungary's capital, beautiful Budapest. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Budapest.
Divided by the Danube with its old quarter, Buda on the right bank and bustling, commercial Pest on the left, Budapest is a vibrant and graceful city. Brimming with excitement and historic charm, the two parts of the city are connected by seven majestic bridges, including the famous Chain and Elizabeth bridges. Your sightseeing tour includes its multi-spired Fisherman's Bastion, as well as other landmarks. Later, enjoy a visit to the Puszta or 'Great Plains', an integral part of Hungarian rural life. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Budapest - Vienna.
Enjoy magnificent, ever-changing scenery as you cruise through Hungary and Slovakia to Vienna in Austria. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Vienna.
Today, discover the many delights of imperial Vienna, the capital of Austria. Known as the 'City of Music' - having been home to the great composers Johann Strauss, Brahms, Mozart and Beethoven, the city glows with elegant Baroque architecture, rich cultural treasures and elegant coffee houses. Once the seat of the mighty Habsburg Empire, its streets are inlaid with magnificent palaces, grand mansions and delightful squares. See the majestic Hofburg Palace, dramatic St Stephen Cathedral, Vienna State Opera and the ornate Parliament Building and Town Hall. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Dürnstein - Melk.
This morning, cruise through Austria's beautiful Wachau Valley to the delightful town of Dürnstein. Set against craggy hillsides and known for its enchanting blue-and-white Baroque church, the town is overlooked by the ruins of a castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. From here, your journey continues to Melk, where a guided tour takes you to the town's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. This stunning 900-year old building features an astonishing library with 365 windows atop a dramatic cliff top perch. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Linz - Passau.
Austria's third largest city, Linz boasts an illustrious history and a charming old town of cobbled streets radiating from a fine medieval square and grand cathedral. Later, cruise to Passau, an ancient town located where the Danube meets the Ilz and Inn Rivers and bursting with elegant Baroque and Gothic buildings. Your sightseeing tour includes many of the major sights, including the splendid St Stephen's Cathedral, home to the world's second largest organ. Alternatively, enjoy an optional excursion to the storybook city of Salzburg, taking in its revered 'Sound of Music' sights. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Regensburg.
Today, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Regensburg, one of Germany's largest and best preserved medieval cities. Admire the soaring spires of the Gothic St Peter's Church with its superb stained glass, see the glorious Town Hall and the fine 12th century Stone Bridge, the oldest in the country. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Nuremberg.
Surrounded by 13th century walls, medieval Nuremburg offers a wealth of beautiful sights. The city is famed for its traditional toymaking, handicrafts and fancy metalworking industries. At its heart is a quaint old quarter with a vast town square, stately patrician houses and Gothic churches. Today, see Nuremburg's old town, Imperial Castle and 900-year old ramparts, which are surprisingly well preserved. (B, L, D)

DAY 16: Nuremberg - Prague.
Disembark your cruise ship today for your drive across the German-Czech border to Prague for three nights. (B)

DAY 17-18: Prague.
Enjoy two full days in this glorious city, the capital of the Czech Republic, set on the Vltava River. With its spectacular skyline of gleaming spires and domes, this spellbinding city is beautifully preserved. Your included sightseeing covers many of the most striking landmarks amid its wonderful Baroque and Romanesque streets, such as the handsome National Theatre, stunning Church of St Nicholas, Charles Bridge and the ancient Town Hall with its astronomical clock. There'll be plenty of time to explore at leisure, perhaps sampling the local cuisine, shopping for hand-cut Bohemian crystal, visiting the charming cafés and soaking up the atmosphere at famous Wenceslaus Square. (B)

DAY 19: Prague - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)