DAY 1: UK - Bucharest.
Fly to Bucharest and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. 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 Artistry, at Oltenita. (B, D)

DAY 3: Constanta.
Constanta, known as the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Riviera' is Romania's most important commercial centre and a popular holiday resort. This historic city stands on the Black Sea coast and dates back to Roman times. Enjoy the city's highlights including the Natural History and Archaeological Museum and the grandiose St Peter and Paul Orthodox Church. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Rousse - Veliko Târnovo - Arbanassi - Svistov.
Rousse is Bulgaria's largest inland port and a comfortable drive from Veliko Târnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria. A wonderfully picturesque town built on three hills, Veliko comprises charming streets and ancient stone houses clinging to steep hillsides. The oldest area of the town, Tzarevets Hill, boasts a magnificent Royal Fortress, lovely palaces and a resplendent Patriarch's Church. Nearby, the atmospheric village of Arbanassi commands breathtaking views over the medieval castles of Trapezitsa and Tzarevets and has a fascinating Ethnographical Museum and exquisite fresco-decorated church. Later, rejoin your ship at Svistov. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Iron Gates.
Relax and drink in incredible scenery today as your ship cruises past a string of memorable sights. Enjoy views of the crumbling Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo and Trajan's Tablet. This impressive rock memorial 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. 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, intriguing 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: Cruising.
Relax on board MS Avalon Artistry as it cruises the section of the Danube that divides Croatia and Serbia, past a fascinating montage of peaceful farmland and medieval villages. (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 Elisabeth bridges. Our 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 sail 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, our 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 clifftop 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. Our sightseeing tour includes many of the major sights, including the splendid St Stephen's Cathedral, home to the world's second largest organ. (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 a 3 night stay. (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. Our 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 and 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 in Prague for your return flight to the UK. (B)