Magnificent Europe
River Cruise
with APT Luxury Travel
- Aboard APT's brand-new luxury river ship
- All-inclusive sightseeing experiences in 14 destinations
- A total of 41 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages
- Flights included & save up to $700 per person^
Combine the greatest highlights of western Europe on the Magnificent Europe holiday and be one of the first to experience APT's brand-new, luxury river ships - APT Solara and APT Ostara.
As you cruise up the Danube River through the Main-Danube Canal to the Rhine River, disembark in unmissable locations. Tour Namedy Castle in Andernach and attend an unforgettable City Palace concert in the heart of Vienna.
APT Solara and APT Ostara
Travel in unparalleled luxury with APT Solara and APT Ostara in 2025 – APT's brand-new river ships that redefine European river cruising. Building upon a legacy of award-winning excellence and fuelled by unwavering innovation, these contemporary and timeless vessels offer more space, more choice and more ways to experience Europe’s grandest waterways than ever before. Welcome to a fleet where sophistication meets innovation on every wave.
Life on board
Experience an intimate atmosphere with no more than 154 guests on board and an abundance of shared social spaces. The ships have been thoughtfully designed to ensure guests have the luxury of choice in their home away from home. Curl up with a gripping book in a cosy reading nook or gather in The Salon to learn about local culture and enjoy live music. Relish evening entertainment from our resident entertainers and hear melodies from local artists such as Hungarian Gypsy violinists or members of a Bavarian band.
World-class dining
A world-class dining experience like no other. With more onboard dining venues than any other European river ship, we source the best local and seasonal produce found throughout the region, so you'll never be short on choice or quality.
With seven unique experiences to choose from, including the luxury of in-suite dining, you'll have the ultimate flexibility to select the culinary affair that suits you, whether you're after a formal occasion or a more casual atmosphere.
Taking fine dining to epic new heights, The Grüner Bar & Dining offers a truly unrivalled and exclusive hyper-local culinary experience. A state-of-the-art hydraulics system innovatively raises the entire venue from its location on the Upper Deck to the Sun Deck, affording the space breathtaking and unparalleled 360-degree vistas that surpass those of any other vessel on Europe’s rivers. Exclusive to APT, the unique venue redefines river cruise dining with an extraordinary elevation of luxury beyond compare.
Suite Escapes
With unparalleled expertise, the luxuriously appointed suites offer riverside scenery and an abundance of in-suite services. All suites benefit from APT's complimentary in-suite dining service, plus a complimentary fully stocked minibar. As well as a range of in-suite entertainment including Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV with on demand movies. Enjoy ample storage and luxury bedding designed to evoke a sense of cosiness and calm.
Highlights
- Visit Vienna’s City Palace for a cocktail party and private performances of classics by Mozart and Strauss
- Exclusive - Enjoy lunch and a spectacular show featuring songs from the 'Sound of Music' at a traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain, overlooking Salzburg
- Exclusive - In Andernach, go beyond the gates to explore Namedy Castle before a cocktail party
Inclusions
- All-inclusive sightseeing in 14 destinations
- Enriching Signature Experiences and Freedom of Choice inclusions
- A total of 41 meals at your choice of dining locations
- All-day complimentary premium onboard beverages
- Expert Cruise Director and local guides
- In-suite dining and beverage service in all suites
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Transfers, port charges and gratuities
Please note, this itinerary operates in Budapest to Amsterdam and vice versa direction. Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for departure dates, direction of cruise and current availability as well as pricing.
Day 1: Budapest, Embark Ship
Welcome to Budapest! You'll be met on arrival and transfer to your luxurious floating home for the next 15 days. Unpack, relax and get acquainted with your ship. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome to remember. Enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music while you indulge in local brandy, as well as artisan meats and cheeses.
Stay: 14 Nights, APT Solara or APT Ostara
Daily: Dinner
Day 2: Budapest
Choose your sightseeing option in Budapest today. This afternoon, your ship will begin cruising towards Vienna.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - City Tour
Enjoy a morning city tour of Budapest, exploring historic monuments like 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 - Funicular Ride
Board a funicular to Castle Hill for superb views, then walk to Fisherman’s Bastion.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Vienna
Enjoy a relaxing morning sailing to Vienna. On arrival, take in the city’s many landmarks along the Ringstrasse, as well as St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Vienna
Set out on your chosen sightseeing activity this morning. In the evening, an unforgettable Signature Experience awaits.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Schönbrunn Palace Visit
Tour inside Schönbrunn Palace, the summer palace of the Habsburgs. Discover the apartments of former emperors and take some time to wander the immaculate grounds.
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.
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 performance.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Durnstein, Melk
Explore the beautiful town of Dürnstein before choosing your activity. Later, visit Melk Abbey.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Cruise Through the Wachau Valley
Choose to ride a bike through the Wachau Valley or cruise to Melk for a tour of Melk Abbey.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Guided Bike Ride from Dürnstein to Melk
Take a guided bike ride along the Danube River from Dürnstein to Melk, and take in the scenery of the picturesque Wachau Valley.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Linz, Salzburg, Passau
Take a guided tour of Salzburg before a Signature Experience.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE - Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘Sound of Music’ Show
Be welcomed by a Jagdhornblaser – 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’.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Regensburg
Enjoy the chance to personalise your day with a choice of sightseeing activities on offer.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Guided Tour of Regensburg’s World Heritage-Listed City Centre
Explore Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre on a guided tour. 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
Set out on 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.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Nuremberg
This morning, 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. On arrival in Nuremberg, set out on your preferred activity.
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, the main market square and its 14th-century Gothic church.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Bamberg
Arrive in World Heritage-listed Bamberg, one of the few German cities that wasn’t 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. Otherwise, take it easy and relax on board.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Wurzburg
Today unfolds on your terms thanks to a choice of activities today.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Visit the Würzburg Residence
The immense architectural beauty of Würzburg is on display today 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 - 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 as you stroll. During free time, you may wish to visit Käthe Wohlfahrt’s ‘Christmas Village’, where you’ll find the largest collection of German Christmas decorations in the world.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Hike to Marienberg Fortress
Enjoy a hike to Würzburg’s most visible landmark, Marienberg Forstress, an imposing castle overlooking the city, which boasts a fascinating history dating back many centuries.
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.
Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 11: Miltenberg
Step ashore in Miltenberg today and set out on your chosen sightseeing activity. Spared from the destruction of World War II, the town is much like a time capsule, revealing what old-world village life was like in Germany before the war.
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.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Rudesheim
Dock in Rüdesheim this morning, one of Germany’s most revered cultural and historic cities. Here, embark on your chosen activity. This afternoon, 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.
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.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Andernach
Today, enjoy an exclusive Signature Experience. The afternoon will be spent cruising onwards to the Netherlands.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE - Namedy Castle
Princess Heide von Hohenzollern graciously welcomes APT guests into her home, Namedy Castle, a 14th century residence set near the Rhine River in Germany. Go beyond the gates and wander about the rooms, hidden nooks and manicured grounds. You’ll then enjoy a morning tea, where a pianist playing classical music sets the mood.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam and set out on your chosen activity. This evening, savour fresh, locally sourced oysters with regional sparkling wine.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Glass-Top Boat Canal Cruise
A peaceful way to see the best of Amsterdam, board a glass-top boat and admire the city’s unique architecture as you cruise the maze of World Heritage-listed canals for which the city is famous.
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.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam
Your spectacular journey comes to an end today. Following breakfast, say goodbye and be transferred to the airport.
Daily: Breakfast
Departures: Available May to December 2025 and March to December 2026 (seasonal surcharges apply)
| Cabin category | Standard price Per person, twin share* |
|---|---|
| Category E Twin Window Suite | From $8995 |
| Category A Balcony Suite | From $12,695 |
*Prices are based on 06 November 2026 departure in Budapest to Amsterdam direction, include the saving amount and are subject to availability and change. Price is correct as at 23 April 2025. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for available departure dates and pricing.
*Terms and Conditions apply. Advertised price based on EUMCR15: 06 November 2026 (Cat. E). Book by 30 November 2025, unless sold out prior. Prices are per person, AUD, twin share and include port charges and saving amounts.
^Flights included: Valid until 30 November 2025 or until sold out. Offer valid when booking select itineraries departing year round in 2026 in all cabin categories. Offer includes airfare and taxes up to the value of $2600 per person. Offer is based on wholesale airfares in economy class with an airline of APT’s choosing depending on routing. Flights are available from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin or Perth. All offers are subject to availability of airline and booking class. Once class is sold out, surcharges apply.
Early Payment Discount: Prices include an Early Payment Discount of $1400 per couple ($700 per person), valid when you pay in full 10 months prior to departure.
All Airfare Offers: Flights must be booked by APT. Should you choose to depart earlier than your scheduled tour/cruise departure, or make variations to airline routings, surcharges may apply. Airline schedules are subject to change without notice and APT is not liable for any additional costs incurred due to airline schedule changes. All air is ticketed upon receipt of the first deposit. Any changes made after ticketing may incur amendment and/or cancellation fees, in some cases, tickets are non-refundable. Air taxes vary for each departure point and routing of airline and are subject to change. Fuel surcharges are subject to change and an additional fuel surcharge may apply. Frequent flyer miles/points may not be awarded on all airfares.
General Information & Conditions: Offers are available for travellers departing from Australia. All pricing and save amounts are in Australian Dollars. Information correct as at 7 March 2025 but may fluctuate due to changes in surcharges, taxes or currency. A strictly limited number of offers are available on selected itineraries and departure dates in selected suites/ staterooms/cabins/room categories. Offers are subject to availability, not combinable unless specified, available on new bookings only and may be withdrawn at any time.
Other APT terms and conditions apply, for full terms and conditions please check with your RAC travel consultant. A further deposit of $165 per person applies. General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.
