| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 11th11 | AugAug | 202424 | Strasbourg, France, embark on the MS Douce France | 09:00 | 09:00 |
| Passengers are welcome to board at 11:00 a.m. in Strasbourg. As we sit down to lunch, our ship will begin to cruise to Frankfurt. Enjoy the onboard activities. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail and enjoy dinner on board. Our ship will cruise through the night. |
| 12th12 | AugAug | 202424 | Frankfurt, Germany | 08:00 | 09:00 |
| We'll arrive in Frankfurt early in the morning. Optional excursion: Panoramic tour of Frankfurt and the top of the Main Tower. This panoramic tour will take you to the heart of the financial district and the immense skyscrapers dominating the city's skyline. We'll head to the top of the Main Tower to get a great view of the city from above. Frankfurt's financial district has earned its nickname 'Mainhatten.' From over 656 feet up, you'll be able to take in the glorious views of the city spread out below. We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Karlstadt. |
| 13th13 | AugAug | 202424 | Karlstadt, Germany | 13:00 | 09:00 |
| We'll spend the morning cruising on the Main River, arriving in Karlstadt in the early afternoon. Join us for an optional excursion: Guided tour of Wrzburg. We'll leave by coach for the center of Wrzburg. The tour will begin at the Wrzburg Residence, the 18th-century palace built by the Prince-Bishops of Wrzburg. Discover the 40 rooms decorated sumptuously with furniture, paintings, and tapestries from 18th-century masters. Step back in time as you climb the monumental baroque-style staircase designed by Balthasar Neumann. The impressive rococo-style Imperial Hall is topped with a dome decorated with frescoes and golden stucco. Continue your tour downtown before returning to the ship by coach. We'll return on board in Wrzburg and continue cruising to Nuremberg. Our ship will cruise through the night. |
| 13th13 | AugAug | 202424 | Würzburg, Germany | 17:00 | 09:00 |
| Würzburg is a city in Bavaria in southern Germany. It is located on the River Main and is famous for its lavish baroque architecture and Franconian wine. The Residence Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is highly recommended. It is a well known example of Baroque architecture with its acclaimed staircase, impressive frescos and imperial hall. Other impressive sites in Würzburg include the towering fortress of Festung Marienberg, the Alt Mainbrücke old bridge, which offers ideal views of the Marienberg, Dom St. Kilian cathedral and the many churches of Würzburg including the Romanesque Neumünster. Many of these sites have their own museums for visitors to learn of the history or view unique collections. Other museums of interest are the Mineralogical Museum, exhibiting the world of minerals and stones, and the Botanical Gardens, with various greenhouses and outdoor areas to enjoy. Wine lovers will find an abundance of wineries in Würzburg, offering cellar tours and wine tasting as well as traditional Bavarian cuisines and hospitality. Enjoy wine soup, Gerupfter (cheese spread) and Sauerbraten (braised beef in wine) in a friendly traditional wine tavern. |
| 14th14 | AugAug | 202424 | Schweinfurt, Germany | 08:30 | 09:00 |
| Enjoy some free time in Schweinfurt. Explore this charming city with our host or hostess. Schweinfurt's center contains several interesting sites, including the beautiful Rathaus (city hall), Schrotturm (tower), the remarkable St. Johannis and St. Kilian Churches, and the statue of Friedrich Rckert in the Marktplatz. The Georg Schfer Museum is a quick five-minute walk from our dock. The museum presents a wide range of art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries (Entry ticket not included. German and English language only). Artists include Caspar David Friedrich, Georg Ferdinand Waldmller, Hans Thoma, Wilhelm Leibl, Max Liebermann, and Max Slevogt.We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Nuremberg. Our ship will cruise through the night. |
| 15th15 | AugAug | 202424 | Nuremberg, Germany | 08:00 | 09:00 |
| Nuremberg is a medieval city located in northern Bavaria in Germany. It is Bavaria's second largest city and is noted for its iconic red roofed buildings and medieval architecture. The imperial Castle overlooks Nuremberg and was one of the most important fortifications of the Roman Empire. For more significant cultural history, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, one of the largest cultural history museums in the German speaking world, offers visitors exhibitions from Prehistoric all the way to present day. Walking tours around the city offer an enjoyable and active way to learn of Nuremberg’s history and culture. Through Old Town, discover fountains, wells, churches, and art treasures, as well as learning of the colourful past and cosmopolitan present of the city and its people. Nuremberg is also home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, where visitors can purchase traditional handmade decorations and enjoy the famous gingerbread, mulled wine, and grilled sausage from over one hundred and eighty wooden stalls. We'll arrive in Nuremberg early in the morning. Join us for an optional excursion: Guided tour of Nuremberg. Take off on a panoramic tour of the city to see monuments outside the medieval walls, including the Palace of Justice, Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Documentation Center, and the castle area. Fall under the spell of the charming, narrow streets and half-timbered houses before arriving at the Marktplatz for a tour on foot to see the Schner Brunnen and the outside of the Frauenkirche. During this excursion, you'll have a taste of Lebkuchen, a well-known, local delicacy much like gingerbread. We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Regensburg. Enjoy the onboard activities this afternoon and evening. Our ship will cruise through the night. |
| 16th16 | AugAug | 202424 | Regensburg, Germany | 10:00 | |
| Regensburg is a medieval city of Bavaria in southeast Germany. It is situated on the northern point of the Danube River at its confluence with the Regen and Naab rivers. The city is famous for its iconic 12th Century stone bridge and sixteen arches, crossing the Danube into Old Town and is the oldest preserved bridge in Germany. Regensburg is also noted for its 13th Century Regensburg Cathedral and Gothic twin spires that feature prominently on the city’s skyline. Recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, the city is home to many preserved sites. Visit the the 2nd Century Porta Praetoria which served as the north gate to a Roman camp and St Peter’s Cathedral, with its French Gothic architecture. Also the 18th Century Thurn and Taxis Palace and the Old Town Hall, which is now home to the Imperial Diet Museum, are also worth a visit. Regensburg benefits from lots of parks and gardens for visitors to relax in, as well as walks and cycle paths along the banks of the rivers. We'll arrive in Regensburg in the morning. Enjoy some free time in the city. In the afternoon, join us for an optional guided tour of Regensburg. The first stop our coach will make before Regensburg will be at the Walhalla, an imposing, Greek-style hall of fame built between 1830 and 1842 by Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria honoring distinguished people in Germanic history. One hundred twenty-nine busts of artists and military figures adorn the interior. After, your guides will lead you on foot through Regensburg, where you'll discover the grand Porta Preatoria on the old city's northern wall, the town hall and its Imperial Hall, the Gothic-style cathedral, and Italian-style mansions built by rich merchants in the Middle Ages. The Allies spared Regensburg from intense bombardments during World War II, conserving the ancient architecture for us to enjoy today. We'll return on board for dinner while the ship continues to Passau. |
| 17th17 | AugAug | 202424 | Passau, Germany | 09:00 | 09:00 |
| Passau is a German city located in the Southeast of Germany on the Austrian border. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz. The Three Rivers City, as it’s also known, is unique for its three contrasting currents of blue, green and black. Old Town of Passau is home to towering buildings of striking architecture: the majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus, the Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf and St Stephen's Cathedral. Many of Passau’s attractions can be found in this area, including the New Bishop’s Residence, the Gothic Town Hall, as well as many churches and museums. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront promenades and romantic lanes whilst enjoying the picturesque landscape. For modern art, The Museum of Modern Art and Glass Museum Passau are recommended as they offer something a bit different. Theatre and cabaret are a popular evening pastime, with performances at the former Prince Bishopric Theatre or some lively cabaret and Jazz at the Scharfrichterhaus. Visitors will also find many traditional local Bavarian and Austrian cafes and restaurants offering a cosy atmosphere with home cooked food from local produce. We'll arrive in Passau during the morning. After we arrive, set off on your own or join our host/hostess for a tour of the city. Passau is known as The City of Three Rivers since it sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers. Our tour will take you to Passau's old town, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and St. Michael's Church. We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Vienna. Tonight we'll enjoy our gala dinner on board. |
| 18th18 | AugAug | 202424 | Vienna, Austria | 08:00 | |
| Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Located on the Danube River in the East of the country, the city is renowned for its strong music heritage and rich culture, and is the largest German speaking city in the world, outside of Berlin. In 2001, Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts magnificent architecture. The city is home to over 27 castles and 150 palaces including the symbolic Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the iconic Schönbrunn Palace. Art and music are in abundance and all tastes are catered for. Live music venues offer everything from Rock to Opera. Enjoy world class performances at Vienna State Opera and experience the epicentre of international concert life at Musikverein. Modern and historical art can be found in indoor and outdoor spaces around the city, and a visit to the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is highly recommended. Enjoy views of the city from the Danube Tower and the Giant Ferris Wheel, then relax in the ample cosy coffee houses, cafes, bars and restaurants where traditional and international cuisines are served, as well as the locally produced wines. This morning's optional excursion is a tour of Hofburg Palace and the Sisi Museum. The imperial Hofburg Palace is one of the largest palatial complexes in the world. Its disproportional splendor fascinates history and architecture lovers from around the world. Must-sees include the Imperial Treasury, Imperial Apartments, and the Sisi Museum.This afternoon, the optional excursion is: Vienna, the Capuchin Church, and the Austrian National Library. Construction of this unassuming church finished in 1632. The interior has remained simple and sober throughout the years. The Imperial Crypt beneath the church is the last resting place of more than 145 members of Habsburg royalty, including Empress Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph I, and his beloved wife, Empress Sisi. The next stop will be the Austrian National Library, considered as having one of the most beautiful library halls in the world. A magnificently painted dome with frescoes by Daniel Gran covers the impressive State Hall. Four beautiful Venetian globes with a diameter of over one yard add an accent to the room's imperial flair. After our excursion, we'll return to the ship.Our optional excursion this evening is a concert of Viennese music (subject to availability). Enjoy the works of masters such as Mozart and Strauss within the legendary 'Capital of Classical Music.' |
| 19th19 | AugAug | 202424 | Vienna, Austria, disembark the MS Douce France | | |
| Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Located on the Danube River in the East of the country, the city is renowned for its strong music heritage and rich culture, and is the largest German speaking city in the world, outside of Berlin. In 2001, Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts magnificent architecture. The city is home to over 27 castles and 150 palaces including the symbolic Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the iconic Schönbrunn Palace. Art and music are in abundance and all tastes are catered for. Live music venues offer everything from Rock to Opera. Enjoy world class performances at Vienna State Opera and experience the epicentre of international concert life at Musikverein. Modern and historical art can be found in indoor and outdoor spaces around the city, and a visit to the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is highly recommended. Enjoy views of the city from the Danube Tower and the Giant Ferris Wheel, then relax in the ample cosy coffee houses, cafes, bars and restaurants where traditional and international cuisines are served, as well as the locally produced wines. Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. |
