New here?
New here?
Search packagesBooking enquiry
All packages are "travel templates" to use as a great starting point...
We specialise in discounted custom travel plans and holiday packages...
Save up to 40% off Australian and overseas travel... Join free today
Call to start your dream trip today!
1800 669 579
[+61 (0)7 3040 6697]
Share on Facebook:
FULL RETAIL VALUE: $10,170pp. YOU PAY FROM $5,899, SAVE UP TO $4,271pp.
Exceptional value, exceptional quality. This ship that will take you on this river cruise is amongst the most luxurious in Europe.
* A & B optional stateroom shown. See Inclusions for included stateroom type. Some listed highlights are optional activities a list of which is available on request.
See the full itinerary for details. Package price varies according to season and departure city.
In the style of most Global Escapes Independent Traveler itineraries, this is a perfect blend of self-guided adventure and forward-planning to ensure that the main elements are organised in advance allowing for plenty of time to relax and take in each place you visit.
We guarantee to beat any competitor accommodation-only quote or travel package price and/or value by a minimum of 15%. Conditions.
We guarantee to beat any competitor accommodation-only quote or travel package price or value by a minimum of 15% ("price-beat") on the following conditions:
Note: By requesting a price-beat you are under no obligation to place a booking with us or proceed with the final travel package as the case may be. A non-refundable deposit is required in the case of a tour/travel package price-beat (see below).
The following terms and conditions apply to travel plans and accommodation quotes requested from and supplied by Travel Directions Pty. Ltd. trading as Global Escapes Travel, Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club (Australian Escapes) and Kiwi Escapes (the company) and are subject to change without notice. These conditions are to be read in conjunction with our standard booking conditions and conditions applicable to Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club membership as defined in website FAQs.
There are two main scenarios:
(1) You request a price-beat on a specific property. Our objective is to provide at least 15% more total value or a price that is 15% lower than a competitor quote supplied to us for the same accommodation property, on the same conditions and with the same inclusions, provided we have access to be able to book the accommodation through our normal supplier channels.
If we do not have access to member rates that property we will offer an alternative that is of the same or higher standard, as per our hotel rating system and that meets the stated requirements, subject to availability, and subject to the following:
(2) We propose a property with member pricing: If the "you pay" price we submit is already discounted using GCash travel credits and the lowest available price at the time it was submitted, it does not qualify. Otherwise our objective is to provide at least 15% more total value or a price that is 15% lower than a competitor quote supplied to us for the same accommodation property, on the same conditions and with the same inclusions.
A price-beat will be deemed successful and this guarantee is therefore met when the applicable objective is achieved.
Inclusions in travel and tour packages assembled by competitor travel agents, tour companies, wholesalers, online travel promoters will all be different in some way. Packages will typically vary by inclusions, validity, suppliers, component type, standard, terms and conditions, travel date, etc ("package components").
Our objective in this type of price-beat situation is to assemble a package containing similar and/or higher value package components to that which you present to us. We guarantee to offer at least 15% more total value (through added value) or a price that is 15% lower than the competitor quote ("successful price-beat") subject to the following:
A price-beat will be deemed successful and this guarantee is therefore met when the above objective is achieved.
The price-beat must be requested before you place a booking with any other travel agent, online booking agent or property direct in relation to the subject accommodation or package.
A price-beat may be requested by providing clear, written evidence of the competitor quote as well as your requirements to an employee of the company who performs a reservations or travel consultant role ("company contact") as follows:
A competitor quote presented under this guarantee must be genuine (not contrived) and must be a final, fixed price, backed by verifiable evidence. A competitor quote that we determine is not genuine or final is excluded. The requested date range(s) for travel/tour commencement as well as for individual package components must be realistic and flexible.
This condition applies to travel/tour packages only. We require up to $900 deposit per person (amount depending on package complexity) as a guarantee that you will proceed with the travel plan after we are successful with the price/value beat. This requirement exists because of the amount of travel consultant time required to price according to a competitor quote.
Your Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club membership must be Gold level or above and active and paid up at the time of requesting the price beat.
|
FULL RETAIL VALUE $10,170pp SAVINGS APPLIED -$4,271 YOU PAY FROM* $5,899 |
| SAVING OFF FULL RETAIL VALUE (UP TO): 42% |
Australian Escapes has been saving members money on their holidays now for over 20 years and we can do the same for you. You can start today for FREE!
Group buying power
Free travel planning services and advice; saves you time and money
The experience to help you avoid common and costly travel mistakes
Guaranteed savings and value; put us to the test
Exclusive travel benefits and free member services
No risk free trial, cancel anytime, invest a few dollars to save potentially $'000's.
Quick Guide | Travel Club Free Trial
Not yet a member? Submit a booking enquiry and we'll automatically register you for a 90-day free trial account. No obligation to book a trip or to remain as a member. There are no scams and no catches. This is a genuine travel club and you'll quicky discover how professional we are.
* All prices are per-person on a twin-share basis and bookings are subject to availability. The final price and deposit amount varies according to travel date. All prices are estimates only. A firm quote (travel plan) with payment terms will be submitted for consideration prior to agreement to proceed. Full booking terms and conditions are available HERE...
Members get the benefit of our expertise and low prices. We work for you so you don't have to try and learn how to be a travel expert overnight. You avoid costly mistakes and get much better value. READ MORE... Submit a booking enquiry to get a free 3-month, Travel Club Trial account.
When you arrive in Amsterdam your driver will pick you up at the airport and drop you at your top-class pre-cruise accommodation. Tomorrow you will board one of the newest and most luxurious river cruise ships in Europe. Prepare to be enchanted and spoiled from the moment you board. You only live once! This is the best value, 5-star Amsterdam to Budapest package that we know of. Compare to any cruise line and immediately see the value.
This is a first-class travel itinerary that's fully flexible. Want more or fewer days or you want to include a special destination or activity? No problem, we’ll customise a travel plan for you.
Click/tap to watch this short video to learn about what we have in store for you.
* Spacious bathroom and wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. The included cabin type has a fixed window. Several cabin types are available.
The ships for this cruise feature spacious deluxe cabins and suites. Many have lowerable panoramic windows which extend across the entire cabin front and have been specially designed for this cruise line. All deluxe cabins and suites offer comfortable, spacious bathrooms, infotainment systems, flat screen television, telephone, cabin safe, minibar and air conditioning which can be individually regulated. Furthermore, many suites feature a comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom and walk-out external balcony.
If the packaged cruise line departures are sold out, we will recommend an alternative cruise line that offers similar value.
If pictured or included hotel accommodation is not available for your travel dates, we will substitute for accommodation of the same or higher standard. Excursions are not included and may be selected and booked in advance based on your preferences.
Read about our accommodation rating standards and the methods used to assess quality.
This itinerary is fully customisable to suit your requirements. Your personal travel consultant is available to discuss changes and additions that will enhance your travel experience.
Lonely Planet is renowned for its first-hand approach, up-to-date maps and commitment to providing the best information for travelers. Lonely Planet authors are experienced, insightful travel experts. They personally research the places they write about - both in the first and in subsequent editions - and provide essential travel details along with a wealth of insider information and first-hand tips.
You will receive these guides to help you gain the most out of your holiday. Recommendation: Take the time to read suggestions for things to see and do before you leave home. Take your Lonely Planet guides with you in your luggage.
* All prices are per-person on a twin-share basis and bookings are subject to availability. Price and deposit amount varies according to travel date. If flights are shown as included then a flight cost provision (allowance) applies and is based on travel from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Travel can be arranged from any other major centre and for any number of people. All prices shown are estimates only. A firm quote (travel plan) with payment terms will be submitted for consideration prior to agreement to proceed. Total price after member discount (using Getaway Cash travel credits and Australian Escapes Free Flights Vouchers if applicable) is generally payable as follows: Deposit on booking, balance 120 days prior to departure. Packages can be priced for families and groups on request. Standard price and full retail value comparisons are with similar packages offered elsewhere or what we estimate would be payable by a non-member for the same or similar package and may include a value we define for specialty travel agency services. Travel insurance if included is a provision only and may be declined on request. No recommendations or advice are given in regard to travel insurance suitability. Travel Directions Pty Ltd (t/as Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club) standard booking terms and conditions apply to all booking enquiries and bookings and are available here to view (or visit our website and go to either the "Booking Enquiry" or "About Us" menu item.)
Spanning 2,000 kilometers across Europe, from Amsterdam at the North Sea to Budapest the “Queen of the Danube”, the castles lining the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers are testaments to the majesty of European history. The beauty of the Rhine with its castles and cathedral cities, the engineering feat of the Main-Danube canal and the wonders of the Danube River are all highlights along the way.
"Adventure is a path. Real adventure, self-determined, self-motivated, often risky, forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world" - Mark Jenkins
The following itinerary features both included and optional excursions. Included activities are shown. A full list of optional activities is available on request. All dining, meals and standard drinks aboard your cruise ship are included.
Arrive in Amsterdam and be picked up by your private car transfer driver. Arrive at your central hotel accommodation, check-in or drop your bags. Early check-in can be arranged (surcharge applies) if your flight arrives early in the day.
Depending on arrival time, you can enjoy some time in this exciting city. Your included Lonely Planet guide will give you some tips and ideas.
Included:
Your morning is free, so after breakfast and having sourced some ideas from your Lonely Planet guide, head out for a walk. There is a lot to see and do. Leave you bags at reception and return later to collect them them when ready to board your cruise ship.
Later in the afternoon, after boarding your cruise ship, enjoy a welcome cocktail and a delicious welcome dinner. A rousing performance by a traditional shanty choir completes the experience.
Included:
You'll stay on board in Amsterdam overnight. In the morning, enjoy a boat trip along the famous Amsterdam canals followed by a trip to the peaceful countryside areas of the Waterland region.
Enjoy the waterside of historic fishing villages and stroll along the long stretch of eateries, cafes, restaurants and fish stalls selling herring and smoked eel. Or choose, instead, to explore the art, history and culture of the Dutch on a tour of Haarlem. Visit the Cathedral of St. Bavo and enjoy the medieval atmosphere of the town's cobbled streets and gabled houses. Rejoin your ship in Utrecht for lunch.
In the morning, you will arrive in beautiful Cologne. Discover the highlights of the city on the guided city tour. End with a glass of typical Kolsch, a famed Rhineland beer.
After lunch, chocolate lovers will be able to visit the Cologne Chocolate Museum and find out more about the fascinating 500-year history of this much-loved cocoa treat. Nature lovers may prefer the alternate excursion to the Siebengebirge National Park, Germany's first nature reserve, and to Drachenfels castle ruins. With the Rhine sprawling below in all its splendor, the views from the top of the castle ruins are stunning. After an exciting day, return to the vessel to continue south along the river.
The morning starts on a high note with the passage of the Lorelei in the myth-enshrouded Upper Middle Rhine Valley. At lunchtime, the vessel arrives in Rüdesheim, a picturesque wine-making town in the Rhine Gorge, where the river landscape has enchanted visitors for centuries.
Discover the region's rich history on a walking tour and admire the magical collection of instruments at the Music Cabinet Museum. Or choose to take a tram ride through the vineyards of Rudesheim on the "Wine Express", enjoy some fine wine and stroll along the quaint "Drosselgasse".
After a tranquil morning on board, join the afternoon excursion to Miltenberg and Wertheim. Miltenberg is a town flanked by the river Main and an incredible, forested hillside and features Miltenberg Castle and one of the oldest inns in Germany, the Hotel "Zum Riesen".
Continue to Wertheim and explore the medieval streets with their half-timbered houses and the unique glass museum. This evening, enjoy another memorable meal as your ship heads toward our next stop.
Today, visit Wurzburg, a city in Bavaria known for lavish architecture, located in the center of the Franconian wine country. In the morning, experience the many beautiful sights of the town as well as the Residenz, a Baroque palace considered a masterpiece of its era. The tour concludes with wine tasting in the ancient wine cellar of a local vineyard.
As an alternate excursion, join the trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, whose towers, city gates, walls, and half-timbered gables have remained unchanged. Relax on board this afternoon and let our Chefs delight you with their culinary magic at dinner.
Spend the morning cruising the scenic Main river. After lunch, arrive in the imperial city of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, which retains its medieval layout of three settlement areas, along with its historic buildings and Baroque facades.
It is ranked as one of Germany's most attractive towns and is known for its deliciously smoky beer. This German town is also the place to begin your crossing of the Rhine-Main-Danube canal. Join a presentation about the canal which allows free flow of traffic between the North Sea and the Black Sea.
The former imperial city of Nuremberg awaits you today with its impressive turbulent history and sights. After breakfast, explore Nuremberg on the morning tour, admiring the romantic old town, the Palace of Justice (the venue of the Nuremberg Trials), and more.
In the afternoon, visit the World of Gingerbread to taste fresh Lebkuchen from the oven and learn about this sweet treat made of honey and spices. If you prefer, learn more about World War II and the Nazi past at the Documentation Center of Nuremberg. Back on board, it’s full steam ahead before crossing the European Watershed separating the Main and Danube rivers.
Regensburg is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Choose to uncover the secrets of this remarkable UNESCO Site during a walking tour. Alternatively, visit the 18th century Thurn and Taxis Palace for a beer tasting in their traditional brewery. A special Bavarian themed evening celebrates this wonderful region.
Arrive in time for lunch in the three-rivers city of Passau, lying at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz.
In the afternoon, join the city walking tour, which showcases the most enchanting sights of this historic city including St. Stephen's Cathedral, home to one of the largest pipe organs in the world. Back on board, enjoy dinner as the vessel sets off toward the Wachau Valley.
In the early morning, dock in Emmersdorf, in the heart of the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley. Spend the morning discovering this typical Lower Austrian town or travel across the river to Melk and its magnificent Benedictine abbey - the largest in Austria.
Back on board for lunch, continue through the vineyards to the village of Durnstein. Take a guided afternoon tour in the romantic village with its iconic blue church and winding streets, and sample the local wines. Upon arrival in Vienna, opt for the "Sound of Vienna" concert and listen to popular pieces from Vienna's classical era at a local salon. The vessel remains overnight.
There is much to see and do in this imperial capital city. Enjoy the sights of Vienna on the "Highlights of Vienna" tour, including the Ringstrasse, the Vienna State Opera House, the Museum Quarter and more.
In the afternoon, venture to Schonbrunn Palace, the sumptuous former summer palace of Empress Maria Theresia, or pay a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the most important art museums in the world with works by Rubens, Rembrandt and many more.
Awaken today in the capital city of Bratislava, Slovakia. Join the walking tour of Bratislava and see the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and more.
Later in the day, opt for an excursion to the Imperial Hof Palace in Austria, a magnificent 18th-century complex once owned by Empress Maria Theresia. For those who enjoy wineries, choose the alternate scenic drive through the Little Carpathian mountain range with its winemaking tradition, dating back to Celtic and Roman times. This evening, celebrate at the Captain's Gala Dinner.
Included:
With its neo-Gothic Parliament, Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Castle and Chain Bridge, the Hungarian capital of Budapest is a perfect finale to your trip. This morning, explore the sites of the Hungarian capital Budapest on a city tour.
In the afternoon, food lovers can enjoy the alternate excursion "Vibrant Budapest" which starts at the market hall. Admire Budapest's famous thermal baths and, finally, make a stop at Cafe Gerbeaud, where you can order delicious Hungarian cakes and pastry.
Alternatively, roam further afield in Pest county to the Royal Palace of Godollo, one of the most important and imposing Hungarian palaces. On board this evening, enjoy a Hungarian folklore show as your vessel cruises the Danube to see this beautiful gem by night. Remain overnight in the "Queen of the Danube".
Included:
After breakfast, the entire crew bids you farewell and wishes you a safe journey home.
Take a taxi or Uber to your hotel and drop your bags there so you can spend some time exploiring the many wonders of Budapest to which you were introduced on the included city tour. Your Lonely Planet guide is the perfect resource for ideas.
Tonight you'll be staying at a gold standard, central hotel with breakfast included. If you want to be able to check in before 2pm, that can be arranged.
Included:
Today you'll be picked up for your transfer to the airport to return home.
What an adventure! You'll be sure to want to return for another river cruise very soon.
When you start typing your destination into the search box, you will see a list of possible matches. Click on the closest match if any. Then click the "Search" button.
Hello , You currently have 0 items in your short list. Return to package search. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The full package itinerary is available to members only. You can access full details by logging in if you are a member or by joining now.
A free trial is available and we offer special full membership upgrades from time-to-time. Thank you for visiting Australian Escapes.
