Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. (D)

Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall before going to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. Or visit Budapest's historic Jewish Quarter, where you will visit The Great Synagogue, the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial, and the Shoes on the Danube, a poignant memorial to the Budapest Jewish community. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city. Later in the day, visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in Budapest, where you can shop for one-of-kind handcrafted gifts. (B,L,D)

Take in the breathtaking scenery as we glide along the Danube River into Bratislava. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Afterward, enjoy time at the local Christmas Market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided biking tour. End your day with an exclusive Slovakian experience at the Primate’s Palace, a striking neoclassical building heart of the old town. (B,L,D)

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise in Bratislava before sailing to Vienna. The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas Markets. Alternatively, visit a traditional Viennese café to experience a true Vienna specialty, the Sacher Torte, and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese Coffee. Spend your evening at the “Vienna by Night” Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Rathaus Christmas Market, Vienna’s largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)

Visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace for a visit to its magnificent Christmas Market, with a giant Christmas tree surrounded by stalls selling a great variety artisanal handicrafts, providing a spectacular festive atmosphere with the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread. Or pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuberg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery overlooking the Danube River. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)

Bid farewell to Vienna and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Arrive in Krakow and transfer to your hotel.

Get acquainted with your surroundings and take a deeper dive into the fascinating history of Krakow with a comprehensive city tour. Visit the Wawel Royal Castle – the world’s very first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and Poland’s largest castle, located in the center of its Old Town. The Wawel Hill it stands upon features a limestone cave renowned for its connection to the legendary Wawel Dragon of Polish folklore, which you will learn more about during your tour. You will also venture into Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter and see the factory of Oskar Schindler, who was credited with saving 1,200 Jewish lives during World War II, and who was famously honored in the award-winning film Schindler’s List. You will also be treated to a live performance of the Polish anthem by a trumpeter on the highest tower of Saint Mary’s Church, otherwise known as St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, a tradition since the 19th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore more of the city. (B)

Prepare yourself for an emotional day as together, we explore a darker period in Poland’s history with a visit to Auschwitz, the largest and most tragically infamous of Europe’s labor and death camps. The main gate, barbed wire fences, buildings and barracks look much the same today as they did during the Holocaust, when 1.1 million lives were taken within the camp. It was liberated from January 17-21, 1945, saving 58,000 from further horrors. Though not for the feint of heart, this once-in-a-lifetime excursion will honor the memory of those who perished and promises to be one you won’t soon forget. (B)

Check out of your hotel and begin your transfer to Budapest. En route, you will stop in Banská Bystrica, an historic and picturesque Slovakian city with architecture that dates to the medieval period. Enjoy time for a nice lunch, then continue to Budapest, where you will board your luxurious river cruise ship. (B,D)

Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall before going to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. Or visit Budapest's historic Jewish Quarter, where you will visit The Great Synagogue, the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial, and the Shoes on the Danube, a poignant memorial to the Budapest Jewish community. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city. Later in the day, visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in Budapest, where you can shop for one-of-kind handcrafted gifts. (B,L,D)

Take in the breathtaking scenery as we glide along the Danube River into Bratislava. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Afterward, enjoy time at the local Christmas Market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided biking tour. End your day with an exclusive Slovakian experience at the Primate’s Palace, a striking neoclassical building heart of the old town. (B,L,D)

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise in Bratislava before sailing to Vienna. The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas Markets. Alternatively, visit a traditional Viennese café to experience a true Vienna specialty, the Sacher Torte, and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese Coffee. Spend your evening at the “Vienna by Night” Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Rathaus Christmas Market, Vienna’s largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)

Visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace for a visit to its magnificent Christmas Market, with a giant Christmas tree surrounded by stalls selling a great variety artisanal handicrafts, providing a spectacular festive atmosphere with the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread. Or pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuberg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery overlooking the Danube River. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)

Depart the ship and continue via motorcoach to Prague where you will check into your hotel. (B)

. Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square, where you will find the famous Astronomical Clock. (B)

Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)

Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)