Amsterdam to Bucharest - Discover the Rhine, Main & Danube

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands

Cologne, situated on the River Rhine and Germany’s fourth largest city, was recognised by the Romans as a major centre for their trade routes. Subsequently, considerable Roman remains can be found in contemporary Cologne, especially near the wharf area, where a notable discovery of a 1900 year old Roman boat was made in late 2007. Due to WWII air raids, today Cologne is notable for its simple and modest post-war buildings, but fortunately is still home to a few interspersed pre-war buildings that were reconstructed due to their historical importance. Read more about Cologne, Germany

Rüdesheim lies in the heart of the Rhine River area at the southern entrance to the Lorelei valley. It is well known for the Drosselgasse, just 144m long, the pedestrian street at the heart of the city's old town. It is full of beautifully decorated restaurants, live band entertainment, and open air garden taverns that are always thoroughly enjoyed by visitors. Read more about Rudesheim, Germany

Wertheim is a town at the junction of the rivers Tauber and Main in SW Germany. It is one of the most beautiful city centres in Germany, with its numerous half-timbered houses - one more beautiful than the other - and which you can't take your eyes off. Some of them go back to the 16th century. Read more about Wertheim, Germany

Wurzburg, aka Wuerzburg, is a city on the Main River at the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. It is rich in history with evidence of a Celtic fortification having been built there back in 1000 BC. The city was severely bombed during WWll and the city centre, dating back to medieval times, was totally destroyed. Read more about Wurzburg, Germany

Bamberg is a town in Bavaria, Germany, located in Upper Franconia at the junction of the Regnitz and Main rivers. It is a disarmingly beautiful architectural masterpiece with an almost complete absence of modern eyesores. The town extends over seven hills, each crowned by a beautiful church, which has led to Bamberg being called the ‘Franconian Rome’. Read more about Bamberg, Germany

Nuremberg, is a city in the German state of Bavaria, situated on the Pegnitz River and the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. In the Middle Ages the city expanded and increased in importance due to its location on a key trade route from Italy to Northern Europe. Nuremberg held great significance during the Nazi Germany era, as the site of huge Nazi Party conventions, and an important site for military production, including airplanes, submarines and tanks. Read more about Nuremberg, Germany

Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, situated at the junction of the Danube and Regen rivers. The large medieval centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to two thousand years of living history with some of Europe's most important architectural and cultural monuments, plus fascinating museums and art collections, make this an attractive place to spend some time. Read more about Regensburg, Germany

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany, at the junction of three Rivers: the Danube, the Inn from the South, and the Ilz coming out of the Bavarian Forest to the North. During the Renaissance and early modern period it became one of the most prolific centres of sword and bladed weapon manufacture in Germany. Today it is notable for its gothic and baroque architecture. Read more about Passau, Germany

Durnstein, a hamlet and much visited tourist destination, lies nestled within Austria’s vineyard-rich Wachau Valley 80 km west of Vienna. Crowned by the ruins of a castle fortress, the cobblestone streets, the baroque monastery, the 15th century Parish Church (with one of the finest Baroque towers in Austria), the old burgher and townhouses dating back from the 16th and 18th C, and visitors feel they are strolling through history. Wander along the banks of the Danube where small shops invite you to buy, with virtually every shop offering free samples of brandy, liqueur, or schnapps. Read more about Durnstein, Austria

Vienna, Austria's capital city, has a population of around two million and is located to the east of the Alps in the Vienna Basin. Architectural styles range from classic to modern, and include some of the world’s best known examples of Art Nouveau. Fascinating features are the few high-rise buildings, and numerous parks and gardens, with many statues of famous people such as Mozart and Strauss. Read more about Vienna, Austria

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is situated on both banks of the Danube River between Austria and Hungary, and is the only national capital that borders two independent countries. Bratislava and Vienna are also two of Europe's closest national capitals, less than 60 km apart. The cityscape of Bratislava is noted for its medieval towers and grandiose 20th century buildings, but has undergone profound changes in a construction boom at the start of the 21st century. Read more about Bratislava, Slovakia

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, situated on both banks of the river Danube, with its 346 river cruise ships (2019). Originally with the cities of Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank, it became a single city with their unification in 1873. The city’s rich and colourful history, its extensive World Heritage Site including the Danube River banks, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and the Millennium Underground Railway, have resulted in its becoming an important tourist centre in Central Europe. Read more about Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, situated on both banks of the river Danube, with its 346 river cruise ships (2019). Originally with the cities of Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank, it became a single city with their unification in 1873. The city’s rich and colourful history, its extensive World Heritage Site including the Danube River banks, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and the Millennium Underground Railway, have resulted in its becoming an important tourist centre in Central Europe. Read more about Budapest, Hungary

Kalocsa is a town in Bacs-Kiskun county, Hungary, approximately 120 km south of Budapest. It is one of the oldest towns in Hungary with several buildings from the 18th Century. Amongst its historical buildings are a fine cathedral, and the archiepiscopal palace - both from the 18th C - as well as an astronomical observatory, a seminary and colleges, all of which attract visitors. Read more about Kalocsa, Hungary

Vukovar is a city and municipality in eastern Croatia. Located at the junction of the Vuka River and the Danube, it is the largest Croatian town and river port. It is famous for the heroic battle in the Patriotic war and the unprecedented devastation it caused. Read more about Vukovar, Croatia

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia, lying on two international waterways at the junction of the Sava and Danube rivers. Here is found the statue of Pobednik (Winner), one of the symbols of Belgrade. It is also the second largest city on the Danube River and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Read more about Belgrade, Serbia

Donji Milanovac, a picturesque town in eastern Serbia, is nestled along the banks of the Danube River within the stunning Derdap National Park. Known as the gateway to the Iron Gates gorge, the town offers breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs and serene waters. Rich in history, Donji Milanovac is close to the archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, one of Europe's oldest settlements. Read more about Donji Milanovac, Serbia

Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube River in NW Bulgaria. Renowned for its availability of mineral water, it is also one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube Bank, and is a starting point for excursions along the Danube. An agricultural and trade centre, Vidin has a fertile hinterland renowned for its wines. Read more about Vidin, Bulgaria

Rousse - aka Ruse, Russe - in NE Bulgaria lies on the right bank of the Danube River, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu. An important cultural, commercial and industrial centre, it is often called Little Vienna as it has become the most important Bulgarian river port. With more than 290 monuments and its preserved buildings from the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries, it is also ‘easy visiting’ as most of the sights, such as the old city that constitutes the square around the city’s Historical Museum, are located in the centre of the city. Read more about Rousse, Bulgaria

Bucharest, located on the banks of the Dambovita River, is the capital city of Romania and its largest city. The city boasts wide, tree-lined boulevards and a range of architectural styles including Historical, Art Deco, as well as on-going Modern. Finding a 300 year old church, a steel-and-glass office building and Communist-era high rise apartment blocks next to one another is a common sight. Read more about Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, located on the banks of the Dambovita River, is the capital city of Romania and its largest city. The city boasts wide, tree-lined boulevards and a range of architectural styles including Historical, Art Deco, as well as on-going Modern. Finding a 300 year old church, a steel-and-glass office building and Communist-era high rise apartment blocks next to one another is a common sight. Read more about Bucharest, Romania