Tour Itinerary

Day 1

This morning you will depart Ottawa for your trip to New York. You will be overnighting in Manhattan before starting your cruise. You will pack an overnight bag for night as your large checked bag will stay on the coach.

Day 2

This morning the magic begins with a guided tour of New York City. Your local tour guide, a knowledgeable New Yorker, will take you through the city giving you a chance to see some of the fabulous sites that have made this city a cosmopolitan gem. After the tour you’ll be taken to the port for embarkation. Your ship, the Norwegian Bliss, sails today at 3:00pm.

Day 3

Leisurely spent at sea
There are plenty of activities aboard the Norwegian Bliss to entertain everyone or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Day 4

Leisurely spent at sea.

Day 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico
This morning you arrive in San Juan. Founded in 1521 San Juan’s picturesque cobblestone streets, plazas and churches reflect its Spanish heritage. This, the second oldest city in the Americas, boasts fine beaches, lush rainforests, green mountainsides and an imposing fortress.

Day 6

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
The town of Charlotte Amalie in the Virgin Islands has one of the most breathtaking harbours in the world. Once home to pirates, today’s visitors find treasures of a different kind. Duty free shopping and beautiful beaches are now the claim to fame of this island paradise.

Day 7

Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands. Here you will be able to swim or stroll the white-sand beaches, explore ancient ruins or try the delectable local cuisine. Shopping is also a big part of life in Tortola.

Day 8

Philipsburg, St Maarten
With an area of only 37 square miles, the island of St. Maarten is the smallest landmass in the world divided between two governments. The southern Dutch half offers casinos, duty free shopping and a unique island culture. The French half offers a subdued sophistication that is also attractive to tourists.

Day 9

Basseterre, St. Kitts
Although founded by the French in 1627, St. Kitts is a very British paradise where cricket and tea are the norm. The dramatic mixed island landscape is rimmed in gold-sand beaches and dotted with well-preserved plantations left over from when the island was covered with sugar cane.

Day 10

Castries, St. Lucia
A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with thriving coral reefs and rain forest preserves. Explore the world’s only drive-in volcanic crater at Sulfur Springs. Visit the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Falls and the Morne Coubaril Estate.

Day 11

Bridgetown, Barbados
The most British of all the Caribbean islands, games of cricket are as common here as the typical island water sports. Visit the third-oldest Parliament in the entire Commonwealth. Stroll the inviting beaches of Carlisle Bay, tour a rum factory, or visit the historical Garrison area. Bridgetown is the only city outside continental North America that George Washington visited. The George Washington House, where he stayed, is now part of the Garrison Historic Area.

Day 12

St John’s, Antigua
Bask in the grand sight of the city’s skyline, dominated by the white baroque towers of St. John’s Cathedral. Sample local cuisines, visit the Botanical Garden, witness the magnificent Antigua Lighthouse, the historical Fort James and much more as you discover this grand city.

Day 13-15

Leisurely spent at sea.

Day 16

New York to Ottawa- This morning the Bliss will arrive back in New York. After breakfast we will meet as a group and disembark the ship, where we will be met by our motor coach and begin your journey back to Ottawa, with a stop enroute for lunch. You can expect to arrive in Ottawa about 8:00 in the evening.

Cruise itinerary is subject to change by cruise line.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Ottawa on your scheduled flight(s) to Budapest. Dinner and a light breakfast are served onboard. (D)

Day 2

Budapest, Hungary

Arrive in Budapest, then transfer to your ship. After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or do a bit of exploring. Tonight, return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (D)

Day 3

Budapest, Hungary

Today we visit highlights of the hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest sides of the city, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch on board your ship; the rest of the day is yours to explore the city. You may choose to join us on an optional excursion to experience the thermal springs, restorative natural spas whose waters locals have bathed in for centuries. Or, perhaps select another of our optional excursions designed to allow you to delve deeper into the history, culture and cuisine of this fascinating city. Return to your ship for dinner and evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 4

Vienna, Austria

Enjoy a day of scenic cruising along the beautiful Danube toward Vienna. As we sail, perhaps join this morning’s German language lesson to learn a few key words and phrases. You may also choose to attend an afternoon presentation on Viennese coffee houses. We arrive early this evening. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)

Day 5

Vienna, Austria

Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Alternately, you may wish to join us on one of the day’s optional excursions, perhaps touring Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” visiting the Spanish Riding School’s famed Lipizzaner stallions, or celebrating a local tradition this evening at a high-spirited Heurigen dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 6

Melk, Austria

Today, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. See its wonderful frescoes and admire the comprehensive collection of medieval manuscripts in its library. Rejoin your ship and cruise through dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 7

Passau, Germany

Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. Admire the New Bishop’s Residence and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ.† Enjoy lunch on board your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing. Alternately, set out this morning with your guide to enjoy a full-day optional tour of picturesque Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and setting of The Sound of Music. We cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 8

Regensburg, Germany

Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter’s Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Würstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant. Alternately, you may choose to disembark this morning and drive with your guide to Munich for an optional full-day tour of this cultural and historic city, rejoining your ship before our evening departure. Cruise through dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 9

Nuremberg, Germany

Cruise the Main–Danube Canal this morning. Or, instead, disembark in Roth for a short drive to Nuremberg and use your free time to explore until lunchtime. After lunch, venture out on a tour of the city. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s, and see the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. See the Old Town area as you walk past the Albrecht Dürer House and Main Market Square. Alternately, you may choose to join an optional afternoon World War II tour including the illuminating Documentation Center. Dinner is served on board your ship before we depart late this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 10

Bamburg, Germany

Continue along the Main–Danube Canal this morning, arriving in Bamberg in early afternoon. Enjoy a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take some free time to enjoy Bamberg and sample some of the town’s distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning on board. (B, L, D)

Day 11

Würzburg, Germany

Today, enjoy an onboard lunch, then tour Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or, you may choose to disembark this morning to experience an optional full-day journey along Germany’s picturesque “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, with its turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. Upon returning to Würzburg, enjoy a tour of the Bishops’ Residenz before rejoining your ship for dinner and an evening glassblowing demonstration. (B, L, D)

Day 12

Wertheim, Germany

Wertheim is located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. During your morning walking tour, experience life in a typical small German town. Stop in a bakery and a butcher shop, and learn about Wertheim’s glassblowing tradition. Enjoy free time to explore before returning to your ship for lunch. Alternately, depart this morning on an all-day optional excursion that offers a rare glimpse into noble life, enjoying Privileged Access visits to two very different castles: Schloss Mespelbrunn and Schloss Löwenstein. (B, L, D)

Day 13

Koblenz, Germany

Today, we cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine; this stunning stretch of the river is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river’s narrowest point; the rock is named after a legendary Rhine Maiden who lured sailors to their demise. This afternoon, we’ll stop to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. Rejoin your ship in Koblenz and dine on board. (B, L, D)

Day 14

Cologne, Germany

Arrive in Cologne during breakfast, then disembark for a tour of Germany’s fourth largest city. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and visit the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your free time enjoying Cologne’s atmospheric waterfront, or perhaps join an optional excursion on which you will ascend to the Dom’s roof for up-close views of the cathedral’s architecture and bird’s-eye vistas of Cologne. Afterward, return on board for dinner. Alternately, you may set off on an optional excursion to explore Cologne’s spirited beer culture, sampling Kölsch, a light, crisp beer brewed only in Cologne, and enjoying a brauhaus dinner. After, return to your ship for a late-evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 15

Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

We sail along the Rhine during the morning hours. Admire scenic views and enjoy a morning of enjoyable Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. This afternoon, your ship arrives in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Disembark for an afternoon tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Board your ship for departure and dinner. Arrive in Amsterdam around midnight. (B, L, D)

Day 16

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.

*Itinerary always subject to change*

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Ottawa-Denver

Your holiday begins with your flights to Denver.  Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.  The balance of the day will be at your leisure.

Day 2: Denver-Rapid City

Leaving Denver, you will make your way to Rapid City. Along the way we’ll make a stop at Hot Springs. The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs is the world’s largest mammoth research facility. You will be able to tour an active paleontological dig site and view ice age fossils that are exhibited as they were found. An authentic western dinner at the Circle B Chuckwagon Ranch is included tonight.

Day 3: Rapid City

After breakfast you will be joined by a professional local guide for a visit to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. Your guide will explain the history of this monument and the people behind its development. Your guide will also take you to visit The Crazy Horse Memorial, the largest memorial of its type in North America. In the afternoon you will visit Custer State Park famous for its granite spires and buffalo herds. In the evening you will return to Mt. Rushmore for the spectacular lighting ceremony of its renowned mountain face.

Day 4: Rapid City-Deadwood

Today will lead you into the heart of gold country in the black hills. You will learn about how the gold was discovered and the unique process for refining the gold into Jewelry. You will have ample time to stroll the main street of Rapid City and enjoy it ambiance before you head to the old west town of Deadwood, resting place of some of the west’s most iconic characters such as Wild Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, and Potato Creek Johnny. Your journey will also include a trip to Tatanka. Tatanka is home of the world’s third largest bronze sculpture. It tells the story of the more than 60 million bison that once roamed the Great Plains and the lifestyle of the American Indians that lived in the area.

Day 5: Deadwood-Cody

From Deadwood you will head to the Devil’s Tower National Monument. This 1267 foor tower is the core of a volcano that has been exposed after millions of years of erosion. It is famous as a backdrop to the 1977 film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” After a short, optional trek around the monument (under 2 km ) we will start our journey to Cody. Traveling through Sundance and Buffalo (lunch stop) we reach our final destination of Cody. After we check into the hotel, we can then stroll the main street with for dinner and the evening on our own.

Day 6: Cody

After breakfast you will begin your journey into the Bighorn Mountains with a stop at Shell Falls in Bighorn National Forest. You will then enter Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first and one of the largest national parks in the world. Your visit through the park will include several stops and photo opportunities.

Day 7: Cody

Our full day in Yellowstone Park will begin with a visit to Yellowstone Lake. From Yellowstone Lake you will then visit and enjoy the magnificent views of the “Grand Canyon of Yellowstone” in the canyon district. It will then be on to “Mammoth Country” to view the spectacular Mammoth Hot Springs. These springs were created by the long time build up of minerals.

Day 8: Jackson Hole

Your adventure at Yellowstone continues with a visit to “Geyser Country”. Here you will have a chance to see and marvel at Old Faithful , which erupts every 80 minutes. You then travel south to Grand Teton National Park. The park is named after Grand Teton which at 13,770 ft is the highest mountain in the Teton mountain range. This glaciated mountain range is composed by a series of “horns” making the Tetons a textbook example of alpine topography. It is also considered one of the most beautiful

parts of the Rockies and is a photographer’s dream. We spend our last night in this rugged country at historic Jackson Hole.

Day 9: Jackson-Salt Lake City

After breakfast you will make your way to Salt Lake City travelling through Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. Salt Lake lies in a mountain valley with the Wasatch Range to the east and north. The Oquirrh Mountains border the western edge of the valley. While in Salt Lake you will enjoy a tour including the Great Salt Lake, the State Capitol, Temple Square and the Brigham Young Statue.

Day 10: Salt Lake City

Your day will be at leisure in Salt Lake City and you will never run out of things to do. You may wish to spend some time at Temple Square, visit the Olympic sites or possibly take a carriage ride. If you want to include a cultural experience that is uniquely Salt Lake, add some genealogy to your vacation. Experts at the Family Search Center will be happy to start you on your road to discovery. Shopping is always an option and the shopping is terrific.

Day 11: Salt Lake City-Ottawa

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your return flights back to Ottawa.

Please note that travel times are approximate and will fluctuate with traffic conditions. Travel times do not include time allocated for sightseeing stops.