Take an International flight departing from SYD/MEL to Vienna.

Upon arrival at the Vienna Airport, you will be met and greeted by our representative and be transferred to your hotel for a restful and leisurely day.

Hotel: Ibis Vienna Airport or similar

From Vienna, it's on to another Austrian gem, Mondsee. Mondsee is a town located on the shore of Lake Mondsee. The town is home to the historic medieval Mondsee Abbey. The cloister church was used for the site of the wedding in The Sound of Music. After lunch, you will continue to cross the German border to Munich. After arriving in Munich, you'll visit the Marienplatz and the New Town Hall. Marienplatz is a central square in the city center of Munich since 1158. The New Town Hall is in the northern part of Marienplatz. It hosts the city government, including the city council, offices of the mayors, and part of the administration since 1874. Or you can enjoy a German beer in one of the beer gardens before going to the hotel.

Hotel: Tulip Inn München Messe or similar

You’ll leave the big cities behind today. Before you head for one of the world’s most famous mountain ranges – the Swiss Alps – you will make a photo stop in one of the smallest countries in Europe – Liechtenstein. The small picturesque city Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein with little boutique shops and the famous Huber shop for all your fine jewelry and watches. The next destination is Engelberg, the stunning Swiss resort. From here you can opt to board a cable car that takes you to the summit of the impressive Mount Titlis. To reach the top of the permanently snow-covered Mt. Titlis you take three different gondolas.

You’ll ascend the last stage by the world’s first revolving gondola, the Titlis Rotair, which delivers spectacular views of the valleys, glaciers, lakes and forests below, and 360˚ vistas of the surrounding mountains. At the summit, the sun terrace is the perfect place to pause and appreciate the breathtaking panoramas. Other highlights include walking across Europe’s highest suspension bridge for more phenomenal views from Mt. Titlis.

Your next destination is Lucerne. Lucerne is a picturesque city of bridges and towers located in what many people believe to be the “true” Switzerland – picture-postcard mountains, lakes, cowbells, Alpine villages, and meadows full of edelweiss flowers. Here you will have time to wander through the charming streets and see the famous Lion Monument, which Mark Twain once described as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world". This is a great place to get souvenirs like Swiss watches and fine chocolates before traveling to the overnight stop in Zurich.

Hotel: Harry's Home Zurich-Wallisellen or similar

Today begins in Zurich, a city with a reputation as a leading global financial center. There might be a picture stop at the impressive Lake Zurich, before moving on to Rhine Falls, Europe's biggest waterfall. Next, you'll cross back into Germany and the Black Forest, the ancient fir-covered mountain range, which is famous for its creepy folklore and mythical tales. Here you will see the beautiful Lake Titisee, where you can stop at one of the many lakeside cafes to enjoy some of the region's best Black Forest cherry gateaux. Cuckoo clocks are made in Titisee, making this the ideal place to pick up a few souvenirs from the local shops, and you'll also get to see a demonstration of how these magical mechanisms work. Finally, you'll head back to Frankfurt.

Hotel: NH Frankfurt Airport West or similar

After boarding the luxury coach in Frankfurt, sit back and enjoy a scenic ride through some classic German countryside en route to the Czech Republic. Prague, one of Europe's most ornate cities, is your first destination. You will arrive in the evening, ready to discover this charming capital city with its fairy-tale architecture.

Hotel: Best Western Amedia Prague or similar.

After breakfast, your Prague adventure begins with a spectacular walk along the Royal Route, following the traditional coronation path of the kings and queens of old Bohemia. You’ll start from the top of Castle Hill in the Hradcany district, famous for its views over the red-roofed old city, and then tour Prague Castle. The castle has been the historic seat of Bohemia royalty since the 9th century, as well as home to the nation's presidents in recent times. Your exploration then heads off around the imposing Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica and along Golden Lane, an ancient thoroughfare lined with some wonderful traditional buildings. Later, you will stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge, which arches gracefully over the Vltava, and on through the winding alleys to the Old Town Square, where you can see the City Hall and one of Prague's most well-known sights, the Astronomical Clock. After lunch in the square, you'll make the scenic transfer from Prague to the hotel in or near the Slovakian capital, Bratislava.

Hotel: Vienna House Easy Chopin or similar

After breakfast, you will arrive in Hungary. Its capital, Budapest, is known as the Pearl of the Danube. It is essentially two different cities joined together: Buda is on the west of the river, and Pest on the east, each with its own distinct characteristics. One of the best ways of seeing this unique location is by taking a river cruise, which many people choose to do. After a morning of activity, you'll relax over lunch at Buda Palace, and then have a chance to look at the exhibitions in the Budapest History Museum and Hungarian National Gallery or do a spot of souvenir shopping. Next, you'll explore both sides of the city on a cultural and historic tour. Highlights on the Buda side of the Danube include the towered terrace of Fisherman's Bastion, the medieval Matthias Church and a walk up to the summit of Gellért Hill for panoramic views. While over in Pest, the sights include the expansive Hers' Square and Hungary's dramatic riverside Parliament Building. In the evening, you can choose to round off an eventful day with an optional dinner in the heart of Budapest, where you can sample traditional dishes such as goose liver, goulash, duck leg and local wine, accompanied by Hungarian folk dance and music.

Hotel: Ibis Styles Budapest City West or similar

After breakfast, start with a short journey to another of Europe's grand capitals, Vienna, where you'll get to explore the Austrian city's resplendent palaces, striking churches, and prestigious art museums. Your Vienna adventure begins at one of the city's most popular attractions, Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo-style summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of Europe and the Church for many decades. After lunch in this refined setting, you will take a driving tour past many grand, famous buildings, including the City Hall, the Austrian Parliament, Hofburg Palace, and Hers' Square. In the afternoon, you'll have some shopping time before adding the Wiener Staatsoper (opera house) to your checklist of key Vienna buildings. Later, opt for dinner in the heart of the city or visit St. Stephen's Cathedral before taking a stroll in Stadtpark, which is known for its range of sculptures, including the famous gilded bronze statue of Johann Strauss II. In the evening, we recommend the option of attending a Viennese waltz concert, which will allow you the unforgettable experience of hearing the music of Mozart and Strauss in the place where it was composed.

Hotel: Hotel ibis Vienna Airport or similar.

Take a short interstate flight from Vienna to Barcelona. Upon arrival, transfer to the cruise terminal to check in and embark on the newest as well as one of the biggest luxury ships, MSC World Europa.

When cruising southern France, you should know that Marseille is the most renowned and populated metropolitan area in the country after Paris and Lyon. When you disembark from your MSC cruise ship, the cafes around the Vieux Port, where glistening fish are sold straight off the boats on Quai des Beiges, are wonderful spots to observe the city's street life.

Particularly good in the afternoon is the north (Le Panier) side, where the terraces are sunnier and the views are better. The best view of the Vieux Port is from the Palais du Pharo, on the headland beyond Fort St. Nicolas, or, for a wider angle, from Notre- Dame de la Garde, the city's Second Empire landmark atop the La Garde hill. To the north of the Vieux Port is the oldest part of Marseille, Le Panier, where up until the last war, tiny streets, steep steps of Mediterranean introduction, and houses of every era formed a Vieille Ville typical of the Cote.

Genoa is marvelously eclectic, vibrant, and full of rough-edged style. Indeed, it is "La Superba" (The Superb), as it was known at the height of its authority as a Mediterranean superpower. It boasts more zest and intrigue than all the surrounding coastal resorts put together. During a holiday in Genoa, you can explore its old town, a dense and fascinating warren of medieval alleyways home to large palazzi built in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Genoa's wealthy mercantile families and now transformed into museums and art galleries.

You should seek out the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Renaissance palaces of Via Garibaldi which contain the cream of Genoa's art collections, as well as furniture and decor from the grandest days of the city's past when its ships sailed to all corners of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Acquario di Genova is the city's pride and joy, parked like a giant ocean liner on the waterfront, with seventy tanks housing sea creatures from all the world's major habitats, including the world's biggest reconstruction of a Caribbean coral reef. It's a great aquarium by any standards, the second largest in Europe by capacity, and boasts a fashionably ecology-conscious slant and excellent background information in Italian and English.

Dating back to the 2nd millennium B.C., Naples, an MSC Mediterranean Cruises destination, is one of Italy's ancient jewels. Boasting a vibrant historical centre set around a striking harbour bay, discover architectural landmarks, masterpiece artworks, and sumptuous food. The dormant volcano of Mount Vesuvius offers a picture-postcard backdrop. From the city, travel further afield to the archaeological site of Pompeii or take in Capri's glamorous culture. Discover the archaeological site of Pompeii which lingers in the shadow of majestic Mount Vesuvius. This ancient Roman city was buried under pumice and ash during the volcanic eruption of 79 AD. Today, Pompeii looks frozen in time, offering glimpses of fossilized people, preserved baths, and fabulous frescs.

Messina may well be your first sight of Sicily, the glittering town spread up the hillside beyond its sickle-shaped Mediterranean harbour. On a shore excursion, you can discover Messina's most important monument, the Duomo, which epitomizes the city's phnix-like ability to re-create itself from the ashes of its last disaster. It's the reconstruction of a twelfth-century cathedral erected by Roger 11, one series of great Norman churches of Sicily that include the sumptuous cathedrals of Palermo and Cefalu.

The UNESCO-protected port of Valletta, the capital of the island of Malta, is one of the must-see stops of the Mediterranean cruise. You can admire this port, which was constructed in the second half of the 16th century by the Frenchman Jean de Lavalette and moulded by the religious and military order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Over 300 monuments rising in little more than half a square kilometre make this a place one of the greatest density of historical attractions to visit during a cruise, not to mention other attractions such as its beaches, seaside locales, and restaurants.

One of the best things on the sea day is to fully experience the MSC World Europa. Enjoy exclusive world- class shows performed in innovative venues.

As well as the Carousel Lounge, multi-purpose karaoke bar, comedy club, and bars. Everyone can enjoy hours of fun in one of the most intricate and exciting waterparks at sea. The Atmosphere Pool, with its beautiful lighting, a giant screen, and an atmospheric design makes the pool area even more alluring after the sunset. The Aurea Spa is also rated the best on board.

It comes till the end of the unforgettable holidays in Europe. After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and you will be arranged to transfer to BCN Airport to depart back to Sydney/Melbourne. Arrive in Australia on the Day 18. (Stay behind in Europe can be arranged)