avalon jewels of central europe

Overview

Sail along the Danube, Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers and through the Main Danube Canal and dramatic Rhine Gorge on this remarkable river cruise vacation. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with inside visits of Fishermen’s Bastion in Budapest, Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, the Bishop’s Residenz in Würzburg, Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in charming Rüdesheim, and Reichsburg Castle in Cochem. Also participate in a beer tasting in Regensburg, attend a traditional baking demonstration in the pretty Bavarian village of Miltenberg, stop along the Romantic Road in medieval Rothenburg, and travel by high-speed TGV train to Paris, where your vacation concludes with two overnights, guided sightseeing, and plenty of free time to explore the “City of Light” at your own pace!

CRUISE:

Deluxe 14-night cruise from Budapest to Remich in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

BUDAPEST:

Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion; welcome reception

VIENNA:

Guided sightseeing

DÜRNSTEIN:

Guided walk, see the Stiftskirche

MELK:

Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; wine tasting

PASSAU:

Guided sightseeing

REGENSBURG:

Guided sightseeing

MAIN DANUBE CANAL:

Cruise in the canal

NUREMBERG:

Guided sightseeing; beer tasting

ROTHENBURG:

Guided sightseeing, see the Glockenspiel

BAMBERG:

Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall

WÜRZBURG:

Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz

MILTENBERG:

Guided sightseeing; baking demonstration

RÜDESHEIM:

Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

RHINE GORGE:

Cruise through the gorge

KOBLENZ:

Guided walk, see the Deutsches Eck

COCHEM:

Visit Reichsburg Castle

TRIER:

Guided sightseeing, see the Porta Nigra

METZ–PARIS:

By high-speed TGV train

PARIS:

Guided sightseeing

Meals – (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

Full buffet breakfast (B) in Budapest and Paris; one lunch (L) during Rothenberg excursion; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day

Hotels

BUDAPEST InterContinental (SF), PARIS Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF)

Notes:

* In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.

* Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

* In the rare event that the high-speed TGV train is unavailable, alternative arrangements will be made.

* Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Budapest, Hungary

(Mon.) Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 2Budapest

(Tue.) Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN’S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (Breakfast)

Day 3Budapest (Embarkation)

(Wed.) This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4Budapest–Vienna, Austria

(Thu.) A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upriver and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the “City of Music,” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5Vienna

(Fri.) Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your city tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6Dürnstein–Melk

(Sat.) Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Continue through the Wachau Valley to Melk, whose magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening you’ll be able to sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of this region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7Linz–Passau, Germany

(Sun.) Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional fullday excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen’s Cathedral houses the world’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8Regensburg

(Mon.) Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall, and Porta Pretoria—gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. It is here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9Nuremberg

(Tue.) Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. After dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10Nuremberg. Excursion to Rothenburg

(Wed.) Medieval Rothenburg is a classical walled city. Its half-timbered houses, the church’s wooden altar carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, and the town square with its Glockenspiel, a tribute to the city’s one-time heroic mayor, all contribute to making this a favorite of the towns along the Romantic Road. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11Bamberg

(Thu.) A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site

The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance

is medieval Bamberg. Your walking tour takes in the breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the river Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12Würzburg

(Fri.) Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13Miltenberg

(Sat.) Located on the Main River, Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and renaissance houses and the gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall, shown to you during your guided walk. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Koblenz

(Sun.) Visit SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM in pretty Rüdesheim. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The Deutsches Eck, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. The Moselle River is some 312-miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and entering Germany at Trier. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15Cochem

(Mon.) Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town of Cochem nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 16Trier–Remich, Luxembourg

(Tue.) The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and still gives access to the town center. This afternoon, cruise to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 17Remich (Disembarkation)–Paris, France

(Wed.) Say goodbye to your crew after breakfast today and travel to Metz to board the HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Paris. (Breakfast)

Day 18Paris

(Thu.) Paris’ famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (Breakfast)

Day 19Paris

(Fri.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE – CATEGORY E

Tour Code – WBR-E

19 days Budapest to Paris
2 nights Budapest, 14 night cruise from Budapest to Trier, 2 nights Paris

Prices are in Australian Dollars
May 2011
Ship Departure No. Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
please call for single prices.
MS Luminary 10530 30 May 2011 17 Jun 2011 $7049 AUD
July 2011
Ship Departure No. Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
please call for single prices.
MS Luminary 10718 18 Jul 2011 5 Aug 2011 $6940 AUD
September 2011
Ship Departure No. Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
please call for single prices.
MS Luminary 10919 19 Sep 2011 7 Oct 2011 $7452 AUD

*The departure date above is based on starting your vacation on day 1 of the itinerary.

UPGRADING CABINS

To upgrade to a higher cabin category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:

Category Deck Price
B Sapphire $1088 AUD
A Sapphire $1197 AUD
P Royal $1415 AUD
Suite Royal $2614 AUD

INCLUDED CHARGES

Type Name Price
REQUIRED Port Charges $224 AUD
REQUIRED Gratuity $ AUD

OPTIONAL CHARGES

Type Name Price
OPTIONAL Drink Package No Alcohol $272 AUD
OPTIONAL Drink Package Alcohol $428 AUD

ACCOMMODATION PRICES

Pre & Post Tour City Start Date End Date Single Price Twin Price
PRE Budapest 20 Apr 2011 26 Jun 2011 $293 AUD $160 AUD
PRE Budapest 13 Jul 2011 11 Sep 2011 $236 AUD $129 AUD
PRE Budapest 14 Sep 2011 10 Nov 2011 $293 AUD $160 AUD
POST Paris 12 May 2011 21 Jun 2011 $596 AUD $304 AUD
POST Paris 30 Jun 2011 4 Jul 2011 $675 AUD $347 AUD
POST Paris 5 Aug 2011 22 Aug 2011 $529 AUD $270 AUD
POST Paris 7 Oct 2011 10 Oct 2011 $675 AUD $347 AUD

Please note triple rooms not available.

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Europe