avalon waterways river cruise - ms tranquility

Jewels of Central Europe River Cruise

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

All inclusive prices starting at: $7291

Sail along the Moselle, Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers and through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and Main-Danube Canal on this remarkable holiday. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with inside visits to a wine cellar in Bernkastel, Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim, the Residenz in Wurzburg, the Old Chapel in Regensburg, the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and Fishermen’s Bastion in Budapest. Also stop along the Romantic Road in medieval Rothenburg, travel by high-speed TGV train between Paris and Metz, and attend a baking demonstration in Miltenberg.

Itinerary

Day 1 PARIS, FRANCE. Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!
Day 2 PARIS. 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, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows.
Day 3 PARIS – TRIER, GERMANY (EMBARKATION). This morning, board a HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Metz. From here, drive to Trier in Germany. This venerable Episcopal city 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 centre. See the highlights on your included tour. It is here that your river cruise vessel is docked on the Moselle River. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. 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.
Day 4 BERNKASTEL. In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKET PLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region’s varietals.
Day 5 COCHEM – KOBLENZ. 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. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre 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.
Day 6 RHINE GORGE – RUDESHEIM. 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. Rudesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town and SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs.
Day 7 MILTENBERG. 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 splendour of the Merchant Hall. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty.
Day 8 WURZBURG. Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”, Wurzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 9 BAMBERG. Another beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site 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.
Day 10 NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO ROTHENBURG.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 favourite of the towns along the Romantic Road.
Day 11 NUREMBERG. 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 its famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working.
Day 12 REGENSBURG. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights included in your tour are the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL, and the 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 centres. Before dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS.
Day 13 PASSAU – LINZ, AUSTRIA. 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. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port.
Day 14 MELK – VIENNA. Melk’s magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening, arrive in Vienna, known as the “City of Music,” which inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. An optional concert is available tonight.
Day 15 VIENNA. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s capital 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’ll enjoy during your city tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savour each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Karntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood cafe.
Day 16 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect 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.
Day 17 BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION). Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.

 Departure Dates and Prices

April 2010

Ship Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
MS Tranquility 23 Apr 2010 9 May 2010 $7571 AUD

 June 2010

Ship Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
MS Tranquility 4 Jun 2010 20 Jun 2010 $7711 AUD

 July 2010

Ship Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
MS Tranquility 16 Jul 2010 1 Aug 2010 $7711 AUD

 August 2010

Ship Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
MS Tranquility 27 Aug 2010 12 Sep 2010 $8061 AUD

 October 2010

Ship Start Date End Date Land Price (per person – twin share)
MS Tranquility 8 Oct 2010 24 Oct 2010 $7291 AUD

 UPGRADING CABINS

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

Category Deck Price
B Sapphire Deck $1398 AUD
A Sapphire Deck $1538 AUD
P Royal Deck $1818 AUD
Jr. Suite Royal Deck $3358 AUD

 

About The Avalon Waterways River Cruise Experience