HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS ON THIS AVALON DAUBE RIVER CRUISE
9 DAYS FROM VIENNA TO PRAGUE
Enjoy the festive atmosphere from Vienna to Prague and all along the legendary Danube on this enchanting river cruise vacation. Enjoy guided sightseeing in each city and delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of centuries-old Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Nuremberg, and Prague. Be sure to sample the Glühwein, Lebkuchen, and other traditional holiday specialties! Other highlights include a guided visit of the amazing Benedictine Abbey in Melk, a fun beer tasting, and a visit of the magnificent Hradcany Castle grounds in Prague. What a fantastic way to start your holiday season!
Day-By-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arrive In Vienna, Austria (Embarkation)
Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. This afternoon, board your cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception. (Dinner)
NOTE:
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Day 2Vienna
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, this is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boy’s Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House; and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral—plus, countless other sights you’ll see on your GUIDED TOUR. Visit the delightful Christmas market and savor the sounds and smells of holiday cheer. Be sure to enjoy a piece of decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in one of the classic coffee houses, historic institutions that helped shape Viennese culture! An optional concert is available tonight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
TWO OPTIONAL EXCURSION
ROYAL WALTZ CONCERT Would a stay in Vienna be the same if you were not able to listen to the tunes of the "Blue Danube Waltz" or the "Radetzky" March? Your Cruise Director will accompany you to one of Vienna's famous Concert Halls. Avalon will make preferred seating arrangements. Celebrate this evening in style, listen to the famous tunes brought to you by opera singers and watch the elegant ballet dancers as they interpret some of the most well known classical tunes from Vienna.
Approximate value: €51 EUR per person
SCHÖNBRUNN IMPERIAL PALACE IN WINTER Schonbrunn, the former summer residence of the Imperial family, is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. The Habsburgs resided here for the better part of the year in numerous rooms to house the large Imperial family in addition to representational rooms. Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO's cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings. Follow our local expert and visit Empress Sisi's former summer residence, and admire the imperial Christmas Market in front of the Palace.
Approximate value: €48 EUR per person
Day 3Dürnstein–Melk
During breakfast this morning, arrive in Dürnstein in the heart of the Wachau wine region and known for the magnificent baroque, blue Stiftskirche. The main street of this small town is lined with 16th-century residences and charming cobblestone lanes. A Local Guide will take you on a WALKING TOUR and tell you the tale of England’s King Richard the Lionheart, who was imprisoned in the castle whose ruins still stand above the town. Then, sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk in the early afternoon. The magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. You’ll be captivated by the splendor of the church with its frescoed ceilings. This evening you’ll be able to sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of this region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4Linz–Passau, Germany
Linz, Austria’s third-largest city, is situated on both banks of the Danube, and is a busy river port. Depart from here for an optional full-day excursion to Salzburg to see the popular Sound of Music sites, find out how mice caused the composition of the famous Silent Night carol, and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas. Rejoin your ship in Passau in the early evening or stay on board and relax as you cruise to Passau, located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge. Passau is a maze of cobblestone streets, lined with beautiful patrician houses. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the world’s largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Take in the highlights on the included GUIDED WALK. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
ENJOY THIS OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO SALZBURG
SALZBURG IN CHRISTMAS MOOD True, Salzburg is the birth-place of Mozart and you will find the face of the city's most famous son everywhere. Salzburg is also the setting for the Sound of Music movie, which has shaped the city's perception in the minds of generations. But Salzburg is much more. It is a city with history based on the salt trade from the nearby Alpine Mountains- it is a city of beautiful baroque buildings, and a city perched between the mountains and green waters of the Salzach River. Salzburg has a long cultural heritage and in the small busy lanes like the "Getreidegasse" with its wrought iron signs you might get a feeling, how busy this city always was. Today we would like to show you Salzburg and its past; as well as teaching you some Austrian customs. We will stop in Oberndorf to see the chapel, where the world`s best- known Christmas carol was performed for the first time. Finally let our local experts take you on a little tasting of Austrian pre-Christmas specialties. Find out what it takes to be Austrian and to live in this country today, and how we celebrate Christmas.
Approximate value: €69 EUR per person
Day 5Regensburg
Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. The only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of “historic interest.” Architectural highlights included on your GUIDED WALK are the 13th-century Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Walk across the 12th-century Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in Germany. Grab a beer and enjoy an included SNACK at the Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germany’s oldest restaurants. The afternoon is free to visit the Regensburg Christmas market. The tempting aromas of mulled wine, sausage, roasted almonds, and gingerbread create a memorable atmosphere. Before dinner tonight we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6Nuremberg
Spend a relaxing morning cruising, and before lunch, attend an interesting ONBOARD LECTURE about the engineering marvel that is the Main Danube Canal. The afternoon is dedicated to Nuremberg. Although 90% of its Old Town suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it has been restored to the glory it once knew as the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Choose from an included GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR and marvel at the city’s medieval fortifications, gothic churches, and Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), or join a “NUREMBERG TRIALS” tour. The Old Town is illuminated with festive lights, and the Christmas market is one of the biggest in Germany, featuring 200 stalls selling traditional wares and foods. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7Nuremberg (Disembarkation)–Prague, Czech Republic
After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew and travel by motorcoach to Prague, the “Golden City.” (Breakfast)
Day 8Prague
Prague is a 1,200-year-old city preserved in time. See its Astronomical Clock, built in 1410 and once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge, the oldest bridge in Prague. Browse the Christmas market’s brightly decorated wooden huts, which sell Christmas ornaments and decorations, handcrafted wooden toys, and other Czech crafts. Get a little inner warmth with a cup of svarene vino (hot mulled wine) and a traditional hot sausage. The beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the Old Town is an impressive sight. (Breakfast)
TWO OPTIONAL PRAGUE EXCURSIONS
INNER AND FOLKLORE SHOW The Czech have their way of fun where food, drinks and traditions are coming together. On long rows of tables you will be served the traditional hearty Czech cuisine where the drinks and the laughter flow. On the small stage musicians will play on the hammer-dulcimer, the fujara (shepherd's flute) and the bag-pipe, all part of their musical heritage. The performers in their traditional costumes will treat you to local dances and their folk songs from Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia, which will impress you. Experience excellent dancers, vibrant music and collect wonderful memories of your trip to Prague. Join in for an evening of food and fun in one of Prague's typical restaurants, a Czech traditional 3-course dinner with drinks; guide services and transportation are all included.
Approximate value: €57 EUR per person
PRAGUE'S SECRETS REVEALED This tour will add to the included city tour as it is quite possible to escape the touristy side of Prague and just as before, it requires knowing just which street to turn down or even which unsigned walkway to pass. Knowing where to turn from the Old Town Square, you can leave all the crowds behind and find yourself shockingly alone in a twisting Medieval street, quiet as can be - with only the sound of your shoes clicking against the cobblestones or a tram swooshing by a few streets away. And in this street, it's also still possible to find the most interesting places when you least expect them. The houses and doors often look the same from the outside. To the naked eye, the street may even seem residential. There are no big flashing lights pointing out the history that lies behind these facades of Prague. It needs a local expert, who shows you these secrets and tell you the stories of what happened here and there. Prague Secrets Tour leads us to the Charles Bridge and Mala Strana, which according to the locals is Prague's most romantic and picturesque part of the protected city center.
Approximate value: €23 EUR per person
Day 9Prague
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Your fare: From $2319 per person/double occupancy.
For further information please contact your travel professional or me at Corporate Travel Center at (800) 870-9345 or e-mail me at Jeannesblog@aol.com.