Central European Experience 2010 (Paris to Prague)

Day 1: Depart
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2: Paris, France
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!

Day 3: 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, 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. (B)

Day 4: 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 center. 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. (B,D)

Day 5: 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. (B,L,D)

Day 6: 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 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. (B,L,D)

Day 7: 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. Rüdesheim 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. (B,L,D)

Day 8: 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 splendor of the Merchant Hall shown to you during your guided walk. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Wurzburg
Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D)

Day 10: 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. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Nuremberg (Disembarkation) - Prague, Czech Republic
Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the “Golden City.” (B)

Day 12: Prague
Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. It straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. See its best-known treasures such as the Old Town’s ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for things to do. (B)

Day 13: Prague
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

• Paris: Guided sightseeing
• Paris-Metz or Metz-Paris: By high-speed TGV train.
• Trier: Guided sightseeing, Porta Nigra
• Bernkastel: Guided walk, local marketplace; visit a wine cellar
• Cochem: Visit Reichsburg Castle
• Rüdesheim: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
• Miltenberg: Guided sightseeing; baking demonstration
• Würzburg: Guided sightseeing, visit the Residenz
• Bamberg: Guided sightseeing, Old Town Hall
• Prague: Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit Hradcany Castle

Discover the magnificent Moselle, Rhine, and Main Rivers, as well as the fascinating Main Danube Canal, on this splendid Central Europe river cruise. Enjoy exploring Paris, Prague, Würzburg, and Bamberg. Visit Reichsburg Castle above Cochem; sample the area’s famed Riesling wines in a local wine cellar in Bernkastel; and marvel at Miltenberg’s half-timbered houses.

• Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Prague; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner
• Quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner
• One sitting with open seating arrangements

Paris: Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF) or Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF)
Prague: Hilton (SF)
Cruising: A Category E outside cabin on the Indigo Deck onboard the Avalon Tranquility

Extra nights per person in Paris:
in single room $440, in twin room $259

Extra nights per person in Prague:
Departures 04.22-06.03 & 10.07: in single room $420, in twin room $224
Departure 07.15-08.26: in single room $267, in twin room $150

Cruise-Only Option From $2,239
Day 4 Trier, Germany (Embarkation) - Day 11 Nuremberg (Disembarkation)

Cruise-only option allows you to participate in just the river cruise portion of the vacation, removing the overnight stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary. Ask your Travel Consultant for details at the time of booking.

• Oberammergau Cruise Extension (WI), 3 nights, starting from $2,140 per person, land only
  
  Day 1 Arrival in Innsbruck, Austria. (Sun.)
  Transfers from Nuremberg port, Munich airport, or by scenic Railjet Train from Switzerland to Innsbruck are available. At 6 pm, meet your Avalon Host for a welcome briefing at the hotel.
  
  Day 2 Innsbruck-Garmisch Area, Germany. (Mon.)
  Enjoy a morning sightseeing walk of Innsbruck with a Local Guide, and visit ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL and the HOFKIRCHE. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore Innsbruck on your own, or take an optional excursion to the Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens. A late-afternoon transfer will take you to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area for a 2-night stay. (B,D)
  
  Day 3 Garmisch Area-Oberammergau. (Tue.)
  The morning is free to explore on your own, or you may take an optional excursion to visit one of King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s castles. After an early lunch, transfer to Oberammergau for the highlight of the vacation: the original PASSION PLAY. Dinner will be served during intermission. A lateevening transfer will take you back to the Garmisch area. (B,L,D)
  
  Day 4 Garmisch Area-Munich. (Wed.)
  This morning, depart for Germany’s lively city—Munich. Transfer to Munich Airport is available. If you are continuing on one of Avalon’s cruises starting in Nuremberg, an afternoon transfer will take you to your ship for embarkation. (B)
  
  What’s Included: Passion Play tickets, Meals: 3 buffet breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 2 dinners (D), Welcome Briefing, Services of a professional Avalon Host, Guided sightseeing in Innsbruck, Inside visit of St. James Cathedral and the Hofkirche
  
  Superior Hotels:
  Innsbruck: The Hilton Innsbruck
  Garmisch Area: Hotel Alpenhof

• 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 and the sightseeing tour of Trier may not be possible.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $98 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• Please call for single accommodation pricing. Triples not available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more details.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.