Jewels of Central Europe 2011 (Budapest to Paris)

Day 1 Arrive in Budapest, Hungary
(Fri.) Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 2 Budapest
(Sat.) 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. (B)

Day 3 Budapest (Embarkation)
(Sun.) This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)

Day 4 Budapest–Vienna, Austria
(Mon.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Vienna
(Tue.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Dürnstein–Melk
(Wed.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Linz–Passau, Germany
(Thu.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Regensburg
(Fri.) 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). (B,L,D)
Day 9 Nuremberg
(Sat.) 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! (B,L,D)

Day 10 Nuremberg. Excursion to Rothenburg
(Sun.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Bamberg
(Mon.) A 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 12 Würzburg
(Tue.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Miltenberg
(Wed.) 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 14 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Koblenz
(Thu.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 15 Cochem
(Fri.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 16 Trier–Remich, Luxembourg
(Sat.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 17 Remich (Disembarkation)–Paris, France
(Sun.) 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. (B)

Day 18 Paris
(Mon.) 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 19 Paris
(Tue) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• 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

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!

• Full buffet breakfast (B) in 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
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• Services of a professional Cruise Director
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Sightseeing with Local Guides
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges, where applicable

Budapest: InterContinental (SF)
Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Luminary
Paris:Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF)

Extra nights per person in Budapest :
Departure May 15: in single room $260, in twin room $142
Departures May 29 and September 18: in single room $260, in twin room $142
Departure July 3 & August 21: in single room $210, in twin room $115
Departure July 17: in single room $210, in twin room $115

Extra nights per person in Paris:
Departure May 15: in single room $530, in twin room $270
Departure May 29: in single room $530, in twin room $270
Departure July 3: in single room $600, in twin room $308
Departure July 17: in single room $470, in twin room $240
Departure August 21: in single room $470, in twin room $240
Departure September 18: in single room $600, in twin room $308

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $196 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• 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.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* 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.