Central European Experience 2011 (Paris to Prague)

Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France
(Mon.) Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!

Day 2 Paris
(Tue.) 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 3 Paris–Metz–Remich, Luxembourg (Embarkation)
(Wed.) This morning, board a HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Metz. From here, drive to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where 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 4 Trier, Germany–Bernkastel
(Thu.) 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. See the highlights on your included tour. This afternoon, cruise downstream to the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKETPLACE. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Cochem–Koblenz
(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. 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 6 Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim
(Sat.) 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 7 Miltenberg
(Sun.) 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 8 Würzburg
(Mon.) 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 9 Bamberg
(Tue.) 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 10 Nuremberg (Disembarkation)–Prague, Czech Republic
(Wed.) Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the “Golden City.” (B)

Day 11 Prague
(Thu.) 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 GROUNDS; 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 12 Prague
(Fri.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Remich to Nuremberg in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• PARIS: Guided sightseeing
• PARIS-METZ: By high-speed TGV train
• REMICH: Welcome reception
• TRIER: Guided sightseeing, see the Porta Nigra
• BERNKASTEL: Orientation, local marketplace
• COCHEM: Visit Reichsburg Castle
• RHINE GORGE: Cruise through the gorge
• RÜDESHEIM: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; special treat
• MILTENBERG: Guided sightseeing; baking demonstration
• WÜRZBURG: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
• BAMBERG: Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall
• PRAGUE: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock, and visit Hradcany Castle grounds

This splendid Central Europe river cruise introduces you to the magnificent Moselle, Rhine, and Main Rivers, as well as to the fascinating Main Danube Canal. Your vacation begins with two overnights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the splendid “City of Light.” Also enjoy guided sightseeing in Trier, Miltenberg, Würzburg, and Bamberg. Visit Reichsburg Castle above the little town of Cochem, Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in pretty Rüdesheim, and the Bishop’s Residenz in Würzburg. Other highlights: travel by high-speed TGV train from Paris to Metz and attend a traditional baking demonstration in Miltenberg. Your vacation ends with two overnights, guided sightseeing, and a visit of the Hradcany Castle grounds in the “Golden City” of Prague.

• Full 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, 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

Paris:Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF), Prague: Hilton (SF)
Crusing: Category E cabin onboard Avalon Luminary

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

Extra nights per person in Prague:
Departure May 15: in single room $292, in twin room $158
Departure July 3 & Aug 21: in single room $212, in twin room $118

• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $98 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.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• This vacation includes travel in the Czech Republic, which requires a minimum of at least €30,000 ($45,000 USD) in medical and repatriation insurance coverage. The basic Travel Protection has a $25,000 limit however this will be increased to $50,000 while you are traveling in the Czech Republic at no additional cost. If other coverage is obtained, it is the travelers’ responsibility to verify their coverage meets requirements as they may be required by immigration to produce proof of coverage while traveling in the Czech Republic.
• 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.