Central European Experience Eastbound 12 Day River Cruise from Paris to Prague

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1 Central European Experience Eastbound 12 Day River Cruise from Paris to Prague This marvelous 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, Würzburg, and Bamberg. Visit Siegfried s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in pretty Rüdesheim, the Bishop s Residenz in Würzburg and taste some of the Moselle s much loved wines in Bernkastel. Other highlights: travel by highspeed train from Paris to Metz or Luxembourg City, cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, and see the legendary Lorelei rock. Your vacation ends with two overnights, guided sightseeing, and a visit of the Hradcany Castle grounds in the Golden City of Prague. Unikke Travel /12 Day Central European Experience Eastbound Page 1 of 5

2 Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France Welcome to Paris, France, on the River Seine and the City of Light, where romance fills the air! Day 2 Paris Known as one of the world s most romantic and lively cities, Paris is a delight for all your senses. Your INCLUDED CITY SIGHTSEEING shows you magnificent must-see sights, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower. In your free time, stroll down the Champs- Elysées with its lavish cafés, or perhaps visit the world-famous Louvre or Montmartre with its gleaming white Sacré Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on Place du Tertre. Paris is also well known for its colorful nightlife, and an optional outing to one of the world s most famous cabaret shows is available. Day 3 Paris Remich, Luxembourg (Embarkation) Board a HIGH-SPEED TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Metz or Luxembourg City. Continue 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. Dinner Day 4 Trier, Germany At the head of the Moselle Valley is Trier, Germany s oldest city. Some say Trier is even older than Rome and was populated over a thousand years before the Romans arrived. Many Roman remains have survived, including a 20,000-seat amphitheater; the Porta Nigra, the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement, which still gives access to the town s center; imperial baths; and the Roman Bridge, Germany s oldest bridge, with stone pilings dating from AD all evidence of this once-grand Roman city. Choose from an included GUIDED CITY SIGHTSEEING or the more history-focused ROMAN TRIER guided tour. As you cruise the wide, peaceful curves of the Moselle River, it becomes obvious why the Moselle Valley is famous for its picturesque scenery, and that this is an important wine-growing region. Day 5 Bernkastel In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its fascinating narrow streets and half-timbered houses that have stood since the Middle Ages. Enjoy a GUIDED WALK that includes the beautiful marketplace with its renaissance-style Town Hall, built in 1608 and the pointed house, built in Wine growers in this area look after Germany s largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. During your free time this afternoon you might like to visit the Moselle Unikke Travel /12 Day Central European Experience Eastbound Page 2 of 5

3 Day 6 Rhine Gorge Rüdesheim This morning, sail through the dramatic RHINE GORGE, the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Here, ancient castles stand sentry on lofty cliffs rising 400 feet above the waters. Cruise past the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where enchanted siren song lured unwitting sailors to their doom. In Rüdesheim, the quintessential Rhine Valley wine town, visit SIEGFRIED S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM, where you ll see and hear a large collection of self-playing calliopes and music boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there s free time to pick up some souvenirs on the narrow, cobblestoned Drosselgasse, where colorful flowers, open-air wine gardens, and live music add to the festive atmosphere. Day 7 Main River Village On the banks of the Main River you find cultural gems of small towns, many of them tucked away behind defensive walls and towered gates. With half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and medieval town centers, these picturesque Bavarian villages are a photographer s delight. Join your Local Guide to experience one of these towns on a GUIDED WALK. Day 8 Würzburg Relax on board this morning as you cruise the Main River. This afternoon, arrive in Würzburg. Surrounded by verdant hillside vineyards, Würzburg, the Pearl of the Romantic Road, makes an immediate impression with imposing Marienberg Fortress perched above town and the 15th-century Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge). On your GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR, visit the magnificent baroque BISHOP S RESIDENZ, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Then, there s time to relax, do some shopping, or stop in a Konditorei for a mouth-watering pastry and a cup of coffee a German afternoon tradition. Day 9 Bamberg Enjoy another pleasant morning of sailing before you arrive in medieval Bamberg in the early afternoon. The town is the former residence of one of Germany s most powerful imperial dynasties and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your GUIDED WALKING TOUR takes in its historic center, including the great 13th-century Romanesque cathedral and the fascinating Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) built on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River when the bishop refused to give the townspeople land for a town hall! Day 10 Nuremberg (Disembarkation) Prague, Czech Republic This morning, arrive in Nuremberg, where you bid farewell to your crew after breakfast and transfer by motorcoach to cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the Golden City. Day 11 Prague Prague is a 1,200-year-old city preserved in time, and, unlike other Central European capitals, it was Unikke Travel /12 Day Central European Experience Eastbound Page 3 of 5

4 not bombed during the 20th-century wars. On your GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR, see its best-known treasures, such as the Old Town s Astronomical Clock, dating from the 15th century and once the envy of all of Europe; HRADČANY CASTLE GROUNDS; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge, the oldest bridge in Prague. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslas Square, an important meeting point where people demonstrated against the communist regime; watch performers and shop at the market stalls on Charles Bridge; sample the local plum dumplings and Pilsner; or stroll along the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for you. Day 12 Prague Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Vacation Highlights Cruise: Deluxe 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom with Avalon s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds SM Land: 2-night Deluxe Hotel in Paris; 2-night Superior First Class Hotel in Prague Days 1-2 Paris: welcome to France; guided sightseeing on Day 2 Day 3 Paris Remich (Embarkation): travel from Paris to Metz or Luxembourg City by high-speed train and on to Remich by motorcoach; onboard welcome reception Day 4 Trier: choice of guided sightseeing or Roman Trier sightseeing, see the Porta Nigra Day 5 Bernkastel: guided walk; wine tasting Day 6 Rhine Gorge Rüdesheim: cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; enjoy a special treat Day 7 Main River Village: guided walk Day 8 Würzburg: guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop s Residenz Day 9 Bamberg: guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall Day 10 Nuremberg (Disembarkation) Prague: travel by motorcoach to Prague Day 11 Prague: guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradčany Castle grounds Day 12 Prague: your vacation ends this morning Meals Captain s welcome & farewell receptions with sparkling wine and canapés Welcome dinner Farewell dinner Daily full buffet breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items Early and Late Riser breakfast Daily lunch buffet with pasta or carving stations Alternative light lunch or (weather permitting) grill fare at the Sky Bistro on the Sky Deck Daily four-course à la carte dinner in the main Included Panoramic windows throughout the ship Elegant, contemporary design & decor Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship Included sightseeing with headsets by Certified Local Guides Complimentary Nordic walking sticks Complimentary bicycles available for time on shore Local Favorites SM - onboard cultural & artisan experiences Unikke Travel /12 Day Central European Experience Eastbound Page 4 of 5

5 dining room Alternative dinner of petite portions or regional specialties with wines, in the Panorama Bistro Daily Afternoon Tea Daily Night Fare Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner are included daily on board your vessel Complimentary bottled water daily Club Lounge with 24-hour, self-serve beverage station Premium coffees, cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate & teas Cookies & fresh fruit available throughout the day Sky Deck shade system & premium lounge chairs Well-stocked library with books, cards, and games Comfort Collection Beds SM Egyptian super-combed cotton linens Bathrobes & slippers Premium L'Occitane bath products & hairdryer Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels Individual climate control NOTES: Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, subject to change. Port charges are additional $168 per person. Travel insurance is not included, we highly recommend you purchase the insurance for cancellation and medical protection. Please ask for details. In the event that a high-speed train is unavailable due to strikes or technical reasons, the route will be operated by motorcoach. In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program. Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered. Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler. Unikke Travel /12 Day Central European Experience Eastbound Page 5 of 5