European Sojourn. March 31 - April 23, Rev. Dr. Rolf & Grace Nosterud

Transcription

1 Deluxe River Cruise European Sojourn amsterdam to Bucharest Onboard the Elegant Viking EMBLA March 31 - April 23, 2015 Cruise Hosts: Rev. Dr. Rolf & Grace Nosterud Featuring: Amsterdam Kinderdijk Cologne Koblenz Wertheim Wursburg Bamberg Nuremberg Regensburg Melk Abbey Vienna Bratislava Budapest Kolocsa Belgrade Belogradchik Vidin Arbanasi Veliko Tarnovo Bucharest

2 European Sojourn In the 8th century, Emperor Charlemagne dreamt of a canal that could unite Europe s great waterways, but it was not until 1992 that his vision came to pass. Now, the Main- Danube Canal allows ships to travel directly from the North Sea to the Black Sea region, traversing Western, Central and Eastern Europe in a single journey. See the canals of Amsterdam, the castles of the Rhine Valley, great Danube cities like Vienna and Budapest, and many colourful capitals of Eastern Europe on an incredible journey that includes nine countries and nine UNESCO World Heritage sites. NORTH SEA NETHERLANDS Amsterdam Kinderdijk RHINE GERMANY Cologne MAIN Bamberg MAIN-DANUBE Koblenz CANAL Miltenberg Nuremberg SLOVAKIA Würzburg DANUBE Krems Rothenburg Regensburg Passau Vienna Bratislava Melk Budapest HUNGAR Y AUSTRIA DANUBE Kalocsa N Cruise ROMANIA Kalocsa Belgrade IRON GATE Bucharest DANUBE Giurgiu Vidin Belogradchik Russe SERBIA Veliko Tarnovo BLACK BULGARIA SEA Tuesday, March 31 Day 1 Departure Day Our exciting journey begins as we meet our fellow travellers at the airport, where we will board our overnight flight to Europe, ready to start on an odyssey filled with new and profound experiences. Wednesday, April 1 D Day 2 Amsterdam Today we arrive in Amsterdam and are met by our Viking cruise staff, then transfer to our ship. After boarding, the afternoon is ours to explore the city on our own. Thursday, April 2 BLD Day 3 Kinderdijk This morning, we disembark in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), where we tour this fascinating network of windmills and other ingenious flood management technologies. After lunch aboard we can enjoy an afternoon of sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard) and sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a juniper liqueur. Friday, April 3 BLD Day 4 Cologne We have a morning tour of Cologne, including a visit to the Dom, Germany s largest cathedral (WHS). After our tour, we can spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Cologne on our own. Saturday, April 4 BLD Day 5 Koblenz and Middle Rhine We cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine and make a stop in Koblenz to visit Marksburg, the only Rhine castle never destroyed. After our tour we continue cruising along this stunning stretch of the Middle Rhine (WHS). We pass the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river s narrowest point. Sunday, April 5 BLD Day 6 Miltenberg This morning we sail along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region. After lunch we stop in Miltenberg for a walking tour of this charming town known for its half-timbered houses, including the oldest inn in Germany. We'll have free time to explore the town on our own. Monday, April 6 BLD Day 7 Würzburg After breakfast we tour Würzburg s Bishops Residenz, one of Germany s largest and most ornate baroque palaces (WHS). This afternoon we can explore Wurzburg at leisure or take an optional excursion along Germany s "Romantic Road" to Rothenburg, which features a turreted city wall and lovely Gothic and baroque architecture. Tuesday, April 7 BLD Day 8 Bamberg This morning we sail through the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel connecting Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube. After lunch, we visit Bamberg, with its medieval city centre (WHS). Our walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late-romanesque style in the 13th century, and the very picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take some free time to enjoy Bamberg and perhaps try some of the town s distinctive smoke-flavored beer. Wednesday, April 8 BLD Day 9 Nuremberg We continue our sail through the Canal. After lunch we disembark in Nuremberg and visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, used in the 1930s as Nazi parade grounds. Next we see the Palace of Justice, site of the Nuremberg Trials. We can spend some free time exploring Nuremberg s Old Town, or join an optional World War II history tour. Thursday, April 9 BLD Day 10 Regensburg We arrive in Regensburg (WHS) and after lunch we tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city. Sights include structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13thand 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter s Cathedral. During our free time, we could visit the Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany s oldest restaurant. Friday, April 10 BLD Day 11 Passau During this morning s walking tour we see Passau s narrow streets and Italianate architecture. We pass the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served for centuries as a bishop s stronghold. Then we listen to a concert on Europe s largest pipe organ in St. Stephan s Cathedral. After lunch we have some free time to explore Passau on our own. Saturday, April 11 BLD Day 12 Melk - Krems Today we visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria s finest Italian

3 Rostad Tours Group Advantage Tipping included [$425+ value] Rostad Early Booking Discount Up to $200 Rostad Frequent Traveller Discount Payment in Canadian dollars Services of a Rostad Tour Host worry-free travel! special inclusions Onboard Entertainment and Lectures Quietvox audio headset during shore excursions Wine and beer with lunch and dinner during cruise baroque architecture. We rejoin our ship and cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley (WHS). Before dinner, we have free time to explore the historic riverside town of Krems; see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. Sunday, April 12 BLD Day 13 Vienna Today we ride along Vienna s Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. We will also see Vienna s worldfamous Opera House, St. Stephan s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. We return aboard for lunch. and the rest of the day is free to further explore this wonderful city. After dinner, we may want to enjoy an optional classical concert. Monday, April 13 BLD Day 14 Bratislava We arrive in Bratislava early and take a walking tour of Slovakia s charming capital. Here we see attractions like the medieval fortifications at Michael s Tower, Baroque Trinity Church and Gothic St. Martin s Cathedral. We also pass by several baroque palaces from the Habsburg Dynasty before our return to the ship for an afternoon of scenic cruising. Tuesday, April 14 BLD Day 15 Budapest City Tour The Danube River divides this Hungarian capital city into Buda and Pest. Today we will explore both parts, starting with Pest s National Opera House and historic Heroes Square. In Buda, we will stroll up Fishermen s Hill to Fishermen s Bastion and Matthias Church. After lunch aboard we have the rest of the day free to explore Budapest. Wednesday, April 15 BLD Day 16 Budapest - Free Day After breakfast, disembark for a final free day in Budapest - explore a museum, do some shopping or ride around the city on the wonderful subway system. Thursday, April 16 BLD Day 17 Kalocsa - Puszta We arrive in Kalocsa, Hungary this morning and take a guided city tour including a visit to the Archbishop s Palace. Then we are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. We return aboard and continue our cruise along the Danube. Friday, April 17 BLD Day 18 Osijek We wake up in Vukovar and have breakfast before our excursion to the Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited by humans since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Habsburgs; now it is a pleasant town popular for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. We return to our ship for lunch and an afternoon of scenic cruising. Saturday, April 18 BLD Day 19 Belgrade We wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. We take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress - now a beautiful park, then see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. After lunch aboard we have free time. Sunday, April 19 BLD Day 20 Iron Gate Today we enjoy scenic cruising as we travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europe s most dramatic natural wonders, a spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Monday, April 20 BLD Day 21 Vidin - Belogradchik This morning we arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin and take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. Lunch aboard is followed by some free time to explore Vidin s city centre. Tuesday, April 21 BLD Day 22 Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanasi Today we disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. Here we see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During some free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Then we proceed to Arbanasi for lunch in a local restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church with its intricate floor-to-ceiling murals and icons. Wednesday, April 22 BL Day 23 Bucharest City Tour Today we disembark in Giurgiu and proceed to our superior first class hotel. This afternoon we enjoy a halfday tour of Romania s lovely capital city. See the Arch of Triumph, the Antim Monastery and the iconic Palace of Justice, completing our tour at the Palace of Parliament. Thursday, April 23 B Day 24 Return home After breakfast we are taken to the airport for our flight home. TOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL Leisurely Able to walk 2 km easily and stand for extended periods of time while visiting museums and historic sites. Suitable for most fitness levels. cruise hosts Rev. Dr. Rolf & Grace Nosterud PO Box 16 Millet, AB T0C 1Z0 Home: (780) Cell: (780) gnosterud@telus.net discounts available Ask about our early booking discounts, Rostad Frequent Traveller discounts and Viking alumni credits deposit information Deposit of $500 is fully refundable until June 30, 2014 Make cheque payable to Rostad Tours Ltd. Visa or MasterCard accepted Call prices Edmonton $ 9795 Calgary $ 9795 Vancouver $ 9795 Saskatoon $9795 Toronto $ 9595 Prices from other cities available upon request. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a Category E Standard Cabin on the cruise. Cabin categories are subject to availability and will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis. When you make your deposit, you will select your preferred cabin category from those remaining in our allotment. For single occupancy, call for prices and availability. Cabin Upgrade Costs Category Description Price D French Balcony $ 1450 C French Balcony $ 2250 B Verandah $ 3050 A Verandah $ 3750 Cabin upgrade prices are per person. There are a limited number of lower priced cabins available. If available, a Category F Main Deck cabin will reduce the price by $250 per person. This tour is not subject to GST/HST. Price IncludeS Return economy class airfare Current airline taxes, fuel surcharges and airport fees ($650) Transfers between airport and ship Category "E" riverview cabin on cruise ship First Class hotel in Bucharest Meals as shown (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner during cruise Hot coffee and tea on the ship Comprehensive sightseeing program Shipboard entertainment and lectures Tipping for all included services Port taxes and foreign taxes Rostad Tours travel gift Tour documentation and travel information Not Included: Other beverages, Optional shore excursions, Items of a personal nature, Any airline luggage fees, Increases to surcharges, taxes or fees, Insurance. TO L

4 Tour Conditions & Information Reservations An initial deposit of $500 is required to reserve your place on this tour. This initial deposit is completely refundable until June 30, Final Payment The final payment is due November 21, A reminder will be sent to passengers in advance of this date. Credit Card Payments For payments made by credit card, we reserve the right to have credit card charges processed by the suppliers of travel services such as the airline, cruise line, etc. If this occurs, your payment will be split between Rostad Tours and the other suppliers and will appear as separate payments on your credit card statement. Shared & Single Accommodation You must indicate at the time of booking whether you want to share a room or if you prefer a single room. Your roommate, if known, should also be indicated. If a roommate is not found by November 21, 2014 a single supplement will be applied. Reservation Changes If you want to change your reservation, such as change your departure city or plan an extended stay, you must submit your request in writing at least four months prior to departure. Any subsequent changes, cancellations of extension arrangements or changes requested within four months of departure are subject to a service fee of $100 per person in addition to any fees charged by the various travel suppliers. Tour Price The prices shown are based on currency levels, airfares, and taxes valid as at March 15, 2014 and are subject to change. Cancellations Your initial deposit is completely refundable until June 30, Maximum cancellation penalties after this date are as follows: Up to November 21, 2014 $ 200 November 22 to 95 days $ 2000 prior to departure 94 to 65 days $ to 35 days $ to 0 days $ 9000 If you cancel, you will receive back all money paid towards the tour less the applicable cancellation fee. The charges apply to the base price of the tour only and do not include cancellation charges for any extra arrangements such as cabin upgrades, single supplements, additional tours, etc. Insurance We recommend that all passengers buy insurance to protect themselves against any possible cancellation charges or out-of-country medical expenses. An all-inclusive policy which has cancellation, hospital/medical and baggage coverage will be offered to Alberta residents prior to making their final payment. For passengers residing outside of Alberta, we will explain how you can obtain our special group rates for travel insurance direct from Reliable Life Insurance. As the maximum cancellation penalty is only $200 up to November 21, 2014, we recommend that you wait and purchase insurance at the time you make your final payment. Passports A passport is required for all tour participants. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least three months and some at least six months past your intended return date. If you do not already have a passport, or if your current passport will expire within this period, apply for your new passport at least 125 days before departure. Health Requirements During walking tours you will likely experience uneven ground, cobblestone streets and various amounts of steps or stairs. For your enjoyment, and in fairness to your fellow passengers, you should be in good physical condition, with the ability to stand for extended periods of time and walk up to two kilometres easily. Should you feel a particular excursion may be too strenuous, you are welcome to forego the sightseeing tour and rest or explore on your own. At the time of printing, no inoculations are required for this tour. Tour Documents An extensive set of tour documents will be sent approximately days prior to departure. Please notify our office in writing if you require any information in advance of this date. Baggage Allowance Tour members are allowed one suitcase per person. The dimensions of the suitcase should not exceed 60 (i.e. 30 length + 20 height + 10 width) and the weight should not exceed 23 kgs. Rostad Tours accepts no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, any baggage or any tour member s personal belongings. Itinerary Variations The cruise operator, Viking River Cruises, Inc reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a tour or to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in its sole judgement, conditions warrant it. It is not obliged to substitute another vessel or itinerary and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to guests by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement. Rostad Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour due to airline schedule changes or any other circumstances beyond our control. Tour Membership Rostad Tours reserves the right to reject any person as a tour member and to expel from the tour any person whose actions are deemed to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the tour by the other passengers. Children 6 years of age and under at the time the tour departs are considered too young to travel on tour. Responsibility Rostad Tours Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta act as agents for the various owners or contractors providing hotels, means of transportation or other services. Issuance and acceptance of the tour documents shall be deemed to be consent to the condition that Rostad Tours Ltd. shall not become liable or responsible in any way for any personal or property loss, damage or injury, howsoever caused or arising. In the event that we are forced to cancel a tour due to insufficient registrations, Rostad Tours Ltd. s sole responsibility shall be the refund of all monies paid to Rostad Tours by the tour participant Palliser Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2V 4W5 Toll Free: Phone: (403) Fax: (403) tours@rostad.com

5 Travel knowing you have chosen the best. Viking River Cruises: Award-winning River cruise Line Since 1998 Rostad Tours has partnered with Viking River Cruises to bring you the best river cruise experiences possible and together we always strive to exceed your expectations. Viking s river cruises in Europe and Russia, plus their cruisetours in China, have consistently received high scores in customer satisfaction. Through the years, they also have been recognized with several awards, presented based on recommendations from travellers like you. Viking River Cruises is a multiple-time award winner on Conde Nast Traveler Magazine s Gold List. This prestigious list reflects the very best in travel, placing them with the world s top hotels, resorts and cruise lines. Their ships have also been recognized on annual lists on the Best Small Ship category. The other best of list is Travel + Leisure s World s Best Awards. Since 2004 readers recognized them among the world s Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Lines with rankings for service, itineraries and overall quality that placed them as the #1 river cruise line. These awards are some of the most distinguished in the travel industry because they re based on input from veteran travellers and cruisers like you. And, such recognition only motivates them to work harder to provide you with superior service, unique itineraries and an overall cruise experience that keeps you coming back. So join us and discover the joys of river cruising with The World s Leading River Cruise Line - Viking River Cruises.

6 FEATURING THE AWARD-WINNING VIKING LONGSHIPS Viking Longships Viking Longships top 2014 Condé Nast Traveler s Readers Poll for Best River Cruise Ships. Viking has the # 1 ranked river cruise ship. Built: 2012/2013/2014 Length: 443 ft. Crew: 50 Guests: 190 Decks: 4 Staterooms: 95 (2 Explorer Suites, 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda, 22 French Balcony, 25 Standard) Explorer Suite (ES) Veranda (B) Standard (E) Veranda Suite (AA) French Balcony (C) Standard (F) Veranda (A) French Balcony (D) Main deck Upper deck Herb Garden, Middle deck Sun deck Solar Panels Shop, Reception Library, Internet Bridge Observation lounge Restaurant Aquavit Terrace VIKING Sun deck Herb Garden Walking Track Solar Panels Walking Track French balcony Suite with a veranda & French balcony Upper deck Internet Library Elevator Observation lounge Bar Buffet Aquavit Terrace Grills Explorer Suite Stateroom with a veranda French balcony Middle deck Shop Reception Elevator Restaurant Buffet Kitchen Stateroom with a veranda Main deck Water-level staterooms have smaller windows The Viking Longships: Best New River Ship, The first six of Viking s revolutionary Longships debuted in 2012, offering an airy ambiance with plenty of big-ship amenities. Verandas are full-sized. Suites, mirroring hotel accommodations, each offer two-rooms. The Aquavit Terrace, an indoor-outdoor casual eatery, is a dedicated alternative restaurant. And the ships are state-of-the-art when it comes to engineering, with hybrid engines, solar panels and even an organic herb garden. Cruise Critic editors All staterooms are outside with river view Observation lounge & bar with floor-toceiling glass doors that lead to an open air Aquavit Terrace Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views Sun deck with shaded sitting area; organic herb garden & solar panels; putting green and walking track Library corner & onboard boutique Elevator Free wireless Internet Laundry service Bottled water replenished daily Voltage: 220V & 110V (U.S. outlet) in stateroom Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride

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8 All-inclusive itiner aries a great value As the most all-inclusive river cruise line, we provide great value. When you travel with Viking, we make sure that there are no surprises or hidden fees. The price you pay covers just about everything port charges, Wi-Fi, meals, lectures, activities and shore excursions as well as hotel accommodations on our cruisetour itineraries. So, all you have to do is relax and enjoy a great vacation that is also a great value. EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS aboard the newest, most deluxe river cruise fleet. Enjoy your choice of staterooms: many of our ships, especially the Viking Longships, have verandas, French balconies and two-room suites ATTENTIVE SERVICE from our award-winning, English-speaking staff, plus the personalized assistance of your onboard Viking Concierge ENRICHING DAILY SHORE EXCURSIONS led by friendly, knowledgeable local guides utilizing a high-tech audio headset system so you never miss a word ENGAGING CULTURAL ENRICHMENT with lectures, craft demonstrations, performances, hands-on cooking classes and much more ALL ONBOARD MEALS created by our Swiss-trained chefs featuring fresh ingredients, regional specialty options and served in a variety of settings including al fresco dining COMPLIMENTARY WINE, BEER AND SOFT DRINKS with onboard dinner and lunch service; bottled water and complimentary cappuccino, coffee and tea at our 24-hour hot beverage bar DELUXE HOTELS for overnight stays during our cruisetour programs and pre & post packages COMPLIMENTARY onboard Internet service IN-ROOM INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM features movies on demand, plus CNBC, CNN, National Geographic and more Palliser Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2V 4W5 Toll Free: Phone: (403) (Calgary) Fax: (403) tours@rostad.com

9 PASSENGER REGISTRATION FORM Please complete this form and mail it to the Tour Host or directly To Rostad Tours If paying by credit card, you may also register by phone or fax this form to Rostad Tours PASSENGER INFORMATION European Sojourn Departs: March 31, 2015 Nosterud1503 (1): Date of Birth: 19 / / Title Last Name First Name Year/Month/Day (2): Date of Birth: 19 / / Mailing Address : City/Town: Prov/State: Postal Code/Zip: Phone: Home ( ) - Work: ( ) - Type of Accommodation Requested: Twin/Double or Single Departure City: Roommate (if known): If unknown, would you like us to find you a roommate? CRUISE INFORMATION Cabin Category: (1st choice) (2nd choice) Cruise Special Requests: PRIVACY: Rostad Tours is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. The main purpose of collecting your personal information is to arrange travel products and services for you. Accordingly, personal information required for this purpose may be shared with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel insurance companies, tour operators and other travel-related vendors. It may also be used to provide you with information regarding future travel opportunities. We will not sell or trade your personal information with third parties. Our complete Privacy Policy is available at our website at or, if you wish, we can send you a copy via or by postal mail. PAYMENT INFORMATION Deposit Required (per person): $500x = Total: Deposit is fully refundable until June 30, 2014 Payment Method: Visa Mastercard Cheque (made payable to Rostad Tours) Credit Card # Expires: / Month/Year Cardholder Name: Please note that we reserve the right to have credit card payments processed by third parties such as Cardholder Signature: airlines, cruise lines, etc. Mail with payment to either address below: Rev Dr Rolf & Grace Nosterud P.O. BOX 16 MILLET, AB T0C 1Z0 OR Rostad Tours 10, 3109 Palliser Drive SW Calgary, AB Canada T2V 4W5