Christmas Markets on the Danube

Transcription

1 November 25 th December 6 th, 2016 ~ 12 Days* A magical start to the Christmas season on the Danube with Linda Landry* of The Travel Store. Nothing will get you in the holiday spirit like a Christmas river cruise. On a Christmas markets cruise you'll travel along Europe's scenic rivers and visit bustling holiday markets in cities such as Prague, Nuremberg, Vienna, Strasbourg and Budapest. From hand-blown glass ornaments and handcrafted toys to nutcrackers and dollhouses of all shapes and sizes, you can browse through an assortment of unique trinkets and one-of-a-kind goods at row after row of elaborately decorated stalls. Sip on hot mulled wine and munch on gingerbread or stroll illuminated streets filled with festive Christmas decor and the merry songs of carolers. Onboard the ship, you might enjoy special holiday meals and seasonal drinks. While the travel logistics are handled for you, you're free to celebrate the season. Inclusions: ~ All accommodations, transfers & group transportation* ~ Pre-cruise night in Budapest ~ Sightseeing & Admissions as per itinerary ~ Meals as indicated on itinerary ~ 22 in total (9 Breakfast, 6 Lunch & 7 Dinners) Professionally Escorted by Linda Landry from The Travel Store * Cabins starting at $2,997.00* USD taxes & professional incl. Air to be booked at a later date Based on per person/ double occupancy; other rates available upon request. Limited Availability

2 BOOKING FORM Christmas Markets on the Danube November 25 th December 6 th ~ 12 Days* Insurance ~ Deluxe Package # Insurance ~ Trip Cancellation Insurance # If Insurance is not required a waiver must be signed and faxed back at time of booking THE BOOKING NAME MUST BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT PLEASE PRINT PASSENGER NAME Non - Refundable Deposit Amount $1, CREDIT CARD #/ OTHER CV # ALSO REQ D EXPIRY DATE MM/YR 1 $1, Passenger #1 ~ DOB Passport # Aeroplan #: Passenger #2 ~ DOB Passport # Aeroplan #: IMPORTANT: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Any Medical Information the Escorts should know about? Other Information / Requests: Nov 25 th / 16 ~ Fixed Window $2,997.00* USD port tax incl.(per person based on double occupancy) Air Extra Nov 25 th / 16 ~ French Balcony $3,896.00*USD port tax incl. (Per person based on double occupancy) Air Extra *Escort will be confirmed with confirmation of minimum cabin number requirements * Guaranteed Departure* *Taxes subject to change * All transfers included w/ purchase of cruise & land package* The Travel Store will not be responsible for any changes the supplier may implement* Final payment by June 15 th, otherwise price increases by $250 pp with final payment due on August 15 th, 2015 *Minimum # of guests required to be escorted by Linda Landry of The Travel Store* Final non-refundable payment will be taken from original credit card given for deposit unless notified prior to final payment date. Client Signature (Mandatory): Mailing Address: Phone: (H) (W) (C) Address: Please fax the complete forms to *Please include a photocopy of your passport photo page to finalize booking*

3 Day 1 ~ Nov 25 th ~ Depart Canada Day 2 Nov 26 th Free Day in Budapest Budapest Market Day 3 ~ Nov 27 th ~ Budapest Embarkation Arrive in Budapest and embark your luxurious river cruise ship, moored near the city center. Start exploring Budapest s unique Christmas markets on your own before meeting your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. After dining, enjoy a musical performance on board. Tonight, the ship sails a special Illuminations Cruise along Budapest s illuminated riverfront, then returns to moor overnight. (D) Day 4 ~ Nov 28 th ~ Budapest This morning, enjoy a brief panoramic tour of the city. You will see Buda Castle, the Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace and St. Stephen's Basilica. Rejoin the ship in Eszlergom and depart for Vienna. (B/L/D) Buda Castle, Budapest Vienna State Opera House Benedictine Abbey, Melk Day 5 ~ Nov 29 th ~ Vienna, Austria Start your day with a driving tour of Vienna that includes the Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen s Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of the historic city center. Afterwards, spend some time enjoying the festive Christmas Markets located around the Town Hall. This afternoon, you can join an optional tour to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace, which features over 60 Christmas Market stalls and a truly magical holiday atmosphere, with the aroma of hot mulled wine, sizzling sausages, roasted chestnuts and freshly baked gingerbread. If you prefer, you can spend the afternoon on your own, perhaps strolling along the Kärntnerstrasse and sampling Vienna's famous pastries. Tonight, you may head into town to explore on your own or opt for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship heads towards Melk late tonight. (B/L/D) Day 6 ~ Nov 30 th Melk/ Passau, Germany This morning, cruise through the narrow Strudengau en route to the incredibly scenic Wachau Valley. Your guided tour today takes you to Melk s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe s largest baroque monasteries, with a medieval library that inspired Umberto Eco s novel The Name of the Rose. Rejoin the ship around lunchtime and continue cruising towards Passau. (B/L/D) Day 7 ~ Dec 1 st ~ Passau After breakfast, either stay aboard and enjoy a walking tour of Passau, or join an optional excursion to Salzburg. Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Salzburg is truly an architectural and historical jewel. The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it is also the setting for the classic film The Sound of Music. Join in the merriment at the lively Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and one-of-a-kind Old World gifts. If you prefer to stay aboard and take the walking tour of Passau, you will explore this 2,000- year- old city, renowned for its lovely and well-preserved Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture.

4 Day 7 ~ Dec 1 st ~ Passau ~ Con t Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, past the old city fortifications and St. Stephan s Cathedral, home to the largest pipe organ in the world. You will also have free time to wander around Passau s traditional Christmas Markets. Late tonight, we continue on towards Regensburg. (B/L/D) Regensbur, Germany Franconian Alps Folklore Dinner Show Prague Castle Day 8~ Dec 2 nd ~ Regensburg Arrive in Regensbur and enjoy a guided walking tour of this exquisitely preserved medieval city. Marvel at the beautiful churches, the homes of wealthy families, and one of Germany s oldest bridges across the Danube. Your tour ends with a visit to the Old Kornmarkt Christmas Market, with its festive stalls adorned with fir branches. If you d like to explore on your own in lieu of our city tour, perhaps you will enjoy visiting the royal markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas Market, where you can watch craftsmen at work. (B/L/D) Day 9 ~ Dec 3 rd ~ Nuremberg This morning your ship enters the Main-Danube Canal, a marvel of modern engineering that traverses the Franconian Alps via 16 locks. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of historic Nuremberg with its fabulous Gothic churches, elegant patrician houses, the Imperial Castle, and 900-year-old city ramparts. After your tour, visit the world s largest Christmas Market, with over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offering an assortment of unique toys, tinsel angels, dolls, gingerbread and other treats, and an endless variety of other seasonal goodies. The ship overnights in Nuremberg. (B/L/D) Day 10 ~ Dec 4 th ~ Nuremberg Disembarkation - Prague, Czech Republic Depart your ship this morning and take a panoramic tour of Nuremberg where you will see the infamous Zeppelin Field where the Nazi rallies were held during WWII, and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in After the tour, enjoy some free time to explore and have lunch, or visit another of the city s colorful Christmas Markets one last time. Later you will take a scenic drive through the Bohemian countryside as you transfer into Prague, and check-in to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore this historic city on your own. This evening is also yours to spend as you wish, or you can experience an optional Folklore Dinner Show highlighting colorful Czech traditions, foods, music, dancing and world-famous Czech beers. (B) Day 11 ~ Dec 5 th ~ Prague This morning's sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle courtyard and the St. Vitus, and then cross the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The remainder of your day is free to shop at the Christmas Markets with their tempting array of handicrafts, toys, wood carvings, and ornaments.

5 Inclusions: ~ All accommodations, transfers & group transportation* ~ Pre-cruise night in Budapest ~ Sightseeing & Admissions as per itinerary ~ Meals as indicated on itinerary ~ 22 in total (9 Breakfast, 6 Lunch & 7 Dinners) Professionally Escorted by Linda Landry from The Travel Store * Cabins starting at $2,997.00* USD0 taxes & professional incl. Air to be booked at a later date Based on per person/ double occupancy; other rates available upon request. Christmas Markets on the Danube Day 11 ~ Dec 5 th ~ Prague Con t Or, if you prefer, hang out with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or relax at one of the city s charming cafés or restaurants. This afternoon, you may take an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp that now serves as a memorial to those who perished. (B) Day 12 ~ Dec 6 th ~ Depart Prague Bid farewell to Prague and you prepare for your homeward flight. (B) The AmaSerena debuts in 2015 and is a sister ship to the AmaPrima and features the most advanced design of any river cruise vessel currently in operation. Our exclusive Twin Balconies are available in most staterooms, which measure a spacious sq. feet, with four suites measuring 300 sq. feet. Passengers will enjoy gourmet dining with unlimited fine wines at multiple onboard dining venues; a heated sun deck swimming pool with a swimup bar; fitness center and spa; complimentary ship-wide Wi-Fi and inroom Internet and entertainment on demand; and a fleet of bicycles carried onboard for passengers to enjoy on their own or on guided bike tours. Limited Availability *Minimum number of guest required to be escorted by The Travel Store*