THE LEGENDARY DANUBE & CROATIA

Transcription

1 KAY AT LEISURE WORLD TRAVEL LADIES TOUR THE LEGENDARY DANUBE & CROATIA DEPARTING 20 AUGUST 2008 Kay at Leisure World Travel P.O. Box 1088, Terrigal N.S.W 2260 Tel LICENCE E 2TA Web;

2 After the huge success of this tour last year, I have decided to go back to visit this amazing part of the world in It was a fabulous holiday with all the ladies having a wonderful time. The scenery is breath taking! The itinerary is leisurely paced starting with three nights in Prague. The tourists are stacked on Charles Bridge these days, as Prague becomes the new Venice. It is hard to believe that this magnificent city spared of wartime destruction was kidnapped by communism for almost half a century. Its medieval splendours cobbled courtyards and lanes all sit beneath a millennium old castle straddling the Vltava River. We are transferred by road to Nuremburg where we join our ship The Poetry for the next seven nights. The ship is new and carries 176 passengers in 84 staterooms and four suites. Cruising the Danube what a fantastic way to spend seven days. Unpack once, and relax while we enjoy the riverside scenery. There is a large bar and lounge where we have evening entertainment with performers from the local towns. We cruise through Germany and Austria arriving at Budapest in Hungary. The next stage of our journey is when we join our Insight tour and travel by road doing the Country Roads of Dalmatia & the Adriatic Riviera. The highlights include the beautiful Dalmatian coast, seeing the contrast between the capital cities of Vienna and Budapest and the magnificent setting of Dubrovnik rapidly becoming the capital of the Dalmatian Riviera. I have allowed an extra day at the end for us to relax in Vienna, which we all enjoyed immensely last year. A lot of Vienna was destroyed during World War II, but this is still a city of classical architecture from its imperial past. It is still a lot about music, there are long traditions here but there is also a very alive forward thinking Vienna that is irresistible. The atmosphere is electric! In 2008 we will be having a break in Bangkok on the way home. Due to a flight change in 2007 we had one night in Bangkok the comment from the girls was Kay you have to have two nights here next time - so we will. Vacancies are extremely limited if you are interested please call me as soon as you can. Kay.

3 KAY AT LEISURE WORLD TRAVEL LADIES TOUR THE LEGENDARY DANUBE & CROATIA DEPARTING, 20 AUGUST Wednesday, 20 August 08 We will meet at Sydney International airport for our flight to Prague. Flying Thai Airways International Sydney Bangkok Frankfurt Prague. Thursday, 21 August 08 PRAGUE D After our morning arrival in Prague we will be met and transferred to our hotel for the next three nights. Today is free to relax and time for us to enjoy a lunch in Wenceslaus Square, (Fantastic!) This evening we will meet our Tour Director who will guide us for the next eleven days. Dinner will be included at a local restaurant tonight. Friday, 22 August 08 PRAGUE B This morning we will have a city sightseeing tour. Prague is a 1000-year-old city preserved in time. It straddles the Vltava River With domes, cupolas, spites and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. Best known treasures are the Old Town s Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe: Haradcany Castle, St Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge. Perhaps this evening take in a concert of Dvorak s greatest music with singers and musicians in period costume. Saturday, 23 August 08 PRAGUE B, D Today is free to explore this amazing city. There are so many options. You may like to take a tour that will reveal Prague s secrets. Learn about architecture, myths and legends and the sites Prague citizens themselves like most. You may choose to browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Alternatively you may just want to mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the river. Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Sunday, 24 August 08 PRAGUE- NUREMBURG, GERMANY B, D After breakfast we will get ready for our drive to Nuremberg where the crew of our boat waits to welcome us on board. We will join the Avalon Waterways vessel Poetry for the next seven nights as we sail to Budapest Monday, 25 August 08 NUREMBURG B, L, D 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

4 churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg s traditions include its famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metalworking. Tuesday, 26 August 08 REGENSBURG B, L, D Regensburg is one of Germany s best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold Old Chapel and the Porta Pretoria-gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town and one of Bavaria s cultural centres. The Thurn und Taxis family, who, until the second half of the 19 th century had the monopoly of the German postal services, owns the impressive St. Emmerammus Abbey buildings making up Thurn und Taxis Castle. Wednesday, 27 August 08 PASSAU LINZ, AUSTRIA B, L, D 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 church organ with over 17,000 pipes. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Linz, Austria s third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. Thursday, 28 August 08 MELK-VIENNA B, L, D Melk s magnificent Benedictine Abbey dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! Vienna, known as the City of Music, inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. An optional concert is available tonight. This is a must! What a wonderful experience! Friday, 29 August 08 VIENNA B, L, D Once the centre of the mighty Hapsburg Empire, Austria s capital has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St. Stephen s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savour each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kamtnerstrasse And enjoy Saschertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood café. Saturday, 30 August 08 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY B, L, D Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. Seven bridges including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with Fishermens Bastion and the Matthias Church are sights not to be missed. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain and paprika.

5 Sunday, 31 August 08 BUDAPEST B, D After breakfast, our cruise ends and we say goodbye to our fabulous home of the last seven days. We have free time to explore this beautiful city while we wait to join our Insight tour, The Country Roads of Dalmatia & the Adriatic Riviera. As night falls, we enjoy a Highlight Dinner with traditional Gypsy entertainment. Monday, 01 September 08 BUDAPEST B Today we will have a special included excursion to the Parliament and Szentendre. During our guided visit of the Hungarian Parliament, the second largest and one of the most ornate in the world, we will view the crown jewels. We then drive north to reach the picturesque village of Szentendre (St. Andrews). The, most visited museum in Hungary awaits us there. This charming baroque town is famous for its artists colony. We have free time to stroll and shop in this preserved corner of old world charm. Tuesday, 02 September 08 BUDAPEST- ZAGREB B, D Take an enchanting drive along tranquil Lake Balaton. Stop to admire the abbey of Tihany, perched on a peninsular reaching out into the lake, then cross farmland to the Croatian border and the capital of Zagreb. A guided tour takes you to Roosevelt Square, Ban Josip Square and the cathedral. Walk through the medieval core of the Upper Town and see the Croatian Parliament, Stone Gate, St. Marks Church and the ancient Gric Tower. Wednesday, 03 September 08 ZAGREB B Spend the day at leisure exploring the Croatian capital. Zagreb is renowned for it s shopping, or perhaps take a great excursion to the Zagorje region to learn about local culture and traditions. Thursday, 04 September 08 ZAGREB SPLIT B, D Head south to the Adriatic coast towards Split, visiting the ancient Roman port of Salona. Admire the 2 nd century Amphitheatre, Roman Baths and Necropolis. More than 1700 years ago in the historic port city of Split, the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, built his palace. Today those very buildings make up the heart of the Old Town, listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. On a guided walking tour, explore the labyrinth of streets built within and without the walls of Diocletian s Palace, unique because it is still lived in. Tonight we will experience the Dalmatian cuisine, dinner in a Konoba - a stone daylight basement is the best choice. Select from a variety of seafood or meats accompanied by good Dalmatian wines. At the end of the evening we take a panoramic ride through the illuminated city of split. Friday, 05 September 08 SPLIT DUBROVNICK B, D Spend the morning exploring Split s Old Town on your own before travelling on to Dubrovnik and your resort hotel, which is beautifully situated alongside the crystal clear Adriatic Sea and pine fresh forest. Dinner is included this evening.

6 Saturday, 06 September 08 DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING B, D If the Dalmatian Coast is the zenith of the Mediterranean, then Dubrovnik is the jewel in the crown! A guided sightseeing tour in the Old Town explores the stone-paved streets inside the 16 th century bastions. See Onofrio s fountain and the Rector s Palace and the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. The afternoon is at leisure with dinner included at a lovely seafood restaurant tonight. Sunday, 07 September 08 DUBROVNIK AT LEISURE B The day is completely free to shop for handicrafts in the bazaar, to sample local fish delicacies or to follow the advice of George Bernard Shaw: Those who seek paradise on earth, should come to Dubrovnik Monday, 08 September 08 DUBROVNIK - PLITVICE B, D A magnificent drive takes you along the Dalmatian coast a symphony of sparkling deep blue sea, studded with rocky islands. Visit Trogir, founded by the Greeks in 400BC, and admire its Romanesque cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace. Head inland, to one of Europe s finest natural wonders, Plitvice National Park. Tuesday, 09 September 08 PLITVICE LJUBLJANA B, D Cruise the crystal blue green beauty of the Plitvice Lakes; a scenic wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes flanked by waterfalls and primeval forest. Visit Korana Canyon to see the 230-foot high falls and Tomicevo Pogledalo for spectacular panoramic views over the park. In the afternoon, drive through the unique region of Lika, crossing into Slovenia and reaching the capital of Ljubljana, your home for the next two nights. Wednesday, 10 September 08 LJUBLJANA SIGHTSEEING B, D A local guide shows you the Baroque elegance of the White City. Its medieval castle sits atop a hill as an ancient guardian; the City Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas testify to its historical importance; and the Triple Bridge spans the river Ljubljana, whose banks disappear under the colourful umbrellas of the riverside cafes and restaurants. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Thursday, 11 September 08 LJUBLJANA VIENNA B It s only a short drive back across the Austrian border to the forested mountains of Styria. Pass by Graz, Austria s second largest city and the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger, to return to Vienna.

7 Friday, 12 September 08 VIENNA B, D Now is the time to get in step with the real Vienna as we have the time to explore at our leisure. We can take a trip to the vineyards just a 30 min drive from the city centre, or just relax and explore this beautiful city. We will have a special dinner tonight in a local restaurant as we say farewell to Europe. Saturday, 13 September 08 VIENNA B Hopefully this morning as we did last year, we will have time to visit The Spanish Riding School too see the famous Lipizzaner stallions in rehearsal This afternoon we will be transferred to the airport for out flight to Frankfurt. We depart Frankfurt this evening for our flight to Bangkok. Sunday, 14 September 08 We arrive in Bangkok at lunchtime today and will be transferred to our lovely hotel The Holiday Inn on Silom Road. This evening we will venture not far from our hotel and sample some excellent Thai cuisine. Monday, 15 September 08 B, D This morning for those of you that are interested I can organise a variety of different tours to suit individual taste. For example a City tour including the Grand Palace & Reclining Buddah, A floating Markets trip or even a Thai Cooking Class there are many options. Otherwise you are free to explore and enjoy the sights and activities that are on your doorstep. Tonight will have our farewell dinner. Tuesday, 16 September 08 This morning we have an early transfer to the airport for our flight home. Depart Bangkok Thai Airways TG Arrive Sydney 2000 B

8 TOUR COST & INCLUSIONS TOUR COST per person based on twin share $12, Single supplement LIMITED available on application. Any payment by credit card will incur an additional 3% surcharge. The costing is based on the exchange rate at 1/11/07 and is subject to change. Return Airfare Sydney/Prague Vienna/ Bangkok/ Sydney Thai Airways International and Lufthansa. All accommodation throughout is in First Class and Superior hotels. Our Tour from Prague to Budapest is conducted by Avalon Waterways All meals included on the itinerary as indicated. Cruising the Danube for seven nights we have quality wines included with dinner from Europe s most famous wine regions. Our ship on the Danube will be M.S. Poetry in B category cabins. From Budapest we will join Insight Vacations for 13 days doing their tour The Country Roads of Dalmatia & the Adriatic Riviera Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal 2 Night stop over in Bangkok All touring will be escorted by a professional Tour Director. NOT INCLUDED Applicable Airline security and departure taxes(approx) $ Additional excursions and optional sightseeing. Holiday Insurance essential Items of a personal nature (eg drinks, phone, laundry) Pre paid gratuity while on board the ship. $ Port Charges $ The Legendary Danube Cruise Prague Budapest.

9 TERMS & CONDITIONS Deposit: A non refundable deposit of AUD $1500 per person is required to reserve your place on this tour. Final Payment: Required to your travel agent no later than 90 days prior to departure Price: The advertised price is in Australian dollars and includes air, security & local taxes as per the itinerary. The price based on minimum passenger numbers and should these numbers not be reached the price may increase Cancellations: More than 60 days prior to departure loss of deposit Between 60 and 22 days prior to departure 27.5% of total tour cost Between 21 and 08 days prior to departure 33% of total tour cost Between 07 and 01 day prior to departure 55% of total tour cost Cancellation on day of departure 100% of total tour cost Amendments: A fee of $100 may apply to any change made to your booking once confirmed Refunds: No refund is available if cancellations occur after the tour has commenced or in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised. Itinerary Changes & Tour Cancellation: Insight Vacations reserves the right to vary itineraries should circumstances dictate, as well as cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements, or circumstances beyond its control. The advertised tours require minimum numbers to depart. Should these not be met Insight Vacations reserves the right to alter of reschedule arrangements Tour Membership The Tour Director may, at his or her discretion, require any person to withdraw from any tour if he or she deems the person s acts or conduct offensive or a nuisance to other passengers, and we shall have no further liability. Baggage Allowance & Porterage: Porterage of one suitcase per person is included in the tour price for arrival & departure from hotels in Europe. Due to limited coach capacity the sum of the length, width & depth of the case should not exceed 160cm (63 inches), and weight should not exceed 20kg (44 Lbs). Charges may be levied in the event these limits are exceeded & the promise to transport you may be invalidated. What s Not Included: Passports and applicable visa fees, laundry, phone calls, items of a personal nature, beverages, meals and sightseeing not detailed on the itinerary, tips and gratuities to the Tour Director, coaches drivers and local city guides, excess baggage, optional excursions and travel insurance. Please note that travel insurance is highly recommended. Please see your Travel Agent for further details. Documentation: Approximately 2 weeks prior to departure from Australia, documentation will be received by your travel agent including International air tickets (if applicable),a tour itinerary, a full Hotel list, an Optional Excursion list, an Insight information handbook, Insight baggage labels, Insight travel bag & ticket wallet. Booking Terms and Conditions: These conditions incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted by your Travel Agent and Insight Vacations. By making a booking you are agreeing to these terms & conditions. You will need to refer to the Booking Conditions and other Important Information pages in the Insight Vacations Europe & Britain 2008 Brochure. These conditions must be carefully studied prior to making the commitment of paying the deposit as they must be referred to. Additional terms and conditions may be applicable to group bookings and will be advised as they become known