State Farm Employee Activities/Goldtimers present A Grand European Tour River Cruise September 20 - October 6, 2014 Starting at $6,599.00 per person Join us for an informational meeting: May 16, 2013 State Farm Park Beach House 4:30 pm
Imagine waking as the mist rolls off the river, stopping in the lounge for a frothy cappuccino, and heading out to the Aquavit Terrace to silently cruise through the early morning light. That is one definition of a Viking happy hour. Another one is in the more traditional sense: unwinding in the late afternoon with a pint of beer or glass of wine, chatting with friends and enjoying a delicious light bite. With the Aquavit Terrace equipped with grills and plentiful seating, each of these al fresco happy hours will be yours to indulge in. The Viking chefs create a variety of tasty offerings for you, with freshly prepared seasonal local vegetables, European specialties adapted to satisfy the tastes of our passengers, and homemade soups prepared daily. For breakfast, choose from selections of pastries, cereals, breakfast meats, egg dishes, fresh fruit and selected cheeses. At lunch, select from the soup and sandwich bar, or a choice of entrées and dessert. And for dinner, you are treated to a five-course gourmet menu with regional specialties. You can also select from our regional wines to perfectly complement your meal. To complement your onshore excursions, take part in immersive learning and enhancement activities both on board and ashore. These in-depth experiences are included as an essential part of discovering more about the places through which you cruise, and each activity is planned specifically to illuminate your itinerary. Saturday, September 20: Overnight Flight to Amsterdam Today we depart Bloomington, IL for our journey to Amsterdam. Sunday, September 21: Amsterdam Today we arrive Amsterdam and transfer to the hotel for our overnight. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore. Monday, September 22: Amsterdam This morning we transfer to the pier and board Viking River Cruises beautiful ship, Viking Embla. After boarding, the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring the ship or area on your own. Dinner is included aboard the ship. Tuesday, September 23: Kinderdijk This morning, sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you tour this fascinating network of windmills and other ingenious flood management technologies. After lunch aboard, enjoy an afternoon of sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard) and sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a juniper liqueur. Cruise through the night. Wednesday, September 24: Cologne You have a morning tour of Cologne, including a visit to the Dom, Germany s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your tour, spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Cologne on your own there are Roman ruins, interesting neighborhoods and wonderful museums like the Fragrance Museum and the Chocolate Museum. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Thursday, September 25: Koblenz & Middle Rhine Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg, the only Rhine castle never destroyed. After your tour, continue cruising; this stunning stretch of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You pass the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river s narrowest point; the rock is named for a local legend about Rhine Maidens who lure sailors to their doom. Friday, September 26: Miltenberg The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region. After lunch, stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses, including the oldest inn in Germany. You have a walking tour and some free time to explore. Back on board, learn about the region s glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration; you also have the opportunity to learn some useful German words and phrases. Sail through the night to Würzburg.
Saturday, September 27: Würzburg After breakfast, tour Würzburg s Bishops Residenz, one of Germany s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy scenic afternoon cruising or instead of touring Würzburg, take an optional full-day excursion along Germany s Romantic Road to Rothenburg, which features a turreted city wall and lovely Gothic and baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship for dinner and an interesting presentation about the European Union. Sunday, September 28: Bamberg Sail through the morning; after lunch, we visit Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your 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 before returning aboard. Monday, September 29: Nuremberg After breakfast, disembark in Nuremberg. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, used in the 1930s as Nazi parade grounds, and see the Palace of Justice, site of the famous Nuremberg Trials. Spend some free time exploring Nuremberg s Old Town area, or join an optional World War II history tour including the Documentation Center Museum. We depart just before dinner. Tuesday, September 30: Regensburg Arrive in Regensburg in the late morning; after lunch, tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter s Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany s oldest restaurant. Wednesday, October 1: Passau On this morning s walking tour, see Passau s narrow streets and Italianate architecture, and pass the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served for centuries as a bishop s stronghold. Then, listen to a concert on Europe s largest pipe organ in St. Stephan s Cathedral. Take some time this afternoon to explore Passau before returning aboard for dinner. Thursday, October 2: Melk & Krems After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria s finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, you 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. Friday, October 3: Vienna Ride along Vienna s Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. You will also see Vienna s world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return aboard for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore Vienna s many cafés and museums; you could visit the home of your favorite classical composer. After dinner, enjoy an optional classical concert.
Saturday, October 4: Bratislava Arrive early and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia s charming capital to see attractions like the medieval fortifications at Michael s Tower, baroque Jesuit Church and Gothic St. Martin s Cathedral. You also pass by several baroque palaces from the Habsburg Dynasty before you return to your ship for an afternoon of scenic cruising. Late tonight, arrive in Budapest. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included aboard the ship. Sunday, October 5: Budapest The Danube River divides this Hungarian capital city into Buda and Pest. Explore both parts, starting with Pest s National Opera House and historic Heroes Square. In Buda, stroll Fishermen s Hill to Fishermen s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard with the rest of the day to explore on your own. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included aboard the ship. Monday, October 6: Budapest After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Breakfast is included aboard the ship. Included in your 16 Day Cruise Tour Package: Round-trip transportation from Bloomington, IL to O Hare Round-trip airfare from Chicago O Hare All transfers on arrival and departure days Pre-night hotel in Amsterdam 15-night cruise in a river view stateroom on the beautiful Embla All meals onboard the vessel Complimentary house wine, beer, coffee, tea or soft drinks with every dinner Complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day 13 Guided sightseeing tours, fully hosted by English-speaking guides An experienced Cruise Manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff Cruise Package Rates Standard Stateroom Category E $6,599.00 per person French Balcony Stateroom Category D $7,399.00 per person Verandah Stateroom Category B $8,399.00 per person Verandah Stateroom Category A $8,699.00 per person Rates are per person, based on double occupancy and do not include shipboard gratuities, guide gratuities, trip cancellation insurance or items of a personal nature. Standard Stateroom - Category E French Balcony Stateroom - Category D Verandah Stateroom - Categories B & A
Booking Information A deposit of $600.00 per person is due at time of booking. Final payment is due on April 11, 2014. Cancellations received between date of booking and May 16, 2014 in a $200.00 per person cancellation penalty. Cancellations received between May 17, 2014 and August 8, 2014 will result in forfeiture of 50% of the total trip cost per person. Cancellations received after August 8, 2014 will result in complete forfeiture of all monies paid. Suzi Davis Travel highly recommends travel insurance which provides reimbursement coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, and other benefits including Trip Delay, Missed Cruise Departure, Accident Medical Expense, Sickness Medical Expense, Baggage & Personal Effects, Baggage Delay, Medical Evacuation, and emergency, toll-free travel assistance. If the insurance is purchased at time of making your reservation, you may cancel your trip for any reason up to 24 hours (or prior business day, whichever is farther out) prior to your tour departure. Insurance is available for $499.00 per person. It is strongly recommended that you book early as participation is limited. QUESTIONS? Please contact Suzi Davis Travel, by phone at 309-834-3739, 866-592-0455 or by email to groups@suzidavis.com RESERVATION FORM Grand European Tour River Cruise - September 20 - October 6, 2014 Please return with your deposit to: Suzi Davis Travel, Attn: Marci, 2415 E. Washington, Bloomington, IL 61704 Name(s) Rooming with (Please list first, middle and last names as they appear on your passport) Complete Address Home Phone Cell Phone Email Date(s) Of Birth: / Stateroom Requested: Standard - Cat. E - $6,599.00 pp French Balcony - Cat. D - $7,399.00 pp Verandah - Cat. B - $8,399.00 pp Verandah - Cat. A - $8,699.00 pp I/we are purchasing the trip cancellation insurance $499.00 I/we decline to purchase the trip cancellation insurance Form of Payment: Enclosed please find my personal check for deposit. (Please make payable to Suzi Davis Travel) Please charge my credit card for deposit: Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Card Number exp. Security Code (Three digit code on back of card or four digit on front for AMEX)