Arts Club Tour 2019 Cruise Budapest to Prague We continue our river cruising series bringing you der schönen blauen Donau, the beautiful Blue Danube, starting in Budapest, the creative capitol of Hungary. After two nights in Budapest we sail west to magical Vienna followed by Dürnstein and Melk with their fascinating histories. Then we travel on to Passau, Regensburg, Roth and Nuremberg giving us an insight into Germany. Finally, we travel to Prague for a three night stay in the city of 100 spires. We will sail on the Avalon Imagery II, one of the newer ships sailing the Danube. You will experience fine food and local cuisine as well as a truly exciting itinerary as we have come to expect from Avalon. Wonderful tours and wine with lunch and dinner are included with Avalon, along with additional optional tours should you choose. Relax on board while enjoying the best way to experience the Danube valley and all its history and culture.
Day 1 23 September, 2019: Departure Depart Vancouver on your flight to Budapest, arriving 24 September. Day 2 24 September, 2019: Budapest, Hungary Welcome to Budapest, Hungary s captivating capital. Enjoy a free day today to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe s shining city on the Danube. Day 3 25 September, 2019: Budapest Today enjoy a guided city sightseeing tour, including the iconic Heroes Square. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city s cafés and pubs or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. This evening you might choose to enjoy Hungarian cuisine in an optional Wine-and-Dine dinner this evening. (Breakfast included)
Day 4 26 September, 2019: Budapest Embarkation With a free day to explore before your cruise, perhaps take time for photographs of such sites as the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Maybe visit Budapest s famous thermal bath spas before lunch in a garden or rooftop eatery. Later in the afternoon board the Avalon Imagery II, meet the staff in the lounge and enjoy your first dinner on board. This evening we start our cruise to Vienna. (B, D)
Day 5 27 September, 2019: Vienna, Austria We will spend the first part of today sailing the Danube between the shores of Hungary and Slovakia. You will be able to spend your time on board as you wish: joining ship activities or relaxing in your suite or on the Sky Deck, with your favourite beverage, watching the red rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava and the rolling landscape sliding by. This evening in Vienna you may choose to join an optional excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music. We will dock overnight in Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day 6 28 September, 2019: Vienna, Austria Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna is a showcase of gilded architecture. This is home to the lavish Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boys Choir, the dazzling Lipizzaner stallions, the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House and he awe-inspiring St. Stephen s Cathedral - plus, countless other sights you ll see on your included guided sightseeing tour. This afternoon enjoy free time. Perhaps you might visit one of the many museums nearby or just spend your time on Stephanplatz enjoying the shopping and cafés. Alternatively, you might want to join a guided optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburg Empire summer home for 300 years. Later you can relax on board with live entertainment as we sail to Dürnstein. (B, L, D)
Day 7 29 September, 2019: Dürnstein and Melk Situated in the heart of the Wachau wine region, Dürnstein is known for the magnificent baroque, blue Stiftskirche built in the 1700s. A local guide will take you on a walking tour of this little town and tell you the tale of England s King Richard the Lionheart, who was imprisoned here during the Crusades in the castle ruins above the town. Alternatively you can join a hike up to the castle ruins with your adventure host for a spectacular view of the village, the Danube and the Wachau Valley below. Then cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley to reach Melk after lunch and visit the magnificent 11 th century Benedictine Abbey, housing an ornate library with over 100,000 printed books and manuscripts. The church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues and 210 foot cupola is a splendor to behold. Later on board you can enjoy the flavours of the Wachau Valley with a wine tasting. (B, L, D)
Day 8 30 September, 2019: Passau, Germany Passau is uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge and is known as the City of Three Rivers. Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. St. Stephen s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the world s largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Enjoy these highlights on an included guided city walk and learn more about this beautiful town. Alternatively, choose from two full-day optional guided excursions: to Salzburg, the city of Mozart and The Sound of Music or to the picturesque Bohemian town Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After these excursions you will rejoin your ship in Passau in the early evening for your cruise to Regensburg. (B, L, D)
Day 9 01 October, 2019: Regensburg Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BCE, Regensburg is one of Germany s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights of your guided walk include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), built in the 13 th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 CE. Walk across the 12 th century Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in Germany. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on your own, basking in the vibrant atmosphere and taking in the remarkable views along the river. Don t overlook having a German beer and one of the city s famous German sausages. Alternatively you might want to join a guided optional excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg, founded about 600 CE. Before dinner, we ll introduce you to some of Germany s famous beer. (B, L, D)
Day 10 02 October, 2019: Roth, Excursion to Nuremberg In the morning enjoy an onboard lecture about the Main-Danube Canal which links these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas. Then, choose between a guided sightseeing of Nuremberg with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle or take a guided tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds of the Third Reich. (B, L, D)
Day 11 03 October, 2019: Nuremberg Disembarkation & Coach to Prague, Czech Republic After breakfast enjoy a relaxing motor coach drive through the countryside to Prague, the City of 100 Spires. Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City of Prague and its surrounding countryside. Consider sampling delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River and definitely consider dining out this evening in the Old Town square. (B)
Day 12 04 October, 2019: Prague This morning you may join a guided city walk, and visit the Hradčany Castle grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town s astronomical clock. Perhaps you would like to spend your free time hiking the nearby hillsides or perhaps staying in town to stroll the city of Prague to photograph its stunning cityscape. You have the catch the entertaining street performers, visit the market stalls at Charles Bridge and sample Prague s famous beer varieties in local restaurants. Tonight, you may decide to join an optional folklore dinner show to sample traditional Czech cuisine in an authentic Prague setting. (B)
Day 13 05 October, 2019: Prague Enjoy this full free day in Prague at your leisure. Perhaps you really want to go back to a sight you ve already seen and explore it in more depth. Then again you might explore on your own or even maybe take a planned tour, such as beer and tapas walking tour of Prague. Perhaps you d like to see the city by river or explore something a bit different like a train tour to the UNESCOprotected town of Kutna Hora, including a visit to the Sedlec Ossuary - a haunting chapel decorated with more than 40,000 medieval human bones and similar adornments. There is a lot to do in the Prague area, including such things as a three hour medieval dining experience: you just have to look for it. (B) Day 14 06 October, 2019: Prague Today take an early morning transfer to the airport for your flight back to Vancouver.
Panorama Suite (Category A & P) Photo shown is representative of staterooms in the category Features: Comfort Collection Beds Luxurious mattress toppers Egyptian super-combed cotton linens Soft & firm pillows Choice of bed configuration Bedside tables with reading lamps Hairdryer Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage Flat screen satellite TV with movie channel Make-up mirror Bathrobes & slippers Complimentary bottled water Individual climate control Large mirror in bathroom Complimentary Wi-Fi 6-person sitting area Writing desk and chair Sofa European-style duvets Extra blankets Nightly turn-down service Hairdryer L'Occitane bath products Easy under-bed luggage storage Alarm clock Direct-dial telephone Well-stocked minibar In-room safe Elegant, contemporary design Marble countertops in bathroom Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony SM Full shower with glass door Vanity and lighted makeup mirror Coffee table
Royal Deck Sapphire Deck Stateroom Categories & Cost Royal Suites: $8,099* per person Category P: Panorama Suites - Twin: $7,399* per person. Single: $10,999* Category A: Panorama Suites - Twin: $7,199* per person. Single: $10,699* * Fare includes port charges and taxes. Book and deposit by November 12, 2018 to receive the included gratuities package. Fare includes 2 nights in Budapest pre-cruise at the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, 7 nights cruise on the Danube and 3 nights in Prague post-cruise at the InterContinental Praha. Additional nights in Budapest are $204 per person based on double occupancy and single $351 and in Prague $230 per person based on double occupancy and single $392. A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required at time of booking. After final payment the full amount becomes non-refundable. Cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Air fare is not included; however, air fares will be available from the cruise line in February Availability on this exciting cruise is already very limited. Accordingly, this offer only applies to bookings made, deposited and confirmed by November 12, 2018. This tour is not suitable for people with severe mobility issues. Final payment is due June 20, 2019 To confirm your place on this trip call Geoff at 604.685.6756 or email at geoff.clydesdale@visiontravel.ca Consumer Protection BC License #70485