Tour Details - A TASTE OF THE DANUBE WITH VIENNA AND BUDAPEST EXTENSION - CATEGORY E
A TASTE OF THE DANUBE WITH VIENNA AND BUDAPEST EXTENSION - CATEGORY E
DISCOUNTS ON EVERY TOUR, UP TO 10% !!!
Tour Duration: 8 days Tour Code: WVB3-E2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$1864 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Welcome to Vienna, Austria's capital, which is known as the "City of Music" and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.
2
VIENNA Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your included tour. You do not rush through Vienna-you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)
3
VIENNA (EMBARKATION) Time today to do some window shopping along the Karntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood cafe. This afternoon, transfer to your river cruise vessel and join your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
4
MELK-DURNSTEIN Today is dedicated to the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where so much of the excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. This morning, visit the impressive BENEDICTINE ABBEY of Melk, which towers over the town. Lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine while enjoying the scenery as you sail to Durnstein, whose baroque blue and white Stiftskirche stands right on the river bank. Explore on your own or choose one of a variety of optional excursions your Cruise Director will propose. (B,L,D)
5
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. The charming Old Town with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace as well as gothic ST. MARTIN'S CATHEDRAL should not be missed. (B,L,D)
6
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (DISEMBARKATION 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 FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church are among the many sights a Local Guide will show you. This afternoon you can explore this vibrant city at your own pace. (B)
7
BUDAPEST A free day to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for many things to do. (B)
8
BUDAPEST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
CRUISE: Deluxe 3-night cruise from Vienna to Budapest in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds (Category E) VIENNA: Welcome reception MELK: Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey DURNSTEIN: See the Stiftskirche BRATISLAVA: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin's Cathedral VIENNA EXTENSION: Guided sightseeing; services of a Local Host BUDAPEST EXTENSION: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen's Bastion; services of a Local Host MEALS: Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements. Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the cruise description
Meals Breakfast - 7 Lunch - 2 Dinner - 2
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
44
EUR
Name:A VISIT OF SCHONBRUNN IMPERIAL PALACE Location:VIENNA Details:Schonbrunn, the former summer residence of the Imperial family, is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. The Habsburgs resided here for the better part of the year in numerous rooms to house the large Imperial family in addition to representational rooms. Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO's cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings. Follow our local expert and visit Empress Sisi's former summer residence, afterwards take your time to stroll through the park or enjoy a demonstration of how the famous Viennese Apple Strudel is made - Samples to taste included.
49
EUR
Name:ROYAL WALTZ CONCERT Location:VIENNA Details:Would a stay in Vienna be the same if you were not able to listen to the tunes of the "Blue Danube Waltz" or the "Radetzky" March? Your Cruise Director will accompany you to one of Vienna's famous Concert Halls. Avalon will make preferred seating arrangements. In order to celebrate this evening in style, have a glass of sparkling wine in the intermission, before you listen to the famous tunes brought to you by opera singers and watch the elegant ballet dancers as they interpret some of the most well known classical tunes from Vienna.
29
EUR
Name:AUSTRIAN CROWN JEWELS Location:VIENNA Details:Fascinating treasures from the possessions of the Habsburgs, among them a "unicorn" almost two and a half meters long, are exhibited here together with the crown of Emperor Rudolf II (1552-1612). The orb and sceptre, the insignia of the imperial house of Austria, were symbols of might and dignity for centuries. These pieces are set with valuable jewels; they and the intricately worked jewellery are not only witnesses of history, they are also worth a fortune. Let yourself be overwhelmed by the magnificent riches of the once so mighty Habsburgs.
39
EUR
Name:SCHLOSSHOF - A CASTLE AND ITS PEOPLE Location:BRATISLAVA Details:Just another castle? No! Schlosshof is more than just a castle. While other palaces show you the splendor of representation, this one grants a view backstage. Our local experts show you what happened to the palaces in wintertime, when it was simply too expensive to heat the mighty structure; we will stroll through the park and hear the stories of how the old patterns were miraculously found and redone. We will get an idea of what a feast might have looked like, in the days of Prince Eugen. But the real fun part is to see how the many helping hands worked in former times from the farmers to the gardeners, from the locksmiths to the servants, from the laundry girls to the kitchen staff. Explore the herb and spice garden; Pet the white donkeys, and after all take your time to look behind the scenes in order to get a full picture of living like a Marie Antoinette
19
EUR
Name:BUDAPEST'S NIGHT LIGHTS Location:BUDAPEST Details:Buda and Pest two cities of the same capital divided by the river Danube and connected by beautiful bridges like the "Chain Bridge" or the "Elisabeth Bridge". Join your local expert on a drive up to the hills of Buda for a breathtaking view overlooking the roofs of Budapest, and the latest gossip in town.
31
EUR
Name:HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT Location:BUDAPEST Details:Take the opportunity for a visit of the impressive Houses of Parliament. After a walk around Hungary's largest building follow our local expert on an inside visit of the magnificent neo-gothic home of the Hungarian Crown, the splendid session room, the impressive staircase and the wonderful great vaulted hall.
The Parliament reserves the right to cancel guided tours without prior notice on certain occasions.
34
EUR
Name:COMMUNIST BUDAPEST Location:BUDAPEST Details:From 1947 to 1989, the Hungarian Communist Party held sway. Although the regime was not as deferential to the Soviet Union, the collective economy and fear of the secret police shaped the lives of Hungarian citizens. Today the former headquarters of the AVH, the dreaded secret police, are a museum. Budapest was clearly tied to the East in the bipolar Cold War world. Still, there are vestiges of Lenin's legacy. Our local experts will explain why on the lawn beyond the Hungarian Parliament flies a flag with a hole in the centre.
Optional Excursions
