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European Christmas Market Cruise
A Magical Journey on the Danube River
Embarking on the brand new 5-Star ms Amalyra
ONLY 1 CABIN AVAILABLE!
Nov. 29 to Dec. 09, 2009
11 days / 10 nights
Price CA $3575 pp, based on double occupancy
Category E – Deluxe outside stateroom
Celebrate the magic of the wonderful winter season with this fascinating trip from Budapest to historic Prague through the beauty and history of the Danube, Europe’s second largest river. We visit many of the Danube’s great cities including Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Passau, Regensburg and Nuremberg on this truly 5-star river cruise on the ms Amalyra. We spend 7 nights travelling on the main Danube Canal and the Danube River also crossing the Continental Divide. It is these charming towns where so many Christmas traditions began. You will marvel at the captivating Wachau Valley and the enchanting towns in Bavaria. Shop at the Christmas markets where you meet the local people and their families celebrating the advent season. This is a truly magical experience.
Day One DEPART CANADA
Meet your fellow travelers as we gather at Pearson International Airport in Toronto for our overnight flight to Frankfurt with connecting flight onward to Budapest. Meals will be served in flight.
Day Two EMBARK ON THE MS AMALYRA
Arrival into Budapest this morning where we are met by our deluxe coach. Transfer to our luxurious river cruise ship that is moored near the city center. Start exploring the city on your own before meeting your fellow travelers at the Welcome Cocktail Reception. After the Welcome Dinner, enjoy a Gypsy performance onboard. (B, D)
Day Three BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The morning city tour includes historic Buda Castle, where you have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Our tour also features 500-year-old Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure to explore the Christmas markets. Later in the day, we start our cruising to Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day Four VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Arrive after breakfast and enjoy a day in captivating Vienna. A sightseeing tour includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and visit the Christmas markets at the Town Hall. Your afternoon is free to stroll along Kärntnerstrasse, sample Vienna’s famous pastries or visit a museum. Tonight, return to the Christmas market, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B, L, D)
Day Five MELK - LINZ
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley this morning. A guided tour takes us to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries. Rejoining the ship for lunch you will cruise to Linz, where you will arrive in time to visit there beautiful Christmas markets. (B, L, D)
Day Six: LINZ – PASSAU, GERMANY
Perhaps, take the optional excursion to Salzburg. Described as “one of the most beautiful cities in Europe," Salzburg is an architectural jewel. This is also Mozart's hometown, and the setting of the world-famous movie, The Sound of Music. Join in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. For those staying on board, enjoy a relaxing day of cruising and time to explore the picturesque town of Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a walking tour of this fairytale city, which was founded more than 2,000 years ago and has a delightful Christmas market. (B, L, D)
Day Seven: REGENSBURG
Arrive in medieval Regensburg. Our tour will show you the city's highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Then, visit the Old Kornmarkt Christmas market and shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. You can also visit the “royal” Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas market, with artisans making the goods in front of you. Here you can sit around open fires and have hot chocolate. This evening enjoy a folklore performance on board. (B, L, D)
Day Eight: NUREMBERG
This morning enter the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmuhl Valley. The Main-Danube Canal straddles the Franconian Alps via 16 locks, truly a fascinating feat of modern engineering. After lunch, a short drive through the pastoral countryside brings you to Nuremberg. Enjoy a tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. See the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. After your tour, visit the world’s largest Christmas Market, where over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offer an assortment of unique children’s toys, tinsel angels, dolls, dollhouses, gingerbread and the list goes on. (B, L, D)
Day Nine: NUREMBERG-PRAGUE-CZECH REPUBLIC
After breakfast we bid farewell to our ship and drive through the pastoral countryside to Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian spa. After lunch, continue to Prague and check into the hotel. Balance of the day free to see the wonderful Christmas market in the Old Town of Prague. Welcome dinner to Prague this evening. (B, D)
Day Ten: PRAGUE
This morning’s sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Visit the thousand-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard, St. Vitus Cathedral, and then walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The balance of the day is free to wander through the Christmas markets with their tempting assortment of handicrafts, toys, woodcarvings, and ornaments. Mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy a cup of tea in one of the charming cafés or restaurants. Farewell dinner this evening. (B, D)
Day Eleven: DEPART PRAGUE
Gather up all of your souvenirs and do any last minute shopping before we transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto. (B) Inflight meal service.
Meal codes: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner
Upgrade to higher category cabins, pricing per person based on double occupancy
Category E cabin $3575.00 Cabin with fixed window
Category D cabin $3715.00 Cabin with fixed window
Category C cabin $3875.00 Cabin with French Doors
Category B cabin $3995.00 Cabin with French Doors
Category A cabin $4095.00 Cabin with French Doors
Roommate match subject to availability.
What’s Included:
- Round trip airfare with Air Canada/Lufthansa from Toronto
- All transfers as per the itinerary
- 7-night deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
- High-speed internet in your cabin complimentary
- Terry bathrobes and plush linen in all staterooms
- All meals while on the ship
- Unlimited Quality red and white wine from Europe’s great wine regions with dinner
- Cocktail reception, welcome dinner and Captain’s Gala dinner
- 2 night’s first class hotel in Prague
- 2 dinners in Prague at selected restaurants
- Special highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinner, Musical Performances and afternoon and evening Piano Music
- Services of Professional Cruise Director
- All English language spoken on board in non-smoking environment.
- Magical Christmas markets - Budapest, Vienna, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg & Prague
- Half-day guided tour of Budapest
- Half-day guided tour of Vienna
- Guided tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Tour of Historic Nuremberg
- All tipping on the ship is prepaid ($168.00 pp)
- Port taxes ($110.00 pp)
- Fully escorted from Canada by a WTN tour leader
Not Included:
- Airport departure taxes of approximately $400
- Lunch on Day 9 and Day 10
- Cancellation and medical insurance
- Excess baggage charges
- Expenses of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, bottled water, etc.
- Any item not mentioned above
Note: Tour is based on a minimum of 10 participants. To confirm your spot on " Christmas Market Cruise” contact:
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