Visionary, Christmas on the Danube ex Vienna to Prague
Cruise Departure Date:
Tuesday 11th December 2012
Duration & Cruise Type:
8 days Cruise Only
Package Departs:
Vienna, Austria
AVALON WATERWAYS RIVER CRUISES - CHRISTMASTIME ON THE DANUBE
Enjoy an 8 night cruise-tour from Vienna to Prague with Avalon Visionary. Fares from $2,275*pp twin share!
INCLUSIONS:
Enjoy the festive atmosphere of 1,000-year-old Prague and all along the legendary Danube on this enchanting holiday. Delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Vienna as Local Guides introduce you to these exciting cities. Be sure to sample the Gluhwein, Lebkuchen, and other traditional holiday specialties!
Included Features:
PRAGUE: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds
NUREMBERG: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing; beer tasting
REGENSBURG: Guided sightseeing
MELK: Guided visit of Benedictine Abbey
VIENNA: Guided sightseeing
^*Earlybird and other discount offers may apply. See below for details.
Your Christmastime on The Danube cruise/tour package includes:
- 6 night cruise in a deluxe outside stateroom with hotel style beds
- 2 nights in Prague at the Hilton Hotel including breakfast^^
- All features as listed above
- All shipboard meals whilst cruising with complimentary regional wines, beer and soft drinks served with dinner
- Captains reception & farewell dinner
- Sightseeing with local guides including headsets and handy destination guidebooks
- Lectures & speeches onboard
- Gratuities onboard
- Port taxes & charges
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
^Earlybird Offer - Save $500 per couple by booking ANY 2012 Avalon Waterways European River cruise. Prices are per person twin share and include gratuities and port charges. Offer is valid until 30/09/11 or until sold out. Offer is valid for new bookings only and subject to cabin availability. Not combinable with any other discount or offers except Early Payment and Second Tour discount. Not valid for Groups. Valid for Singles - single supplement applies. All offers exclude Avalon/Royal Suites (Jnr Suites). Deposit of $500 per person/per cruise required within 14 days. Further restrictions may apply. Offers can be withdrawn or modified at any time without notice. ^^Hotel in Prague is provided by and at the discretion of Avalon Waterways and is subject to change.
*Early Payment Discount - Book and pay in full four months before your departure date and get 2.5% discount on the total land/cruise purchase.
**Extra Tour Discount - Choose a second or subsequent cruise or tour and get $75 per person off the additional cruise or tours. (Does not apply to single city stay Monogram Holidays).
Note: All prices are based on twin share. Single supplements apply. Triples are not available.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
*Conditions Apply: Please note that the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. While we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ from the live prices in our booking system. Offer subject to availability at time of booking. Prices are per person share twin based on best available cruise fare, inclusive of all discounts unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise stated, gratuities are NOT included. Some prices are subject to currency fluctuations. All prices based on cash or cheque payment - credit card fees may apply. Unless otherwise stated, all packaged containing airfare will require full airfare/taxes payment within 24 hours of reservation and cancellation/amendment conditions apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. Provided by Seven Oceans Cruising. Agents only reservations: 1300 137 330.
Cruise Itinerary
Day
Date
Port
Arrive
Depart
1
11 Dec 2012
Embark
2
12 Dec 2012
3
13 Dec 2012
4
14 Dec 2012
5
15 Dec 2012
6
16 Dec 2012
7
17 Dec 2012
Hotel
8
18 Dec 2012
Hotel
9
19 Dec 2012
** Itinerary may vary by sailing date
6 Night Cruise sailing from Vienna to Nuremberg aboard Avalon Visionary. 2 night stay post-cruise in Prague.
Cruise Overview
Enjoy the festive atmosphere from Vienna to Prague and all along the legendary Danube on this enchanting river cruise vacation. Enjoy guided sightseeing in each city and delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of centuries-old Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Nuremberg, and Prague. Be sure to sample the Glühwein, Lebkuchen, and other traditional holiday specialties! Other highlights include a guided visit of the amazing Benedictine Abbey in Melk, a funbeer tasting, and a visit of the magnificent Hradcany Castle grounds in Prague. What a fantastic way to start your holiday season!
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrive in Vienna, Austria (Embarkation)
Welcome to Vienna, Austria's romantic capital! This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)
Day 2 Vienna
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria's capital has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy on your city tour. You do not rush through Vienna-you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood cafe. Soak up the atmosphere of the Adventszeit (Advent season) and spend some time in the beautiful Christmas markets located throughout the city. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 Dürnstein-Melk
This morning, enjoy a guided walk around Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade. After lunch, visit the glorious BENEDICTINE ABBEY, which dominates the town of Melk 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! This evening you'll sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of the region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 Linz-Passau, Germany
Linz, Austria's third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights as well as more Christmas cheer-the traditional carols, the sparkling lights, and the smell of candles and gingerbread. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Regensburg
Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria-gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria's cultural centers. The Christmas market is located on the historic market square. Germany is famous for its sausages, and Regensburg is home to the country's oldest restaurant-Historische Wurstküche (the Old Sausage Kitchen), dating back to the 12th century. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Nuremberg
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 churches and elegant patrician houses, all explained by a local expert. Nuremberg hosts Germany's most famous Christmas market, which dates back to 1628; the Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations. The city's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Nuremberg (Disembarkation)-Prague, Czech Republic
Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the "Golden City." (Breakfast)
Day 8 Prague
Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. It straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. See its best-known treasures such as the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, and stroll through the Christmas markets. Rows of brightly decorated wooden huts sell Christmas tree ornaments, wooden toys, and Czech handicrafts. Get a little inner warmth with a cup of svařene vino (hot mulled wine) and a traditional hot sausage from one of the stalls. The beautifully decorated tree in the Old Town is an impressive sight. Christmas is the most important family holiday of the year in most Eastern European countries, and the Czechs begin their preparations and celebrations on December 4 with the Feast of St. Barbara. (Breakfast)
Day 9 Prague
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
