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www.rivercruisetours.com A division of the Atlas Travel Network |
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CHRISTMASTIME IN GERMANY and AUSTRIA (WVF2010) A 13-Day tour starting from $2,769 |
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Live, experienced travel consultants available:
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About This Tour |
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Vacation Overview Austria and Germany—there are no better places to savor Gemütlichkeit, Glühwein, and Lebkuchen during the festive time of year! You’ll be enthralled by the beautiful decorations, the festive lights, and the special atmosphere that only a visit to a Christmas market on a cold, crisp winter’s day can bring. Other highlights of this river cruise vacation: explore the charming towns along the Danube and Main with a local expert, visit the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, and learn how a local cookie specialty is made in picturesque Miltenberg. |
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What's Included? |
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Meals Superb dining with meals on board featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s receptions, and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; Complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day |
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Sightseeing / Highlights |
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Ship Avalon Luminary City Highlights Cruise: Deluxe 11-night cruise from Vienna to Frankfurt in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds Vienna: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing Dürnstein: Walking tour Melk: Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; wine tasting Regensburg: Walking tour Nuremberg: Guided sightseeing; beer tasting Munich: Guided sightseeing Bamberg: Guided sightseeing, Old Town Hall Würzburg: Guided sightseeing, visit the Residenz; excursion to Rothenburg Miltenberg: Guided sightseeing; baking demonstrationNotes:Christmas markets operate from late November until December 25Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach. |
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Your Itinerary |
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| Day 1: Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2: 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. (D) Day 3: 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 café. Soak up the atmosphere of the Adventszeit (Advent season) and spend some time in the beautiful Christmas markets located throughout the city. (B,L,D) Day 4: Dürnstein–Melk. This morning, enjoy a guided walk around Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque STIFTSKIRCHE with its blue façade. After lunch, visit the magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY that 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 region’s FAMOUS WINES. (B,L,D) Day 5: 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 Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, 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. (B,L,D) Day 6: Regensburg. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL, 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. (B,L,D) Day 7: 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. After dinner we'll introduce you to some of Germany's FAMOUS BEERS. (B,L,D) Day 8: Nuremberg–Excursion to Munich. After breakfast, drive to Munich, where a Local Expert will proudly show you the sights of the Bavarian capital. An inspiring mix of historic buildings and impressive architecture, you'll see the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, Nymphenburg Palace, MARIENPLATZ in the historic heart of the city with the Old and New Town Halls, and the gothic Frauenkirche. Later, there's free time to explore on your own. The traditional Christmas market is located on the Marienplatz, with aromas of toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread filling the air and the strains of alpine Christmas music coming from the town hall. At the nearby Rindermarkt, you'll find the Kripperlmarkt, one of the largest markets in Germany specializing in mangers and other nativity accessories. And don't leave Munich without paying a visit to the famous Hofbräuhaus for a stein of beer! Return to your ship in the late afternoon. (B,D) Day 9: Nuremberg. A day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, write those last-minute postcards, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do. (B,L,D) Day 10: Bamberg. A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site is medieval Bamberg. Your walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the OLD TOWN HALL straddling the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. At this time of year the town is decked out for Christmas and especially interesting are the many nativity scenes that are built by local citizens and exhibited throughout the town. (B,L,D) Day 11: Würzburg. Excursion to Rothenburg. Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, set off on the most scenic section of the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This ancient walled city, with its ramparts, fountains and cobbled lanes, is steeped in history. Although known for its year-round Christmas market, the real one at this time of the year is an experience not to be missed. Try a Schneeball (snowball), a local specialty that is not at all suitable for a diet! (B,L,D) Day 12: Wertheim–Miltenberg. This morning, stop in Wertheim, whose overlapping half-timbered houses are grouped along winding streets. Glassblowers have a long tradition in this town and, especially in winter, they produce decorations that hang on Christmas trees all over the world. Marvel at the tasteful Christmas decorations in the shop windows and stroll through the charming Christmas market. Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and renaissance houses and the gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall shown to you during your guided walk. The town center is within walking distance of the ship, as is the Christmas market. Before lunch, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty. (B,L,D) Day 13: Frankfurt (Disembarkation). Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
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Dates & Prices |
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Additional Information |
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Price Details US Cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges: $154Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Vienna:in single room $308, in twin room $187Extra nights per person in Frankfurt:in single room $303, in twin room $220Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:Category / Decks / PriceB / Sapphire Deck / $784A / Sapphire Deck / $863P / Royal Deck / $1,020Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $1,884 Related Tours WFV|Christmastime in Germany & Austria (Frankfurt to Vienna) |
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Specials |
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Save up to $2,000 on select 2010 Europe River Cruises Save up to $2,000 per couple on these select 2010 Avalon Waterways River Cruises.*
$2,000 off per couple
Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches 8 days from Paris to Paris or 9 days incl. travel
Aug 30, 2010
11 days from Côte d’Azur to Paris or 12 days incl. travel
Aug 30, 2010
12 days from Prague to Paris or 11 days incl. travel
Aug 19, 2010 Sept 30, 2010
13 days from Budapest to Prague or 14 days incl. travel
Oct 21, 2010 Oct 24, 2010
13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel
Oct 18, 2010
13 days from Paris to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel
October 4, 2010
13 days Vienna to Bucharest or 12 days incl. travel
Aug 17, 2010
14 days from Amsterdam to Basel or 15 days incl. travel
Oct 16, 2010
15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest 16 days incl. travel
Aug 21, 2010 Oct 9, 2010 Oct 16, 2010
15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam 16 days incl. travel
August 28, 2010 September 4, 2010 September 25, 2010 October 2, 2010
The Upper Rhine to the City of Music 13 days from Zürich to Vienna or 14 days incl. travel
Oct 29, 2010
23 days from Bucharest to Amsterdam or 24 days incl. travel
August 27, 2010
*Book a select 2010 Europe Avalon Waterways River Cruise vacation to receive $1,000 off per person. Book a select Taste of Danube river cruise vacation to receive the $500 off per person. Offer available on select dates of select cruises listed above. Suites excluded. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied anytime after May 18, 2010 for travel at select times in 2010. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
Avalon Waterways Will Not Be Undersold! Avalon will match competitor pricing on 2010 European river cruises!*
Call today and gives us the name and departure date of a competitor's river cruise you are considering. If Avalon has a comparable 2010 cruise available, they'll match the per diem price - with the newest fleet on the market, why not?
*Book a Europe Avalon River cruise vacation to receive the match offer. Must provide the name and departure date of the competitor cruise in order to qualify. Must be made, under deposit, and discount applied prior to March 2, 2010 for travel through December 31st, 2010. Offer good in conjunction with other qualifying offers including Journeys Club. Offer is subject to change and could be withdrawn at any time. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. |
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| Important Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. |
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