JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WBT2010)

A 20-Day Avalon Waterways tour starting from $5,649

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Starting Price: $5,649 Printer Friendly Page
Tour Length: 20 Days
Countries Visited: Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Central Europe
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  • Single Supplement Waived on Select River Cruises
  • Save $100 per person on Groups of 5 or more
 
More Information About This Tour:
Tour Type:
 River Cruise
Tour Category: RIVER CRUISE
Tour Operator: Avalon Waterways
Tour Code: WBT-2010
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An E-Brochure is available - click to view

Cities Visited:
See Description


Vacation Overview
Sail along the Danube, Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers and through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and Main Danube Canal on this remarkable river cruise. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with inside visits of Fishermen’s Bastion in Budapest, the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Regensburg’s Old Chapel, the Residenz in Würzburg, Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim, Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, and a wine cellar in Bernkastel. Also attend a baking demonstration in Miltenberg, stop along the Romantic Road in medieval Rothenburg, and travel to Paris by high-speed TGV train for guided sightseeing, two overnights, and the conclusion of your exciting vacation.

 

City Highlights


Cruise:
Deluxe 14-night cruise from Budapest to Trier in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

Budapest:
Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion

Vienna:
Guided sightseeing

Melk:
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey

Passau:
Guided sightseeing

Regensburg:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Old Chapel

Main Danube Canal:
Cruise in the canal

Rothenburg:
Guided sightseeing, Glockenspiel

Nuremberg:
Guided sightseeing

Bamberg:
Guided sightseeing, Old Town Hall

Würzburg:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop's Residenz

Miltenberg:
Guided sightseeing; baking demonstration

Rüdesheim:
Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

Rhine Gorge:
Cruise through the Gorge

Cochem:
Visit Reichsburg Castle

Bernkastel:
Guided walk, local marketplace; visit a wine cellar

Trier:
Guided sightseeing, Porta Nigra

Metz-Paris:
By high-speed TGV train

Paris:
Guided sightseeingNotes:In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.In the rare event that the high-speed TGV train is unavailable, alternative arrangements will be made and the sightseeing tour of Trier may not be possible.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.

Ship
Avalon Tranquility®

 


Hotels


Paris
Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF) or Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF),

Budapest
InterContinental (SF)

Meals
Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Budapest; 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; Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; Complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day
 
Day 1:
(Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Budapest, Hungary. (Fri.) Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 3:
Budapest. (Sat.) Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN’S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (B)

Day 4:
Budapest (Embarkation). (Sun.) This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)

Day 5:
Budapest–Vienna, Austria. (Mon.) A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upriver and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the “City of Music,” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. (B,L,D)

Day 6:
Vienna. (Tue.) 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 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. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Dürnstein–Melk. (Wed.) Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque STIFTSKIRCHE with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Continue through the Wachau Valley to Melk, whose magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town 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 be able to sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of this region. (B,L,D)

Day 8:
Linz–Passau, Germany. (Thu.) 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. 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 9:
Regensburg. (Fri.) 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 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. It is here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Nuremberg. (Sat.) 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. Nuremberg’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 11:
Nuremberg. Excursion to Rothenburg. (Sun.) Medieval Rothenburg is a classical walled city. Its half-timbered houses, the church’s wooden altar carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, and the town square with its GLOCKENSPIEL, a tribute to the city’s one-time heroic mayor, all contribute to making this a favorite of the towns along the Romantic Road. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Bamberg. (Mon.) A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site is medieval Bamberg. Your walking tour takes in the breathtaking cathedral, the OLD TOWN HALL straddling the river Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. (B,L,D)

Day 13:
Würzburg. (Tue.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 14:
Miltenberg. (Wed.) Located on the Main River, 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. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty. (B,L,D)

Day 15:
Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Koblenz. (Thu.) Visit SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM in pretty Rüdesheim. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there's free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The DEUTSCHES ECK, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. The Moselle River is some 312-miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and entering Germany at Trier. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. (B,L,D)

Day 16:
Cochem. (Fri.) Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town of Cochem nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (B,L,D)

Day 17:
Bernkastel. (Sat.) In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKET PLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region’s varietals. (B,L,D)

Day 18:
Trier (Disembarkation)–Paris, France. (Sun.) The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! The famous PORTA NIGRA is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and still gives access to the town center. After breakfast, see the highlights of this city on your included tour before traveling to Metz to board the HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Paris. (B)

Day 19:
Paris. (Mon.) Paris’ famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B)

Day 20:
Paris. (Tue) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

 

Don't miss our current specials:

  • Save up to $2,000 on select 2010 Europe River Cruises
  • Avalon Waterways Will Not Be Undersold!
         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
9/23/2010 - 10/12/2010
$5,649
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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Avalon Tranquility

The Avalon Tranquility® introduces a new type of ship to cruising. The navigational bridge is located in the stern, behind the passenger section, allowing for a more spacious and gracious interior design. The lounge and restaurant, located in the front of the vessel, give unimpeded views of the passing landscape. In addition, the Sky Deck is vast for sunning, taking pictures, or simply just relaxing.

Avalon Tranquility® features the Silent Drive System (SDS) created to enhance guest experiences. SDS features ship engines located at the stern, separating it from the passenger compartment, allowing for a quieter cruise experience than traditional small ships.

Features exclusive to the Avalon Tranquility® staterooms:

  • Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in most staterooms
  • French balconies in most staterooms
  • 15" Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
  • Private bathroom with shower
  • Comfortable, hotel-style beds
  • European-style duvets
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Large closets
  • Minibar, hairdryer & safe
  • Individual climate control
Avalon Tranquility

Staterooms (Click thumbnails to see full size image

Jr. Suites
Jr. Suites

Jr. Suites

Features exclusive to the Avalon Tranquility® staterooms:

  • Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in most staterooms
  • French balconies in most staterooms
  • 15" Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
  • Private bathroom with shower
  • Comfortable, hotel-style beds
  • European-style duvets
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Large closets
  • Minibar, hairdryer & safe
  • Individual climate control

Jr. Suites - 258 sq. ft.
1 Bed
2 Toilet
3 Sink
4 Shower
5 Closet
6 Writing Desk
7 Sliding Glass Doors
8 Sofa
9 Coffee Table


Stateroom Category A, B, P
Stateroom Category A, B, P

Stateroom Category A, B, P

Features exclusive to the Avalon Tranquility® staterooms:

  • Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in most staterooms
  • French balconies in most staterooms
  • 15" Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
  • Private bathroom with shower
  • Comfortable, hotel-style beds
  • European-style duvets
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Large closets
  • Minibar, hairdryer & safe
  • Individual climate control

Staterooms - 172 sq. ft.
1 Bed
2 Toilet
3 Sink
4 Shower
5 Closet
6 Writing Desk 
7 Sliding Glass Door


Stateroom Category E
Stateroom Category E

Stateroom Category E

Features exclusive to the Avalon Tranquility® staterooms:

  • Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in most staterooms
  • French balconies in most staterooms
  • 15" Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
  • Private bathroom with shower
  • Comfortable, hotel-style beds
  • European-style duvets
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Large closets
  • Minibar, hairdryer & safe
  • Individual climate control

Category E Staterooms - 172 sq. ft.
1 Bed
2 Toilet
3 Sink
4 Shower
5 Closet
6 Writing Desk 
7 Windows


Ship Facts:

  • Inagurated: 2007
  • Length: 443 ft
  • Decks: 4
  • Staterooms: 81
  • Passenger Capacity: 170
  • Voltage: 220v
  • Onboard Currency: Euro

Ship Amenities:

  • Headsets for all guided shore excursions in Europe
  • Services of a professional Cruise Director
  • Sightseeing with Local Guides
  • Revolutionary engineering
  • Silent Drive System (SDS)
  • Non-smoking interior
  • Internet access & Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Elegant polished metal & glass throughout
  • Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
  • Panoramic picture windows for landscape viewing
  • Hair Salon
  • Fitness Center
  • Spacious Sky Decks with shade system for sunning
  • Lounge & Bar
  • Complimentary coffee & tea available throughout the day
  • Fine dining
  • Buffet breakfast items are conveniently color coded to indicate foods that are low calorie, low fat/low calorie, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy
  • Complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks will be included on all onboard dinners
  • Open seating throughout the dining room for all meals
  • Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
  • Comfortable, hotel-style beds
  • Comfortable beds that can be configured as two twins or one queen
  • European-style duvets
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Private bathroom with shower
  • Large closets
  • Minibar, hairdryer & safe
  • Individual climate control
  • Royal Deck passengers can order Continental breakfast to their staterooms
  • All staterooms are outside and those on Royal and Sapphire Decks have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and French balconies
 


Price Details US
Cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges: $196Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Budapest:Departures 0521 & 0924: in single room $414, in twin room $207Departures 0702 & 0813: in single room $337, in twin room $167Extra nights per person in Paris:in single room $440, in twin room $259Cruise-Only Option From $4,479Day 4 Budapest (Embarkation) - Day 18 Trier (Disembarkation)Cruise-only option allows you to participate in just the river cruise portion of the vacation, removing the overnight stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary. Ask your Travel Consultant for details at the time of booking.Prices 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 / $998A / Sapphire Deck / $1,098P / Royal Deck / $1,298Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $2,398

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Save up to $2,000 per couple on these select 2010 Avalon Waterways River Cruises.*

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Oct 16, 2010

Magnificent Europe

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*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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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.