The Blue Danube

Westbound Itinerary • = cruise day 1. Arrive Budapest Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Budapest. A transfer is included from Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport to the InterContinental Budapest in the heart of Pest on the Danube’s eastern bank, across the river from the Royal Palace. Please join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight as you meet your fellow travelers. Meals D 2. Fascinating Pest View the impressive architecture of Hungary’s capital – divided by the Danube River into two distinct sections, Buda and Pest – on a tour of Pest. See patriotic Heroes’ Square, the fashionable shopping street of Váci Utca, the Parliament building, and tree-lined Andrassy Avenue, and experience a very special visit to the State Opera House. Meals B • 3. Explore Buda / Embark Riverboat After a morning at leisure, a guided walking tour of Buda takes you up to Castle Hill, overlooking the Danube. View the iconic Fishermen’s Bastion, and visit the late-Gothic-style Matthias Church (it may be closed on some days due to services). Embark your riverboat this afternoon for the start of your cruise and a memorable journey along the River Danube. Meet the ship’s Captain at tonight’s welcome reception and dinner. Meals BLD • 4. Danube Cruise / Bratislava Cruise the Danube to Bratislava, capital city of modern Slovakia and a long-ago capital of Hungary. Be sure to bring your passport for a guided walking tour of this Baroque-inspired gem. Walk back through centuries of history on a visit to the 13th-century Old Town Hall, past Habsburg-era palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Treat your taste buds to some regional fare in a local coffeehouse before returning to the ship. Colorful Slovakian entertainment is on the docket for this evening when a talented troupe of dancers and musicians performs aboard ship. Meals BLD • 5. The Imperial City of Vienna Dock in legendary Vienna, inspiring romantic visions of “Old Europe.” Sightseeing includes the Ringstrasse, the Opera House and Parliament, and your choice of a visit to Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Silver Room at the Hofburg. Prepare to be pampered with royal treatment tonight at a private Imperial Evening in a traditional palace, where a grand gala dinner provides an incomparable setting for tonight’s Viennese performers. Meals BLD • 6. Vienna / Cruise to Dürnstein For centuries, Vienna was the capital of the Habsburgs’ Austro-Hungarian Empire, and its exalted position among European cities survives to this day. The morning is yours to discover some of the city’s opulent palaces, theatres and other cultural institutions – including over a hundred museums – on your own before returning to the riverboat to resume your Danube River trip. Cruise this afternoon along picturesque landscapes en route to Dürnstein in Austria’s wine country for a late night arrival. High on a hilltop above the town lie the ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle, a place of history and legend; England’s King Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom here during the Crusades. Meals BLD • 7. Dürnstein / Wachau Valley Cruise Join a local guide for a walking tour of Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets that reveals 16th-century Baroque houses and a 13th-century Romanesque church. Explore on your own, or walk up to the castle ruins for lovely vistas of Dürnstein and the Danube, prior to a delightful wine tasting at a local Wachau region winery. Your riverboat journey continues past lush vineyards, ancient castles and monasteries in the Wachau Valley, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes and towns, including Melk. Local Austrian entertainers come aboard ship this evening to share the musical traditions of their country. Meals BLD • 8. Salzburg and Linz You have a choice today; enjoy the town of Linz, Austria, as you wish, or join us for a full-day excursion to enchanting Salzburg, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s hometown on the Salzach River. A pageant of beautiful Baroque architecture awaits on a guided walking tour through narrow lanes and old squares; climb up narrow staircases for a glimpse inside Mozart’s birthplace and visit lovely Mirabell Gardens, adorned with Baroque statues and fountains, before rejoining the ship for dinner. Meals BLD • 9. Passau / Cruising the Danube Arrive in Passau after breakfast for a guided walking tour through the tunnels, archways, churches, four-story Baroque houses and cobblestone streets of this Bavarian town on the Danube and Inn Rivers. See the Old Town and Altes Rathaus (town hall) before returning to your riverboat for lunch. An idyllic afternoon lies before you as you cruise through pastoral landscapes to Regensburg. Join us tonight for our farewell reception and dinner. Meals BLD 10. Regensburg / Prague Disembark your riverboat in Regensburg, whose roots stretch back to its humble beginnings as a campsite for the Roman legions. A guided walking tour of Old Town Regensburg chronicles the town’s rich heritage; see 12th-century Steinerne Brücke (Germany’s oldest surviving stone bridge), towering Dom St. Peter – Bavaria’s most impressive Gothic wonder – and the remains of the Roman wall. Some 1,400 period buildings stand as enduring testimony to the town’s medieval history. Enjoy lunch on your own before departing for Prague. Meals BD 11. Prague, Past and Present Discover Prague, capital of the modern Czech Republic, starting in the Hradcany (Castle) district, where 1,000-year-old Prague Castle is surrounded by a complex of palaces, gardens, museums and monasteries. Visit the Gothic Cathedral of St. Vitus, and enjoy a Tauck Exclusive – a private guided tour of the beautiful 18th-century Baroque libraries of Strahov Monastery. Spend the afternoon exploring on your own or come along on a walking tour of ethereal Old Town, home to the famous Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. Meals B 12. Journey Home Tour ends: Prague, Czech Republic. A transfer is included from the Prague Marriott Hotel to Prague’s Ruzyne Airport; allow a minimum of 2½ hours for flight check-in. For additional hotel nights in Budapest or Prague, inquire at time of booking. Meals B

 

•   Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director

Day 1: Begin your adventure in Budapest
A transfer is included from Budapest's Ferihegy Airport to the InterContinental Budapest. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors at the welcome reception and dinner to kick off one of Tauck's most popular Danube River cruises.
Overnight: InterContinental Budapest, Hungary
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Discover the landmarks of Pest
Budapest is split into the sections of Buda and Pest by the Danube River. Explore the Pest side of the city, including Heroes’ Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary. Enjoy a special visit to the opulent State Opera House, opened in 1884, with its royal boxes, gilded vaulted ceiling, exquisite murals and three-ton chandelier. View the Parliament building, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece; and stroll Váci Utca, a fashionable promenade.
Overnight: InterContinental Budapest, Hungary
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: • Explore Buda and embark your riverboat
On the Buda side, head up to Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the Danube and the city, on a walking tour. See Fishermen’s Bastion, with its Neo-Romanesque design, and admire the stained glass windows and centuries of history in the 14th-century, late-Gothic Matthias Church. Board the riverboat this afternoon to launch your most enjoyable of Danube River cruises. Note: Matthias Church may be closed on some departures due to services.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: • Baroque in Bratislava
The first port of call is Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Bring your passport for a guided walking tour of this ancient city, on which you'll view several Baroque palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral, and visit the 13th-century Old Town Hall. Sample some regional fare in a local coffeehouse prior to returning to the riverboat. After setting off for magical Vienna to continue one of our popular Danube River cruises, enjoy a performance by talented Slovakian musicians and dancers aboard ship this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: • Music and more in Imperial Vienna
Arrive in remarkable Vienna, Austria, the picture of "Old World Europe;" get an overview on a morning sightseeing tour of this historic city that includes the Ringstrasse, the Opera House, City Hall and Parliament. Then choose a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg. Tonight, indulge in the royal treatment at a very special private Imperial Viennese evening in a traditional palace, which features a gala dinner and live Viennese music.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: • Explore Vienna and journey to Dürnstein
Pursue your own interests this morning in Vienna – which boasts a rich architectural legacy from its centuries as the capital of the Habsburgs' empire, plus over a hundred museums – and then return to the riverboat. Your discovery of the Danube River cruises past castles and abbeys to medieval Dürnstein, where you'll arrive late this evening. 
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: • Picturesque Dürnstein and Wachau Valley cruise
Take a walking tour amidst Dürnstein's lovely cobblestone streets, 16th-century houses, and former Augustinian monastery with our local guide today. High above this village sit the ruins of the castle fortress where England’s King Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades; during some free time, you may want to walk up to the ruins and take in magnificent views of the river and the town. Attend a wine tasting at a local winery before resuming your cruise through the Wachau Valley, Austria's lush wine-growing region, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes. Local Austrian musicians entertain you aboard ship tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: • Salzburg sights or relax in Linz
Choose to enjoy the city of Linz, Austria, or take a full-day excursion to beautiful old Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with lovely Baroque architecture, and the hometown of 18th-century Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The day trip includes enchanting Mirabell Gardens, a visit to Mozart's birthplace, and a guided walking tour through the historic district, rich in ornate church towers and grand palaces.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: • Spend the day in Passau and cruise the Danube
Dock in the German town of Passau; take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of this picturesque riverside town renowned for its four-story Baroque houses, exquisite stained glass and scores of churches. See the Altes Rathaus, the old town hall with 15th-century origins, murals on the façade and a glockenspiel in the tower. Return to the riverboat for lunch as you cruise past idyllic German landscapes to Regensburg. Tonight, celebrate this most enjoyable of Danube River cruises with the Captain's gala farewell reception and dinner aboard the riverboat.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Disembark in ancient Regensburg and on to Prague
Your Danube river cruise concludes when you disembark your riverboat in the well-preserved Bavarian town of Regensburg, which began its long life as a Roman encampment many centuries ago. On a walking tour led by your enthusiastic local guide, you'll visit the Steinerne Brücke, a medieval stone bridge over the Danube, towering Dom St. Peter, and the remains of the town’s Roman wall. Have lunch on your own and explore at leisure before driving to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic and the City of 100 Spires, where your hotel has been named one of the Top 100 Best Luxury Hotels of the World. Enjoy dinner tonight at your choice of select Prague restaurants.
Overnight: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Discover the legacy of Prague
Begin your discovery of Prague – a vibrant city where ancient and modern, and east and west, converge – in the Hradcany (Castle) district today, where you'll see Prague Castle's 1,000-year-old complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens. Visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus and enjoy a Tauck-exclusive, private tour of Strahov Monastery's grand Baroque libraries. Spend the rest of the day exploring this fascinating metropolis as you please, or join us for a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the celebrated Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge – as well as historic Wenceslas Square. 
Overnight: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Homeward bound
Tour ends in Prague, Czech Republic. A transfer is included from the Prague Marriott Hotel to Prague's Ruzyne International Airport.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Special Air Savings - Learn More Hurry! Air Savings End March 26! Special International Air Savings – Europe Book and deposit summertime departures of the following Tauck journeys to Europe by March 26, 2010 and save $2,000 per couple off Business Class Air ($1,000 off per person) from select U.S. cities. Savings are valid for travel between June 29 and September 5, 2010, subject to availability: •Treasures of the Aegean – 14 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit •Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome – 11 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Le Ponant •Switzerland – 11 days featuring travel along Tauck’s scenic Yellow Roads •Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence & Rome – 10 days in Italy with all multiple-night stays •Paradors of Northern Spain – 14 days exploring culturally rich Iberia •The Best of Ireland – 13 days featuring iconic cultural treasures of the Emerald Isle •A Week In… Ireland – 8 days with a 2-night stay at Dromoland Castle •A Week In… Spain – 8 days from Barcelona to Andalucía, Seville and Madrid •A Week In… Scotland – 8 days with 2- and 3-night stays in Loch Lomond, Inverness & Edinburgh •Spain and Portugal – 14 days of Iberian pleasures and culinary treasures •Normandy, Brittany, Paris & the Loire Valley – 13 days showcasing joie de vivre •A Week In… London & Paris – 4 nights at a grand hotel in London and 3 nights in Paree •Castles & Kings: London to Paris – An 8-day family vacation alive with royal traditions Deposit must be paid at time of booking and certain restrictions apply. Valid on new bookings only and not combinable with other promotions; ask for details. Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/11/2010 - 5/23/2010	$4,790
6/1/2010 - 6/13/2010	$4,990
10/11/2010 - 10/23/2010	$4,290
10/25/2010 - 11/6/2010	$3,990
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.

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