December 9-17 (Thursday-Friday)Christmas on
the Danube River
with Collette Vacations
Begin your holiday season with a relaxing cruise along
the scenic Danube River, stopping at traditional Christmas markets
in Vienna, Regensburg, Passau, Rothenberg and Nuremberg. Nuremberg
is a toy making center, known for its fanciful nutcrackers and Lebkuchen
(gingerbread). Float through the Wachau Valley dotted with castles and
small riverside towns. Discover Wurzburg, an ancient Franconian wine
town. Delight in the fairytale, baroque architecture in Passau. In Vienna, join
a local expert in exploring the historic sights where you’ll indulge in the
city’s atmosphere of opulence and elegance.
Day 1: Overnight Flight. Welcome the winter
season with a timeless trip down the Danube River. Your holiday tour
begins with an overnight flight to Europe.
Day 2: Wurzburg, Germany - Tour Begins. Your tour
begins in the ancient town of Wurzburg, known as “the jewel of the Main
River,” and reputed to be one of Germany’s loveliest towns. Meet your fellow
travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3: Wurzburg - Rothenburg - Nuremberg - Board Cruise
Ship. This morning, join a local guide on a leisurely-paced
walking tour of Wurzburg. This ancient Franconian wine town
is rich in historic sights, including the magnificent 18th-century
residence of the prince-bishops which boasts the largest ceiling fresco in the
world, and the ornate Alte Mainbrucke, the oldest bridge on the River Main.
Proceed to lovely Rothenburg, one of the most well-preserved medieval walled
towns in all of Germany. Enjoy free time to explore the town’s hidden
treasures and its charming Christmas Market. Late afternoon, you arrive
in Nuremberg to meet your cruise ship. Unpack once for a relaxing
6-night Danube River cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond.
This beautiful ship offers the newest technology, a panoramic deck, terrace
café, panorama salon and bar, fitness center, excellent cuisine and outstanding
service. This evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner on board. (B, D)
Day 4: Nuremberg. A local expert provides an
interesting city tour of historic Nuremberg featuring the old town, the
900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle, and the
Justice Palace, where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Your city tour
concludes with a visit to Nuremberg’s Christmas Market, Germany’s most famous
and oldest, dating back to 1628. Nuremberg is a toy making center and you
will have the opportunity to shop for traditional handcrafted nutcrackers and
sample its famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later in the day, your cruise
continues across the continental divide and through the final stretch of the
fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg. After a delightful dinner,
the onboard orchestra provides a musical Christmas concert for your enjoyment.
Language Discovery: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the
origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along
with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Regensburg. A guided walking tour
of magnificent Regensburg reveals one of Germany’s best preserved medieval
cities with nearly 1,400 historic buildings. Some of the architectural
highlights include the old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient
Roman fort built in 179 AD. From the 12th-century 1,400-foot long
medieval bridge, you will have spectacular views of the city and surrounding
countryside. This afternoon, take a stroll through the old town to Regensburg’s
charming Christmas Market and marvel at the festive lights and
decorations. Browse and shop at the brightly lit wooden huts that sell Christmas
tree ornaments, wooden toys and local handicrafts. Late evening your ship
departs for Passau. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Passau. Early morning you cruise past scenic
valleys and charming riverside towns to Passau, situated at the
confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Enjoy a leisurely paced
walking tour of this 2,000-year-old fairytale city, exploring the
ornate baroque architecture, the quaint cobblestone streets, cathedral and
charming Christmas Market. After dinner, enjoy a delightful music
concert in the ship’s panorama lounge. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Wachau Valley, Austria - Emmersdorf - Vienna.
View the picturesque landscapes as you cruise to the charming town of
Emmersdorf. Relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery or if you wish, join an
optional excursion to the nearby town of Durnstein and the
900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque
monasteries. Early afternoon you continue cruising through the romantic
Wachau Valley, dotted with magnificent castles and small riverside towns.
Late afternoon you arrive in Vienna, Austria’s beautiful capital city. A
wonderful evening of food, music and entertainment awaits you at the
Captain’s Gala Dinner. After dinner, you are invited to visit Vienna’s most
famous Christmas Market, located near the town hall. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Vienna. Join a local expert exploring
Vienna’s Imperial architecture including the lavish Hofburg Palace, the
impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St.
Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Vienna’s baroque
elegance, stroll along the Kartnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna’s famous
pastries. If you wish, you may join an optional excursion to the
opulent Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty.
Celebrate the end of your magical cruise with a wonderful dinner followed
by an enchanting musical performance. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Disembark Ship - Tour Ends. After breakfast,
you disembark the ship as your tour comes to an end. Happy Holidays!
(B)
Included:
Fully escorted by a Collette Vacations Escort
Round trip air from BWI
1 night hotel accommodations
6 nights Stateroom accommodations
7 breakfasts
5 lunches
7 dinners
Ports of call, including:
- Nuremberg
- Regensburg
- Passau
- Vienna
Sightseeing by deluxe touring motor coach through out
with a professional driver and tour guide
Attractions and admissions per itinerary
Portage - one (1) suitcase per person
Tips and taxes for included meals
Hotel Transfers, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of
$150.00/PP (subject to increase until paid in full)
Excludes Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $235.00/PP
Excludes tip for driver and tour guide on tour
Excludes transfers to/from BWI Airport
Price:
$2,599.00 Double/PP Middle Outside Cabin
$2,699.00 Double/PP Upper Outside Cabin
Deposit: $250.00/PP - Due 7 days after booking
Balance Due: October 1, 2010
Notes:
Collette air passengers will arrive into the
Frankfurt, Germany airport and depart from the Vienna, Austria airport. All
Collette transfers will depart from/return to these airports.
Ports of call are subject to change based on pier
availability and weather conditions.
Single accommodations are extremely limited and Triple
accommodations are not available.
Ice water, coffee or tea is included with all meals. Wine
is included with the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Smart casual wear is recommended throughout the trip. For
the welcome and farewell dinners, a dinner dress for the ladies & jacket and
tie for the gentlemen is recommended. For your comfort, we recommend
bringing walking shoes.
Gratuities for cabin stewards, bus boys and waiters on
board the ship are not included.
To truly experience the program and destination, you need
to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking
tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing.
Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities
occurring later in the evening. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean
accessing locations that restrict motor coaches, especially in historic
areas.
A Passport with a 6 month validity past tour date is
required for this tour. Deposits and cancellation fees, see flyer.
Gunther Tours/Collette Vacations reserves the right
to impose or pass through fuel surcharges, security surcharges or similar
incidental surcharges. No right of cancellation exists under either of these
circumstances.
Travel Protection Insurance is strongly recommended.
Please contact Access America at (800) 284-8300.
