Avalon Waterways River Cruise

The Blue Danube Discovery 2008 & 2009

13 days Budapest to Prague
Three days in Budapest, cruise to Nuremberg, then spend three nights in Prague

INCLUDED FEATURES

  • BUDAPEST Guided sightseeing, visit Matthias Church and Avalon Blue Danube Discovery 2009Fishermen's Bastion, welcome reception
  • VIENNA Guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral
  • DÜRNSTEIN Guided city walk
  • MELK Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey, wine tasting
  • REGENSBURG Guided sightseeing, visit the Old Chapel and Thurn und Taxis Castle
  • MAIN-DANUBE CANAL Cruise in the canal
  • NUREMBERG Guided sightseeing
  • PRAGUE Guided sightseeing, visit Hradcany Castle

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 Folklore performances, lectures, theme dinners, local activities and more

MEALS
Buffet breakfast (BB) in Budapest and Prague; superb dining with all meals on board including cocktail reception, welcome dinner, Captain's Gala dinner, one sitting with open seating arrangements, quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner on board.

INSIDE VISITS
Are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES

  * Seven nights deluxe cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg in outside cabin with hotel-style beds
  * Nightly piano music on board
  * MS Artistry, MS Poetry and MS Symphony are operated by Avalon Waterways

Click here to find out more about what is included in Avalon Waterways vacations.
QUALITY HOTELS
BUDAPEST Sofitel Atrium Budapest (SF), PRAGUE Hilton (SF)

SHIP INFORMATION
MS Artistry departs in May, June, July, September, October, and November
MS Poetry departs in May, June, July, August, September, October, and November

SPECIALS

hot3

2009 Amsterdam to  Budapest EARLYBIRD SUPER DEAL $2638

NOW SOLD OUT p/person

SOLD OUT!!

BOOK NOW!

ITINERARY (Budapest to Prague)

Day 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMENS BASTION and the MATTHIAS CHURCH are sights not to be missed. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for interesting outings and things to do. (BB)

Day 2 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Refer to day 1 above (BB).

Day 3 BUDAPEST This afternoon the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you on board. (BB,D)

Day 4 BUDAPEST-VIENNA, AUSTRIA. 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 up river, and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 93km stretch (58-miles), the border being 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. (FB,L,D)


Day 5 VIENNA Once the centre of the mighty Hapsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL, to name just a few of the sights. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savour each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay. (FB,L,D)

Day 6 DÜRNSTEIN-MELK. Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the Kind of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Melk's magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town 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! (FB,L,D)

Day 7 LINZ-PASSAU, GERMANY 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 over 17,000 pipes. (FB,L,D)

Day 8 REGENSBURG Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL, and Porta Pretoria-gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179AD. 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 Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). The Thurn und Taxis family, who until the second half of the 19th century had the monopoly on the German postal services, owns the impressive St. Emmerammus Abbey buildings making up the THURN UND TAXIS CASTLE. (FB,L,D)

Day 9 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. Nuremberg's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metal working. (FB,L,D)


Day 10 NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION)-PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the "Golden City." (FB)

Day 11 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. Best-known treasures are the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for things to do. (BB)

Day 12 PRAGUE Refer to day 11 above (BB).

Day 13 PRAGUE Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (BB)
 

WBN (Budapest to Prague), all prices are person twin share

 

Departure #

Departure Date

Brochure Price

Costless Discount Price

2008 Departures

MS Poetry

0815

Fri 15 Aug 2008

$3797

A$3493

MS Tranquility

0822

Fri 22 Aug 2008

$3797

A$3493

MS Artistry

0829

Fri 29 Aug 2008

$3924

A$3610

MS Artistry

0912

Fri 12 Sep 2008

$3924

A$3610

MS Tranquility

0919

Fri 19 Sep 2008

$3924

A$3610

MS Poetry

0926

Fri 26 Sep 2008

$3924

A$3610

MS Tranquility

1003

Fri 03 Oct 2008

$3671

A$3377

MS Artistry

1010

Fri 10 Oct 2008

$3544

A$3260

MS Poetry

1024

Fri 24 Oct 2008

$3291

A$3028

MS Artistry

1107

Fri 07 Nov 2008

$2784

A$2561

2009 Departures

MS Artistry

0417

17 Apr 2009

A$3568

A$3200

MS Tranquility

0501

01 May 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tranquility

0612

12 Jun 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tapestry

0619

19 Jun 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tapestry

0703

03 Jul 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Poetry

0710

10 Jul 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tranquility

0710

10 Jul 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tapestry

0717

17 Jul 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Poetry

0724

24 Jul 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tapestry

0731

31 Jul 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tranquility

0807

07 Aug 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tapestry

0814

14 Aug 2009

A$4045

A$3628

MS Tranquility

0821

21 Aug 2009

A$3910

A$3507

MS Tapestry

0828

28 Aug 2009

A$4081

A$3660

MS Poetry

0904

04 Sep 2009

A$4081

A$3660

MS Tapestry

0911

11 Sep 2009

A$4081

A$3660

MS Poetry

0918

18 Sep 2009

A$4081

A$3660

MS Tapestry

0925

25 Sep 2009

A$4081

A$3660

MS Tranquility

1002

02 Oct 2009

A$3796

A$3405

MS Poetry

1002

02 Oct 2009

A$3931

A$3526

MS Tapestry

1009

09 Oct 2009

A$3682

A$3303

MS Tapestry

1023

23 Oct 2009

A$3568

A$3200

  • Port charges: A$112 per person.
  • Gratuities per person for Cruise Director and Crew: A$135.
  • MS Artistry
  • MS Poetry departures
  • Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside cabin on Indigo Deck, upgrades are available below

To upgrade to a higher category (all cabins Twin/Double except suites), add per person:

Category

Artistry/Poetry Deck

Price

Tranquility Deck

Price

D

Indigo Deck

$113

-----------

$113

B

Sapphire Deck

$569

Sapphire Deck

$569

A

Sapphire Deck

$626

Sapphire Deck

$626

P

Royal Deck

$740

Royal Deck

$740

Jr. Suite

Royal Deck

$1367

Royal Deck

$1367

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