|
ITINERARY (Prague to Budapest)
Day 1 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 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 other suggestions for things to do. (BB)
Day 2 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Refer to Day 1, above (BB)
Day 3 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Refer to Day 1, above (BB)
Day 4 PRAGUE-NUREMBERG, GERMANY. (EMBARKATION) After lunch drive to Nuremberg where the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you on board. (BB,D)
Day 5 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 its famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metal working. (FB,L,D)
Day 6 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 the 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 centres. The Thurn und Taxis family, who until the second half of the 19th centuryhad 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 7 PASSAU-LINZ, AUSTRIA. 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. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular "Sound of Music" sights. Linz, Austria's third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. (FB,L,D)
Day 8 MELK-VIENNA 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! Vienna, known as the "City of Music," inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. An optional concert is available tonight. (FB,L,D)
Day 9 VIENNA Once the centre of the mighty Hapsburg Empire, Austria's capital 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. (FB,L,D).
Day 10 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. (FB,L,D)
Day 11 BUDAPEST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (FB)
|
