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Price Per person double occupancy
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Price Includes: Roundtrip airport transfers, 7 nights Deluxe Danube River Cruise on the MS AMADEUS ROYAL, 2 nights first class Prague hotel, all meals and beverages while on cruise, 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner in Prague, full time English speaking cruise manager, daily guides in Prague, current cruise taxes, baggage handling on cruise and at hotel (one piece).
Not Included: Airfare, tips to guides, drivers, hotel staff, and cruise staff, additional optional shore excursions, travel insurance.
Reservations: A $500 deposit, a completed Reservation Form is required to secure and hold a cabin. $300 is non-refundable. Space is very limited and should be reserved as early as possible.
Final Payment: The final payment for the trip is due on or before March 13, 2016.
Cancellation: Cancellations must be in writing and must be received by Pilgrim Tours for any appropriate refund minus the following penalties. Air penalties are not part of the percentages below and vary based on the airline policy at the time of ticket issue.
Cancellation through February 20, 2016 - $300.00
Cancellation through March 25, 2016 - 45% of tour/cruise price
Cancellation through April 24, 2016 - 65% of tour/cruise price
Cancellation through May 22, 2016 - 85% of tour/cruise price
Cancellation after May 22, 2016 – 100% of tour/cruise price
This fascinating journey takes you along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube right in the heart of the once brilliant imperial and royal Austro Hungarian monarchy. From the Bavarian city of Passau (where three rivers meet) the cruise goes downstream to Budapest, the city often described as the ‘Queen of the Danube'. You pass through four European countries (Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia) and three capitals (Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava) and varied scenery such as the Schlögener loops below Passau, the picturesque Wachau district of Austria (steeped in legends), and the ‘knee' of the Danube at Visegrad in Hungary; you also see the imposing cathedral of Esztergom in Hungary and the Benedictine abbey of Melk in Austria. This cruise encompasses both art and culture in places that bear witness to thousands of years of European history.
Day 1: Depart USA
We depart today and fly overnight to Prague. Sit back, enjoy the in-flight service and get some rest.
Day 2: Arrive in Prague
We arrive into Prague, Czech Republic. After free time to explore on your own and included dinner, we enjoy an independent evening walking tour of this beautiful city. It is even more impressive by night as all of the buildings are illuminated and appear to be out of a movie set. Walk across the St. Charles Bridge for a view of the city from a unique angle. It is not surprising to learn that Prague was the major filming site for the movie, "Amadeus".
Day 3: Prague Tour
After breakfast at our hotel we enjoy a full day tour of Prague. We begin on the coach, introducing the major historical areas of the city center: the New Town & Wenceslas Square, the Old Town and picturesque Mala Strana. Next is the highlight of the trip, a walk through the Prague Castle complex to discover the major sights within; admire the grandeur of Saint Vitus Cathedral, the ancient architecture of the Old Royal Palace, and enjoy stunning views over the whole of Prague. From Prague Castle, we head for the river to walk across the magnificent Charles Bridge. Then, we continue on to the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), before ending the tour at the Old Town Square. En-route, we learn the origins of one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world. Dinner on your own.
Day 4: Transfer to Cruise
This morning we take a nice introductory tour of Prague including the Old Town. There is some time at leisure for independent sightseeing and shopping before a transfer to Passau to board the Danube River Cruise. Enjoy an included welcome beverage and dinner.
Day 5: Regensburg
Following our first night aboard we arrive in the picturesque town of Regensburg in Bavaria where you can enjoy an optional guided city tour and view some of the town’s main sights. The tour includes the town hall, St. Peter’s Cathedral and the historic Stone Bridge dated back to the 12th century. After our morning tour we return to the vessel for lunch. In the afternoon take part in an optional trip to one of the oldest abbeys in Bavaria, the Benedictine Abbey of Weltenburg. In the evening you can experience a Bavarian evening on board the vessel that will introduce you to local customs while your vessel departs from Regensburg and sets off for Passau.
Day 6: Passau, Salzburg
Our next destination is Passau where the Ilz, Inn, and Danube rivers meet. For those who enjoy excursions, we suggest an optional tour to the romantic Mozart city of Salzburg and the impressive landscapes of Salzkammergut. Following your touring a coach will return you to the vessel. Passengers who choose to stay on board during the afternoon may enjoy a tour of Linz before departing for Wachau in the evening.
Day 7: Melk, Emmersdorf, Weissenkirchen, Vienna
Today we arrive in Meld/Emmersdorf located in the center of the world-renowned cultural landscape of Wachau. An optional trip to Austria’s largest Baroque abbey, the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, is available for those who wish to partake. Here you can visit the modern abbey museum and take a tour of the prelature, marble hall and famous abbey library. Next your tour will take you to Weissenkirchen where the Amadeus Brilliant awaits. At midday we depart Wachau and spend the afternoon aboard the vessel before arriving in Vienna for the evening. During the optional ‘Vienna by Night’ excursion, discover exciting and new sides to Vienna, and from the Kahlenberg hill, take in the amazing views of Vienna by night and the surrounding vineyards.
Day 8: Vienna
We spend the day in the Austrian capital of Vienna, formerly the imperial seat and residence of the Habsburgs. Enjoy an optional city tour along the Ringstrasse and into historic Vienna viewing sites such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hundertwasserhaus, the Hofburg Palace and many other outstanding buildings. Following lunch there’s a trip to the amazing Schonbrunn Palace and gardens. Popularized by Empress Maria Theresia, the palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in all Vienna. After dinner music enthusiasts can enjoy a performance of ‘Sound of Vienna’ at Kursalon. The ‘Alt Wien’ orchestra plays popular melodies from Vienna’s classical era with varied sounds of waltz music and famous concert melodies.
Day 9: Bratislava
This morning we arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava during breakfast. Following your meal you can participate in an optional city tour of Bratislava’s most famous sights and world-renowned castle. Here you can take in the fantastic views of three countries, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia, before returning to the vessel for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy an optional excursion to the imperial Schlossof palace which once served as a country estate for Empress Maria Theresia. A guided tour will take you around the imperial apartments, chapel and magnificent festival hall and afterwards there’s plenty of time for a walk through the beautiful castle gardens. In the evening the captain will invite you to enjoy an exclusive gala dinner while the vessel sails on to Hungary.
Day 10: Esztergom, Budapest
We arrive early in Esztergom and have the option to take a trip to Szentendre, home to an artists’ colony since 1926 and numerous galleries and museums that highlight its artistic stronghold in Hungary. A tour of the town will allow you to visit these sites and view Hungary’s oldest sundial. At midday the coach will return you to Budapest where your vessel awaits. From the water you can enjoy fascinating views of the beautiful buildings on both sides of the Danube, which you can visit during a city tour in the afternoon. The program also features a visit to the famous parliament and chain bridge, fisherman’s bastion and St. Matthew’s church. During our final evening aboard, enjoy an exciting Hungarian folklore show followed by an evening cruise through the illuminated city of Budapest.
Day 11: Return Home
Following a delicious breakfast we disembark the vessel in the Hungarian capital of Budapest and transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
Private groups can include additional days at a very reasonable cost.