|
ITINERARY (Prague to Vienna)
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 and stroll through the Christmas markets. Rows of brightly decorated wooden huts sell Christmas tree ornaments, wooden toys and Czech handicrafts. Get a little inner warmth with a cup of svarene vino (hot mulled wine) and a traditional hot sausage from one of the stalls. The beautifully decorated tree in the Old Town is an impressive sight. Christmas is the most important family holiday of the year in most Eastern European countries, and the Czechs begin their preparations and celebrations on December 4 with the feast of St. Barbara. (BB)
Day 2 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Refer to day 1 above (BB)
Day 3 PRAGUE-NUREMBERG, GERMANY. (EMBARKATION) After lunch drive to Nuremberg where the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you on board. (BB,D)
Day 4 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 hosts Germany's most famous Christmas market, which dates back to 1628; the Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations. The city's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metal working. (FB,L,D)
Day 5 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 Christmas market is located on the historic market square. Germany is famous for its sausages and Regensburg is home to the country's oldest restaurant, Die Alte Wurstküche (the Old Sausage Kitchen) dating back to the 12th century. (FB,L,D)
Day 6 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 as well as more Christmas cheer-the traditional carols, the sparkling lights and the smell of candles and gingerbread! 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 7 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 8 VIENNA Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg 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 Kärnterstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood café. Soak up the atmosphere of the Adventszeit (Advent season) and spend some time in the beautiful Christmas markets located throughout the city. (FB,L,D)
Day 9 VIENNA. (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (FB)
REVERSE ITINERARY (Vienna to Prague)
Day 1 VIENNA, AUSTRIA. (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Vienna, Austria's romantic capital! This afternoon your crew awaits to welcome you aboard your luxury river cruise ship!(D)
Day 2 VIENNA Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg 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 Kärnterstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood café. Soak up the atmosphere of the Adventszeit (Advent season) and spend some time in the beautiful Christmas markets located throughout the city. (FB,L,D)
Day 3 MELK The magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town of Melk 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 4 LINZ-PASSAU, GERMANY. Linz, 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 as well as more Christmas cheer – the traditional carols, the sparkling lights and the smell of candles and gingerbread. 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 5 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 Christmas market is located on the historic market square. Germany is famous for its sausages and Regensburg is home to the country's oldest restaurant, Die Alte Wurstküche (the Old Sausage Kitchen) dating back to the 12th century. (FB,L,D)
Day 6 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 hosts Germany's most famous Christmas market, which dates back to 1628; the Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations. The city's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metal working. (FB,L,D)
Day 7 NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION) – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Prague, Czech Republic. Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the "Golden City". (FB)
Day 8 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 and stroll through the Christmas markets. Rows of brightly decorated wooden huts sell Christmas tree ornaments, wooden toys and Czech handicrafts. Get a little inner warmth with a cup of svarene vino (hot mulled wine) and a traditional hot sausage from one of the stalls. The beautifully decorated tree in the Old Town is an impressive sight. Christmas is the most important family holiday of the year in most Eastern European countries, and the Czechs begin their preparations and celebrations on December 4 with the feast of St. Barbara. (BB)
Day 9 PRAGUE Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
|
PRAGUE Guided siteseeing, visit Hradcany Castle
