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Escorted European Grand River Cruise Holiday
September 01 - 16, 2007
We invite you to join us on what will seem to be a journey through time. The old highways of Europe are its rivers and by travelling by river right through the heart of Europe, we enter each town and city as its visitors have from time immemorial. We settle into our spacious comfortable staterooms and only unpack once. We can then enjoy the passing scenery from the airy lounge with floor to ceiling windows or in comfortable chairs on the sundeck of the rivership. This allows us to experience Europe's historic and romantic sides.
We will follow in the footsteps of the adventurers Sep 13 We journey today visiting the 900-year-old abbey of Melk, situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. Our guided tour of the abbey will reveal a splendid example of Baroque art and architecture. After lunch we will enjoy cruising through the lush vineyard-rich Wachau Valley toward our next destination - Vienna. B.L.D. of days gone by as we embark on a history laden European journey taking us through four countries and along three great rivers, where we will experience "Jewels of Europe." From the soaring spires of Cologne's Cathedral to the stunning exotic beauty of Budapest "Queen of the Danube" to music-rich Vienna, "City of Waltzes" - there are incomparable sights on this trip that you won't want to miss.
As we cruise along the Rhine, we'll find ourselves transfixed like artists, composers and poets of the past, as we see fairytale castles, sloping vineyards, and hear the legends surrounding the river throughout our trip. We'll cruise through the spectacular 106-mile Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel, en route to the beautiful Danube. We will cruise Austria's lush vineyard-rich Wachau Valley, and along the way, we'll discover the diverse cultural heritage and rich history of these great rivers - the Rhine, Main and Danube.
Many times our clients have mentioned that arriving into a European city by its port really gives each city a storybook quality.
Along with having all our accommodation, transportation, and sumptuous meals taken care of each day, we will also have guided excursions in each port to introduce us to each city's culture, history and beauty.
Our Itinerary :
Sep. 01 Overnight flight from Canada to Amsterdam
Sep. 02 Arrive into Amsterdam and transfer to our home for the next 14 nights, the elegant River Princess. (inaugurated in 2001 and refurbished in 2005 she accommodates a maximum of 136 passengers. Welcome dinner on board - overnight in Amsterdam
Sep 03 We will arrive in Cologne, Germany. A guided walking tour will take us back in time through the narrow streets of the 'Old Town', tiny squares and little churches as we make our way to the magnificent Cologne Cathedral - the largest façade of any church in the world! Over 7000 square meters, it took over 632 years to build. from every angle, it is a work of art B, L, D
Sep 04 We spend the day cruising the Romantic Rhine - Cameras Ready! B.L.D.
Sep 05 After a morning of cruising the Rhine we will arrive into Rüdesheim. From here we will board a mini-train for the trip to Siefgried's Museum, where one of the world's best collections of mechanical musical instruments is housed.
B. L. D.
Sep 06 We will arrive in Miltenberg and travel to Heidelberg -one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. This is a full day tour including the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle. B. D.
Sep 07 Still docked in Miltenberg we will go this morning to Wertheim to be introduced to a local tradition of glass blowing on our visit to the glass museum. We will also enjoy a walking tour of Miltenberg with a local guide who will tell us the stories of the half-timbered houses that give the town its fairytale feel including the 'Crooked House and the famous Royal Inn. B.L.D.
Sep 08 We are now travelling the Main River and arrive in Würzburg. We have arranged to visit Germany's most pristine example of Baroque architecture, the great Würzburg Residenz. Dating from 1744 it is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Our tour will be capped off with a winetasting of fabulous Franconian wines in the Residenz cellar. B.L.D.
Sep 09 Today we are in Bamberg and the heart of Bavaria. Here a guide will lead us on a stroll through Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of a rare collection of more than 1000 buildings that have been extensively preserved in their original form. Today we will learn about the Danube-Main Canal allowing us to transverse the European continental divide of the Franconian Alps. First attempted by Charlemagne in 793 and again by Barvarian King Ludwig I (the mad - albeit more genius than mad) between 1837 and 1846. Today's canal was completed in 1992 (from 1960) allowing modern river traffic to sail from the North Sea to the Black Sea. B. L. D.
Sep 10 Today we arrive in Nuremberg, an archetypal German Medieval city enriched by defensive walls (mostly 15th century) and red-roofed buildings. A bustling city still producing toys, honey, the favourite spice cake - Lebkuchen and production of precision instruments. We will enjoy a comprehensive city tour. B. L. D.
Sep 11 We are now cruising the Danube and our first port on this famous river is Regensburg, an unspoiled gem. A friendly town with quaint cobblestone streets, medieval alleys and historic Roman remnants. On our tour we will see the Cathedral of St. Peter, with magnificent stained glass windows dating from the 14th century and the town's famous 12th century Stone Bridge spanning the Danube bringing commerce to the city from the north. B.L.D.
Sep 12 We spend our day in Passau - an old town boasting a delightful layer of Italian style on quintessential German foundations. Along with our guided walking tour we will have time to explore the well-preserved old town and St. Stephan's Cathedral, home to Europe's largest pipe organ, and site of our organ recital. B. L. D
Sep 14 Vienna never disappoints our passengers - it still wears a cloak of regal significance. During our panoramic overview of Austria's capital city we will proceed along the 'Ringstrasse', where the surrounding state buildings exude an Imperial air. We will visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, where Mozart was married and then stroll pass Fagaro House, a former Mozart home before enjoying some free time on Vienna's pedestrian Kartner Strasse. After dinner our group will enjoy an evening Mozart/Strauss concert in central Vienna. B.L.D
Sep 15 Today we are in Budapest - a vibrant mix of East and West, and medieval and modern. Made up of two parts - Buda, the hills, and Pest, the flat lands - it is divided by the Danube and is an architectural dream. Our city tour features the famous Chain Bridge, the 19th -century Fisherman's Bastion, and UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district. B.L. Captain's Farewell Dinner
Sep 16 after breakfast we disembark the River Princess and transfer to the airport for our flight home.
All Inclusive Rate: $5999.00 Canadian Funds per person -INCLUDES RETURN AIRFARE !*
(based on sharing twin accommodation in Category 5 on board the River Princess)
Rate includes:
- Return airfare from Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal (into Amsterdam and out of Budapest)
- *Return airfare from other cities also available
- Return transfers between airport and River Princess
- 15 Day River Cruise aboard the elegant River Princess in Category selected
- All meals on board ship as per itinerary
- 13 guided shore excursions and tours
- Fully escorted by Debbie Lloyd of The Travel Broker
Additional costs: All air and port taxes $280.00 Canadian funds per person
Deposit required : $750.00 /person (CAD)
Balance due by : May 31, 2007
Optional Upgrades in Accommodation on board River Princess River ship
- Upgrade from Cat 5 to Cat 4 ---------------------- $ 375.00 Cad per person
- Upgrade form Cat 5 to Cat 3 ---------------------- $ 1120.00 Cad per person
- Upgrade from Cat 5 to Cat 2 ---------------------- $ 1400.00 Cad per person
- Upgrade from Cat 5 to Cat 1 ---------------------- $ 1680.00 Cad per person
