A Taste Of The Danube 2010 (Vienna to Budapest with Vienna Pre-Extension)

Day 1: Depart
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2: Vienna, Austria
Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital, which is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.

Day 3: Vienna
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your included tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)

Day 4: Vienna, Austria (Embarkation)
Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Time today to do some window shopping along the Kärntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. This afternoon, transfer to your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (D)

Day 5: Melk - Durnstein
Today is dedicated to the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where so much of the excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. This morning, visit the impressive BENEDICTINE ABBEY of Melk, which towers over the town. Lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine while enjoying the scenery as you sail to Dürnstein, whose baroque blue and white STIFTSKIRCHE stands right on the river bank. Explore on your own or choose one of a variety of optional excursions your Cruise Director will propose. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Bratislava, Slovakia
Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. The charming Old Town with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace as well as the gothic cathedral of ST. MARTIN should not be missed. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Budapest, Hungary (Disembarkation)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

• Bratislava: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral
• Melk: Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
• Vienna Extension:Guided sightseeing; services of a Local Host

Discover the fascinating Danube with its charming small towns and exciting cities on this river cruise. Begin your river cruise vacation with a 2-night city stay in Vienna, the “City of Music,” for a more comprehensive experience. Then, embark on your Danube River cruise to explore Slovakia’s capital of Bratislava and the natural beauty between Austria’s Wachau Valley and the vibrant Hungarian city of Budapest.

• Superb dining on board daily, featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner
• Quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
• Vienna extension: Buffet breakfast (B) daily
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• Services of a professional Cruise Director
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Sightseeing with Local Guides
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges, where applicable

Vienna Extension: Hilton Stadtpark (D)
Cruising: Deluxe Category E outside stateroom on Indigo Deck onboard the Avalon Tapestry

Extra nights per person in Vienna:
in single room $308, in twin room $187

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $42 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more details.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.