The Romantic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Prague to Budapest)

DAY 1, DEPART USA
your overnight flight to Prague, Czech Republic. 

DAY 2, ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.

DAY 3, PRAGUE
Your morning's sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard, St. Vitus and then walk over the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The balance of your day is free to shop at the Christmas markets with their tempting assortment of handicrafts, toys, wood carvings, and ornaments; mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy one of the charming cafés or restaurants. (B)

DAY 4, PRAGUE
Spend a day at your leisure to return to the Christmas Markets, stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vlatava River or shop for local handicrafts and art work. This afternoon, participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished. (B)

DAY 5, PRAGUE – REGENSBURG, GERMANY - VILSHOFEN
This morning, depart Prague after breakfast and stop in Regensburg, which is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. You will have some free time to explore the town on your own or visit Christmas Markets around the gothic cathedral. After lunch on your own, continue your drive to the charming 1200-year old Bavarian town of Vilshofen, on the confluence of the river Vils and the Danube. Here, docked in the center of town, your luxurious ship awaits you. After settling in, you will have time to visit the town’s unique floating Christmas Market, before joining your fellow passengers onboard for a Welcome Cocktail Dinner. (B,D)

DAY 6, VILSHOFEN – PASSAU
This morning relax onboard or explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town, which is located directly on the banks of the Danube and the Vils. From the river the old town gives the impression of a floating peninsula. In the background above the town the imposing double-towers of the Benedictine Abbey Schweiklberg is dominating the scenery. During lunch you will cruise to Passau, where this afternoon enjoy your walking tour through this 2,000-year-old fairytale city and visit Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. Due to its unique position on the Danube, Passau has been given the nickname, “Venice on the Danube.” For those that wish, you can join an optional tour this afternoon to Munich. Departing in mid morning from Vilshofen you will drive to Munich arriving in time for lunch at the Hofbrauhaus. In the afternoon you will enjoy a walking tour of the historic city centre, seeing its famous Town Hall with glockenspiel, located in Marienplatz and see Frauenkirche and “devils footprint” before rejoining the ship in Passau. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, LINZ – CESKY KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city of Austria. This morning you will tour this historic city and visit Christmas Markets, before returning to the ship for lunch onboard. This afternoon, enjoy excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This is a wonderfully preserved medieval town, nestled in the hills just over the Austrian/Czech border. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, MELK – KREMS (DÜRNSTEIN)
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley this morning. A guided tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. From here, continue cruising the beautiful Wachau valley to Krems. From here you will visit Dürnstein, for a walking tour through cobblestone streets that reveal quaint 16th-century town houses and taverns. Then tonight, after dinner onboard, you will sample the local wine as we visit a local “weingut” for wine tasting. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, VIENNA
During a guided sightseeing tour you will see the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse, St. Stephen's Cathedral. Enjoy a free afternoon to visit festive Christmas Markets, stroll along the main shopping street, Kärntnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna's famous pastries. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or join an optional evening Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 10, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
This morning enjoy a scenic cruise to Bratislava followed by a walking tour, which reveals the city's major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. The rest of the afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Perhaps, return to the Old Town Hall to visit charming Christmas Markets and sample a mug of glühwein (warm spiced wine) or traditional gingerbread. Tonight, there is an evening music performance onboard. (B,L,D)

DAY 11, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Your morning is free for last minute shopping. After lunch, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica and Christmas Markets, where you will be surrounded by the scent of traditional honey cookies, cinnamon and fir. Tonight, enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner with Gypsy music. (B,L,D)

DAY 12, BUDAPEST
Your cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Begin your festive holiday journey in fascinating Budapest, for a city tour and visit to Budapest’s own unique brand of Christmas Markets. Travel to historic Bratislava and vibrant Vienna, bedecked in holiday décor, and explore the city’s lively Christmas Markets. Continue to Melk, known for its famous Benedictine Abbey, and then picturesque Linz and Passau. Visit the scenic Danube town of Vilshofen before disembarking for spectacular Prague, with its glimmering Christmas Markets.

• 7-night Deluxe Cruise in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies
• Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Internet, Movie and Music Library & English Language TV stations
• Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms
• Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise
• Unlimited Quality Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions with every Dinner onboard the Ship
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Transfer from the Ship in Trier via Luxembourg to Hotel in Paris
• 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Prague including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary
• Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
• Use of Bicycles to explore on your own
• Services of Professional Cruise Director
• All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All Transfers with the Purchase of Cruise, Land & Air package
• All local Taxes

Cruising: A standard outside cabin onboard the MS Amacello or MS Amadolce

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $98 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites 100% of twin price. Single supplement for Land: $360 per person.
• 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.