Christmas In The Heart Of Germany (Frankfurt to Prague) 2011

Day 1 Arrive in Frankfurt, Germany (Embarkation)
(Thu.) Flights must arrive before 3:30 pm. Welcome to Frankfurt! Situated on the Main River, Frankfurt is a truly cosmopolitan city and the commercial capital of Germany. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)

Day 2 Miltenberg–Wertheim
(Fri.) Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and renaissance houses and the gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall shown to you during your guided walk. The town center is within walking distance of the ship, as is the Christmas market. After lunch, learn how to bake a local SOFT COOKIE specialty. In the afternoon, there’s free time in Wertheim, whose overlapping half-timbered houses are grouped along winding streets. Glassblowers have a long tradition in this town and, especially in winter time, they produce decorations that hang on Christmas trees all over the world. Marvel at the tasteful Christmas decorations in the shop windows and stroll through the charming Christmas market. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Würzburg. Excursion to Rothenburg
(Sat.) Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, set off on the most scenic section of the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This ancient walled city features ramparts, fountains, and cobblestone lanes, and is steeped in history. Although known for its year-round Christmas market, the real one at this time of the year is a must-see experience! Try a Schneeball (snowball), a local specialty not at all suitable for a diet. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Bamberg
(Sun.) Another beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site is medieval Bamberg. Your walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. At this time of year the town is decked out for Christmas and especially interesting are the many nativity scenes built by local citizens and exhibited throughout the town. Today we will introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS! (B,L,D)

Day 5 Nuremberg
(Mon.) 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 and is opened each year by the Christkindl. The Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations. The city’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Nuremberg (Disembarkation)–Prague, Czech Republic
(Tue.) Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the “Golden City.” (B)

Day 7 Prague
(Wed.) 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. See its best-known treasures such as the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS; 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. (B)

Day 8 Prague
(Thu.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 5-night cruise from Frankfurt to Nuremberg in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• FRANKFURT: Welcome reception
• MILTENBERG: Guided sightseeing; baking demonstration
• WÜRZBURG: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz; excursion to Rothenburg
• BAMBERG: Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall; beer tasting
• NUREMBERG: Guided sightseeing
• PRAGUE: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds

Experience the holiday season on this festive river cruise vacation from Frankfurt to Prague. Enjoy guided city sightseeing in Miltenberg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Prague. Attend an onboard traditional baking demonstration, visit Würzburg’s magnificent Bishop’s Residenz, and take an included excursion to medieval Rothenburg on the famed Romantic Road. See Bamberg’s Old Town Hall and sample some of Germany’s famous beers, while in the “Golden City” of Prague, see the city’s best-known treasures and explore the impressive Christmas market in the Old Town.

• Full buffet breakfast (B) in Prague; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day
• 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

Prague: Hilton (SF)
Crusing: Category E cabin onboard Avalon Panorama

Extra nights per person in Frankfurt :
in single room $215, in twin room $110

Extra nights per person in Prague:
in single room $212, in twin room $118

• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $70 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 becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• This vacation includes travel in the Czech Republic, which requires a minimum of at least €30,000 ($45,000 USD) in medical and repatriation insurance coverage. The basic Travel Protection has a $25,000 limit however this will be increased to $50,000 while you are traveling in the Czech Republic at no additional cost. If other coverage is obtained, it is the travelers’ responsibility to verify their coverage meets requirements as they may be required by immigration to produce proof of coverage while traveling in the Czech Republic.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* 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.