The Upper Rhine To The City Of Music - Cruise Only 2011

Day 1 Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland. Transfer to Basel (Embarkation)
(Fri.) Flights into Zürich must arrive before 3 pm. Your river cruise vessel is docked on the Rhine River in Basel, where France, Switzerland, and Germany meet. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)

Day 2 Strasbourg, France
(Sat.) Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries, and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and European Parliament. A Local Guide shows you the noteworthy sights: the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine region is available. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Mannheim–Mainz, Germany
(Sun.) After breakfast this morning, choose from an included guided excursion to either Germany’s ancient imperial city of SPEYER or to the university city of HEIDELBERG. Speyer, located on the left bank of the Rhine, was a bishopric and boasts a Romanesque CATHEDRAL with six imposing towers and the finest and largest crypt in Germany. Four Holy Roman Emperors and four German kings are buried in the impressive Royal Vault. Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town of Student Prince fame. Take pictures of the ruins of the imposing Heidelberg Castle, built of red sandstone and towering above the city. Rejoin your ship in Mainz and enjoy free time to explore this city on your own. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Miltenberg–Wertheim
(Mon.) Time at leisure this morning in charming Miltenberg, 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. Wertheim, situated at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers, is known for its medieval town center, its castle, glass blowing, and its wine. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Würzburg
(Tue.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Bamberg
(Wed.) Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as you cruise gently up the Main River. Maybe join an optional excursion to Bayreuth, best known for its connection with Richard Wagner and the annual Bayreuth Festival, when the composer’s operas are performed for a month. This afternoon, arrive in medieval Bamberg, another beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Nuremberg
(Thu.) 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—all explained by a local expert. Nuremberg’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. Before dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS! (B,L,D)

Day 8 Regensburg
(Fri.) Another peaceful morning of cruising as you head through picturesque Altmühltal to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour this afternoon include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria—gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. It is here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (B,L,D)

Day 9 Passau–Linz, Austria
(Sat.) 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 more than 17,000 pipes. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Melk–Dürnstein
(Sun.) 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 Melk’s impressive BENEDICTINE ABBEY, 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 11 Vienna (Disembarkation)
(Mon.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave before 9:30 am. (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 10-night cruise from Basel to Vienna in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• BASEL: Welcome reception
• STRASBOURG: Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral
• MANNHEIM: Choice of excursion to Speyer or Heidelberg
• WERTHEIM: Orientation
• WÜRZBURG: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
• BAMBERG: Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall
• MAIN DANUBE CANAL: Cruise in the canal
• NUREMBERG: Guided sightseeing; beer tasting
• REGENSBURG: Guided sightseeing
• PASSAU: Guided sightseeing
• MELK: Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
• DÜRNSTEIN: See the Stiftskirche

Four countries, three rivers, and the impressive Main Danube Canal are the basis of this delightful river cruise vacation. Start in Zürich, Switzerland, then travel to Basel to embark your river cruise vessel. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Regensburg, and Passau. An excursion to Heidelberg highlights its imposing castle ruins, and a stop in Melk includes a visit of the beautiful Benedictine Abbey. Guided orientations of the smaller towns show off their famous sights, and time in Nuremberg includes the chance to sample some of Germany’s world-famous beers. Your journey concludes in Vienna.

• 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

Crusing: Category E cabin onboard Avalon Affinity

Extra nights per person in Zürich :
in single room $130, in twin room $88

• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $140 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.
• 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.