European Winter Sojourn 2010

Day 1: Budapest
Welcome to Budapest, capital of Hungary. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or do a bit of exploring; if your arrival schedule permits, you may join an organized walk to Budapest’s famous covered market housed in the three-story Great Market Hall established in 1897. (D)

Day 2: Budapest
Today we visit highlights of both the older “Buda” and more cosmopolitan “Pest” sides of the city, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Fishermen’s Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard with the rest of the day to explore on your own—you may wish to visit one or two of the city’s Christmas markets, which offer mulled wine and a warm celebratory spirit, or you may opt to attend a horse show or visit a diamond factory. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner and evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Bratislava
Arrive in Bratislava this afternoon and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital—the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary—with a long and fascinating history. See attractions like the medieval Town Hall complex and fortifications at Michael’s Tower, baroque Trinity Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, and pass by several Habsburg-era baroque palaces. We will visit Bratislava’s Christmas market in the Main Square, featuring much singing and traditional local dishes of the season, like potato crêpes and honey wine. This evening you can relax or enjoy a walk around the town before a late departure. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Vienna
Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of Vienna’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore—visit one of the Vienna Christmas markets or try some Sachertorte at a local café. Or, you may choose to join an optional tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the Versailles of Vienna, which has its own Christmas market. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Dürnstein & Melk
This morning, we dock at the picturesque Wachau Valley town of Dürnstein, where you can explore on your own, sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region, or join an optional walking tour of the town’s highlights. After lunch on board, visit the 900-year-old abbey at Melk, a Benedictine monastery that was originally one of Leopold II’s castles. See its spectacular wall and ceiling frescoes, note the library’s comprehensive collection of medieval manuscripts, and admire the graceful spiral staircase. Rejoin your ship and cruise through dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Linz & Salzburg
Awaken in Linz and set off on an all-day excursion to the beautiful Austrian city of Salzburg, famous as the location for the film, The Sound of Music. Ride through the scenic Austrian countryside to Salzburg’s Old Town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take a walking tour featuring the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Hohensalzburg Fortress just above the city center. You have some free time to enjoy Salzburg’s romantic and charming Christmas market and get lunch in one of the cafés, then return to your ship in Linz for dinner. Relax on board or take a walk to see the Linz Christmas market, traditionally festooned with angels, and the Volksgarten, specially set up to enchant children. (B, D)

Day 7: Passau
After breakfast, take a guided walk past Linz’s baroque buildings to the Hauptplatz; walk along cobbled streets through the medieval town and old market. Return aboard for departure; enjoy lunch and scenic sailing to Passau, arriving during dinner. It is Christmas Eve; you may attend midnight mass at the spectacular St. Stephan Cathedral in Passau, featuring the world’s largest pipe organ, if you wish. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Passau
On Christmas morning, take a guided walk through Passau’s Italianate Old Town area, passing by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served as a bishop’s stronghold for several centuries. Lunch is served aboard. Spend the afternoon in Passau as you wish: relax on board, explore the peaceful city, attend church services. We sail just before dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Regensburg
Spend the day in the lovely Bavarian city of Regensburg. We arrive over breakfast and disembark for a walk through the city. See the medieval city wall, the Gothic cathedral and many other beautiful churches, the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, the university and botanical gardens. Return aboard for a farewell dinner as we depart to sail back to Passau.

Day 10: Passau
After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the Munich airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 additional nights in the lovely Czech capital of Prague. (B) 

NOTE: Because this itinerary travels during Christmas, there may be sites and stores that close during the holiday period.

This 10-day itinerary takes you through four of Europe’s most enchanting countries—Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia—at the most magical time of the year. Explore the cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk and Linz, stopping at warm, festive Christmas markets along the way. Take an all-day excursion to Salzburg, the storybook Austrian town where The Sound of Music was filmed. Celebrate Christmas in Passau, Germany, and explore Regensburg’s medieval city wall and many spectacular churches and gardens. An unforgettable Danube holiday!

• Daily Shore Excursions
• 8 included guided tours
• All onboard meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners
• Port Charges

Cruise: A standard cabin onboard the Viking Pride or Viking Sky

• Pre-Extension: Budapest
  2-night pre-extension - $349 per person
  
  Begin your journey in Hungary’s legendary capital city; discover its gracious atmosphere and delightful cuisine. Two nights at the Hilton Budapest (or similar), daily breakfasts and hotel/ship transfer are included along with the services of a Viking host. 
• Post-Extension: Prague
  3-night post-extension - $699 per person
  
  Extend your journey by discovering the Czech Republic’s vibrant capital, the “City of a Hundred Spires.” Three nights at the Hilton Prague (or similar), daily breakfast, panoramic city tour and the services of a Viking host are all included.

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• *Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.
• 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.