AVALON 2009: JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WBT)

2009: Avalon Europe Vacations

20 days incl. air, or 19 days from Budapest to Paris

Sail along the Moselle, Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers and through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and Main-Danube Canal on this remarkable vacation. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with inside visits to a wine cellar in Bernkastel, Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rudesheim, the Residenz in Wurzburg, the Old Chapel in Regensburg, the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and Fishermen's Bastion in Budapest. Also stop along the Romantic Road in medieval Rothenburg, travel by high-speed TGV train between Paris and Metz, and attend a baking demonstration in Miltenberg.

HOTELS
Paris Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF), Budapest InterContinental (SF)

Call (559) 686-1631 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7294407

Tour Operator

Globus

Duration

20 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Board your flight	(Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2	Budapest	(Fri. & Sat.) Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for interesting outings and things to do. (B on Day 3)
Day 3	Budapest	(Fri. & Sat.) Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for interesting outings and things to do. (B on Day 3)
Day 4	Budapest	(Sun.) This afternoon, the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you on board. (B,D)
Day 5	Budapest-Vienna	(Mon.) A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upriver and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. Vienna, Austria's capital, is known as the "City of Music," and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. (B,L,D)
Day 6	Vienna	(Tue.) 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 city tour. You do not rush through Vienna you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Karntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood cafe. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B,L,D)
Day 7	Durnstein-Melk	(Wed.) Durnstein, known for the magnificent baroque STIFTSKIRCHE with its blue facade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Continue through the Wachau Valley to Melk, whose magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening you'll be able to sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of this region. (B,L,D)
Day 8	Linz-Passau	(Thu.) Linz, Austria's third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. 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. (B,L,D)
Day 9	Regensburg	(Fri.) Regensburg is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL, 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 Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (B,L,D)
Day 10	Nuremberg	(Sat.) 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's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. After dinner we'll introduce you to some of Germany's famous beers! (B,L,D)
Day 11	Nuremberg Excursion to Rothenburg	(Sun.) Medieval Rothenburg is a classical walled city. Its half-timbered houses, the church's wooden altar carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, and the town square with its Glockenspiel, a tribute to the city's one-time heroic mayor, all contribute to making this a favorite of the towns along the Romantic Road. (B,L,D)
Day 12	Bamberg	(Mon.) A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site is medieval Bamberg. Your walking tour takes in the breathtaking cathedral, the OLD TOWN HALL straddling the river Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. (B,L,D)
Day 13	Wurzburg	(Tue.) Known as the "Pearl of the Romantic Road," Wurzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP'S RESIDENZ is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D)
Day 14	Miltenberg	(Wed.) Located on the Main River, 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. This afternoon, learn how to bake a local soft cookie specialty. (B,L,D)
Day 15	Rudesheim-Rhine Gorge-Koblenz	(Thu.) Visit SIEGFRIED'S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM in pretty Rudesheim. A SPECIAL TREAT is planned, then you have time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The DEUTSCHES ECK, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. The Moselle River is some 312-miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and entering Germany at Trier. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. (B,L,D)
Day 16	Cochem	(Fri.) Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town of Cochem nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (B,L,D)
Day 17	Bernkastel	(Sat.) In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKET PLACE. Explore with your Local Guide and on your own. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region's varietals. (B,L,D)
Day 18	Trier (Disembarkation)-Paris, France	(Sun.) The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! The famous PORTA NIGRA is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and still gives access to the town center. After breakfast, see the highlights of this city on your included tour before traveling to Metz to board the TGV HIGH-SPEED TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Paris. (B)
Day 19	Paris	(Mon.) Paris' famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (B)
Day 20	Paris	(Tue) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Disclaimer

US$ Price Details

Port charges: $196 per person.

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Extra nights per person in Budapest:
Departures 0501, 0612 & 1002: in single room $376, in twin room $188
Departure 0821: in single room $306, in twin room $152

Extra nights per person in Paris:
in single room $400, in twin room $235

Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.

To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:

Category / Tranquility Decks / Price
B / Sapphire Deck / $998
A / Sapphire Deck / $1,098
P / Royal Deck / $1,298
Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $2,398

Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.

Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.

Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature.

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