Arts Club Tour 2019 Cruise Budapest to Prague

Arts Club
                                Tour
                                 2019
                Cruise Budapest to Prague

We continue our river cruising series bringing you der schönen blauen Donau, the beautiful
Blue Danube, starting in Budapest, the creative capitol of Hungary. After two nights in
Budapest we sail west to magical Vienna followed by Dürnstein and Melk with their fascinating
histories. Then we travel on to Passau, Regensburg, Roth and Nuremberg giving us an insight
into Germany. Finally, we travel to Prague for a three night stay in the city of 100 spires.

We will sail on the Avalon Imagery II, one of the newer ships sailing the Danube. You will
experience fine food and local cuisine as well as a truly exciting itinerary as we have come to
expect from Avalon. Wonderful tours and wine with lunch and dinner are included with Avalon,
along with additional optional tours should you choose. Relax on board while enjoying the best
way to experience the Danube valley and all its history and culture.

Day 1 – 23 September, 2019: Departure
Depart Vancouver on your flight to Budapest, arriving 24 September.

Day 2 – 24 September, 2019: Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s captivating capital. On arrival make your way to a local taxi for
a short ride to the New York Palace Hotel, where you will be staying for two nights. Enjoy a free
day today to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.

Day 3 – 25 September, 2019: Budapest
Today enjoy an included guided city sightseeing tour, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. Take in
the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain
Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.
This evening you might choose to enjoy Hungarian cuisine in an optional Wine-and-Dine dinner
this evening. (Breakfast included)

Day 4 – 26 September, 2019: Budapest Embarkation

With a free day to explore before your cruise, perhaps take time for photographs of such sites as the
Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Maybe visit Budapest’s
famous thermal bath spas before lunch in a garden or rooftop eatery. Later in the afternoon board
the Avalon Imagery II, meet the staff in the lounge and enjoy your first dinner on board. This
evening we start our cruise to Vienna. (B, D)

Day 5 – 27 September, 2019: Vienna, Austria

We will spend the first part of today sailing the Danube between the shores of Hungary and
Slovakia. You will be able to spend your time on board as you wish: joining ship activities or
relaxing in your suite or on the Sky Deck, with your favourite beverage, watching the red rooftops
of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava and the rolling landscape sliding by. This evening in Vienna
you may choose to join an optional excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable
evening of music. We will dock overnight in Vienna. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – 28 September, 2019: Vienna, Austria

Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna is a showcase of gilded architecture. This
is home to the lavish Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boys’ Choir, the dazzling Lipizzaner
stallions, the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House and he awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral -
plus, other sights you’ll see on this morning’s included guided sightseeing tour.

    Arts Club Featured Event
This afternoon enjoy an Arts Club featured event, an included tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the
Habsburg Empire summer home for 300 years. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – 29 September, 2019: Dürnstein and Melk

Situated in the heart of the Wachau wine region, Dürnstein is known for the magnificent baroque,
blue Stiftskirche built in the 1700s. A local guide will take you on a walking tour of this little town
and tell you the tale of England’s King Richard the Lionheart, who was imprisoned here during the
Crusades in the castle ruins above the town. Alternatively you can join a hike up to the castle ruins
with your adventure host for a spectacular view of the village, the Danube and the Wachau Valley
below. Then cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley to reach Melk after lunch and visit the
magnificent 11th century Benedictine Abbey, housing an ornate library with over 100,000 printed
books and manuscripts. The church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues
and 210 foot cupola is a splendor to behold. Later on board you can enjoy the flavours of the
Wachau Valley with a wine tasting. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – 30 September, 2019: Passau, Germany
Passau is uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge and is known as the City
of Three Rivers. Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician
houses. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the
world’s largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Enjoy these highlights on an included guided city
walk and learn more about this beautiful town. Alternatively, choose from two full-day optional
guided excursions: to Salzburg, the city of Mozart and “The Sound of Music” or to the picturesque
Bohemian town Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After
these excursions you will rejoin your ship in Passau in the early evening for your cruise to
Regensburg. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – 01 October, 2019: Regensburg
Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BCE, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best
preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights of your guided walk include the Altes Rathaus
(Old Town Hall), built in the 13th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built
in 179 CE. Walk across the 12th century Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in
Germany. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on your own, basking in the vibrant
atmosphere and taking in the remarkable views along the river. Don’t overlook having a German
beer and one of the city’s famous German sausages. Alternatively you might want to join a guided
optional excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg, founded about 600 CE.
Before dinner, we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s famous beer. (B, L, D)

Day 10 – 02 October, 2019: Roth, Excursion to Nuremberg

In the morning enjoy an onboard lecture about the Main-Danube Canal which links these two rivers
to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas. Then, choose
between a guided sightseeing of Nuremberg with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic
cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle or take a guided tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds of
the Third Reich. (B, L, D)

Day 11 – 03 October, 2019: Nuremberg Disembarkation
                           & Coach to Prague, Czech Republic

After breakfast enjoy a relaxing motor coach drive through the countryside to Prague, the City of
100 Spires, where you will be staying three nights in the InterContinental Praha Hotel. Enjoy free
time to explore the Golden City of Prague and its surrounding countryside. Consider sampling
delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River and definitely
consider dining out this evening in the Old Town square. (B)

Day 12 – 04 October, 2019: Prague

This morning you may join a guided city walk, and visit the Hradčany Castle grounds, St. Vitus
Cathedral and Old Town’s astronomical clock. Perhaps you would like to spend your free time
hiking the nearby hillsides or perhaps staying in town to stroll the city of Prague to photograph its
stunning cityscape. You have the catch the entertaining street performers, visit the market stalls at
Charles Bridge and sample Prague’s famous beer varieties in local restaurants. Tonight, you may
decide to join an optional folklore dinner show to sample traditional Czech cuisine in an authentic
Prague setting. (B)

Day 13 – 05 October, 2019: Prague

Enjoy this full free day in Prague at your leisure. Perhaps you really want to go back to a sight
you’ve already seen and explore it in more depth. Then again you might explore on your own or
even maybe take a planned tour, such as beer and tapas walking tour of Prague. Perhaps you’d like
to see the city by river or explore something a bit different like a train tour to the UNESCO-
protected town of Kutna Hora, including a visit to the Sedlec Ossuary - a haunting chapel decorated
with more than 40,000 medieval human bones and similar adornments. There is a lot to do in the
Prague area, including such things as a three hour medieval dining experience: you just have to
look for it. (B)

Day 14 – 06 October, 2019: Prague

At your leisure, today make your way to the airport for your chosen flight back to Vancouver.

Panorama Suite (Category A & P)

Photo shown is representative of staterooms in the categories A & P

                              Porthole Suite (Category E*)

                                           Features:*
     Comfort Collection Beds                                  Sofa
     Luxurious mattress toppers                               European-style duvets
     Egyptian super-combed cotton linens                      Extra blankets
     Soft & firm pillows                                      Nightly turn-down service
     Choice of bed configuration                              Hairdryer
     Bedside tables with reading lamps                        L'Occitane bath products
     Hairdryer                                                Easy under-bed luggage storage
     Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample           Alarm clock
      storage                                                  Direct-dial telephone
     Flat screen satellite TV with movie channel              Well-stocked minibar
     Make-up mirror                                           In-room safe
     Bathrobes & slippers                                     Elegant, contemporary design
     Complimentary bottled water                              Marble countertops in bathroom
     Individual climate control                               Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window
     Large mirror in bathroom                                  with Open-Air BalconySM
     Complimentary Wi-Fi                                      Full shower with glass door
     6-person sitting area                                    Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
     Writing desk and chair                                   Coffee table

          * The Porthole Suite is excellent for those on budgets but is smaller without
            a sitting area and with fewer amenities than other suite categories.

Avalon Imagery II

                      Royal Deck

                    Sapphire Deck

                      Indigo Deck

          Stateroom Categories & Cost
Royal Suites: $8,099* per person
Category P: Panorama Suites: Twin: $7,399* per person, Single: $10,999*
Category A: Panorama Suites: Twin: $7,199* per person, Single: $10,699*
Category E: Porthole Suites:   Twin: $6,250* per person, Single: $8,868

            * Fare includes port charges and taxes.

Booking Information

      Book and deposit by March 31, 2019 to receive the included gratuities package.
Fare includes 2 nights in Budapest pre-cruise at the New York Palace Hotel, 7 nights cruise
on the Danube and 3 nights in Prague post-cruise at the InterContinental Praha.
Additional nights in Budapest are $204 per person based on double occupancy and single
$351 and in Prague $230 per person based on double occupancy and single $392.

 A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required at time of booking.
       After final payment the full amount becomes non-refundable.
               Cancellation insurance is highly recommended.
                                 Air fare is not included;
           however, air fares will be available from the cruise line in February
                Availability on this exciting cruise is already very limited.
                 Accordingly, this offer only applies to bookings made,
                      deposited and confirmed by March 31, 2019.
              This tour is not suitable for people with severe mobility issues.

                Final payment is due June 20, 2019

                    To confirm your place on this trip
                              call Geoff at
                              604.685.6756
                               or email at
                    geoff.clydesdale@visiontravel.ca

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