For expert help planning your Christmas Market Tour, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| CHRISTMASTIME CRUISE (WVN2008)
A 10-Day tour starting from $1,699
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Vacation Overview Arrive in Vienna and spend two nights before boarding your luxurious river vessel for this 10-day cruise. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Vienna, Regensburg, and Nuremberg—all famous for their Christmas markets, as well as a guided visit of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey. Sample Lebkuchen, svarene vino, and other specialties specific to this festive time of year! Disembark in Nuremberg and drive to Prague for two nights in the magical Czech capital.
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Hotels PRAGUE Hilton (SF) Meals Buffet breakfast (BB) in Prague, superb dining with all meals on board including Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner, Captain's Dinner, one sitting with open seating arrangements, quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner on board
Day 1:
Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2: Vienna, Austria. (Embarkation) Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s romantic capital! This afternoon, your crew waits to welcome you aboard your luxury river cruise ship! (D) Day 3: Vienna. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s capital has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights. You do not rush through Vienna, you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärnterstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. Soak up the atmosphere of the Adventszeit (Advent season) and spend some time in the beautiful Christmas markets located throughout the city. (FB,L,D) Day 4: Melk. The magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town of Melk from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! (FB,L,D) Day 5: Linz–Passau, Germany. 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 as well as more Christmas cheer—the traditional carols, the sparkling lights, and the smell of candles and gingerbread. 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. (FB,L,D) Day 6: Regensburg. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall; the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL; and the Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. The Christmas market is located on the historic market square. Germany is famous for its sausages and Regensburg is home to the country’s oldest restaurant, Die Alte Wurstküche (the Old Sausage Kitchen), dating back to the 12th century. (FB,L,D) Day 7: Nuremberg. 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; the Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations. The city’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. (FB,L,D) Day 8: Nuremberg (Disembarkation)–Prague, Czech Republic. Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the “Golden City.” (FB) Day 9: Prague. 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. Best-known treasures are the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE; 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. (BB) Day 10: Prague. Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
City Highlights VIENNAWelcome reception; guided sightseeingMELKGuided visit of Benedictine AbbeyREGENSBURGWalking tourNUREMBERGGuided sightseeingPRAGUEGuided sightseeing, visit Hradcany Castle Ship Avalon Tranquility Price Details US
Related Tours WNV|Enjoy this vacation from Prague to Vienna. CURRENT SPECIALS: Save $200 per couple on the air-inclusive price of 2009 Europe Vacations
Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus
Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.
Pay less for your second vacation We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.
Triple room reduction On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.
Avoid the single room supplement We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!
Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75
*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
