 Call 1-800-478-0433 or scott@cruiseconsultants.com |
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Dear Fellow Traveler: The majestic rivers of Europe are calling us! Leave the ocean blue behind, as we journey through the heart of Europe on its mighty rivers. Our magical trip from Amsterdam to Vienna will take us through some of the most beautiful countryside on earth. The leisurely pace of our trip will be just what you're looking for in your summer get-a-way. Let the loveliness of Holland, Germany, and Austria sweep you away on this once in a lifetime trip through the heart of Europe. Join us, won't you? Scott Will |
| Day 1, May 24--Depart USA |
| Coach transfer from Bloomington/Normal to Chicago, O'Hare for your flight to Amsterdam. (In-flight meals) |
| Day 2, May 25--Amsterdam |
| Arrive in Amsterdam where you will be met at the airport and transferred to the pier to embark your river cruise ship. The crew will be preparing the cabins for arriving passengers, and you are given access to your cabin as soon as it becomes available, generally by three in the afternoon. You can spend your time relaxing in the ship's lounge or exploring on your own in this city that has preserved its charming Old World ambiance. After some time to settle in your cabin, gather this evening to get acquainted with your Cruise Manager and traveling companions at a Welcome Reception before dinner onboard. (L, D) |
| Day 3, May 26--Amsterdam |
| After breakfast onboard, disembark for a cruise on one of the city's famous glass-topped canal boats. You'll see some of Amsterdam's oldest and loveliest buildings and monuments as well as boats of all descriptions, including many charming houseboats. You'll also see the wooden double drawbridge "Skinny Bridge" that will be familiar from many paintings. The cruise ends at the world famous Rijksmuseum, and your entry fee is included. You have some time to browse the museum's unparalleled collection of magnificent works by the great Dutch and Flemish Masters. En route back to the ship, view landmarks such as the 17th century Royal Palace and Mint Tower. Return to the ship for lunch, after which you begin cruising along Holland's waterways. (B, L, D) |
| Day 4, May 27--Cologne |
| Spend a relaxing morning enjoying the Rhine scenery as you cruise to Cologne, arriving in the early afternoon. After lunch, disembark for a guided walking tour of Cologne's magnificent Gothic cathedral and Old City. The cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, largely escaped the World War II damage that ravaged the city and the rest of Germany. It's the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, boasting beautiful stained-glass windows, an ornate gold shrine on its elaborate altar, and the intricate detail common to 14th century Gothic churches. After a stroll in the historic center, enjoy a visit to the venerable Cologne institution of the Brauhaus, a cafe' where the house brew, Kolsch beer is served. The balance of the day and evening is at leisure to shop and explore more of Cologne. Once a Roman settlement called Colonia Agrippina, you can still see fragments of Roman ruins in some parts of the city, and the Roman Tower near the cathedral was once part of the medieval town walls. The ship remains docked in Cologne until nearly midnight, so you can disembark after dinner for an evening stroll if you like. (B, L, D) |
| Day 5, May 28--Rudesheim |
| The ship has sailed in the early morning, passing Koblenz around the breakfast hour. During the morning, your Cruise Manager will point out the little towns, castles, ruins and other sights along and in the river, from the famous cat and mouse castles, to the Pfalzgrafenstein fortress that sits on a rock in the river. This is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine, along which the ship passes Lorelei, the legendary rock rising 440 feet above the river. Dock in Rudesheim after lunch and disembark for a mini-train ride into town and a visit to the Music Museum (Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett), full of fascinating antique mechanical musical instruments. After the tour, you have the balance of the afternoon and evening to explore this delightful wine-producing town. You may want to explore Rudesheim's famed Drosselgasse pedestrian-only wine alley. The ship remains docked here overnight. (B, L, D) |
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| Day 6, May 29--Mainz |
| The ship departs Rudesheim before breakfast, and docks in Mainz shortly afterwards. After breakfast, disembark for a guided walk to the town's great 11th century Romanesque cathedral. The Gutenberg printing press and Bible are housed in Mainz in the Gutenberg Museum. The inventor Johannes Gutenberg was born here in 1397, and created uniform-sized metal molds for letters that allowed him to print error-free repeatable text. In the museum, you can see a demonstration of how bibles and other books were printed in Gutenberg's day. Return to the ship for lunch. Spend a relaxing afternoon onboard enjoying the passing scenery as the ship sails to Wertheim. (B, L, D) |
| Day 7, May 30--Wertheim |
| After breakfast, disembark for a walking tour of this charming fairy tale town located at the meeting of the Main and Tauber Rivers. Admire the imposing ruins of its castle set on a hill overlooking the town. During your tour, you'll enjoy a demonstration from a local glassblower. After the tour, you have some free time to explore on your own. Perhaps you'll visit the Glass Museum chronicling the art of glassblowing for which the town is known. Return to the ship for lunch and begin sailing past the vineyards of Franconia. (B, L, D) |
| Day 8, May 31--Wurzburg & Rothenburg |
| Dock in Gerlachschausen or Volkach just before breakfast. Disembark after breakfast for an excursion to Wurzburg and a tour of its impressive baroque Bishops' Residenz. Admire the rich stuccowork and the unique staircase with the world's largest ceiling fresco. Then drive through scenic Franconia to Rothenburg where you'll enjoy a traditional German lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, set off on a walking tour admiring the medieval town's charming half-timbered houses. You'll have some free time after the walking tour before driving on to Schweinfurt, where the ship has sailed to meet you, and cruise through the night towards Nuremberg. (B, L, D) |
| Day 9, June 1--Neremberg |
| The ship continues cruising through the morning, docking in Nuremberg around noon. Disembark after lunch for a tour of this medieval city surrounded by 13th-century walls. Today Nuremberg evokes the notorious post-World War II war trials. But throughout its history, the city was known for its handcrafts, particularly toys and fancy metalwork. You'll see where the trials were held and the grounds were Nazi rallies were held, as well as the imposing Imperial Castle. Admire the half-timbered houses and stroll through the Market Square. After the tour, you have some free time to do some shopping or explore on your own. (B, L, D) |
| Day 10, June 2--Regensburg |
| Spend a relaxing morning cruising along the Danube River. Dock in Regensburg just after lunch and disembark to enjoy a walking tour of one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. See the gleaming spires of Gothic St. Peter's church with its stained glass, the Old Town Hall and the 12th century Stone Bridge. After the tour, you have some free time to shop or explore further. The ship remains docked here until midnight, so you have plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this lovely town. (B, L, D) |
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| Day 11, June 3--Passau & Linz |
| The ship docks in Passau around breakfast time. Disembark for a tour of this elegant town situated at the confluence of the Danube, the Ilz and the Inn Rivers and called the Dreiflussestadt (City on Three Rivers.) You'll see the impressive Bishop's Residenz, the 14th century Town Hall, and the town's magnificent 17th century cathedral, containing one of the world's largest pipe organs. After the tour, you can listen to an organ concert in lavish St. Stephan's Cathedral. Return to the ship for lunch, and cruise to Linz, docking around dinnertime. The ship remains docked here until the early hours of the morning, so you may want to disembark to do a little exploring on your own in one of Mozart's favorite cities. (B, L, D) |
| Day 12, June 4--Melk & Durnstein |
| This morning, the ship sails through a beautiful untouched stretch of the Danube called the Strudengau. Disembark after lunch for an excursion to the dramatic 900-year-old baroque Melk Abbey, perched on sheer cliffs high above the Danube. Its cherub-filled library boasts 365 windows--one for every day of the year. The interior of the abbey's church is a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and gold--with a magnificent carved pulpit and shimmering ceiling frescoes. Return to the ship in the late afternoon and cruise through the Wachau Valley, the heart of Austria's wine country. This area is of such cultural and historic importance, and is of such unsurpassed beauty, that it is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Dock in Durnstein in the early evening. The ship remains docked here until midnight so you have some time to explore this charming medieval town on your own. (B, L, D) |
| Day 13, June 5--Vienna |
| The ship has sailed during the early morning hours, and docks in Vienna at breakfast time. After breakfast, set off on a tour of one of Europe's loveliest and most romantic cities. Your tour features the remarkable Ringstrasse, lined with imposing palaces and grand residences, encircling the medieval Innere Stadt (Inner City.) See the magnificent Hofburg Palace, glorious St. Stephan's Cathedral with its gleaming spire and the beautiful State Opera House. Return to the ship for lunch, and enjoy an afternoon exploring on your own. Take a ride on a traditional horse drawn fiaker, have some mouth-watering Viennese pastry (try the famous Sacher Torte) in a sidewalk cafe' or visit the wonderful Art History Museum. (B, L, D) |
| Day 14, June 6--Depart for Home |
| After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Upon arrival at Chicago, O'Hare, we coach back to Bloomington/Normal. (B & In-flight meals) |
A European Adventure -- Viking Sky
May 24, 2006 - June 6, 2006
Prices based on double occupancy
| Cabin Category | Regular Fare | Our Special Fare | You Save* |
| Category E... | $4339.00 | $3799.00 | *Take $350.00 off "Our Special Fare", per person, when booking and paying in full by September 25, 2005 |
| Category D... | $4939.00 | $4399.00 | |
| Category C... | $5339.00 | $4799.00 | |
| Category B... | $5639.00 | $5099.00 | |
| Category A... | $5839.00 | $5299.00 |
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Your holiday includes:
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Travel Insurance... is an optional cost that is always a good idea. The Travel
Guard International insurance protects your travel investment not only for cancellations
but also provides coverage all the way until the end of your vacation. The cost will vary
depending on your category selection. 1-800-478-0433 or scott@cruiseconsultants.com for a deck plan or other ship information. Back to Top |