Globus > JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE

JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE
20 Days starting from $4,689

Countries Visited:
Austria, France, Germany, Hungary

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Length: 20 Days
Type: Other Tours
Category: Other Tours
Operator: Globus
Tour Code: WBT-2008
   
 
About This Tour


Spend two nights in Budapest, 14 nights cruising to Trier, and two nights in Paris on this delightful 20-day vacation, which cruises along the Danube, Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers and through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and Main Danube Canal. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Budapest with its Fishermen’s Bastion and Buda Castle, and in Vienna with the lavish Hofburg Palace and impressive Opera House. In Durnstein, marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche, and take a guided visit of Melk’s impressive Benedictine Abbey. You’ll have guided tours of Regensburg, Nuremberg, and Passau, and an excursion along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg. Medieval Bamberg beckons next, and there are walking tours in Miltenberg with its narrow cobblestone streets, and charming Bernkastel. Visit the Residential Palace in Würzburg, Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim, and Reichsburg Castle towering above Cochem. Disembark in Trier and transfer by motorcoach to Paris, where Local Guides will show you the famous landmarks.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • SPECIALS

City Highlights
BUDAPEST
Guided sightseeing; visit Fishermen''s Bastion; Welcome reception

VIENNA
Guided sightseeing

DÜRNSTEIN
Guided walk

MELK
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; wine tasting

PASSAU
Guided sightseeing

REGENSBURG
Guided sightseeing; visit the Old Chapel

MAIN-DANUBE CANAL
Cruise in the canal

NUREMBERG
Guided sightseeing; excursion to Rothenburg

BAMBERG
Guided sightseeing

WÜRZBURG
Guided sightseeing, visit the Residenz

MILTENBERG
Guided sightseeing

RÜDESHEIM
“Winzerexpress” mini train; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

COCHEM
Visit Reichsburg Castle

BERNKASTEL
Guided sightseeing

PARIS
Guided sightseeing

Meals
Buffet breakfast (BB) in Budapest and Paris; 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

Hotels:
BUDAPEST InterContinental (SF), PARIS Le Méridien Etoile (SF) or Le Méridien Montparnasse (SF)
Day 1:
(Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Budapest, Hungary. (Fri. & Sat.) Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. 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 are sights not to be missed. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for interesting outings and things to do. (BB)

Day 3:
Budapest, Hungary. (Fri. & Sat.) Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. 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 are sights not to be missed. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for interesting outings and things to do. (BB)

Day 4:
Budapest. (Embarkation) (Sun.) This afternoon, the crew of your vessel waits to welcome you aboard. (BB,D)

Day 5:
Budapest–Vienna, Austria. (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. (FB,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 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 Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay. (FB,L,D)

Day 7:
Dürnstein–Melk. (Wed.) Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above town are ruins of the castle where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Melk’s magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town 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 8:
Linz–Passau, Germany. (Thu.) Linz, Austria’s thirdlargest 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. (FB,L,D)

Day 9:
Regensburg. (Fri.) 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 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. It is here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (FB,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. (FB,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 make this a favorite town along the Romantic Road. (FB,L,D)

Day 12:
Bamberg. (Mon.) A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site is medieval Bamberg, with its breathtaking cathedral, Old Town Hall straddling the river, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. (FB,L,D)

Day 13:
Würzburg. (Tue.) Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. (FB,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. (FB,L,D)

Day 15:
Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Coblenz. (Thu.) Pretty Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Explore the Drosselgasse, pick up some souvenirs, and be sure to try one of the vintages in any of the little wine taverns. The dramatic Rhine Gorge is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Coblenz 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. (FB,L,D)

Day 16:
Cochem. (Fri.) REICHSBURG CASTLE, towering above the river at Cochem, can be seen from afar and sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. Views of the little town of Cochem nestled 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, Riesling grapes are cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (FB,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. Wine growers in this area look after Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. (FB,L,D)

Day 18:
Trier (Disembarkation)–Paris, France. (Sun.) After breakfast, cross the border into France and head for Paris. (FB)

Day 19:
Paris. (Mon.) Paris’ famous sights are living history: magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid contrasting its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, 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. (BB)

Day 20:
Paris. (Tue) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)


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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
7/10/2008 - 7/29/2008
$4,889
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8/21/2008 - 9/9/2008
$4,989
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10/2/2008 - 10/21/2008
$4,689
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4/30/2009 - 5/19/2009
$5,389
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6/11/2009 - 6/30/2009
$5,389
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8/20/2009 - 9/8/2009
$5,539
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10/1/2009 - 10/20/2009
$5,099
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BUDAPEST
Guided sightseeing; visit Fishermen''s Bastion; Welcome reception

VIENNA
Guided sightseeing

DÜRNSTEIN
Guided walk

MELK
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; wine tasting

PASSAU
Guided sightseeing

REGENSBURG
Guided sightseeing; visit the Old Chapel

MAIN-DANUBE CANAL
Cruise in the canal

NUREMBERG
Guided sightseeing; excursion to Rothenburg

BAMBERG
Guided sightseeing

WÜRZBURG
Guided sightseeing, visit the Residenz

MILTENBERG
Guided sightseeing

RÜDESHEIM
“Winzerexpress” mini train; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

COCHEM
Visit Reichsburg Castle

BERNKASTEL
Guided sightseeing

PARIS
Guided sightseeing

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Book now and take $200 off per couple on any air-inclusive European Low Season Vacations.*

* Book a 2008/2009 Globus Europe Winter air-inclusive vacation on select carriers to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between June 4 and August 31, 2008 for travel commencing between October 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one another or any offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Save up to $600 per stateroom on 2009 Globus River and Small Ship Cruises

Discover an entirely new way to uncover the wonders of the world with river and small ship cruises. From a wine tasting adventure through the vineyards of France to island hopping in the Galapagos Islands, you’re sure to find a Globus river or small ship cruise that speaks to your heart. There’s simply no more peaceful way to sample the charming cities and awe-inspiring sights of Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos Islands.

*Book a 2009 Globus River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer. Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $125 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between May 14 and August 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

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!


Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel?

Right now when you book between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*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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