| European Rhapsody & Danube Cruise
- Itinerary |
DAY
1 - SAT – UK – PRAGUE
Welcome to the Czech Republic. Your European Rhapsody awaits!
Like its name suggests, this tour is designed to evoke feeling and enthusiasm and there is no better place
to start than the ancient capital of Bohemia and the Czech Republic.After your scheduled flight to Prague
Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel at 09.00 & 13.00hrs. The rest of the day is
yours to explore 'Golden Prague'. Later, meet your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Andel’s. (D) |
DAY
9 – SUN – KRAKOW - CRUISE
Drive through the foothills of the Tatra Mountains and
cross into Slovakia. Continue south to Hungary and its capital Budapest. Board your River Cruise and
settle into your lavishly appointed state room with private bathroom. Cruise Ship: River Empress. (BB,D) |
DAY
2 – SUN – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing begins within
the 1000 year old walls of Prague Castle where a local guide
takes you inside St. Vitus' Cathedral. Time to gaze down upon
the city below before descending to the magnificent Old Town
Square - don't miss the chiming of the astronomical clock
on the hour! This afternoon is at leisure. (BB) |
DAY
10 – MON – CRUISING BUDAPEST
Today is devoted to Budapest - 'Queen of the
Danube'. Your city tour features the famous Chain Bridge and takes you through the narrow medieval
streets the Castle Hill district to the Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. Tonight enjoy the
Captain’s Welcome Dinner on board. (BB,L,HD) |
DAY
3 – MON – PRAGUE - DRESDEN
A short drive from Prague
lies Nelahozeves castle, housing a world renowned art collection
as well as originalscores by Beethoven and Mozart. Adjacent
to the museum is the birthplace of Czech composer, Anton Dvorák.
Continue high into the Ore mountains to cross the German border
and travel through picturesque Saxon Switzerland en route
to Dresden. Hotel: Maritim. (BB,D) |
DAY
11 – TUE – CRUISING BRATISLAVA
Cruise the famous Danube bend to arrive in
Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. A city tour will acquaint you with the city’s eclectic architecture and
main sights including Freedom Square, Peace Square, Mirbach Palace and Primatial Palace. (BB,L,D) |
DAY
4 – TUE – DRESDEN SIGHTSEEING
From the reconstructed
Frauenkirche your Tour Director walks you past the colossal
'Procession of the Dukes' mosaic and around the Cathedral
to view the Opera and baroque Zwinger Palace. Now a highlight
visit takes you inside the Royal Palace to admire the fabulous
treasures of the Green Vault collections. (BB) |
DAY
12 – WED – CRUISING VIENNA
Travel along the stately Ring Street on your
included city tour - past the Opera, City Hall and Parliament. Finish at St Stephen’s Cathedral where
Mozart was married in 1782. Maybe join an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace? (BB,L,D) |
DAY
5 – WED– DRESDEN - WROCLAW
Drive to the German
border this morning and admire the beautiful medieval border
town of Gorlitz before crossing into Poland. Then continue
to the islands, bridges, parks and graceful buildings of Wroclaw.
Your guide shows you the sights including the Main Square
and University. Hotel: Sofitel. (BB) |
Day
13 – THUR – CRUISE WACHAU VALLEY
Continue cruising to the tiny village of
Durnstein, nestled below the ruined castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. After time to
explore on your own, rejoin your cruise and follow the scenic Wachau Valley. Your featured excursion
is a tour of the 900 year old Baroque-style Melk Abbey, situated high atop the granite cliffs. (BB,L,D) |
DAY
6 – THUR – WROCLAW - KRAKOW
Before leaving Wroclaw visit the enormous
Raclawicka Panorama – a 120 metre long painting depicting the famous Polish victory over the Russians
in 1794. Now cross the southern farmlands to reach the magnificent 14th century monastery at
Czestochowa. This place of pilgrimage is the home of the world famous portrait of Our Lady, the 'Black
Madonna', thought to be painted by St. Luke. Continue to medieval Krakow. Hotel: Qubus. (BB,D) |
Day
14 – FRI – CRUISING - LINZ
Your cruise ship slips into Linz where you embark on a full
day excursion to Mozart's home town of Salzburg. Walk with your guide through the old town's narrow
lanes to the ornate domed cathedral and visit the formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace. (BB,L,D) |
DAY
7 – FRI – KRAKOW SIGHTSEEING
Walk through the maze of narrow alleyways
which make up old Krakow, at the vast town square see the medieval Cloth Hall and the 14th century
Mariacki Church, from where the 'trumpeter' sounds the hour. Ascend Wawel Hill to visit the cathedral,
and to see the 'Wawel dragon'. This afternoon there is an optional excursion to the amazing
subterranean world of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Tonight consider a Polish dinner and folklore show? (BB) |
Day
15 – SAT – CRUISING - PASSAU
You reach Passau, situated on the Austrian border at
the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Danube and Ilz. Your guided walk takes you past the medieval
merchant’s houses the old town. Later enjoy an organ concert on the world’s largest pipe organ in St
Stephan’s Cathedral. The Captain’s Farewell Dinner is tonight. (BB,L,HD) |
DAY
8 – SAT – OSWIECIM - WADIWICE
Journey into the surrounding countryside for
a sobering encounter with the most infamous site of the Holocaust, Auschwitz. Spend some
reflective moments on a guided tour of the concentration camp and overlook the remains of nearby
Birkenau. Continue to the country town of Wadowice, birthplace of Pope John Paul II. See his
childhood home, now a museum, and maybe try one of the famous ‘Pope's cream cakes’? (BB) |
Day
16 – SUN – PASSAU - MUNICH - UK
Disembark & transfer to Munich airport. (BB) |
