Danube River Cruise
Over the Holidays

Over Thanksgiving
Dec.24, 2009-Jan.02, 2010

Prague, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna
(Czech Republic, Germany, Austria)

Enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere of 1,000-year-old beautiful Prague and all along the legendary Danube on this enchanting vacation. Delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local Holiday festivities in Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Vienna as local guides introduce you to these exciting cities. Be sure to sample the Glühwein, Lebkuchen, and other traditional holiday specialties!
We start with 2 nights in Prague to see the sights that this historic city has to offer and then we board our deluxe ship to begin our river cruise which is a wonderful way to see the delightful landscape and panoramic views while we sail along the Danube to our exciting ports of call.  Sip some hot cider or enjoy a relaxing moment as we contemplate our vacation adventure along the Danube with wonderful new friends and welcome in the New Year of 2010!!!                              
                        Enjoy the holidays on  a festive  European River Cruise!
Price includes all of this

• First Class accommodations
• Superb dining with all meals on board daily, featuring complimentary coffee & tea throughout the day
• Total 19 meals
• 8-Full Buffet Breakfast (B) 
• 5-Lunches (L)
• 6-Dinners (D), complimentary wine, beer, soda, (but not hard liquor or champagne) 
• Including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner; quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
• Deluxe 6-night cruise from Nuremberg to Vienna in an outside stateroom with comfortable hotel-style beds made with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens & European duvets
• Large closets, hair dryer, safe, flat screen satellite TV & radio, individual climate control, private bathroom with shower
• Professional cruise director & local guides, onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music, headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling
• Private deluxe motor coach with air-conditioning, extra leg room, and emergency washroom while driving from Prague to pier in Nuremburg (Embarkation)
• Visit these key sights-Including admission charges where applicable.
• Prague: Guided sightseeing- including Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, visit Hradcany Castle,
• Nuremberg: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing.
• Regensburg: Walking tour- see Old Town Hall, Old Chapel, the Porta Pretoria; beer tasting
• Melk: Guided visit of magnificent Benedictine Abbey-one of Europe’s largest monasteries
• Vienna: Guided sightseeing- see Hofburg Palace, Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral
• Free roommate matching if requested

Available: Download Itinerary Now (Acrobat Reader required - allow up to 20 seconds for file to download completely)

Itinerary

Day 1 Thur., Dec 24, 2009                 Leave USA
Leave the U.S. or Canada for your overnight transatlantic flight to Europe!

Day 2 Fri., Dec 25                  Arrive Prague, Czech Republic
            Arrive in Prague and depending on your arrival time, relax or start exploring this wonderful city.

Day 3 Sat., Dec. 26                 Prague
Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. It straddles the Vltava River with domes, spires and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. See its best-known treasures such as 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. (B)
                                                                                               
Day 4 Sun., Dec 27                 Prague–Nuremberg, Germany (Embarkation)
After lunch, drive to Nuremberg where the ships’ crew awaits to welcome you on board. (B,D)

Day 5 Mon., Dec 28                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. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Tue.,  Dec 29                Regensburg
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights included on your tour are the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold Old Chapel, and the Porta Pretoria—gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. Germany is famous for its sausages and Regensburg is home to the country’s oldest restaurant, Historische Wurstküche (the Old Sausage Kitchen), dating back to the 12th century. Before dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s best-known beers. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Wed., Dec 30               Passau–Linz, Austria
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. 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! Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Thur., Dec 31               Melk–Vienna
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! This evening, arrive in Vienna, known as the “City of Music,” which inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. An optional concert is available tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Fri., Jan 1, 2010                      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 Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy on your city tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Maybe shop in the Kärnterstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Sat., Jan 2, 2010        Vienna (Disembarkation)
 Yes, it is time to say good-bye!  Your homebound flight arrives the same day.  (B)

Our Cruise Ship -Built: 2009; Length: 361 ft.; Crew members: 39; Staterooms: 65; Jr. Suites: 4
The Avalon Affinity is the latest deluxe addition to the Avalon fleet, with a design that reflects the uniqueness of the area, and which differentiates her from the other Avalon vessels. Built in 2009 it carries a maximum of just 138 passengers with four suites, she will be the smallest of the Avalon ships, yet the staterooms are equally spacious and well appointed, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks.
In addition, there is an elevator, and the whirlpool on the Sky Deck allows for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing. Relax on its spacious sky decks for sunning or for panoramic landscape views. The rear lounge is perfect for small groups to gather. This river cruise ship provides a smooth and quiet ride throughout your enjoyable visit. Your special cabin will be a floating room with a view.  Amenities include:

• Sky Deck with Deck Chairs
• Navigating Bridge
• On-board Camera
• Sky Lounge
• Whirlpool
• Internet Corner
• Lounge
• Bar
• Club Lounge
• Hairdresser
• Elevator
• Restaurant
• Fitness Center

There are 4 decks and the passenger cabin decks are on the 3 decks below the top 4th open deck.

Lower Deck-Outside stateroom, 172 sq. ft. with porthole.
$1,859.00        Double occupancy, per person
$   465.00        Additional for private cabin and is on a request basis and based on availability.

2nd Level Deck- Outside stateroom, 172 sq. ft. with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors
$2287.00         Double occupancy, per person
$  990.00         Additional for private cabin and is on a request basis and based on availability.

ADD-$84.00    Port Charges-to above price.

Pre and Post Nights- roommates not guaranteed on pre and post nights
$  136.00       Pre-night in Prague in 3 star hotel, double occupancy per person, per night
$  243.00       Single room in Prague, per night
$  170.00       Post-night in Vienna in 3-4 star hotel, double occupancy per person, per night
$  280.00       Single room in Vienna, per night

Airfare:  Airfare is not included. You need to fly into Prague, Czech Republic, leaving the U.S./Canada Dec. 24 and arriving Dec 25.  Fly out of Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 2, 2010 arriving home the same day.  You may use your FF miles, check online for low fares, or we can assist you with your airfare. We can try and coordinate your flights together.

Airport transfers prices: You  need your flight schedule at least 6 weeks prior to the trip to officially apply them.
Prague & Vienna-  
$35 each way ($70 roundtrip) for tour dates only, per person
$50 each way ($100 roundtrip) for non-tour dates, per person

Travel Insurance:  Travel insurance is highly recommended, $199 per person for up to $2,000, $249 per person for  up to $2,001-$4,000, and $299 per person for trip over $4,000: Covers trip cancellation & interruption, delayed arrival & missed connection protection (limited), baggage delay, accident & sickness medical expense benefits, dental expense, emergency medical evacuation & repatriation, accidental death & dismemberment.
For $30 more you can purchase travel protection plus which allows you to cancel your vacation up to 24 hours (or the prior business day, which ever is further out) before your scheduled departure for any reason and cancellation compensation is in travel certificates only. Penalties determined at time of cancellation.
To waive the pre-existing medical conditions in the above insurance, you must pay the insurance with your initial trip deposit.

A valid passport is required for travel and the expiration date must be at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Non-U.S. citizens please check with your local consulate for entrance requirements.
Price does not include: items of a personal nature, meals not specified in itinerary, tips to drivers, guides, and cruise ship personnel, phone calls, airport transfers, etc.

Fine Print – Danube River Cruise over the Holidays Dec. 24, 2009-Jan. 02, 2010.
Your payment for a reservation on this trip constitutes consent and acknowledgement of all the provisions in this Fine Print listed below and in the Singles Travel Company General Terms and Conditions. Make sure you read both of these important pieces of information and call us with any questions.  Please fax or mail to us the Reservation Form found on our website with your reservation.
Note: Christmas markets operate from late November until December 25 (Prague markets are open from early December until the first days of January). In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motor coach.
Payments:  A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 is due with your booking to confirm your space. To waive the pre-existing medical conditions in the above insurance, you must pay the insurance with your initial trip deposit.
Final balance payments are due 95 days prior to the trip (Sept.21). Make payment by credit card or check (payable to Travel Advisors). Do not wait to book your trip by the final payment date, the cruise may be sold out by then.
Cancellation Fee and Refunds     All cancellations must be in writing. Cancellations 91 days or more prior to the trip will receive a full refund of your deposit, less a $50 cancellation fee applied to your credit card.  Any cancellations within 90 days of departure, no refund will be provided.  No refund on unused portions of the trip. After airline tickets are issued, airline cancellations are per the airline’s policy and are usually no refund; changeable with a fee.
Travel/Trip Cancellation insurance is highly recommended.

Download full Terms and Conditions (PDF)

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Los Gatos, CA 95030

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