Departure Cities: (Chicago, Des Moines, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis)
Departures Dates: (4/19/03 - 4/28/03, 4/21/03 - 4/30/03, 4/27/03 - 5/6/03, 4/29/03 - 5/8/03, 5/5/03 - 5/14/03)
Day 1 DEPART U.S.A. Enjoy the fine in-flight service on an overnight Northwest Airlines/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight to Vienna via Amsterdam.
Day 2 BUDAPEST Upon arrival in Vienna, transfer to your hotel in Budapest.
Day 3 BUDAPEST DANUBE RIVER CRUISE This morning enjoy the highlights of beautiful Budapest, Queen of the Danube. Exploration of Budapest begins with the Hero's Square, the Academy of Sciences, Parliament and the State Opera House. These superb examples of architecture, together with the more famous Fisherman's Bastion, St. Matthew's Church, Szechenyl Bridge and the Palace area, make Budapest one of Europe's finest cities. The afternoon is at leisure for shopping and personal sightseeing, or you may join an optional excursion to Szentendre with its picturesque cottages, streets and markets. This evening board the exclusively chartered MS Viking Heine, your floating hotel. As guests of the Captain, you are invited to a Welcome Champagne reception followed by dinner and overnight on board. BB,D
Day 4 DANUBE RIVER CRUISE - Bratislava/Vienna Today, relax on board as you glide past beautiful countryside. After lunch arrive in Bratislava, the bustling modern capital of Slovakia. Enjoy the Old Town with its 13th century Bratislava Castle. As you sail from Bratislava in the evening the Carpathian Mountains rise from the banks of the Danube. BB,L,D
Day 5 DANUBE RIVER CRUISE - Vienna This morning you will awake to the famous cosmopolitan city of Vienna. Enjoy sightseeing along bustling boulevards and amongst the green parks. Highlights of this historical metropolis include the Opera House, Parliament and Hofburg, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts. The afternoon is at leisure, or you may wish to step back in time with an optional excursion of the splendid Schönbrunn Palace, a summer residence of Empress Maria Theresa and the Habsburgs. This evening you may wish to take an optional excursion to a Viennese Palace to hear Strauss waltzes. Overnight on board the ship in Vienna. BB,L,D
 Day 6 DANUBE RIVER CRUISE Durnstein/Melk/Linz This morning arrive at Durnstein, perhaps the most beautiful town on the Danube, and the highlight of the Wachau Valley. On a walking excursion, explore the quaint streets of this medieval town. See the ruins of Durnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner in the 12th century. Enjoy wine tasting in this famous wine growing region. Return to the ship and during lunch cruise past tranquil villages and through the enchanting Wachau Valley. Visit Melk with its 900-year-old baroque Benedictine abbey situated high on a cliff above the Danube. Overnight on board the ship en route to Linz. BB,L,D
Day 7 LINZ/PRAGUE Disembark from MS Viking Heine after breakfast and proceed on an included excursion of the University town with a collection of unusual Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Visit the Main Square, which is one of the most attractive venues in Austria. After time for lunch, board your motor coach for Prague. The journey takes us north through upper Austria over the Czech border crossing the wide-reaching Czech plains to Prague, the most majestic of cities. Transfer to your hotel. BB,D
Day 8 PRAGUE Similar to Rome, Prague is built on seven hills on the banks of the River Vltava. In its historical center, Prague has over 1,700 cultural monuments of great value, hundreds of ancient houses, palaces, churches and gardens. Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge are just two of the famous landmarks of this city. Walking through the picturesque Old Town, with its charming, winding streets and extraordinary architecture, one senses the unique charm of one of the most memorable cities. Afternoon is at leisure. Tonight you may participate in a wonderful "Czech" evening in an old Prague "Bier Keller" where you will dine to the strains of typical Czech music. BB
Day 9 PRAGUE Today is at leisure to explore Prague on your own, or enjoy a full day optional excursion to Kutna Hora, a picturesque medieval town just east of Prague. The source of all the splendor and wealth of the town was silver ore which was once mined in the region. Here you will visit the Italian Court and the outstanding St. Barbara Cathedral. Bask in the historical atmosphere of this medieval town and irregular shaped squares. BB
Day 10 PRAGUE/U.S.A. After breakfast, transfer to Prague Airport for the return flight home. BB
BB - Buffet Breakfast , L - Lunch , D - Dinner
The day by day itinerary will operate in reverse on the April 21 and April 29 departures
All local transportation and sightseeing is arrannged by Global Destination Management, Ltd. and operated by Reiseburo Eurotours Ges.m.b.H. who may use other suppliers or providers to render services. |
The House of Habsburg - a dynasty of twenty emperors and kings and formidable Empress Maria Theresa which spanned over six hundred years of dazzling European history. Imperial courts graced by famous musicians, grand castles and fortresses, romantic palaces and residences with stunning gardens. All evocative of a bygone era of splendor which is sure to captivate!