BLUE DANUBE DISCOVERY- JEWISH HERITAGE RIVER CRUISE 2013

Discover a wealth of art, history and cultural treasures as you explore some of Europe’s most famous destinations. From Budapest, a haven for musicians, writers and artists, cruise to Bratislava, Vienna, Passau and Regensburg. Along the way, visit magnificent cathedrals and baroque abbeys. Explore the charming Wachau Valley and traverse Europe’s Continental Divide, made possible through the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal. Take an optional excursion to Salzburg and celebrate the heritage of Mozart, one of the world’s greatest composers.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

US/CANADA DEPARTURE
October 25, 2013
START CITY
Budapest
SHIP NAME
AmaCerto
CRUISE ONLY                    CRUISE/LAND 
$2,599                                           $3,749
AVAILABILITY
LIMITED AVAILABILITY

DAY

1
2
3
4

5
6

7

8
9
10

11

12
13
14

DESTINATION

Hungary
Budapest
Budapest
Budapest

Bratislava
Vienna

Durnstein
Melk
Linz/Passau
Regensburg
Hilpoltstein
Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Karlovy Vary
Prague
Prague
Prague

ACTIVITIES

Overnight Flight
Hotel Check-In, Free Time
Jewish District and Highlight Tours
Optional Puszta Excursion
EMBARKATION
Tomb of Chatam Sofer or Communist History Tour
Jewish History or City Tour
Optional Shonbrunn Castle or Evening Concert
Walking Tour and Wine Tasting, Wachau Valley
Benedictine Abbey or Guided Bicycle Tour
Optional Salzburg Excursion
Jewish Tour or Optional Audi Tour
Crossing Continental Divide
World War II or Medieval Nuremberg Tour
DISEMBARKATION
Free Time
City Tour
Tour Josefov, Old New Synagogue, Zizkov Cemetery
Airport Transfer

DETAILED CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

  • DEPART USA/CANADA
    Board your overnight flight to Hungary.
  • ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
    Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city.
  • BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
    This morning, your Jewish Heritage tour takes you to the Sankt Stephan Park where you can visit the statues of Raoul Wallenberg and Gabor Sztehlo, both credited with saving thousands of Hungarian Jews during WWII. Afterwards, you will visit the Jewish District for a walking tour featuring highlights such as the Dohany St. Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Tree of Life. In the alternative, you can choose a city tour of Budapest, with sightseeing in both Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square, and much more. In the afternoon, stroll around Budapest on your own, or choose an excursion that takes you back to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. See the Parliament Building still bearing bullet holes from the Soviet intervention. Also, visit the “House of Terror,” a feared location of the Hungarian secret police.
  • BUDAPEST - EMBARKATION
    Enjoy a free morning in Budapest or join us on an optional Puszta excursion, where you will experience the revival of a 100-year-old tradition of Hungarian horsemanship. In the afternoon, transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship docked in the center of the city. Tonight, gather on board for a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner as your ship cruises overnight to Bratislava.
  • BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
    This afternoon, a Jewish Heritage tour is highlighted by a visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, Bratislava’s most famous Rabbi. In the alternative, you may choose to join a walking tour of Bratislava. You will see such landmarks as the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. As you walk through town, admire some of the unique sculptures lining the Main Square and the historical National Theater. Yet a third option is to join the Bratislava Communist Tour. Discover the bizarre architecture of the “Slovenský Rozhlas,” (Slovak Radio) also known as the inverted pyramid, which is the national public-service radio broadcaster. Also visit Liberty Square and the memorial and cemetery for fallen soldiers of the Russian Army that helped liberate the city of Bratislava during WWII.
  • VIENNA, AUSTRIA
    This morning, the Jewish Heritage tour includes the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz, Sigmund Freud’s House, Jewish Cemetery and the Jewish Quarter in Vienna’s 2nd District. You may choose instead the city tour of Vienna, with highlights such as the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll along the Kärtnerstrasse or sample Vienna's famous pastries. This afternoon, consider joining the optional tour of the Schönbrunn Palace, a fine example of Baroque architecture. Built originally as the summer residence of the Hapsburg Emperors, it became one of their favorite homes. Your tour will include the Imperial Apartments, still containing the furnishings of the Emperors. This evening join an optional Mozart & Strauss Concert. The concert will be held in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace or Palais Auersperg. This unforgettable evening will be a mixture of both Mozart & Strauss; the most popular compositions of each. Following the concert, there will be an illumination tour of the Ringstrasse before returning to the ship.
  • DÜRNSTEIN - MELK
    This morning reach the Wachau Valley for your walking tour of Dürnstein, one of the prettiest towns along the Danube. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche and see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Your walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century town houses and wine taverns and includes a wine tasting at a local vintner. After lunch, enjoy your scenic cruise to Melk. Here, you will tour the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. Another option is a guided bicycle tour through Austria’s Wachau Valley (capacity controlled).
  • LINZ - PASSAU, GERMANY
    After breakfast, take an optional full-day excursion to fascinating Salzburg, setting for the “Sound of Music.” In the alternative, remain on board and cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany. Located where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube, a walking tour will lead you through this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago.
  • REGENSBURG, GERMANY
    After lunch, arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Your Jewish Heritage tour will explore the oldest Jewish Ghetto in Germany, visiting the site of the Regensburg Synagogue, Jewish Cemetery “Judenau” and Oscar Schindler’s House. Another option is to join the Regensburg walking tour. You will see the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches, the famous towers of the wealthy medieval families, and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. An afternoon tour of the Audi Museum is also available as a third option.
  • NUREMBERG, GERMANY
    Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising through the Main-Danube Canal and the beautiful Altmühl Valley. In the afternoon, arrive in Nuremberg, where you can choose between two different tours. The Jewish Heritage tour visits infamous landmarks of the Third Reich, such as the Zeppelin Field and Party Rally Grounds. Visit the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946, including the famous Court Room 600. The other available tour explores the medieval history of Nuremberg. Highlights include the storybook 900 year-old ramparts that surround the city and the Imperial Castle.
  • DISEMBARKATION - KARLOVY VARY
    This morning, depart Nuremberg after breakfast and drive through the pastoral countryside to Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian spa. After lunch, continue to Prague and check into your hotel.
  • PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
    Today’s Jewish Heritage Tour begins with a tour of Josefov, the former Jewish Ghetto, which was the largest and oldest in Europe and now houses the second largest Jewish museum in the world. After a visit to the Old New Synagogue, the oldest working synagogue in the world, you will take a drive to the Jewish Cemetery in Zizkov. This cemetery, established in 1680, is the final resting place of a number of prominent Jews, including many Rabbis, scholars and novelist Franz Kafka. In the alternative, you may join a city tour of Prague featuring a scenic drive and visit to Prague Castle. Afterwards, walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions.
  • PRAGUE
    Today you are free to explore Prague on your own, perhaps stopping to frequent one of its many charming cafes or restaurants. Or, join the optional excursion to Terezin, the site of an infamous Nazi concentration camp during WWII.
  • DEPART PRAGUE
    Bid farewell to Prague and transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.

INCLUDED FEATURES
    • 2 nights hotel in Budapest at the Sofitel Chain Bridge (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
    • Transfer from the hotel to the ship in Budapest
    • 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
    • Most staterooms offer French balconies or revolutionary Twin Balconies
    • Life enriching tours and excursions daily
    • “Culinary Delights – Bites & Sights” excursions
    • State-of-the-art Infotainment System in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library & English language TV stations
    • Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
    • Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding
    • Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
    • Multiple dining venues on select vessels
    • Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe's great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every dinner on board
    • Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
    • Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
    • Transfer from ship to hotel in Prague
    • 3 nights hotel in Prague at the InterContinental (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
    • Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and piano music
    • Bicycles to explore on your own & guided bicycle tours
    • Services of professional Cruise Manager
    • All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
    • All transfers with the purchase of cruise, land & air package
    • All local taxes

BOOK YOUR JEWISH HERITAGE RIVER CRUISE TODAY!

801-809-2434


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