Featuring 2 nights in Prague before boarding Viking River Cruises’ Viking Freya for a 7-night cruise
August 26 – September 5, 2015 Discover grand cities and quaint villages on this 8-day journey along the “Blue Danube.” Explore both sides of fascinating Budapest, experience Vienna’s imperial architecture and gracious culture, and tour riverside towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley. In Germany, explore a baroque abbey and stroll cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses.
Wednesday, August 26 Depart USA Board our overnight flight bound for Prague, Czech Republic. Thursday, August 27 Arrive in Prague, Czech Republic Arrive in Prague and check into the charming Hotel Clement conveniently located in the historical center of Prague, just a few steps from the Vltava River and within walking distance of Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and the Charles Bridge. Friday, August 28 Prague After breakfast at the hotel, depart on a sightseeing tour that will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year- old Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, and then cross the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. After the tour enjoy the remainder of the day to explore Prague. (B) Saturday, August 29 Prague – Nuremberg, Germany – Embarkation After breakfast at the hotel, depart Prague and drive through the pastoral German countryside to Nuremberg to board the Viking Freya. After boarding, you will have free time to explore the city on your own, or join a “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. The ship moors in Nuremberg overnight. (B, D) Sunday, August 30 Nuremberg, Germany A morning tour of Nuremberg features the former Nazi parade grounds and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. There is a brief stop at the Court House before walking from the imperial castle grounds past the Albrecht Dürer House to the Main Market Square in the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls.
After lunch aboard, participate in lively and entertaining discussion about the European Union as you sail through a number of locks that comprise the Main- Danube Canal. The canal, an engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube, enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Dinner is served aboard and you cruise through the night. (B, L, D) Monday, August 31 Regensburg, Germany This morning, meet your guide dockside for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. See one of the largest groupings of 13th- and 14th-century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. You also encounter the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards. Take time to stroll the streets or shop perhaps visiting the Alte Wurstküche, Germany’s oldest restaurant.
This afternoon choose an optional excursion to Kelheim at the southernmost point of the Main-Danube Canal. Travel by road to Kelheim, and then embark on a ferryboat ride to explore the 400-foot chalk cliffs and dramatic scenery of the Danube Narrows. You also visit the renowned Weltenburg Abbey, famous for its dark ale, brewed here by monks since 1050. Rejoin your ship for dinner and cruise through the night. (B, L, D) Tuesday, September 1 Passau, Germany Arrive early morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. A guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through the Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. You will see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephan’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ. (B, L, D) Wednesday, September 2 Melk - Vienna, Austria Join a guided tour through the ornate interior of this baroque gem of architecture, the Benedictine abbey at Melk. See its elaborate frescoes and admire the library's extensive collection of medieval manuscripts; enjoy the garden courtyard and the terrace views. Rejoin your ship for lunch and an afternoon cruise through the extraordinarily scenic Wachau Valley. Later, enjoy a workshop about Viennese coffee, complete with apple strudel. Arrive after dinner in Vienna and enjoy an evening at leisure, or you may choose to attend an optional evening concert in this “City of Waltzes.” (B, L, D) Thursday, September 3 Vienna After breakfast, begin your half-day city tour. See some of Vienna’s gracious architecture, and then ride along the beautiful Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater. You then see St. Stephan’s Cathedral. After lunch aboard, the afternoon is yours to further explore this city on your own. Shop along the Kärtnerstrasse or take an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, home of Maria Theresa and summer residence of the Habsburgs. Dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D) Friday, September 4 Budapest, Hungary Arrive in Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital divided by the Danube River. Take a panoramic city tour through the more modern “Pest” side of the city. Journey along Andrássy Avenue and see the 19th- and 20th-century mansions, National Opera House, Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Stop in Heroes’ Square to learn more about Hungarian history, then cross the Danube to Buda’s Castle District. Walk up the hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church; enjoy brilliant views of the city below. Return to your ship for lunch and the rest of the day is yours to explore both sides of the city. The ship moors overnight in Budapest. (B, L, D) Saturday, September 5 Budapest – USA Our cruise comes to an end as we prepare for our homeward flight. (B)
Tour Cost: Cabin Category/Description: Per Person in Double B Located on the Middle Deck with a full-size veranda (205 sq. ft) $6,599 D Located on the Middle Deck with a French balcony (135 sq. ft.) $6,034 F Located on the Main Deck with fixed windows (150 sq. ft.) $5,270
Fares are based on an airfare estimate of $1400 and the value of the Euro as of May 2014. Passengers will be advised of any price adjustment prior to final payment. Single rates are available upon request. Fares Include: Local airport transfers Roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis All transportation in Europe Two night pre-cruise package at the Hotel Clement in Prague 7-night cruise in selected accommodations Port taxes and government fees Customary shipboard gratuities Gourmet dining with all meals included on board ship including Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and Captain’s Farewell Dinner All staterooms have hotel-style beds, private bathroom with shower & heated floors; premium bath products; bathrobe & slippers upon request 40” or 42” flat-panel Sony® TV with in-room infotainment system featuring movies on demand, plus CNBC, CNN, National Geographic and more Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Voltage 220V & 110V (U.S. outlet) in stateroom Complimentary WI-FI onboard the ship Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board; bottled water, tea, coffee and cappuccino are available onboard anytime Enriching daily shore excursions as outlined in the itinerary utilizing a high-tech audio headset system Special highlights including lectures, craft demonstrations, performances, hands-on cooking classes and much more Insurance Travelex 360° Travel Protection Plan Services of a professional shipboard Program Director All English language spoken onboard in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only outside in designated area) Services of a Profinium, Inc. representative
Not Included: Optional excursions, nominal tips for excursion drivers and guides
Travel Documents: All passengers must carry a passport valid for at least six months beyond the return date of the trip.
Deposit: $500 per person to secure your reservation
Balance Due: April 20, 2015
Reservations: To make your reservations please contact: Ellen Borkenhagen
Profinium, Inc. – Top of the Hill Club, 105 Lake Ave., Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: (507) 235-7577 E-Mail: [email protected]
Cancellation Policy: According to the policies of Viking River Cruises, cancellations received after your deposit is paid will be subject to a $100 per person penalty. Cancellations received after April 20, 2015 will be subject to the terms of the Travelex Protection Plan and must be due to sickness, death, or injury of you, your traveling companion or an immediate family member in order to be considered for a refund. If the cancellation is due to one of the reasons mentioned above, an insurance claim with Travelex must be filed, including completion of a form by an attending physician or submission of a death certificate, if applicable. The insurance premium, which is included in your trip cost, is not refundable for cancellations received after April 20, 2015.
* This is a brief description of the plan. For further information ask for the Travel Insurance Certificate which fully details the coverage, provisions, limitations and is available to you, at any time by contacting Cruises and Tours Worldwide at 1-800-435-2710. 360 º Travel Protection Plan is designed by Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. This plan is underwritten by the Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Co., Columbus, OH. Travelex 360 º Claims Administered by: Trip Mate**, **(In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency) 1- 800-965-8859.
Travel arrangements by Cruises and Tours Worldwide, St. Louis, MO Cruises and Tours Worldwide acts only as an intermediary and agent in handling travel arrangements that are actually provided by other suppliers. This agency, therefore, shall not be responsible for breach of contract or any careless actions or omissions on the part of such suppliers, which result in any loss, damage, delay or injury to tour participants. Cruises and Tours Worldwide may not be held responsible for losses or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war, terrorism or acts of God. Cruises and Tours Worldwide retains the right to substitute accommodations or services of comparable quality if the advertised services become unavailable. Cruises and Tours Worldwide reserves the right to cancel this tour if the minimum number of tour participants is not met. The published price of this tour is based on rates available at the time of booking. Cruises and Tours Worldwide reserves the right to increase the cost of the tour, at any time, in the unlikely event that our tour suppliers impose price increases such as, but not limited to, fuel surcharges. Proof of such rate adjustments from our suppliers will be provided.