A Danube, Main, & Rhine River Cruise

Prague to the Swiss Alps A Danube, Main, & Rhine River Cruise aboard Royal Crown October 12–26, 2017 Bamberg Miltenberg Prague

Prague to the Swiss Alps Program Highlights A Danube, Main, & Rhine River Cruise aboard Royal Crown  TRAVEL for eight nights aboard the October 12–26, 2017 elegant Royal Crown along the Danube,

Dear Traveler, Main, and Rhine rivers and the Main-Danube Canal, which winds 106 miles through rural Romantic Old World villages, medieval city centers, picturesque winding rivers, forests and vineyards ablaze with autumn colors, and vibrant cities emblematic of Bavaria, the Franconian Alps, and the scenic a rapidly transforming Europe comprise the cultural and historical threads of a Altmühl Valley. memorable journey from the Czech Republic, through Germany and France, and ending in Switzerland.  VISIT six UNESCO World Heritage This unique itinerary is bookended by two fascinating destinations—Prague, the Sites: the historic centers of Prague, historic capital of Bohemia, and the spectacularly beautiful Swiss Alps. Bamberg, and Strasbourg; the Würzburg Connecting them is a scenic journey from Regensburg to Basel aboard the intimate Royal Crown riverboat along three rivers—the Danube, Main, and Residenz; the Upper Middle Rhine Valley; Rhine—as well as a transit through the Main-Danube Canal. Marvel at the rebirth and Speyer Cathedral. of Prague since the fall of the Iron Curtain; enjoy the charm of historic castles; visit six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Upper Middle Rhine Valley;  ENJOY a private welcome evening at a sample world-class regional wines; and ponder the future ramifications of decisions made by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. beautiful ancestral palace near Prague, and a grand finale dinner at the Victoria-Jungfrau Our privately chartered home for eight nights is the 90-passenger Royal Crown riverboat, just over half the size of most riverboats in the region and outfitted with Hotel, set against the dramatically beautiful elegant public areas and staterooms, perfect complements to the refined cuisine Swiss Alps. and friendly, attentive service designed to enhance your river cruise experience. Since this adventure will be shared with travelers from Harvard, Stanford, the  ATTEND musical performances in Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, I memorable settings—the Bamberg String encourage you to reserve your space now! Quartet in the city’s historic residence, a Sincerely, recital on Amorbach Abbey’s famous Baroque organ, and a shipboard concert by Steve Ridgway President, Criterion Travel a top local pianist.

Regensburg  TAKE a guided tour of the courthouse in Nuremberg, site of the war crimes trials, and hear a lecture on European affairs in Strasbourg, home of the European Parliament.

Prague to the Swiss Alps aboard Royal Crown • October 12–26, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] MAIN MILTENBERG RIVER Czech Republic WÜRZBURG PRAGUE RÜDESHEIM BAMBERG

HEIDELBERG NUREMBERG SPEYER DANUBE CANAL REGENSBURG RHINE STRASBOURG RIVER DANUBE RIVER France Germany BASEL ZÜRICH

INTERLAKEN Switzerland AIR RISE LAND

ROYAL CROWN The elegant Royal Crown combines the nostalgic charm of the 1930s with the comfort and service of a four-star vessel. Built in 1996 and refurbished in 2010, this 45-stateroom riverboat was crafted to ply the rivers flowing through the heart of Europe. Spacious teak decks blend with elegant public rooms and staterooms with mahogany, rosewood, and marble appointments, rich fabrics, and specially designed furniture to create a unique river vessel. All suites are fitted with spacious cupboards, a dressing table, satellite TV and radio, a safe deposit box, individually controlled air-conditioning, and en suite facilities with shower and hair dryer. Public amenities include a library, boutique, fitness area, elegant Art Deco–inspired lounge with panoramic views, and a dining room with open seating.

Prague to the Swiss Alps aboard Royal Crown • October 12–26, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] Prague Riesling Grapes Würzburg

mixture of rustic half-timbering and rococo TRIP ITINERARY century. Inside the 11 historic houses that line elegance perched on a tiny island in the the lane are period scenes depicting the life of Pegnitz River; and the city’s great cathedral, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 & FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 the goldsmiths and other artisans who once featuring some of the most remarkable HOME > PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC lived and worked here; the upper levels sculptures in Germany. Enjoy a private concert contain a medieval armory and textile displays. before rejoining the ship and cruising to Depart home on an overnight flight to Prague. INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL PRAGUE (B,L) Würzburg. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. This ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D) evening gather for a festive welcome reception MONDAY, OCTOBER 16 and dinner at Lobkowicz Palace, an impressive PRAGUE > REGENSBURG, GERMANY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 WÜRZBURG Renaissance chateau perched high above the Originally a Celtic colony, Regensburg later river. Rising high above the Main River, the INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL PRAGUE (R,D) became a fortress guarding the northern frontier of the Danube. The city is home to Würzburg Residenz Palace is one of the most SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 Dom St. Peter, one of the most impressive stunning baroque buildings in southern PRAGUE cathedrals in Bavaria and a fine example of Germany. In the 16th century, this medieval Discover the fairy tale–like setting of Prague’s Gothic style, with medieval stained-glass castle was converted into a magnificent palace Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, windows. Enjoy a tour through the old with five grand halls, 300 bedrooms, a during a guided walking tour that showcases medieval quarter with its narrow streets and mirrored gallery, and a glorious, recently six centuries of architectural styles lining intimate squares lined with medieval restored ceiling fresco by Giovanni Tiepolo. cobbled streets, an intricately decorated buildings, followed by a performance by the Enjoy a guided tour of the palace, followed by astronomical clock, and the iconic pointed Domspatzen Quartet. Embark the Royal a private tasting of Franconian wines in the atmospheric, candlelit wine cellar. spires of Tyn Cathedral. Also visit the Crown and begin your river cruise by ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D) transiting the Main-Danube Canal. haunting Old Jewish Cemetery and the ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D) 13th-century Old-New Synagogue within FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 MILTENBERG Prague’s Jewish Quarter, part of Old Town. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17 INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL PRAGUE (B) NUREMBERG Miltenberg’s strategic location on the Main SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 The second-largest city in Bavaria, Nuremberg River allowed it to develop into an important PRAGUE is a treasure of medieval culture, as evidenced trading center in medieval times. This morning Visit the magnificent Strahov Library for a by its historic monuments, Gothic churches, enjoy a walking tour of Miltenberg’s private tour of the collection of original prints and elegant patrician houses. A city tour picturesque half-timbered houses, followed by and manuscripts. Continue to Prague Castle, a includes the courthouse where the Nazi war an organ concert in nearby Amorbach’s royal residence as far back as the 10th century crimes trials were held, and the parade Benedictine Abbey church. Return to the Royal Crown for an afternoon of cruising. and still the seat of the Czech government. Its grounds where many of the Nazi Party rallies ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D) took place during World War II. walls encompass Renaissance-era St. Vitus ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D) Cathedral, an imposing structure that SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 RÜDESHEIM incorporates a unique mix of Gothic and WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18 Baroque elements, and the Old Royal Palace, BAMBERG After a morning of scenic cruising, arrive in one of the oldest parts of the castle, with its Enjoy a morning tour of Bamberg, a Rüdesheim on the Rhine, a winemaking town elongated throne room and soaring Vladislav UNESCO World Heritage site and perhaps in the Rhine Gorge (Upper Middle Rhine Hall, once the site of coronation banquets and the most perfect of all ancient German cities, Valley) UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy indoor jousting tournaments. Still within the with hills, canals, and splendid examples of a visit to Schloss Vollrads, a castle and wine walls, stroll along Golden Lane a charmingly Baroque and Gothic architecture. Visit the estate that has been making wine for more quaint street that dates back to the 15th Altes Rathaus (old town hall), a picturesque than 800 years. Ten to 15 different wines are

Prague to the Swiss Alps aboard Royal Crown • October 12–26, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] made from the single grape variety, Reisling, and meander along the canals of Strasbourg’s Prague’s Astronomical Clock grown in this unique Rheingau terroir, a blend “Petite France,” as the former tanners’ of climate, soil type, geomorphology, and and fishmongers’ districts are other plants in the area. known. ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D) ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24 HEIDELBERG & SPEYER BASEL, SWITZERLAND This morning take a guided walking tour Disembark in Basel for along the winding baroque-style lanes of a walking tour of its Heidelberg’s Old Town, home to a number of medieval Old Town. great poets and academics, world-famous Steeped in Celtic- castle ruins, and Germany’s oldest university, Roman history and which dates back to 1386. Continue to Speyer situated at the to visit its acclaimed Romanesque cathedral, crossroads of France, whose monumental crypt was the chosen Germany, and burial place for German emperors and kings Switzerland, much for more than 300 years. Enjoy a piano of the ancient city of concert while cruising to Strasbourg. Basel still stands well ROYAL CROWN (B,L,D) preserved. An MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 important cultural center, STRASBOURG, FRANCE Basel is home to Like many of the Alsace region’s border cities, Switzerland’s oldest university, Strasbourg has changed hands several times where the German philosopher between France and Germany. Today, the city, Friedrich Nietzsche taught. After which is the capital of Alsace and seat of the lunch, transfer by motor coach to European Parliament, reflects both cultures Interlaken, the main gateway to the linguistically, architecturally, and mountains and lakes of the Bernese Oberland Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. This evening region of the Swiss Alps. enjoy a special farewell dinner. gastronomically. Strasbourg features a historic, VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU GRAND HOTEL & SPA (B,L) VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU GRAND HOTEL & SPA (B,D) UNESCO World Heritage–designated city center with 16th-century half- timbered WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26 houses and a Gothic cathedral built of red INTERLAKEN INTERLAKEN > ZURICH > HOME sandstone. Visit the European Parliament for Board a cog railway for the spectacular ascent After breakfast, transfer to the Zurich airport a specially arranged tour and a guest lecture to the Kleine Scheidegg Station with views of for flights home.(B) on European affairs. Then board small boats the famous Eiger North Wall, as well as the

Speyer

Prague to the Swiss Alps aboard Royal Crown • October 12–26, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] PROGRAM RATES (per person) LIDO DECK LIDO BAR CATEGORY DOUBLE SINGLE A - Junior $7,995 $12,795 SELECT DECK 145 sq. ft., two portholes, twin beds, shower

PANORAMA DECK RESTAURANT LIBRARY FOYER B - Superior $8,495 $13,595 SELECT DECK 642 145 sq. ft., two portholes, twin beds, shower

531 C - Deluxe $8,995 $15,295 SELECT DECK FITNESS SAUNA BOUTIQUE RECEPTION LOUNGE 145 sq. ft., two portholes, twin beds, shower

SELECT DECK D - Premium $9,995 – 16 14 SELECT DECK 46 44 42 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 12 10 8 150 sq. ft., two portholes, queen bed, shower

45 43 41 39 37 35 33 31 29 27 25 23 21 17 19 15 11 978 E - Royal $12,995 – PANORAMA DECK 200 sq. ft., four large fixed windows, queen bed, shower

ProgramJUNIOR Rates SUITE IncludeSUPERIOR SUITE DELUXE SUITE PREMIUM SUITE ROYAL SUITE All accommodations, meals, and excursions as speci ed in the itinerary • Full program of briefings, lectures, and presentations • Airport transfers on group arrival and departure days • Baggage handling • Gratuities to porters, wait staff, guides, drivers, To reserve a place on Prague to the Swiss Alps, and shipboard personnel • Port charges • Entrance fees • Welcome and farewell please call (888) 328-2089 or (650) 328-2089, wine receptions • House wine, beer, and soft drinks with welcome and farewell dinners and with lunches and dinners on board Royal Crown • Bottled water on motor coaches or email [email protected] • Professional tour manager throughout

PROGRAM RATES DO NOT INCLUDE streets or uneven terrain, and may “primary” and “secondary” travel program is cancelled by Criterion PHOTO CREDITS: U.S. domestic and international involve extended periods of standing insurance. Travel, you will receive a full refund, (From Dreamstime. com): Regensburg airfare • Passport and visa expenses • in museums and churches. Elevators without further obligation on our part. © Mikhail Markovskiy; Old Jewish Medical expenses and immunizations and handrails on stairs often are RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS No refunds will be made for any part Cemetery © Matthew Ragen; Prague • Airport transfers except as noted unavailable. Participants must be in To reserve space, please call of this program on which you choose Astronomical Clock © Dragoneye; as included • Travel insurance • good health and able to keep up with (888) 328-2089 or email not to participate. Note: Criterion Miltenburg © Darknightsky; Swiss Alps Deviations from the scheduled tour • the group without assistance from [email protected]. Final Travel does not accept liability for any © Vaclav Volrab Excess-baggage charges • Meals not tour staff. payment deadline is June 14, 2017, airline cancellation penalty incurred (From Shutterstock.com): Charles specified in the itinerary • Dishes and 120 days prior to departure. by the purchase of a nonrefundable Bridge © courtyardpix; Charles beverages not part of the included GROUP SIZE ticket in conjunction with this tour. Bridge © mironov; Bamberg © meals • Liquor or soft drinks except This program is limited to 74 CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS 50u15pec7a70r; Vineyard, Germany as noted • Laundry or dry cleaning • participants, including travelers Upon payment of a $1,000 deposit ITINERARY CHANGES © ultimathule; Riesling Sign © David Room service Telephone, fax, Internet, from the Santa Barbara Museum of per person, all reservations are The itinerary presented for this tour Kay; Speyer Cathedral © clearlens; and email charges • Other items of a Art, the National Trust for Historic subject to the cancellation provisions is subject to modification and change Würzburg Residenz © VVO personal nature Preservation, Harvard, and Stanford. set forth below and by which the by Criterion Travel. Every reasonable passenger agrees to be bound. effort will be made to operate the AIRFARE INSURANCE Cancellations shall not be effective program as planned; however, U.S. domestic and international Travel insurance for trip cancellation until they are received in writing should unforeseen world events and airfare is not included in the program and interruption, medical problems, and confirmed by Criterion Travel. conditions require the itinerary to rates. Information about making baggage loss and delay, etc., is highly Deposits are refundable (less a be altered, Criterion Travel reserves flight arrangements will be sent to all recommended, and we hope that $250 per person administration the right to do so for the safety and participants. you will obtain it for this expedition. fee) if written notice of cancellation best interest of the group. Any extra Trip cancellation policies that apply is received within 30 days of expenses incurred in this situation are WHAT TO EXPECT to this expedition are included in this reservation; after that, deposits are the responsibility of the participant. The pace of this program is brochure. Please be sure to carry 100% nonrefundable. Final payment moderately active, with at least the details of your travel insurance is due June 14, 2017 (120 days prior California Seller of Travel Program one mile of walking each day on coverage with you on the program. to departure). Cancellations within CST #2088800-40 excursions. Most of the historic city Travelers are free to purchase the 120 days of departure are 100% centers have large segments that travel insurance of their choice. It is nonrefundable. For this reason, we are closed to motor coaches, and recommended that travelers clearly strongly urge participants to purchase city tours involve walking on cobbled understand the difference between trip cancellation insurance. If the

Prague to the Swiss Alps aboard Royal Crown • October 12–26, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected]