Old World Prague & the Blue Danube 2017
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Old World Prague & the Blue Danube 2017 13-Day River Cruise Tour EXTEND YOUR TRIP PRE-TRIPS Berlin & Dresden, Germany OR Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow POST-TRIP Budapest, Hungary Your Day-to-Day Itinerary GRAND CIRCLE CRUISE LINE Grand Circle Cruise Line is the leader in small ship and river cruising worldwide—offering American travelers a 4-star experience at a 3-star price aboard our privately owned and chartered fleet of 24- to 162-passenger ships. With each Small Ship Adventure or River Cruise vacation, you’ll enjoy unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, and more travel choices. Plus, Grand Circle Cruise Line is the only cruise line with expert, local Program Directors who ac- company you throughout your trip, enhancing your exploration with the kind of insight and passion that only a local can provide. INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE » International airfare, airport transfers, » All port charges: a value of $125 per government taxes, fees, and airline fuel person surcharges, unless you choose to make » Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage your own air arrangements per person, including tips » Accommodations for 8 nights aboard a » 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward private river ship with wireless Internet your next Grand Circle trip—an average access now in all common areas and of $269 cabins, and 3 nights in Corinthia Hotel Prague or similar » 28 meals: Daily breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners—including 3 meals in local restaurants—plus all onboard house beer & wine, as well as soft drinks » 8 included tours with personal headsets and 3 exclusive Discovery Series events—Apfelstrudel baking demonstration • School visit • Home- Hosted Visit » Local Program Directors, a Grand Circle Cruise Line exclusive: These dedicated experts are with you (and no more than 47 travelers) every step of the way to provide insider’s knowledge and the perspective that will enrich your experience » Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers Itinerary subject to change. For information or reservations, call toll-free 1-800-221-2610. WHAT THIS TRIP IS LIKE PACING » March and November weather can be » 12 days, with 8 nights aboard a private unpredictable and change quickly river ship and 1 three-night hotel stay » Return flights often require departing in early morning hours » Air travel time will be 9-18 hours and will have at least one connection. PHYSICAL ReQUIREMENTS » Walk 1-3 miles unassisted and participate in 2-3 hours of physical activities each day, including stairs » Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters » Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them » We reserve the right for Program Directors to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience TeRRAIN & TRANSPORTATION » Diverse terrain and uneven walking surfaces, including steep paths, hills, riverbanks, 25-50 stairs without handrails, and cobblestones » Travel by 140- to 162-passenger river ship and 49-seat coach » Changes in water-level depths may require adjustments to your itinerary CLIMATE » Daytime temperatures range from 58- 82°F during cruising season » June-August are the warmest months Itinerary subject to change. For information or reservations, call toll-free 1-800-221-2610. Old World Prague & the Blue Danube 2017 EXTEND YOUR TRIP PRE-TRIPS Berlin & Dresden, Germany OR Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow POST-TRIP Budapest, Hungary Follow in the footsteps of the Habsburgs on an enhanced Danube River Cruise Tour that celebrates not only the iconic ports of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, but also some of central Europe’s most stunning river valleys. Explore the storied capital cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Prague on this comprehensive four-country journey—experience a slice of daily life in Slovakia ... sip Austria’s famed Wachau Valley wines and visit Mauthausen, one of the first large-scale Nazi concentration camps, during two NEW discoveries ... behold the storybook delights of Cesky Krumlov ... and cruise the legend- ary Danube in comfort aboard an award-winning river ship. Experience it all—from the impressive landscapes to local flavors—for less. In fact, we’ve reduced prices up to $500 per person on most 2017 departures. Itinerary subject to change. For information or reservations, call toll-free 1-800-221-2610. DETAILED ITINERARY Your Grand Circle Program Director During your exclusive Grand Circle vacation, you’ll have reliable assistance available at all times from an on-site Grand Circle Cruise Line Program Director. Your Program Director is fluent in English and can give you an inside perspective on your destinations. He or she is sup- ported along the way by local tour guides, who guide you expertly through particular sites and cities. Many Grand Circle Program Directors are graduates of professional education programs for travel guides. In addition, they receive specialized training directly from Grand Circle, training that is based on what we’ve learned from thousands of past travelers about how to make the trip most enjoyable. Your Program Director offers both a deep knowledge of the region and a commitment to make this a very pleasant, informative, and rewarding travel experience for you. Your Program Director will provide sightseeing trips, handle all travel details, reserve optional tours you choose to take, oversee your Discovery Series events, and provide any other as- sistance you may need. You will be in the company of a Program Director throughout your vacation. DAY 1 Depart U.S. Director will advise you of your check-in Depart today for your flight to Prague, Czech status and activity schedule for the day when Republic. you arrive. You have the balance of the day to relax after DAY 2 Prague, Czech Republic your overseas flight. You may want to join your Program Director for an orientation Arriving in Prague, you’ll be met at the walk to get better acquainted with the area airport by a Grand Circle representative and around your hotel. Celebrate your arrival transferred to your hotel. Depending on your in Prague and beginning of your Danube arrival time and hotel check-in policy, you River Cruise Tour with a Welcome Drink may not be able to check into your hotel and a short orientation briefing, and get immediately upon arrival. Your Program acquainted with your traveling companions and your Program Director. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own. Itinerary subject to change. For information or reservations, call toll-free 1-800-221-2610. DAY 3 Prague • Welcome Dinner galleries, gardens, and the bustling Castle After breakfast, set out to explore Prague. District surrounding it. The day is then yours During the reign of Charles IV, King of to explore this beautiful city. Bohemia and Moravia, Prague was the seat This evening, you can choose to attend an of the Holy Roman Empire. Later, it was the optional folk show, which includes dinner. vital center of the Habsburgs. While other European capitals were leveled during World Breakfast War II, Prague survived virtually intact. Visit Stare Mesto, the Old Town, with its DAY 5 Prague • Cesky many wonderful Gothic and Baroque build- Krumlov • Linz, Austria ings, and see the famous 15th-century After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Hall. Linz, Austria. Along the way, and prior to Every hour, crowds assemble below to watch crossing the border into Austria, enjoy a Christ and the twelve Apostles appear at two walking tour of Cesky Krumlov—a medieval little windows above the clock face, followed town and UNESCO World Heritage Site—fol- by the skeleton of Death tolling the bell. lowed by an included lunch at a local Stroll across the city’s famed Charles Bridge, restaurant. a 15th-century structure spanning the Vltava River that functions as a makeshift Embark your ship in Linz late this afternoon. performance and gallery space for musicians, Then, gather to mingle with your fellow artists, dancers, and more. travelers. Throughout your Central European River Cruise, you’ll be invited to nightly Port The rest of the day is yours in Prague to Talks, during which your Program Director spend as you please. This evening, gather will describe the approaching port area and with you fellow travelers at a local restaurant town prior to arrival so you can prepare for for a Welcome Dinner. the next day’s tour, and so you’ll be able to Breakfast, Dinner make the best use of your free time at the next day’s port of call. DAY 4 Prague • Optional After this evening’s Port Talk, enjoy the Folk Show & Dinner Captain’s Welcome Dinner. As it was during the zenith of the Bohemian Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner kingdom, Prague still ranks as the thriving center of the country, with an artistic com- munity reminiscent of Paris in the 1920s. DAY 6 Linz • Mauthausen It boasts one of Europe’s most notable Wake up this morning in Linz, the capital Jewish quarters, world-class museums and of Upper Austria (one of the country’s nine cathedrals, architectural masterpieces that states) that bestrides the Danube. Disembark span a thousand years—and mighty Prague after breakfast to discoverer the city, fol- Castle. Perched regally over the Vltava River lowed by a bit of free time to further explore and offering stunning views of the city, on your own. Prague Castle is more than 1,000 years old and features residential quarters, chapels, Itinerary subject to change. For information or reservations, call toll-free 1-800-221-2610. This afternoon, visit the Mauthausen con- well-known Imperial Palace, home to many centration camp with a local guide. generations of the Habsburg family, and the renowned Spanish Riding School.