Paris to Prague
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Paris to Prague Along the Rhine and Main Rivers aboard the elegant River Cloud II October 6–19, 2014 Romantic old world villages set among picturesque winding rivers, vineyards, and rolling hills along with vibrant cities emblematic of a rapidly transforming GERMANY Europe comprise the culturally rich and historically Miltenberg significant threads of a memorable journey in France, Bamberg Germany, and the Czech Republic. Rhine Würzburg Paris Main Prague This fascinating itinerary is bookended by two of Europe’s most vibrant cities—Paris and Prague— FRANCE Speyer connected by a two-hour journey on France’s high-speed CZECH train, TGV, from Paris to Strasbourg and a scenic river Strasbourg Heidelberg Nuremberg REPUBLIC cruise aboard the elegant River Cloud II from Strasbourg Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Danube motorcoach As you cruise along the Rhine and Main Rivers aboard cruise the lovely 88-passenger River Cloud II, chartered for rail our exclusive use, you will enjoy the amenities of one of the finest river vessels in Europe, including elegant staterooms and public areas, refined cuisine, and impeccable service. A series of presentations will enrich your experience. HIGHLIGHTS • Experience the elegant atmosphere, impeccable service, and excellent cuisine of the 88-passenger River Cloud II, just over half the size of most riverboats in the region. • Visit seven UNESCO World Heritage sites: The banks of the Seine in Paris; the historic centers of Strasbourg, Bamberg, and Prague; Speyer Cathedral; the Upper Middle Rhine Valley; and the Würzburg Residenz. • Sample the diverse cuisines and wines of Paris, Alsace, Bavaria, and Bohemia during meals and private tastings ashore. • Enjoy private musical performances —from the Bamberg String Quartet to Czech folk music and dance—in memorable settings. • Attend a guest lecture on European affairs inStrasbourg , seat of the European Parliament, and tour the Nuremberg Courthouse, site of the war crimes trials. Contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today! 888-328-2089 [email protected] DAILY ITINERARY MONDAY & TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 & 7 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 U.S. / Paris, France Strasbourg Miltenberg Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to This morning, visit the European Parliament After a morning of cruising, dock this Paris. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. for a specially arranged tour and a guest afternoon at Miltenberg along Bavaria’s gather this evening for a special welcome lecture on European affairs. The afternoon is famous Romantic Road, which runs reception and dinner. at leisure in port, with time for independent through the medieval heart of Germany. HOTEL SCRIBE (D) explorations. In the early evening, meander Miltenberg’s strategic location on the Main on local boats through the canals of River allowed it to develop into an important WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 Strasbourg’s “Petite France,” as the former trading center. Enjoy a walking tour among Paris tanners’ and fishmongers’ districts are picturesque timberwork houses, followed by After a morning orientation, choose between known. a private children’s choir concert. two walking tours of Paris neighborhoods RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D) RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D) —either the stylish Marais district, including Place des Vosges and the newly reopened SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Picasso Museum, or the boutique-lined Speyer & Heidelberg, Würzburg streets and artistic haunts of the latin Germany One of the most magnificent Baroque Quarter. Or, at an additional cost, take a This morning visit Speyer’s acclaimed buildings in southern Germany—the FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 guided coach excursion to Giverny and Romanesque cathedral, which houses the Würzburg Residenz Palace—rises high above visit the house where Claude Monet lived the Main. In the 16th century, the medieval Prague largest crypt in germany. Continue cruising Enjoy a special private visit to the Strahov most of his life, including the lovely gardens north along the Rhine, then stop for an castle was converted into a magnificent featured in many of his most famous works. palace with five grand halls, 300 bedrooms, Monastery library, with two Baroque rooms afternoon guided walking tour of Heidelberg, housing an impressive collection of precious The afternoon and evening are free for home to a number of great poets and a mirrored gallery, and an enormous, recently independent exploration. restored ceiling painting by Tiepolo. Enjoy ancient manuscripts. Continue with an academics, world-famous castle ruins, and exploration of the ancient Prague Castle HOTEL SCRIBE (B) Germany’s oldest university. a guided tour of the Residenz, followed by a private tasting of Franconian wines in its complex, which dominates a hilltop on the THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D) historic cellar. left bank of the Vltava River and offers lovely views over the city. Prague Castle, Paris / Strasbourg (Embark) SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D) Transfer to the train station this morning Romantic Rhine a royal residence in the 9th century, today and board the TGV (high-speed train) to WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 comprises a rich variety of churches, gates, Dock this morning at Boppard, near the chapels, palace halls, and towers from every Strasbourg. like many of the region’s border confluence of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, Bamberg cities, Strasbourg has traded hands several After a morning of cruising, call at Bamberg, period of its history, including the gothic St. and enjoy a walking tour of a classic Rhine Vitus Cathedral, built over a 600-year period, times between France and Germany; today, village, followed by a private recital at the founded in 902 and situated on seven hills, the French capital of Alsace and seat of with a network of canals winding their way and the Old Royal Palace, with its beautiful impressive Namedy Castle, a UNESCO World Late-gothic Vladislav Hall. The evening is the European Parliament reflects both Heritage site and home of the Princess of around splendid baroque buildings. Enjoy a cultures—linguistically, architecturally, and walking tour of its beautifully preserved Old at leisure to take advantage of the many Hohenzollern. This afternoon, cruise along musical offerings in Prague. gastronomically. Built at the intersection of the most beautiful stretch of the Romantic Town and a private concert by the excellent INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL (B,L) several Roman roads, Strasbourg features a Rhine through the Middle Rhine Valley, a Bamberg String Quartet. During a final historic, UNESCO World Heritage-designated storybook landscape of medieval castles evening of cruising, transit the Main–Danube SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 city center with 16th-century half-timbered and myths. Here, according to German Canal, an engineering triumph originally Prague houses and a gothic cathedral built of red legends, the siren Lorelei calls to sailors from conceived by Charlemagne in the 8th sandstone. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, century and completed in 1992. Discover the fairy tale–like setting of the rocks, and the accursed Niebelungen Prague’s Old Town, a UNESCO World then explore the city by coach and on foot gold treasure lies submerged beneath the RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D) before embarking the River Cloud II late this Heritage site, during a guided walking tour waters. This UNESCO World Heritage site has THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 that showcases six centuries of architectural afternoon. inspired artists and composers for centuries, RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D) Nuremberg, Germany / styles lining cobbled streets. Also visit such including the great 19th-century Romantics Art Nouveau treasures as the Municipal Lord Byron, Victor Hugo, and Goethe. Prague, Czech Republic house and the Alfons Mucha Museum, RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D) Arrive this morning in Nuremberg and dedicated to the works of the well-known disembark the River Cloud II. Visit the Art Nouveau painter. The afternoon is at Third Reich parade grounds and tour the leisure. This evening gather for a private courthouse, site of the Nuremberg trials. farewell gala at Lobkowicz Castle, a lovely Enjoy a typical Bavarian lunch at a local ancestral palace within Prague Castle. restaurant before driving through scenic INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL (B,D) countryside and across the Czech border to Prague. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL (B,L) Prague / U.S. This morning transfer to the airport for flights home. (B) Contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today! 888-328-2089 [email protected] RIVER CLOUD II Launched by the owners of the legendary Sea Cloud, the five-star River Cloud II combines nostalgic luxury with state-of the-art marine technology to create an elegant and intimate cruising experience. The 44 outside cabins each offer a large queen or two twin beds, individually adjustable air conditioning, minibar, TV/video, personal safe, cozy robes, fresh flowers, and private bathroom (with shower) appointed in marble with brass and gold fixtures. Cabin deck staterooms feature brass-rimmed portholes; Promenade deck staterooms feature panoramic arched windows. The public areas include a spacious lounge with a custom-built Steinway grand piano, paneled mahogany library, large sun deck with teak deck chairs and bar, small boutique, hair salon, and a dining room that accommodates all guests in a single, unassigned seating. Refined Italian-influenced cuisine is prepared by outstanding European chefs incorporating local ingredients fresh from the market, and a fine selection of wines from regional vintages is included with lunches and dinners on board. RATES Double Single CATEGORY C (Cabin Deck forward) $8,995 $13,495 CATEGORY B (Cabin Deck) $9,995 $14,995 CATEGORY A (Promenade Deck) $11,595 U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included in the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare from major U.S. gateways to Paris with return from Prague is approximately $1,200 as of February 2014 and is subject to change without notice.