Grand European Tour PLUS $125 Per Person Group Aboard NEW Viking Longboat Vili Discount! July 10 – 24, 2015 • Amsterdam to Budapest
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A group travel program for the University of Michigan Retirees Association Special 2-for-1 Early booking rate Grand European Tour PLUS $125 per person group Aboard NEW Viking Longboat Vili discount! July 10 – 24, 2015 • Amsterdam to Budapest Imagine 15 magical days along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. From Holland’s windmill‐studded tulip fields to Germany’s fairytale castles, from the engineering marvel of the Main‐Danube Canal to the picturesque vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley, this epic voyage presents the highlights of Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Savor a decadent Sachertorte in a Viennese café and panoramic views of imperial Budapest—and along the way, discover the legend of the Lorelei, the ancient art of glassblowing, the music of Mozart and more. Guests who choose this voyage soon see why it is our most popular itinerary. 15 Days ● Meals included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner Day 1: Friday, July 10 – Amsterdam (D) Day 5: Tuesday, July 14 - Miltenberg (B, L, D) Arrive in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, and transfer to your The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds ship.* After boarding, the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin its way through the Spessart region. After lunch, stop in Miltenberg, exploring the city on your own. known for its half-timbered houses, including the oldest inn in Germany. You have a walking tour and some free time to explore. Day 2: Saturday, July 11 - Kinderdijk (B, L, D) Back on board, learn about the region’s glassblowing traditions during This morning, sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a live demonstration; you also have the opportunity to learn some where you tour this fascinating network of windmills and other useful German words and phrases. Sail through the night to Würzburg. ingenious flood management technologies. After lunch aboard, enjoy an afternoon of sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard) and sample Dutch Day 6: Wednesday, July 15 - Würzburg (B, L, D) cheeses and jenever, a juniper liqueur. Cruise through the night. After breakfast, tour Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Day 3: Sunday, July 12 - Cologne (B, L, D) You have a morning tour of Cologne, including a visit to the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your tour, spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Cologne on your own. There are Roman ruins, interesting neighborhoods and wonderful museums like the Fragrance Museum and the Chocolate Museum. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Lunch and dinner are served aboard; we depart at midnight. (B, L, D) Day 4: Monday, July 13 - Koblenz & Middle Rhine (B, L, D) Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg, the only Rhine castle never destroyed. After your tour, continue cruising; this stunning stretch of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You pass the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river’s narrowest point; the rock is named for a local legend about Rhine Maidens who lure sailors to their doom. Lunch and dinner served aboard. For further information, please contact Eva Drafta at Conlin Travel at (734) 677-0900 ext. 4022. Heritage Site. Enjoy scenic afternoon cruising or, instead of touring Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this Würzburg, take an optional full-day excursion along Germany’s afternoon. Before dinner, you have free time to explore the historic “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, which features a turreted city wall riverside town of Krems; see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city and lovely Gothic and baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship for dinner gate, or sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing and an interesting presentation about the European Union. region. Day 7: Thursday, July 16 - Bamberg (B, L, D) Day 12: Tuesday, July 21 - Vienna (B, L, D) Sail through the morning; after lunch, we visit Bamberg, with its Ride along Vienna’s Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking mid-19th century. You will also see Vienna’s world-famous Opera tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return aboard reworked in late-Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the very for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore Vienna’s many picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take cafés and museums; you could visit the home of your favorite classical some free time to enjoy Bamberg and perhaps try some of the town’s composer. After dinner, enjoy an optional classical concert. distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning aboard. Day 13: Wednesday, July 22 - Bratislava (B, L, D) Day 8: Friday, July 17 - Nuremberg (B, L, D) Arrive early and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming After breakfast, disembark in Nuremberg. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin capital to see attractions like the medieval fortifications at Michael’s Field, used in the 1930s as Nazi parade grounds, and see the Palace Tower, baroque Jesuit Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. You of Justice, site of the famous Nuremberg Trials. Spend some free time also pass by several baroque palaces from the Habsburg Dynasty exploring Nuremberg’s Old Town area, or join an optional World War II before you return to your ship for an afternoon of scenic cruising. Late history tour including the Documentation Center Museum. We depart tonight, arrive in Budapest. just before dinner. Day 14: Thursday, July 23 - Budapest (B, L, D) Day 9: Saturday, July 18 - Regensburg (B, L, D) The Danube River divides this Hungarian capital city into “Buda” and Arrive in Regensburg in the late morning; after lunch, tour this “Pest.” Explore both parts, starting with Pest’s National Opera House wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, stroll Fishermen’s Hill to including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard with and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter’s the rest of the day to explore on your own. Return to your ship for a Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage traditional Hungarian farewell dinner. Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant. Dinner is served aboard before our evening departure. Day 15: Friday, July 24 - Budapest (B) After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return Day 10: Sunday, July 19 - Passau (B, L, D) flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Prague, Czech On this morning’s walking tour, see Passau’s narrow streets and Republic, where you tour Old Town landmarks and Prague Castle. Italianate architecture, and pass the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served for centuries as a bishop’s stronghold. Take some *Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from time this afternoon to explore Passau before returning aboard for dinner. Viking River Cruises. Day 11: Monday, July 20 - Melk & Krems (B, L, D) Meals included: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. CRUISE-ONLY RATES Stnd (E) French Balcony (D) French Balcony (C) Veranda (B) Veranda (A) Veranda Suite (AA) Brochure Rate $8,799 $10,499 $11,499 $12,699 $13,499 $19,099 2-FOR-1 Early Booking** $4,387 $5,237 $5,737 $6,337 $6,737 $9,537 plus $125pp discount Cruise rates are per person, based on double occupancy, include port charges of $224 per person and are subject to change. **Reservations must be paid in full by December 10, 2014 in order to receive 2-for-1 rate. CRUISE INCLUSIONS 15-day cruise with river-view stateroom 13 guided tours with audio headset All meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 14 dinners, featuring regional specialties and including Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and Captain’s Farewell Dinner Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch service Visit 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Culture Curriculum: Enjoy concerts aboard and ashore, ranging from Austrian classics to baroque organ music; attend lectures on current affairs in Germany, Holland & the European Union; learn how to make your own Rüdesheimer coffee; experience the wonderful scents of a Viennese market All port charges Free Wi-Fi, connection speed may vary Conlin Travel CST: 1012274-10 .