The Blue Danube Legendary River Cruise 2013 – Prague to Budapest

Highlights

• Visit five countries - the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary - while cruising the best of the Danube River including the beautiful Wachau Valley
• A two night hotel stay and touring are included in Prague, Czech Republic, prior to embarking the ship in Passau
• Experience the Danube River aboard the exclusively chartered river vessel MS Amadeus Brilliant on a seven-night cruise
• Included shore excursions escorted by local, English-speaking guides in Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein and Passau
• Organ concert in the cathedral in Passau
• Once onboard, unpack just once in your tastefully furnished river-view stateroom with a window for panoramic viewing
• All meals included onboard featuring local and international specialties served at one leisurely seating. All onboard dinners are four courses served with complimentary regional wines. Afternoon tea and late evening snack served daily in the lounge
• Spacious public areas with large picture windows in the lounge and bar
• Evening music and onboard performance of a Hungarian Folklore Show
• Enhanced touring experience with the use of a personalized audio headset system
• French balconies featured on the Strauss and Mozart Decks
• 23 Meals (9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners)
• Airport transfers when air is provided by Mayflower
• International Cruise Director and Mayflower Tours expert staff onboard, plus local guides for shore excursions
• $55 in Mayflower Money

Description

Prague, Czech Republic

Our tour begins as we arrive in Prague, a city you will never forget, for a two-night visit. In addition to being one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Prague also offers a cultural and historic past.

The Old Town Square is home to pastel-colored buildings, the Church of Our Lady of Tyn, the Town Hall and famous Astronomical Clock that displays the actual time as well as the movement of the sun and the moon around the signs of the Zodiac. Another focal point of this charming city is the vast complex of the 9th-century Prague Castle with its regal palaces, gardens and churches, still used by the government today. On an included city tour you'll see Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square, the medieval Charles Bridge adorned with statues that each tell a story of Prague's colorful past, and visit Prague Castle.

The Blue Danube

Our journey continues as we travel via motorcoach to Passau where we embark the exclusively chartered MS Amadeus Brilliant. Once onboard, unpack just once in your comfortable river-view stateroom and journey with us on a relaxing seven-night cruise along the most romantic section of the Danube River.

Cruise from Passau, Germany past centuries old villages and through the idyllic rolling landscapes. Stroll medieval old quarters of winding lanes and alleys lined with medieval houses. See splendid Baroque churches, cathedrals and abbeys contrasting with their natural scenic surroundings. Visit the former imperial city of Vienna, Austria, and Bratislava, Slovakia where you can explore palaces and sample the delights of traditional coffee shops. The river cruise ends in the twin cities of cosmopolitan Buda and Pest, Hungary. All meals onboard are included as well as complimentary wine during dinner. Mayflower Tours' expert staff will be onboard to make your cruise experience even more enjoyable.

Passau, Germany

Passau is one of Germany's oldest cities situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers. Passau is a beautiful and fascinating fairytale town with a history dating back more than 2,000 years. During an included city tour, admire graceful arcades, cobblestone streets and see the breathtaking Baroque cathedral of St. Stephan, which contains the largest pipe organ in the world with 17,000 pipes. Enjoy an organ concert in this beautiful Cathedral.

Linz and Salzburg, Austria

In the 2nd century, Roman soldiers built a fortified camp on the riverbank, and in the 15th century, Emperor Frederick III built a castle high above the river. Today the city's history is told through its Baroque architecture, which surrounds an ancient market square. From Linz, you may choose to join an optional excursion to Mozart's Salzburg where you can walk the famous Getreidegasse shopping lane, past Mozart's birthplace in the Old Town.

Melk, Austria

Join an optional excursion to visit the glorious and magnificent 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey (UNESCO World Heritage Site). This abbey, perched high above the Danube, boasts a breathtakingly opulent Baroque interior. See the Marble Hall and Library with its thousands of identically bound books and also its terraced gardens, which command breathtaking views over the river.

Dürnstein, Austria

The pretty, medieval town of Dürnstein - "The Pearl of the Wachau" - is set in Austria's spectacular vine-terraced Wachau Valley. With its cobblestone streets and old burgher houses, it is dominated by the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade and the ruined hilltop Kuenringerburg Castle, which served as a prison to England's Richard the Lionheart in 1193.

Vienna, Austria

For over 600 years, the magnificent baroque capital city of Vienna was the seat of the mighty Habsburg Emperors, a heritage that has bestowed it with many dazzling palaces and monuments: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House and the majestic Ringstrasse. The capital is also known as the "City of Music" for having once been the home of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart and Johann Strauss. On our included excursion, see some of the famous sights of this impressive city and visit Shönbrunn Palace, with its magnificent interiors and landscape gardens. In the evening there is an optional excursion to the Vienna Mozart Concert held at the legendary Musikverein, the building where the Vienna Philharmonic performs its world famous New Years concert.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Enjoy the views as your river ship sails to Bratislava, Slovakia's capital (formerly known as Pressburg and for more than three centuries during the Middle Ages, capital of Hungary.) On an included panoramic tour of the city see the imposing Bratislava Castle built more than 1,000 years ago, the National Slovakian Theatre and Blumental Church. After passing through the Vienna Gate, discover Bratislava's charming old quarter on foot, admiring St. Martin's Cathedral, the coronation site of Hungarian monarchs, and quaint Central Square with its fairytale Town Hall.

Budapest, Hungary

Your Danube River cruise ends in Budapest, one of Europe's most beautiful cities. The city straddles both banks of the Danube linked by seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elizabeth Bridges. An included sightseeing tour presents you with a fantastic opportunity to become acquainted with Hungary's beautiful capital. Enjoy a photo stop at Gellert Hill, see historic Buda Castle, 500-year-old Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion and the marvelous Royal Palace. In the evening enjoy dinner onboard followed by a Hungarian Folklore show.

Your cruise adventure is complete but you'll bring back memories of European history and scenery to last a lifetime.

Day-by-Day

Accommodations

Lodging

Days Two and Three

Premier Majestic Plaza or similar, Prague, Czech Republic

Days Four through Eleven

Aboard the MS Amadeus Brilliant

Deck Plan

Ship Details

MS Amadeus Brilliant

Since its debut in 2011, the 150-passenger MS Amadeus Brilliant has set new standards in European river cruising. This river ship is in essence a floating luxury hotel with a classically elegant interior that immediately creates a pleasant atmosphere and a perfect holiday feeling impressing travelers from the moment they step onboard.

Comfortable, Well-appointed Staterooms

After boarding, unpack only once. All staterooms onboard offer excellent outside views. Two decks feature suites and staterooms with French balconies and windows that stretch across the full stateroom. Attentive onboard staff takes care of your needs to ensure your comfort. Each luxury stateroom is fully equipped with comfortable beds that can be kept separate or put together as you wish, private bath with shower, air-conditioning (individually adjustable), TV and Infotainment. The nine Amadeus Suites have a bathtub. The Haydn Deck staterooms have a window, bed, TV, private bathroom with shower, telephone and a writing desk.

All Meals Included Onboard

Three meals daily are served graciously at one leisurely seating in the exquisite dining room and feature local and international specialties. All dinners are four courses and are served with regional wines. While dining, you will enjoy the splendid views of the passing scenic landscapes through the large picture windows. You'll find complimentary coffee or tea served throughout the day in the lounge. Enjoy a special treat of afternoon tea and pastries and a late evening snack also served in the comfortable lounge.

Ample Public Spaces

The classic and inviting main lounge has large picture windows and is furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs. It is one of the many ideal places from where passengers may choose to enjoy this unique river cruise. Two cozy, full-service bars and dance floor are welcoming areas of the main lounge. The bar stays busy till late at night. Also enjoy the open Sun Deck from where one can enjoy panoramic views of the ever-changing scenery.

A musician will entertain each evening enhancing the classic environment and the relaxed atmosphere. Unique entertainment and demonstrations such as dancers or local handicrafts will be scheduled in the lounge. A gift shop offers both sundries and souvenirs. And the Amadeus Club has an Internet station for your convenience.

Wellness Center

To enhance your relaxation, a wellness area with a fitness center, massage and hairdresser is available for rejuvenation and comfort.

Dates & Rates

2013 Departure Dates	Category	Per Person Twin	Single Room Add
September 24 SOLD OUT	Haydn Deck	$2,899	$1,759
	Strauss Deck †	$3,099	$1,875
	Mozart Deck †	$3,299	N/A
	Suite †	$3,699	N/A

Please add $75 for port charges

All staterooms are outside with private bathroom and shower, hair dryer, radio, television, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, safe and telephone.

† Staterooms on these decks feature French balconies

Call for air rates and schedules from your city to Prague, Czech Republic and from Budapest, Hungary

Destination Map