GRAND EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE AMSTERDAM TO BUDAPEST - ABS Travel Group
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GRAND EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE
AMSTERDAM TO BUDAPEST
Departing Monday July 22nd for 19 days / 18 nights
Join us on this trip of a lifetime and travel through the heart of Europe. Absorb the atmosphere of Budapest’s
Café Gerbeaud and learn the Viennese waltz. Sample the food and wine of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Admire
Rhine Valley vistas from a 900-year-old castle. Viking’s most iconic itinerary traces the Danube, Main and
Rhine Rivers between the stunning landscapes of Hungary and the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland, with
engaging encounters at every bend.
During this amazing trip we will glide along the gentle waters of the Danube, the heart and soul of Central
Europe. These legendary waters flow through 10 countries, coursing through Germany, Austria and Hungary to
the Black Sea. Danube River cruises deliver you to culture-rich banks, from scenic vineyards to spectacular
monasteries and elegant cities that have inspired composers and writers for centuries.
A Danube River cruise unveils Europe’s rich and dramatic history. Glittering cultural capitals, lush vineyards,
magnificent monasteries and endless scenic splendor line the river’s banks. Here are some sample highlights
you will see with this amazing Cruise:
• Enchanting Passau, set where three rivers meet
• Lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley
• The baroque splendor of Melk Abbey
• Vienna’s elegant architecture
• The splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig
• Scenic beauty of the picturesque Danube Bend
• Budapest’s stunning Chain Bridge and Parliament Building
• Soaring cliffs of the scenic Iron Gate
• Romania’s rural culture and rich folklore
• Belgrade’s impressive Kalemegdan Fortress
Ship Highlights
The award-winning Viking Longships like the Viking Ve showcase innovative engineering, streamlined
Scandinavian design and understated elegance. Thoughtfully engineered to get you closer to your destination,
they provide unprecedented levels of comfort, including spacious staterooms with full-size verandas, the
largest suites on Europe’s rivers and the most al fresco dining.
• 95 comfortable outside staterooms (25 Standard Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, 39
Veranda Staterooms, 7 Veranda Suites, 2 Explorer Suites)
• All suites feature two full-size rooms with a veranda off the living room & a French balcony in the
bedroom
• Sun Deck with 360-degree views & shaded sitting area; organic herb garden & solar panels; putting
green & walking track
• Aquavit Terrace & Lounge, a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship for al
fresco dining
• Viking Lounge & Bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
• Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views
• Library & onboard shop
• Elevator from Middle to Upper Deck only; no elevator access for categories E & F
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Laundry service
• Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
• 40" flat-screen Sony TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN,
National Geographic & more
Day to Day Itinerary: Day 1: Transfer from Rapid City & then fly from Sioux Falls to Berlin, Germany Today enjoy your transfer from Rapid City to Sioux Falls before boarding our connecting flights and then overnight transatlantic flight to Berlin. Aircraft Meals included Day 2 — Amsterdam, The Netherlands Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship. After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the Van Gogh Museum next door. Overnight Ship - Dinner included Day 3 — Kinderdijk, The Netherlands This morning we sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return on board for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. We cruise through the night. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 4 — Cologne, Germany 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. Or, join an optional excursion on which you ascend to the Dom’s roof, enjoying up-close views of the cathedral’s architecture and bird’s-eye vistas of Cologne. Lunch and dinner are served on board; we depart at midnight. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 5 — Koblenz, Germany Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. After your tour, continue cruising this stunning stretch of the Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river’s narrowest point and is named after the legendary Rhine maiden who lured sailors to their demise. Lunch and dinner are served on board your ship. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 6 — Miltenberg, Germany The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region, home of the actual Snow White. During our sail, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the region’s glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration. After lunch, we stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses and Germany’s oldest inn. Join our walking tour that concludes with free time for you to explore. Alternately, depart the ship prior to our morning sail for an all-day optional excursion that offers a rare glimpse into noble life, enjoying Privileged Access visits to two very different castles: Schloss Mespelbrunn and Schloss Löwenstein. We sail through the night. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 7 — Würzburg, Germany After breakfast, tour Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or, instead, join an optional full-day journey along Germany’s picturesque “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, with its turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. Upon returning to Würzburg, enjoy a tour of the Bishops’ Residenz before rejoining your ship for dinner. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 8 — Bamberg, Germany Sail through the morning; after lunch we visit Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take some free time to enjoy Bamberg and perhaps try some of the town’s distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning on board. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 9 — Nuremberg, Germany After breakfast, disembark in Nuremberg and visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s; then see the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. Alternately, you may take an optional World War II tour that includes the illuminating Documentation Center Museum. After lunch, spend free time exploring Nuremberg’s Old Town. Or, join an optional tour to discover the secret network of underground bunkers where priceless art was hidden in wartime. We depart just before dinner. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 10 — Regensburg, Germany Arrive in Regensburg midday. After lunch, tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter’s Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Würstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant. Alternately, you may choose to disembark this morning and drive with your guide to Munich for an optional full-day tour of this cultural and historic city, rejoining your ship in time to enjoy dinner on board before our evening departure. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 11 — Passau, Germany Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. Admire the New Bishop’s Residence and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing. Alternately, set out this morning with your guide to enjoy a full-day optional tour of picturesque Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and setting of The Sound of Music. We cruise through the night. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 12 — Melk, Austria After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, you have time to explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or take an optional excursion to a local winery to sample some local vintages from this famous wine- producing region. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 13 — Vienna, Austria Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Alternately, you may choose to join an optional excursion to see the famed Lipizzaner Stallions; or, express your creativity and create a lasting keepsake at an optional art workshop inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Day 14 — Vienna, Austria Enjoy a day at leisure in Vienna. Perhaps see an unrivaled collection of Old Masters at the Museum of Fine Arts, or visit the Albertina. Maybe ride the Riesenrad, the world’s oldest Ferris wheel. Alternately, you may join an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” or enjoy a Viennese waltz lesson as well as visiting the palace during a full-day optional excursion. A cup of coffee or tea and a slice of exquisite Sachertorte are a must for any afternoon in Vienna. Later, rejoin your ship and sail for Budapest. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 15 — Budapest, Hungary The Danube River divides Hungary’s capital city into the once separate towns of Buda and Pest. Explore both sides, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, with the rest of the day to explore on your own. Alternately, choose one of our optional excursions designed to allow you to delve deeper into the history, culture and cuisine of this fascinating city. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. Overnight Ship - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 16 — Budapest, Hungary After breakfast we Transfer to the First-Class Hilton Budapest (or similar) in Buda’s Castle District. Take the rest of the day to relax and sample some Hungarian cuisine. A Viking host is available to help you plan your time in Budapest so you can make the most of your visit. Overnight Hotel in Budapest - Breakfast included
Day 17 — Budapest, Hungary You have a full day to enjoy some of the sights and attractions of this beautiful city. Walk through Pest and do some shopping along Váci Street. Cross the Danube via the famous Chain Bridge to enjoy the hillier Buda neighborhoods. Tour the Hungarian National Gallery, visit the Bartók Museum or enjoy one of the city’s elegant thermal spas. Overnight Hotel in Budapest - Breakfast included Day 18 – Budapest to Sioux Falls After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight to Sioux Falls. Tonight we overnight near the airport. Overnight Hotel in Sioux Falls – Breakfast included plus meals on aircraft Day 19 – Sioux Falls to Home Today we drive back to the Black Hills. Welcome home. Breakfast included
Staterooms & Pricing:
➢ Hotel-style beds 79 inches x 63 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
➢ Voltage: 220V and 110V in stateroom & roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
➢ Individual climate control & space under bed for storing suitcases
➢ Bathrobe and slippers available upon request
➢ Telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer & bottled water replenished daily
➢ Private bathroom with shower and premium bath products
➢ Sony 40-inch flat-panel TV with premium entertainment package including: BBC News, CNBC, CNN,
National Geographic, TNT Series, Sky Sports, videos on demand and “View From the Bridge”
Different Stateroom Types:
Standard Stateroom is a 150 sq. ft. Stateroom with a half-height picture window:
$7,995 per person based on Double Occupancy
French Balcony Stateroom is a 135 sq. ft. Stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open
to create a French balcony
$8,995 per person based on Double Occupancy
Veranda Stateroom is a 205 sq. ft. Stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to a full-size veranda $9,995 per person based on Double Occupancy EARLY BOOKING INCENTIVE ON ALL STATEROOMS!! BOOK AND PAY IN FULL BY DECEMBER 31st 2018 & RECEIVE $1,600 PER COUPLE SAVINGS!!!
Itinerary at a glance:
Price: from $7,995 per person based on double occupancy (SEE EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS)
Starts: Monday July 22nd 2019
Ends: Friday August 9th 2019
What's included?
• Roundtrip transfers from Rapid City to Sioux Falls
• Round trip coach class air from Sioux Falls to Amsterdam and return from Budapest
• Overnight Transatlantic Flight, all transfers, accommodations & River Cruise
• All meals once on board with complimentary Beer and House Wines served with lunch and Dinner
• Visits to UNESCO Sites plus Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
• 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water & unlimited free WI-FI
• All onboard Gratuities at recommend levels.
• All taxes and fees plus one complimentary shore excursion in each port
• Overnight in Sioux Falls on return home
How to book
• Deposit due of $1,500 per person. Further Deposit of $1,500 per person due February 1st 2019.
• Final Balance due April 1st 2019
What you'll need
• A full Passport is required for this tour and a most definitely a Camera for the amazing sights
• Some Euro’s in Cash for tipping & major credit cards for purchases
Weather
1-888-788-6777
abstravelgroup.com
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ABS Travel Group | 945 Enchantment Road, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA
1-888-788-6777 | 1-605-791-2520
Fax 605-791-2618You can also read
