2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

11 Day Legendary Danube Prague to Budapest 3 Nights Prague | 7 Night River Cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest Czech Republic | Germany | Austria | Slovakia | Hungary Take in the beautiful lights as you cruise through Budapest TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR FLEET ONLINE www.aptouring.com.au Day 1. Arrive Prague. On arrival in Prague today, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is then yours to enjoy at leisure to relax or perhaps step out and familiarise yourself with the historic Czech capital. Three Night Stay: Prague, InterContinental Hotel. Day 2. Prague. A sightseeing tour of Prague begins this morning with a trip to World Heritage-listed Prague Castle, founded more than 1,100 years ago. Visit Gothic Saint Vitus' Cathedral within the castle, then stroll over beautiful Charles Bridge, which crosses the Vltava River, on the way to the city's lovely Old Town. Explore the Old Town Square and see the Prague Astronomical Clock – the world's oldest working astronomical clock. Following the tour, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to relax or further discover the pretty Czech capital independently. Day 3. Prague. Today you'll enjoy an entire day at leisure to relax or further explore the attractions of Prague. Perhaps wander the World Heritage-listed historic town centre, sip coffee at one of the many sidewalk cafés or perhaps join an optional excursion to the infamous Terezín Concentration Camp Memorial, for a insight into what was a horrific yet fascinating era (own expense). 118 Day 4. Prague, Karlovy Vary, Nuremberg. After breakfast this morning, board a coach and travel through the beautiful Czech countryside to the spa town of Karlovy Vary. After time to look around, continue on to the historic German city of Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia, where 8 Day (EUD08) guests join the tour on arrival. In Nuremberg, board your luxurious river ship and settle in to your suite before the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner this evening. Your ship remains moored in Nuremberg overnight. Seven Night Stay: a luxurious Aria or Concerto river ship. Day 6. Regensburg. Arrive in Regensburg this morning, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Disembark your ship for a walking tour that includes the Old Town Hall, the city centre and the Porta Pretoria, gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Alternatively, enjoy a bike tour to the temple of Walhalla, or perhaps tour the Audi Museum. After your selected activity, enjoy free time or take an optional excursion to Weltenburg Abbey in the Danube Gorge (own expense). BD B B Day 5. Nuremberg. The city of Nuremberg played a pivotal role for the Nazi Party and was thus systematically bombed by the British and US air forces during World War II. It went on to act as the symbolic host of the Nuremberg Trials. After breakfast this morning, you may like to discover several of the key historic landmarks of wartime Germany, during a World War II tour. Alternatively, take a guided medieval tour of the city, including the 900 year-old ramparts that surround Nuremberg, the Imperial Castle, the Kaiserburg Fortress and much more. At lunch, re-board your river ship and continue cruising along the Main-Danube Canal. Today, thanks to the incredible series of stair-step locks, you'll arrive at the highest point of the cruise, 435 metres above sea level, and cross Europe's Continental Divide. As you cruise, you might like to take in a fascinating lecture on the history of the canal project. BLD BLD Day 7. Passau, Linz. This morning arrive in Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. On disembarking, enjoy a tour of Passau, including a trip to St Stephen's Cathedral. Alternatively, on an excursion to Salzburg for a guided tour around the city's famous 'Sound of Music' sights (own expense). After dinner on board, perhaps step out to enjoy a stroll through the Austrian city of Linz. Day 8. Melk, Vienna. Cruise through the Strudengau region to the Wachau Valley this morning and disembark your ship for a tour of Melk Abbey, a stunning example of Baroque architecture and one of the world's most famous monastic sites. Located high above the town of Melk on an outcrop overlooking the Danube, it has the rare distinction of surviving as an active Benedictine monastery continuously since its foundation. Afterwards, re-board your ship and continue to Vienna, the capital of Austria. Tonight after dinner, enjoy time at leisure or perhaps take in an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense). BLD BLD THROUGH 5 COUNTRIES TRAVEL

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