Itinerary of Central Europe Tour with Danube River Cruise - 15 Day
 Monday. Depart USA to Poland. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for the journey
Tuesday. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation at your hotel (D): WARSAW
Wednesday. This morning a tour of Warsaw includes both banks of the Vistula River. Visit Lazienki Park to view the neoclassical "Palace on the Water" and Chopin's Monument. Travel along the Royal Route with its historic monuments and residences toward the Warsaw Ghetto and the Jewish Cemetery. Walk through the cobbled streets to the Baroque Market Square. View the Cathedral of St. John and the Royal Castle. Balance of the day at leisure (B): WARSAW
Thursday. Travel south to Czestochowa to visit the Paulite Monastery at Jasna Gora with a resident guide. View the "Black Madonna," the portrait of Our Lady which is said to have miraculous powers. Continue to Auschwitz to visit the concentration camp museum and memorial. Drive to Krakow, former residence of the Polish kings (B, D): KRAKOW
Friday. This morning, enjoy a tour of medieval Krakow including a visit to the 16th century Wawel Royal Castle. Visit the Jewish Quarter and Oskar Schindler's factory. Continue to the Old Town, Market Square, St. Mary's Church and Renaissance Cloth Hall. Balance of the day is at leisure (B): KRAKOW
Saturday. This morning, view Sister Faustine Convent then travel through the scenic Tatra Mountains and the wooded countryside of Slovakia before reaching the Danube Valley and the twin cities of Buda and Pest. Board your ship upon arrival. Tonight, enjoy a gala welcome dinner (B, D): CRUISE
Sunday. Your morning tour begins in Pest and views the Parliament, Royal Palace, Heroes' Square and Market Hall. Cross the Danube over the Chain Bridge to the Buda Hills. Visit the Citadel on Mount Gellert, then continue to the 13th century Matthias Coronation Church and Fisherman's Bastion on Castle Hill. This afternoon, time at leisure or enjoy an optional tour to Goedoelloe Castle, one of the largest baroque palaces in Hungary. Visit the royal suites and magnificent gardens ($29). This evening, enjoy an opera night on board (B, L, D): CRUISE
Monday. Early arrival to Esztergom. A tour of the city includes a visit to the largest church in Hungary, modeled on St. Peter's in Rome and the remains of a former Royal Palace. Sail in the early afternoon to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. A tour of Bratislava begins at the Opera House, Kapunizer Abbey and the Parliament. Continue via tram to visit the castle before returning to the town passing Matthias Church. A walking tour of the town center includes St. Martin's Cathedral, the Town Hall and Michael's Gate (B, L, D): CRUISE
Tuesday. This morning, a tour of Vienna begins with a drive along the famous Ring Strasse to the Hofburg Palace. Walk through the courtyards to the Vienna State Opera House. Continue to view the Parliament, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Natural History and City Hall. Afternoon at leisure or join an optional tour to visit Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Hapsburg family ($39). This evening, following dinner on board, attend a service at St. Stephen (B, L, D): CRUISE
Wednesday. Arrive in Melk in the late morning and take a short drive to visit the baroque Benedictine Abbey with its spectacular views of the Danube Valley. This afternoon, cruise the Wachau Valley to Linz. Tonight, dinner and a Sound of Music concert on board (B, L, D): CRUISE
Thursday. Today, choose an optional full day excursion to visit Salzburg, setting for the Sound of Music. Begin at Hellbrunn Palace, then view Mirabella Palace, Mozarteum School of Music, Marionette Theater, County Theater, the house where Mozart lived, Trinity Church, County legal courts, Nonnberg Abbey, Villa of Frohnburg, Neutor Tunnelfestival Hall, Horsepond, Getreidegasse and the Church of St. Blasius ($79). Alternatively, remain on board and while you sail to Passau view the "Schloegener Schlinge" a beautiful part of the Danube with an unusual loop created by nature. Arrive in Passau, meeting point of three rivers - the Inn, Ilz and Danube - and enjoy a walking tour of Passau including the Cathedral of St. Stephen (B, L, D): CRUISE
Friday. Morning arrival in Regensburg. Enjoy a walking tour of this historic city, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities, including the Old Town Hall, the Dom St. Peter, the Roman gates at Porta Pretoria, and one of the oldest stone bridges across the Danube. This evening, celebrate at the captain's farewell dinner with entertainment (B, L, D): REGENSBURG
Saturday. This morning, disembark your ship and transfer through the country to Prague, "city of a hundred spires" (B): PRAGUE
Sunday. A morning tour of Prague includes a visit to the Royal Castle at Hradcany, former residence of the Bohemian kings. Enjoy magnificent views of the city and Charles Bridge below. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral and view St. George's Basilica and the Golden Lane. Continue to the Jewish Quarter and the Old Town Square to view the famous Town Hall Astronomical Clock. Balance of the day at leisure (B): PRAGUE
Monday. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (B).
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