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The Legendary Danube
by Avalon
Waterways Cruises
MORE TOURS
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AVALON Waterways
Choice Cruising Customized to You!
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The Legendary Danube
11 DAYS
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The LEGENDARY DANUBE
Duration:
11 days
from Prague to Budapest
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Includes: All-inclusive
River Cruise
Visits
to: AUSTRIA,
GERMANY, CZECH REPUBLIC
and HUNGARY
Specially-priced
Air Rates
Available: YES
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The Legendary Danube
11 days from Prague to Budapest
From
the splendor of Prague to the Gypsy violins of Budapest, you’ll
treasure every moment of this memorable Danube River cruise. Enjoy
three nights in Prague with guided sightseeing as well as time to
explore this marvelous city on your own. Discover the Hradcany Castle
grounds, wander through Prague’s Jewish Quarter, shop for hand-cut
crystal, savor authentic Czech dumplings, stand in Wenceslaus square
where protestors demonstrated against Communism, or visit one of the
many churches. Then drive to Nuremberg and set sail for medieval
Regensburg, Passau, Vienna, and Budapest, with guided sightseeing in
each city. Sail through the fascinating Main Danube Canal and witness
the scenic beauty as you cruise past quaint towns. Attend a beer
tasting, tour Melk’s splendid Benedictine Abbey, and experience the
music, art, culture, and historical sights in romantic Vienna—a
memorable vacation!
TALK
TO A TRUE AVALON
CRUISE
SPECIALIST!
As a full-service travel provider, we can
help
you in finding your
perfect tour at the best price available, today. We've been
representing the GLOBUS Family of Brands for
over 30 years as a Premier Agency
Partner - a designation only awarded to the top tier agencies
that are authorized to represent the full Globus Family of Brands. We
can take you all the way from your own hometown to
some of the most beautiful touring experiences in Europe and then back
again - all with the expertise of a seasoned GLOBUS/AVALON professional
representative.
When it is important to get it right, you can trust the services of our
own
career-based and professional GLOBUS travel agents. Our contact
information is
listed below or we would be happy to provide your information via email
on the form, below.
Thank you for your interest in an AVALON RIVER CRUISE by The GLOBUS Family
of Brands!
Randy C. Gardner
President
Gardner Travel Service, Inc.
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INCLUDED
FEATURES
It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 80-plus
years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise
experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river
cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and
amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.
- Panoramic
windows throughout every ship.
- Elegant,
contemporary design throughout.
- Included
shore excursions with Local Guide.
- Headsets
for shore excursions.
- Complimentary
Wi-Fi access.
- Personalized
room options & excursions.
- Space to
relax & unwind
- Premium
coffees, cappuccinos and lattes.
- Coffee
self-serve beverage station.
- A lounge
serving premium spirits.
- Maintain
your routine in the fitness center.
- The
Comfort Collection BedsSM.
- Premium
L'Occitane bath amenities.
- Daily
early- and late-riser breakfast.
- Full
buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
- Complimentary
juices with breakfast.
- Made-to-order
egg station at breakfast.
- Complimentary
soft drinks with lunch.
- Al fresco
lunches on the Sky Bistro.
- Chef-inspired
regional recipes.
- Four-course
dinners with open seating.
- Nightly
choice of appetizers, entrées, desserts or
cheese.
- Complimentary
regional wines at dinner.
- Free soft
drinks or beer with dinner.
- Night Fare
served at 10:30 p.m.
- Remarkable
service throughout the cruise.
- English-speaking
crew.
- Non-smoking
interior.
- Large
bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
- Flatscreen
satellite TV with movie channels.
- Spacious
3-door closets for ample storage.
- Alternative
dinners of light regional specialties and wines
in the Panorama Bistro on Suite ShipsSM.
- And, much
more.
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 MEALS
- Meals are indicated by
breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Captain’s welcome &
farewell
receptions with sparkling wine and canapés
- Welcome dinner
- Daily Afternoon Tea
- Daily Night Fare
- Local chef dinner
- Farewell dinner
- Complimentary sparkling wine
with
breakfast; soft drinks with lunch; and wine, beer, or soft drinks with
dinner are included daily on board your vessel
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport
transfers
may be included when you make your flight arrangements.
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ITINERARY
Cruise:
Deluxe 11-night cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style
beds
Day 1
Arrive in Prague, Czech Republic
Welcome to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. This fascinating city
straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires, and pinnacles
highlighting its skyline. The remainder of the day is free to start
exploring.
Day 2 Prague
Prague is a 1,200-year-old city preserved in time, and, unlike other
Central European capitals, it was not bombed during the 20th-century
wars. A LOCAL GUIDE shows you its best-known treasures, such as the Old
Town’s Astronomical Clock, built in 1410 and once the envy of all of
Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles
Bridge, the oldest bridge in Prague. Browse the shops for hand-cut
crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square, an
important meeting point and where people demonstrated against the
communist regime; or watch performers on Charles Bridge. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Prague
Enjoy a free day to explore the city at your own pace. Perhaps visit
the Communist Museum; sample the local plum dumplings and Pilsner;
stroll along the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director will have other
suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast)
Day 4 Prague–Nuremberg,
Germany (Embarkation)
After lunch, drive to Nuremberg, where your river cruise vessel is
docked. Before dinner, meet your crew for a welcome reception.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5 Nuremberg
Although 90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive damage during
WWII, much of it has been restored to the glory it once knew as the
unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, choose from an
included GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR and marvel at this thousand-year-old
city’s medieval fortifications, extraordinary gothic churches, and the
Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), or join a more specialized “NUREMBERG
TRIALS” tour. During free time, be sure to make a wish at the beautiful
fountain in the Hauptmarkt (main square). Legend says your wish will
come true if you turn its gold ring three times. Then, enjoy a tranquil
afternoon of cruising. Take in an interesting ONBOARD LECTURE about the
engineering marvel that is the Main Danube Canal. Before dinner we’ll
introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS! (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Day 6 Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast. Dating back to the time of the
Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved
medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only
German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least 1,300
listed buildings of “historic interest.” Architectural highlights of
your GUIDED WALK include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), built in
the 13th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort
built in 179 AD. Wander through the city’s lanes and alleys to discover
the many mansions with high towers. Wealthy families built these towers
to emphasize their status and wealth during the Middle Ages, and many
still remain today. Walk across the 12th-century Steinerne Brücke
(Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in Germany. Grab a beer and
enjoy an included SNACK at the Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage
Kitchen), one of Germany’s oldest restaurants. Bask in the vibrant
atmosphere and take in the remarkable views along the river.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Passau–Linz,
Austria
This morning, dock in Passau. Uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and
Danube Rivers converge, Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets
lined with beautiful patrician houses. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a
masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the world’s
largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Take in the highlights on the
included GUIDED WALK. Then, sail to Linz, Austria’s third-largest town,
which lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial
town and busy river port. Alternatively, take an optional full-day
excursion to Salzburg to see the popular Sound of Music sights or to
Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Rejoin the ship in Linz. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Melk–Vienna
This morning, enjoy an included GUIDED VISIT of Melk’s magnificent
11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY, one of Europe’s largest monasteries.
The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and
2,000 manuscripts. You’ll be captivated by the splendor of the church
with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and
210-foot-high cupola. The view from the terrace of the abbey over the
Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! During lunchtime,
cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Pass the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue
façade, the landmark of Dürnstein, before arriving in
Vienna this evening. Known as the “City of Music,” it inspired the
creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. An optional concert
is available tonight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 Vienna
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical
capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. This
is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna
Boy’s Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance
Vienna Opera House; and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral—plus,
countless other sights shown to you by your Local Guide during your
included CITY TOUR. Shop in the delightful pedestrian
Kärntnerstrasse, and be sure to take a break and enjoy a piece of
decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in one of the classic Viennese
coffee houses, historic institutions that helped shape Viennese
culture! In the late afternoon, leave Vienna for Budapest. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 Budapest,
Hungary
Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s
liveliest cities. Whether you’re seeing the sights, shopping for
handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain, or basking in the coffee
house culture over a rich cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud
Café, Budapest’s unique energy is positively palatable. On your
GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR, see the massive hilltop castle complex with
its remarkable Fishermen’s Bastion and 11th-century Matthias Church,
the coronation spot of several Hungarian monarchs. Be sure to take note
of the city’s eight bridges—many famous sights in and of
themselves—which connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on
the left. You may even want to walk across Chain Bridge, a symbol of
Budapest built in 1849. Perhaps visit St. Stephen’s Basilica; shop at
the Great Market Hall and purchase paprika at one of its 180 vendor
stalls; wander around the Royal Palace grounds; or stroll along
Váci utca, the main shopping street. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 Budapest
(Disembarkation)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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NOTES:
In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical
nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or
to alter the program.
Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change
is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
THE
SHIPS
Luminary
 Built
2010 | Length 361 | Crew Members 39 | Staterooms 65 | Suites 4
Cruising
on the Avalon Luminary is the ideal way to experience the majesty,
extensive history and fascinating culture of some of Europe's oldest
cities along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers. Built in 2010,
the Avalon Luminary is one of the latest additions to the Avalon fleet,
and holds a maximum of just 138 passengers. Visit multiple countries
and cities and unpack only once, so you spend your time experiencing
and enjoying Europe rather than dealing with the logistics of travel.
Enjoy a highly personalized cruise experience, spacious deluxe
staterooms and suites, contemporary décor, and popular onboard
amenities, including a large Sky Deck with deck chairs and whirlpool,
multiple lounges and a bar, Internet corner, fitness center, hair
salon, and elevator. |
Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
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- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
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Illumination
Built
2014 | Length 443 | Crew Members 47 | Staterooms 17 | Suites 67
2014
is a big year for Avalon, as we expand our fleet of dynamic Suite Ships
once again. In addition to the Avalon Poetry II and Avalon Impression,
the beautiful Avalon Illumination will grace the waterways of Europe.
Like its sister ship, the Avalon Expression, the Illumination features
two full decks of Panorama Suites with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. Cruise
along the legendary Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers, enjoying fresh
breezes and enchanting scenery from the comfort of your suite. With 200
square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry
standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each
morning facing the splendid passing scenery. Onboard amenities include
an alternative dining option in the Panorama Bistro, an expanded
fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck
with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at
the open-air bistro.
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Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
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- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
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Panorama
Built
2011 | Length 443 | Crew Members 47 | Staterooms 17 | Suites 66
A
brand new kind of ship, the Avalon Panorama
set sail in 2011, taking inspired design to a whole new level. A unique
'Suite Ship', the Avalon Panorama was the first of its kind in the
industry - with two full decks of suites featuring a Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Window that transforms the living space into a unique
Open-Air Balcony. As you cruise along Europe's finest rivers - the
Danube, Rhine, or Main - enjoy the fresh breeze and enchanting scenery
from the comfort of your suite. With 200 square feet, the Panorama
Suite is more than 30% larger than the industry standard, and it gives
you the unparalleled opportunity to wake up each morning facing the
magnificent passing scenery. Exciting onboard amenities include an
Internet corner and Wi-Fi access, a well-stocked library, an expanded
fitness center, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs,
shade system, whirlpool, and delightful Open-Air Bistro. There's no
better way to cruise in Europe than in the spacious comfort offered on
the Avalon Panorama. |
Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
|
- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
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PLEASE NOTE: This cruise/tour also uses
the sister ships VISTA, IMPRESSION, POETRY II and EXPRESSION.
Avalon Waterways
The LEGENDARY DANUBE
11 days from Prague to Budapest
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From $3509USD
(Less applicable
Globus Discounts)
Prices
are
per person based on double occupancy and are cruise only. We also offer
competitive group-based airfares from your home city airport that fit
with this particular touring program.
We provide an additional agency point-of-sale discount for
all Globus,
Cosmos and Avalon Waterways
tour programs. Offer subject
to availability and change without notice.
Order
Your
AVALON BROCHURE HERE! |
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As a full-service travel provider, we
can
help
you in finding your
perfect tour at the best price available, today. We've been
representing the GLOBUS Family of Brands for
over 30 years as a Premier Agency
Partner - a designation only awarded to the top tier agencies
that are authorized to represent the full Globus Family of Brands. We
can take you all the way from your own hometown to
some of the most beautiful touring experiences in Europe and then back
again - all with the expertise of a seasoned GLOBUS professional
representative.
When it is important to get it right, you can trust the services of our
own professional GLOBUS Certified travel specialists. Please feel free
to call us or email us or we would be happy to provide your information
via email
on the tour form, below.
Requesting Availability
We
will check your requested tour program and accommodations for the
date range that you may specify in the boxes below and reply back to
you
as soon as possible. Of course the more information that you can
provide
us, the closer we will be in matching your needs and preferences. We
will
not
knowingly sell or pass along your information that you provide to any
third
party for any reason (see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy). And we use
SSL Technology to safeguard your information on our tour request forms
that we have posted throughout our website.
We
are available to answer
your inquiries in person Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 8:30am
until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653 | 817-788-5210). We are available from
time to time
on
the weekends via email to answer your questions. Our typical response
time
for your email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending
upon
the availability of onsite resources and those of the tour companies
and
resorts/lodging establishments, as well as any variations you may
request
from our listed programs. For those inquirers requesting a trip within
two weeks, we will give you a priority due to your need to establish an
immediate plan. At any rate, we will respond to your requests as
quickly
as possible and as soon as we have all components of your package
confirmable.
All tour program rates are based upon double occupancy unless otherwise
specified.
Thank you for
your interest in this quality tour by The GLOBUS Family
of Brands!
Randy C. Gardner
President
Gardner Travel Service, Inc.
We
look forward to serving
your travel needs and wants!
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OR
CALL US AT
1-877-510-4653
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©
1999
-
2014
