Melodies of the Danube Wine Cruise April 9 16, 2016

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1 Melodies of the Danube Wine Cruise April 9 16, 2016 Enjoy a fascinating 7-Night Cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen with optional 3 nights in Prague. Join the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber and expert wine hosts from North America and Europe on AmaWaterways exclusive In Celebration of Wine cruise on the Danube departing April 9, Travel on the beautiful Danube through four European countries. Experience the sighs and sounds that have long inspired musicians, poets, and artists. Begin your cruise in Budapest, continuing on to Bratislava and Vienna, the romantic birthplace of the waltz. Cruise though the scenic wine-growing region of the Wachau Valley, visit the spectacular Benedcitine Abbey in Melk, and explore charming medieval towns. Conclude your journey with an optional threenight stay in majestic Prague. Our insightful and entertaining wine host Matthew Meyer, Vice President and Winemaker of The Williamsburg Winery in Williamsburg, VA - will oversee tastings of wonderful wine, lead excursions to wineries and vineyards, and explain the nuances of traditional wine-making methods and European wine heritage and traditions. Matthew most probably will bring handselected wines on board that are served during meals and at tastings. Some wines come from the expert s own winery and other varieties are sourced from local wineries located along the cruise itinerary. Bonus Features: Excursions to historic wineries and vineyards; private wine cellar tours; select premium wine tastings from celebrated European and North American wineries; Inspired wine and food pairings; exciting lectures and discussions with acclaimed wine experts. About the Wine Host: Matthew Meyer, Vice President and Winemaker, The Williamsburg Winery Williamsburg, VA. Matthew has received many international and national accolades including Decanter s Top Wines of the World seven years in a row. Originally creating wines in Napa, he arrived in Virginia in 2002 as The Williamsburg Winery s new winemaker. He envisioned Virginia as the next big wine region in America. Now, as Executive Vice President and Winemaker, Matthew produces wines that showcase Virginia s unique terroir, such as the Trianon, the Viognier, the Barrel- Aged Seyval Blanc, the Estate-Grown Traminette and the Adagio. About the beautiful Danube Captured in art, literature and Strauss s famous Blue Danube waltz, the Danube is one of the world s most romantic waterways. The river flows eastward through Austria s fabled Wachau Valley, a wine region long revered for its natural beauty and enticing white wines. Austria s vibrant wine scene makes it the perfect destination for wine lovers seeking new flavors and Old World culture and charm. Riesling is a specialty of this area, as is Grüner Veltliner, a high-spirited and fiery wine that makes a delicious accompaniment to the regional cuisine. The storied Wachau Valley is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved landscape and abundant medieval abbeys and fortress ruins. Journey to Dürnstein, a lovely

2 Baroque-era town nestled on the banks of the Danube. Hike up to the ruined castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the Crusades for a stunning view of the valley. You ll explore the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey in Melk and experience an evening at a traditional Austrian wine tavern, a casual and enjoyable place to appreciate local music and newly pressed wines. What s Included: 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom Most staterooms offer French balconies or revolutionary twin balconies Life enriching tours and excursions daily Entertainment on-demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library, and English language TV stations Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise Multiple dining venues on select vessels Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe's great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily Cocktail reception, Welcome Dinner, and Captain s Gala Dinner Transfer from the ship Vilshofen to Munich 3 nights hotel in Prague at the InterContinental Prague or Old Town Hilton (or similar) including daily buffet breakfast (if you have chosen the optional extension) Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances, and piano music Bicycles to explore on your own and guided bicycle tours Services of professional Cruise Manager All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck) Transfers between hotel and ship are included with the purchase of cruise and land package; airport transfers are included with the purchase of airfare from AmaWaterways All local taxes

3 Melodies of the Danube Wine Cruise April 9 16, 2016 Itinerary Day 1 ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - EMBARKATION Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. (D) Day 2 BUDAPEST This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle, where you will enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest. Your tour also includes Fisherman s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen s Basilica, Heroes Square and more. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D) Day 3 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - VIENNA, AUSTRIA Wake up this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the city s top sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin s Cathedral. As an alternative, choose the Communist History tour that includes landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. Later, you will have some free time before the ship cruises to Vienna, the music capital of the world. After dinner, experience a traditional Viennese Wine and Music evening in a rustic wine tavern outside the city, where you can enjoy a glass of newly pressed, locally grown wine and Austrian music and hospitality. (B,L,D) Day 4 VIENNA Savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna during your panoramic city tour, which will include the Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen s Cathedral. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, perhaps to stroll along the boutique-lined Kärntnerstrasse, sample Vienna s famous pastries or visit a museum. Or, if you prefer, join an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. This evening, you will have an opportunity to attend an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D) Day 5 WEISSENKIRCHEN EMMERSDORF GREIN We arrive in Weissenkirchen this morning, from where you will depart for a walking tour along Dürnstein s cobblestone streets. You ll see the magnificent blue tower of the local Stiftskirche (abbey church) and you will also have a chance to see castle ruins high on a hill where Richard the Lionheart was once held for ransom. Return to the ship and continue onwards cruising through the gorgeous scenery of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon you will visit the spectacular Benedictine Abbey in Melk, one of Europe s largest and most revered monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see jewel-encrusted crosses containing religious relics, frescoes and richly embroidered vestments, as well as the abbey s priceless collection of medieval manuscripts. Tonight the ship arrives in Grein, where you may enjoy some free time to explore this charming town. (B,L,D) Day 6 LINZ The ship arrives this morning in Linz. Enjoy a walking tour of the second largest city in Austria. Later, you will have a choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the Austrian Lake District, the scenic Salzkammergut region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The second option is an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third choice is an excursion to Salzburg, Mozart s birthplace, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center made famous by the Sound of Music. (B,L,D)

4 Day 7 PASSAU, GERMANY - VILSHOFEN Early this morning, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets and St. Stephan s Cathedral. This afternoon, the ship cruises to the medieval town of Vilshofen,where you will enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration with local food, beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (B,L,D) Day 8 VILSHOFEN DISEMBARKATION - Optional Three-Nights Prague This morning, disembark in Vilshofen and depart for historic Prague, the city of a hundred spires. Stop in Regensburg, one of Germany s best preserved medieval cities, where you will have a walking tour and free time to explore the city s historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue on to Prague,,takin in the scenic beauty of the countryside before arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. (B) Day 9 Prague Your morning sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the 1,000 year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The rest of the day is at your leisure, perhaps to visit Wenceslas Square or enjoy yourself in one of the city s many charming cafes. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance, and cultural traditions. (B) Day 10 PRAGUE Optional Terezin Tour Spend a day at your leisure to stroll through a museum or gallery, wander the banks of the Vltava River, or shop for local handicrafts. If you prefer, participate in an optional excursion to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp that is now a memorial to those who perished. (B) Day 11 DEPART PRAGUE Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight. (B) Note: Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

5 Melodies of the Danube OPTIONAL TOURS & PROGRAMS Schonbrunn Palace Excursion (Vienna) Schonbrunn Palace, or Schloss Schonbrunn, means 'beautiful spring' and was a royal hunting park when plans were made to build a sumptuous palace to rival Versailles. Queen Maria Theresa's architect, Nicholas Pacassi, is responsible for the eventual design of a long, symmetrical palace full of gilding and crimson displays drawing on Japanese, Italian, Persian and Indian works of art. There are ceiling frescoes celebrating the Habsburgs and 18th century furnishings. It was finally finished in The gardens are huge and beautiful. There is a spectacular iron and glass palm house, a maze and labyrinth, and a viewing terrace. Since the end of the monarchy, the Viennese people have flocked to these gardens for recreation. The palace is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. (Available at an additional cost) Mozart & Strauss Concert (Vienna) A classic music concert featuring the most famous works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart und Johann Strauss. (Available at an additional cost) Folklore Dinner Show (Prague) We invite you to an unforgettable experience of Czech folklore show and dinner. A wonderful ensemble of dancers and musicians dressed in traditional clothing will entertain, excite, and amuse you during two and half hours of performance. You are more than welcome to take an active part in learning the Czech songs, dances, and games. A traditional dinner will be served. (included in Prague add-on) Terezin Excursion (Prague) Terezín, the infamous WWII Concentration Camp is now a memorial to those who perished. initially a military fortress, Terezin became infamous for its sad history during WWII where the Nazis set up the largest concentration camp in today s Czech Republic and in the adjacent Small Fortress a jail house of the Gestapo. (included in Prague add-on)