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MONDAY, OCT. 2 NEW YORK (USA) - ALOFT (D)
We depart in the afternoon from JFK International Airport or from other gateways in the USA. Relax aboard our overnight transatlantic flight to Munich, Germany.
TUESDAY, OCT. 3 MUNICH / SALZBURG (B, D)
Everyone arrives in Munich, where we are met by an old friend Peter Filser (our German driver) and transferred to our 4 star hotel in Salzburg, Austria. Balance of the day is left at leisure to relax and get accustomed to the local time zone. Welcome dinner with unlimited wine or beer at the hotel- meet Bill Keller and other tour participants some of whom might have flown in directly.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4 SALZBURG (B)
Following breakfast at the hotel, we tour the highlights of Mozart's city- the fortress of Hohensalzburg, seat of the prince-archbishops. A special arrangement is sought for seeing and hearing the roar of the "Salzburg Bull" -the famed Middle Ages mechanical barrel organ used as a siren and alarm clock since 1500 AD.
http://www.salzstier.com
Continue our tour visiting the 15C Cathedral (Dom); St. Peter's Church and the Old town with the famed Getraidegasse and Mozart's birthplace. Afternoon visit the clock workshop and store of Bernhard Smallgruber, an expert in Vienna regulators and anniversary clocks.
THURSDAY, OCT. 5 SALZBURG / MUNICH (B, D)
This morning we depart to Munich where to see the highlights of this Bavarian capital - the Frauenkirche, Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel (carillon) playing at noon, and other vistas. In the early afternoon we plan to visit Erwin Sattler, a high end manufacturer of precision clocks.
http://www.erwinsattler.de/en/index.php.
The Sattler PPC 1958 is probably the most accurate mechanical clock available commercially. Time at leisure for individual sightseeing or shopping. Dinner at historic Ratskeller am Marienplatz a traditional Bavarian restaurant. Late return to Salzburg and our hotel.
FRIDAY, OCT. 6 "SOUND OF MUSIC" - SALZKAMMERGUT (B)
We'll spend today touring the major sites of the movie "Sound of Music" : Mirabell Gardens, Castle Leopoldskron, Castle Hellbrun and the Abbey Nonneburg. Salzkammergut (lit. the salt chamber) the beautiful Alpine lake district in Upper Austria. Bypassing Castle Fuschl, a former hunting lodge of the Prince Archbishops we arrive in St Wolfgang where we stop to view the winged altar. On to The White Horse Inn for a boat ride across the lake to St. Gilgen. Passing castle Huttenstein, we ride along Lake Mondsee and return to Salzburg and our hotel in the afternoon.
SATURDAY, OCT. 7 SALZBG/ LINZ/ STEYR/ CRUISE (B, D)
Morning drive via Linz, the "Daughter of the Danube", to Steyr, a glorious city, once a rival to Vienna and capital of metal and iron processing. Here we stroll through the remarkable Old Town and the Stadtplatz, a street with notable courts. Visit the Museum of Iron Clocks run by one Schmollgruber.
http://www.tourism-steyr.at/sommer/en/museum_eisenuhren.htm
Following the visit we continue into Germany and to Passau, the city where three rivers meet. Embark aboard the luxurious AMADEUS CLASSIC owned by Lueftner Cruises.
http://aquanautcruise.com/germany.htm
Settle in this floating hotel, our residence for the next seven nights. The ship leaves port at 4 p.m. and takes you through a lovely stretch of the Danube known as the Schlögener Schlinge (great loop). After these first scenic impressions of the Danube, the ship's staff will welcome us with a cocktail before the official Welcome Dinner.
SUNDAY, OCT. 8 VIENNA (B, L, D)
Following breakfast the AMADEUS docks in Vienna. The entire day is at your disposal to discover the metropolis on the Danube. The city of music and joie de vivre (joy-of-life) where Sachertorte and Heuriger (wine inns) are just as famous as St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Imperial Palace.We will see all the important sights on our included city tour. Special arrangements will be made for our group to include viewing the Anker Astronomical Clock chiming at noon.
http://www.virtourist.com/europe/vienna/29.htm
Time permitting, we will also stop at "Vienna's smallest house" in Wien 7, Burggasse 3. It is just a bit more than 1,45 meters wide and fills a tiny spot between 2 houses and the street and dates back to 1872. Inside the building is a famous shop for vintage and new clocks by our old friend Friedrich Schmallgruber, the specialist in old clock-works of all ages.
In the afternoon we have arranged for a special tour of the Vienna Clock Museum, under the expert guidance of Franz Sharinger, its Curator. Established in 1917 in a picturesque building, the former Palais Obizzi, in the Old City of Vienna, the museum is based on the private collections of Rudolf Kaftan and writer Marie Ebner von Eschenbach. It contains approx 3000 timepieces in a huge variety of clocks and watches spanning more than five centuries of horological development. Among the highlights are the highly complex 18th C astronomical clock by Augustine Brother David Cajetano containing more than 250 parts.
http://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture/clockm.htm
Return to the ship in time for sailing downstream for Budapest. Dinner on board.
MONDAY, OCT. 9 BUDAPEST (B, L, D)
Morning arrival in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. The magnificent buildings lining the right and left banks of the Danube are an unforgettable sight. Our Budapest sightseeing tour encompasses all the major sights of the city - the Castle District of Buda, Fisherman's Bastion, Hungary's Parliament Building, the Royal Palace and the multi-spire Matthias Church. Afternoon at leisure for antique shopping in this town, formerly in the communist block, block where the dollar is still powerful and bargains can be had. After dinner enjoy an unforgettable evening cruise on the AMADEUS with a glorious view of the beautifully floodlit building on both banks of the river. A Gypsy band, specially engaged for this cruise, entertains you on board with lively music and you also see a performance by a Hungarian folklore group.
TUESDAY, OCT. 10 KALOCSA - HUNGARIAN PLAIN (B, L, D)
Early in the morning, the ship berths at Kalocsa, a charming town in the Hungarian lowlands. Kalocsa is known for its traditional Hungarian embroidery and, above all, for the cultivation of paprika, Hungary's national product.
Join us on the "Kalocsa" excursion where you witness a performance of typical Hungarian horsemanship and visit the only paprika museum in the world. The ship leaves in the late afternoon and heads back, upstream for Budapest. After dinner, let yourself be carried away by the famous music inspired by the Danube and played by excellent Hungarian musicians.
WEDNESDAY, OCT 11 BUDAPEST / ESZTERGOM (B, L, D)
At 7 a.m., the AMADEUS arrives back in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube". Enjoy the morning at your disposal. You may wish to stroll through the lively shopping malls or visit the "Museum of Fine Arts" with its collection of old masters. Our group has an exclusive horology oriented tour - visit the Museum of Applied Arts to view the mobile mechanical music clockwork attributed to Juanelo Turriano, mechanical genius working for Habsburg Emperor Charles V.
Following lunch on board, we join the trip to "Szentendre-Esztergom" leaving by our private motor coach via Visegrad to Esztergom. The ship sails upstream through the Danube Bend, one of the most beautiful scenic stretches of the Danube, also known as the "Hungarian Wachau". Arrival at Esztergom at 7 p.m. where the AMADEUS waits for those on the tour. The ship sails for Slovakia in the evening
THURSDAY, OCT. 12 BRATISLAVA / VIENNA (B, L, D)
Morning arrival at Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Our Bratislava sightseeing tour will include such highlights as the Old Town gates, walls and City Hall, Michael's Tower, St. Martin's Cathedral, the National Theatre, the Baroque Primate's Palace, etc. Amadeus sails at noon.
In the afternoon, you can relax and enjoy the journey on the Danube. Vienna is our next destination and the arrival is scheduled for about 7 p.m. After dinner, our group is booked on the "Vienna by Night" taking us to the Prater Amusement Park with its Ferris Wheel and a typical "Heurigen" wine tavern. The ship departs from Vienna around midnight.
FRIDAY, OCT. 13 MELK - WACHAU VALLEY (B, L, D)
In the morning the ship passes the world-famous town of Dürnstein and berths at 9.00 a.m. at the idyllic wine-growing town of Emmersdorf. While aboard, one can admire in the distance the impressive baroque buildings of the Benedictine Abbey of Melk. Our excursion "Beauties of the Wachau" include a drive through the scenic, mythical Wachau Valley to Dürnstein. A guided tour of Melk Abbey will reveal this 9 centuries old architectural masterpiece north of the Alps. A wine tasting of the fine selection of local wines will cap the tour. The ship departs in the afternoon. Enjoy the afternoon on the sun deck as the impressive landscape passes by. On our last evening of our Danube journey, the captain of the AMADEUS will be delighted to welcome us to the Captain's Gala Dinner. The excellent orchestra which has been entertaining you in the Panorama Bar throughout the cruise will get you swinging and dancing the night away.
SATURDAY, OCT. 14 PASSAU/ MUNICH/ USA (B, L. S)
Following breakfast, we disembark and are transferred by private motor coach directly to Munich International Airport for our return transatlantic flight to the USA. We arrive the same day in the afternoon. Direct flights to other gateways are also available via Lufthansa or other airlines.
WELCOME HOME !
B = Buffet breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner (group)
S = Snack (aloft)
GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
| TOUR PRICE: |
$3,350.00 per person,
based on dbl occupancy is stateroom Category C1-lower deck |
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$230.00 pp supplement for category B1 - middle deck |
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$450.00 pp supplement for category A1 - upper deck |
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$775.00 single room supplement for category C1 |
INCLUDED:
- International air transportation via Lufthansa Airlines or a similar scheduled airline, in tourist (economy) class, from New York to Munich and back to New York, on the days and times shown on the itinerary. Departure from other US gateways is available at an additional cost (add-on) on Lufthansa, without having to connect in New York.
- While aboard the aircraft, all meals, unlimited wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages as well as headsets for movie and easy listening are included. These are: dinner and breakfast outbound and lunch and snack on the return.
- Airport transfers and inter-city transportation by modern, air-conditioned, private touring motor coach as per the itinerary, including assistance and luggage handling at the airports, ship and hotel.
- All technical visits guided by management or museum curators; all tourist highlights listed in the itinerary including entrance fees. Occasionally, licensed local guides will be hired for detailed city sightseeing.
- During the cruise, all shore excursions mentioned in the itinerary are likewise included. These will be provided by the ship (in our private motor coach if group size warrants) or booked directly by ATI. All entrance fees are included
- Hotel accommodations for 4 nights in standard twin/double rooms, with private facilities at a First or Tourist Class (3-4 star) hotel in Salzburg, including daily breakfast. Tourist class hotels in Austria are very clean and offer a high standard of accommodation, similar to 4 star properties in other European countries.
- Accommodation in river-view staterooms category on the lowest deck aboard the luxury ship (5 star) Amadeus Classic for 7 nights, including all meals and on board activities.
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners in Salzburg and aboard the ship, including pre-selected menus and unlimited wine, beer or soft beverages. There are also five additional dinners, as per the itinerary, to be provided at the hotels or nearby restaurants.
- All hotels, port charges and local taxes. All service charges (tips) to hotel and restaurants staff, ship staff, coach drivers and guides, etc. are likewise included.
- All pertinent travel information, a Program Booklet, luggage tags, document wallet and related literature.
- Services of a multilingual Professional Tour Director throughout the tour, starting in New York.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Domestic airfare (add-on); additional international airfare or charges for stopovers; additional charges resulted from modifying the group itinerary.
- Any items of purely personal nature laundry, phone calls, insurance premiums, passport fees, drinks not included with the meals; drinks from the mini bar in the hotel or staterooms; any charges for room service; optional trips or activities.
- International departure tax, fuel surcharges, security taxes and government taxes, that are subject to change; for Lufthansa they are presently $197.00 per person and expected to go up due to fuel prices.
- Any other item not specifically mentioned as included.
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Above price is based on a minimum group of 20 participants traveling together. It is also based on tariffs and rates of exchange in effect on January 20, 2006. Please note the US dollar has been on decline vs. the euro during the last year and if this situation persists, the price may be revised.
- Air and land constitute a complete offering. However, there is no penalty if air transportation is not purchased through ATI, for those who wish to use frequent flyer miles. A credit of $550.00 will apply in such cases.
- Deposit: To secure space on the tour, a deposit of $750.00 per person is required as soon as possible but no later than March 31, 2006. The balance will be split in two halves, with an installment to be paid on May 31 and the final payment due on July 31, 2006. Please book early, as space is limited. We have already circa 30 participants who voted and indicated they would book this tour. By booking early you will help the organizers and your fellow Chapter members determine if we have enough participation to operate the tour.
- Cancellations: For
cancellations between April 1 and
June 30, the cancellation fee is
$200.00 per person. June 30- July
31, the fee is $500.00 per person.
Aug. 1-Sept. 1, the fee is $800.00
plus the cost of airfare, if tickets
were issued. Sept 2-17, the fee is
$1,500.00 per person plus airfare.
After Sept 18 there will be no
refunds for the tour unless the
cabin will be resold. There will be
no refund for no-shows or unused
parts of the tour.
- Travel Insurance - due to present conditions, the purchase of Access America or CSA Insurance is highly recommended after June 30 when the second payment is made. The insurance protects you in case of cancellation or interruption of your trip as well as insures you for medical reasons, emergency evacuation, luggage loss or delay and more. In case you have a pre-existing medical condition, please call Advantage Tours for a brochure before mailing-in your deposit.
- A Release of Liability, which is supplied with the Rez. Form, must be signed by each person who travels on this tour. Please fill it in, sign it and return it to us together with your deposit.
- NOTES:
- Our stay in
Salzburg
coincides with the Culture Week and the hotels in town will be at a premium. This is why we may have to go to a 3 star property. The Austrian hotels are government rated, according to very strict rules. Thus, for instance, a 4 star hotel must have a restaurant (aside from the breakfast room) and a 3 star cannot ever become a 4 star without a restaurant. Moreover, the taxes for 4 star properties are higher, as a percentage, therefore many hotel managers, with a stable clientele, deliberately rate themselves 3 stars in order to pay lower taxes.
- The Amadeus Classic is rated a 5 star ship. It is superior to 4 star vessels and the only reason we selected it was the very favorable group rate we obtained, less than a 4 star ship. The itinerary was also superior.
- The passengers aboard the Amadeus will be mainly European, therefore the languages used on board will be German, English and probably French. Depending on the size of our group, we will have our own motor coach. On certain tours, organized by the cruise line, some other tourists might join our group. However, they will always be English speaking.
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