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IMPERIAL
CAPITALS - 2010
17
days incl. air, or 16 days from London to London (CO-4930)Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours
 Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
This fascinating
vacation covers the central and eastern regions of Europe, focusing on
the charming cities of the former Prussian and Austro-Hungarian Empires
with their monumental architecture, eventful history, and solid
traditions. Begin this European trip with two overnights in London, then
cross the Channel by ferry and join your motorcoach to Brussels, capital
of Belgium. Then, pass through the Duchy of Luxembourg to enter Germany
with a stop in ancient Trier. Overnight in Frankfurt before traveling through
Bavaria, visiting Nuremberg, at one time one of Germany’s most beautiful
cities and later famous for the war criminal trials in 1945. Drive past
Munich and across the German-Austrian border, arriving in Mozart’s
hometown of Salzburg. Next, discover Vienna with an included sightseeing
tour that highlights the State Opera, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, and St.
Stephen’s Cathedral. On to Hungary with a stop in Györ and two nights in
Budapest. On your sightseeing tour in Budapest, admire the many bridges spanning
the Danube, the Parliament Building, the Royal Castle, Fishermen’s
Bastion, and Mathias Coronation Church. On the way to Prague, stop in the
Slovakian capital, Bratislava, and admire the beautiful Bohemian
landscapes. On your tour in Prague, encounter brilliant gothic and
baroque architecture, including Charles Bridge and the old Town Hall.
Back in Germany, visit Dresden, a magnificently restored city after its
almost total destruction in World War II. Spend two nights in Berlin,
Germany’s capital, with a sightseeing tour and time on your town. Stop in
medieval Hamelin to hear the story of the Pied Piper before continuing to
the Rhineland for the night. Travel back to the Channel for your return
ferry ride to England, and transfer to London for the final night of your
exciting European vacation. If you desire to see Central and Eastern
Europe, this is the vacation for you!
Itinerary
Day
1 Fri. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Sat. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check
into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the
lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make
the most of your stay.
Day
3 Sun. LONDON
A
full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a
panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or
choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise
on the River Thames? (B)
Day
4 Mon. LONDON-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Leave
London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside
to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here,
meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to
Brussels. (B)
Day
5 Tue. BRUSSELS-LUXEMBOURG-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY-FRANKFURT AREA
Drive
south this morning into the Duchy of Luxembourg. Cross the German border
and make a stop in ancient Trier before continuing through the splendid
scenery of the Moselle Valley. A choice this afternoon of the included
scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the
optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei rock, hilltop
castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Just a few
more miles by coach to the overnight in the Frankfurt area. (B,D)
Day
6 Wed. FRANKFURT AREA-NUREMBERG-SALZBURG AREA, AUSTRIA
Journey
through the heart of Germany on the highway to reach Nuremberg, at one
time Germany’s most beautiful city and much later famed for the war
criminal trials which took place in 1945. Stop for a short visit. Drive
south this afternoon through Bavaria, past Munich, across the
German-Austrian border, and into the Salzburg area for an overnight.
(B,D)
Day
7 Thu. SALZBURG AREA-VIENNA The Vienna City Hall
A
morning to enjoy some optional sightseeing in Salzburg, Mozart’s
hometown. In the afternoon, journey through the Salzkammergut Lakelands
of Sound of Music fame, past Mondsee to follow the Danube almost
all the way to Vienna. (B)
Day
8 Fri. VIENNA
Start
the morning with an included sightseeing tour featuring the State Opera,
Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to
view the Hofburg. Finally, an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Complete the day by joining the optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace.
(B)
Day
9 Sat. VIENNA-LAKE BALATON, HUNGARY-BUDAPEST The Széchenyi Chain Bridge spanning the River
Danube in Budapest
East
today into Hungary through the historic city of Györ. Next, the vast
stretch of Lake Balaton unfolds as you drive through some of its summer
resorts. Reach Budapest by way of Martonvasar, where Beethoven wrote his Appassionata.
Tonight an optional cruise on the Danube to enjoy the fascinating city
illuminations. (B,D)
Day
10 Sun. BUDAPEST
Buda
Castle dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad
ribbon of the Danube. Heroes’ Square typifies the modern capital, while
along the riverbank you find the old inns and wine cellars. Included
sightseeing takes in the Parliament building, Margaret Island,
Fishermen’s Bastion, the Royal Castle, and Matthias Coronation Church. (B)
Day
11 Mon. BUDAPEST-PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Start
the day by traveling into Slovakia. Once across the border, have a break
in Bratislava, its capital. Drive north to cross yet another border into
the Czech Republic. The highway will take you through Bohemia, an
enchanted land of castles, spas, and picket-fenced villages. Evening
arrival in Prague. (B,D)
Day
12 Tue. PRAGUE
The
wealth of gothic and baroque architecture here perhaps inspired Dvorak
and Smetana, both Prague composers. Included sightseeing features
landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge,
and the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock. (B,D)
Day
13 Wed. PRAGUE-DRESDEN, GERMANY-BERLIN
Discover
more of Bohemia as you journey towards the German frontier. Next, the
mountains and fortresses of the Erzgebirge range. Today’s highlight is a
stop in Dresden, a magnificently restored city after its almost total
destruction in World War II. In the afternoon, travel north across the
River Elbe to reach Berlin for two overnights. Maybe join the optional
dinner outing. (B)
Day
14 Thu. BERLIN
Included
sightseeing focuses on the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the Europa
Center. Reunited Berlin has regained not only its territorial integrity
but also the status of a German capital. There is also the option of
visiting Berlin's most important museums. (B)
Day
15 Fri. BERLIN-RHINELAND
Back
on the Autobahn this morning past Brunswick on the way to Hamelin. Stop
and hear the story of the Pied Piper. Next, the grand scenery of the
Teutoburger Forest and into the Ruhr, then farther west to the Rhineland
for an overnight. (B,D)
Day
16 Sat. RHINELAND-LONDON, ENGLAND
A
comfortable drive this morning to the Channel port for your ferry
crossing from the Continent to England. Through Kent, return to London
for an evening arrival. (B)
Day
17 Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
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Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
|
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4/23/2010
|
4/24/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
$1,849.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/7/2010
|
5/8/2010
|
5/23/2010
|
$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/21/2010
|
5/22/2010
|
6/6/2010
|
$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
6/4/2010
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6/5/2010
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6/20/2010
|
$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
6/18/2010
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6/19/2010
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7/4/2010
|
$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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7/2/2010
|
7/3/2010
|
7/18/2010
|
$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
7/16/2010
|
7/17/2010
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8/1/2010
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$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
8/13/2010
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8/14/2010
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8/29/2010
|
$1,899.00
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Available
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|
8/27/2010
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8/28/2010
|
9/12/2010
|
$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
9/3/2010
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9/4/2010
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9/19/2010
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$1,899.00
|
Available
|
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Popular
Departure
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9/10/2010
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9/11/2010
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9/26/2010
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$1,899.00
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Available
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9/17/2010
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9/18/2010
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10/3/2010
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$1,899.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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9/24/2010
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9/25/2010
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10/10/2010
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$1,849.00
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Available
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10/1/2010
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10/2/2010
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10/17/2010
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$1,849.00
|
Available
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Popular Departure - due to itinerary and
time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early
booking is encouraged.
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