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2005 Ultimate Europe - Sample Itinerary:
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Paris to Budapest - 19 days - MS Symphony
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Day 01
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USA - Paris:
Fly USA to Paris, France.
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Day 02
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Paris:
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in. Spend the remainder
of the day at leisure.
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Day 03
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Paris:
Enjoy Paris' most famous sights during today's sightseeing tour: Notre
Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe,
Opera Madeleine, Champs Elysees and much more. The rest of the day is
free for you to explore on your own. (B)
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Day 04
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Paris:
A full day to explore this amazing metropolis. Stroll along the
boutique-lined boulevards, visit the top of Eiffel Tower, sip coffee in
the buzzling Latin Quarter, or chat with one of the many artists along
the banks of the Seine River. Paris at night offers something for
everyone. (B)
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Day 05
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Paris - Luxemburg - EMBARK:
Morning at leisure. After lunch, enjoy a scenic ride through the French
countryside to Luxemburg, the last of hundreds of independent duchies
which once made up western and central Europe. Today the Grand Duchy
owes its importance to its role in international politics and banking.
Embark your floating hotel and gather on board for a Welcome Dinner
tonight. (B, D)
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Day 06
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CRUISE - Bernkastel - Zell:
This morning, you arrive in the charming village of Bernkastel located
in the middle of the Moselle wine-producing region. This town prides
itself of its over 500 year-old documented wine history. Take a guided
walking tour through the old town center with its many mideival and
Renaissance buildings, before continuing on to Zell, a delightful town
famous for its wine "Zeller Schwarze Katz." (B, L, D)
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Day 07
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CRUISE - Cochem - Koblenz - Rhine Castles - Rudesheim:
Upon arrival to Cochem, your guided tour of the hilltop Reichsburg
Castle offers fascinating views of the river valley. From here, a
motorcoach ride brings you to Koblenz, located at the confluence of the
Moselle and Rhine Rivers. Cruise along the most beautiful and famous
part of the Rhine and keep your cameras ready as you pass castle after
castle and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rudesheim, where you
will visit the unique Seigfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
Afterwards, explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine
taverns and restaurants. (B, L, D)
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Day 08
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CRUISE - Mainz - Heidelberg - Frankfurt:
Disembark in Mainz and travel by motorcoach to Heidelberg, Germany's
oldest university town. The highlight of the sightseeing tour focuses on
the Red-walled castle, where the great vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th century
wine cask, attracts particular attention. After some free time, continue
to Frankfurt, the bustling metropolis on the River Main, where you
rejoin your ship. (B, L, D)
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Day 09
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CRUISE - Miltenberg - Wertheim:
Today you will arrive in the historic Franconian town of Miltenberg
where you disembark for a guided walking tour. As you walk through the
narrow cobblestone streets, marvel at the gabled, half-timbered houses.
Do some souvenir shopping before your coach takes you to charming
Wertheim where you can browse the market square before re-boating the
ship. Tonight enjoy the onboard crew show. (B, L, D)
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Day 10
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CRUISE - Wurzburg:
Stop at Wurzburg, "the Pearl of the Romantic Road," which is the capital
of Lower Franconia and a center of wine and trade. The high-light of
your sightseeing tour is a visit to the magnificent Residential Palace.
In the afternoon, relax on the sundeck as you cruise through the
Franconian wine region. (B, L, D)
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Day 11
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CRUISE - Bamberg:
Enjoy the leisurely morning cruise before you enter the Main-Danube
Canal at enchanting Bamberg, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
1993. Enjoy a guided tour of the medieval gem with its breathtaking
cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the city's
serpentine streets with charming houses and 18-century mansions. (B, L,
D)
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Day 12
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CRUISE - Nuremberg:
After breakfast depart on a full-day excursion along the Romantic Road
to medieval Rothenburg. Enjoy a traditional German lunch in a local
restaurant and stroll through the quaint town before returning to
Nuremberg, where the ship will moor overnight. (B, L, D)
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Day 13
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CRUISE - Nuremberg:
Morning guided tour of Nuremberg with its 900-year old ramparts
surrounding the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where
the War Crimes Tribunal was held in 1946. Back onboard, you will arrive
at the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feel above sea level -
before descending through locks. (B, L, D)
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Day 14
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CRUISE - Regensburg - Danube Gorge:
Sail through the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal. In picturesque
Regensburg, a guided tour will show you the architectural highlight,
including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient
Roman fort built in 179 AD. Later embark on an exciting boat trip
through the lovely Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey. (B, L, D)
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Day 15
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CRUISE - Passau - Linz:
Arrive in Passau, located at the confluence of the three rivers the Inn,
Ilz and Danube and enjoy a walking tour. Then take an optional full-day
tour to enchanting Salzburg and its most popular Sound of Music sights.
For those staying on board, relax as your ship sails from Passau to
Linz. (B, L, D)
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Day 16
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CRUISE - Melk - Vienna:
In the morning, cruise through the narrow Studengau and the Wachau
Valley, dotted with magnificent castles and charming riverside towns.
Dock at Melk for a guided tour of the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one
of Europe's largest baroque monasteries. Afterwards, continue through
the romantic Wachau Valley. In the late afternoon arrive to Vienna,
Austria's capital. Start exploring on your own or come along for an
optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B, L, D)
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Day 17
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CRUISE - Vienna - Bratislava:
Today's guided tour of Vienna includes stops at Hofburg Palace, Vienna
Opera House, Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral. At lunchtime, the
ship continues to nearby Slovakia. Highlight of your sightseeing tour is
the visit to the 13th-century Bratislava Castle from where you will
enjoy breathtaking views. This eventful day is followed by an evening
music performance on board. (B, L, D)
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Day 18
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CRUISE - Budapest:
Your morning sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, from where you
have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over
both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year-old Matthias
Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fishermen's Bastion, Royal
Palace and much more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Tonight gather on board for a Gala Farewell Dinner with Gipsy violins.
(B, L, D)
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Day 19
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Budapest - USA:
Bid farewell to your fellow travellers, crew and vessel as you depart
from Budapest. (B)
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