zThe Legendary Danube Jewish Heritage Cruise 2013

Depart from Prague after breakfast via motor coach and enjoy a stop in Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, famous for its Bohemian Spas. After lunch, drive through the pastoral (Bohemian) countryside to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. Meals B,D

Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city of Nuremberg during the time of the Third Reich. Designated the “City of the Reichsparteitage” (Nazi Party Rallies), visit Zeppelin Field and see Hitler’s Party Rally grounds. See the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946, visit court room 600, and the Coliseum. Or join the medieval tour of Nuremberg and see the storybook 900 year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle. Previously one of Europe’s greatest trade towns, see some of the original medieval city walls and towers constructed around Nuremberg. Visit and learn about the legend of the Beautiful Fountain. Afterwards, spend your free time discovering more of cultural Nuremberg. Return to the ship for your cruise through the Main-Danube Canal and the highest point of your journey - 1,332 feet above sea level before descending through stair-step locks past the charming Bavarian town of Dietfurt. Meals B,L,D

This morning’s scenic cruising takes you through the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal to arrive in magnificent Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. The Jewish community of Regensburg dates to classical times when the city was known as Ratisbon. Your tour will explore the oldest Jewish Ghetto in Germany. A guided tour will show you the site of the Regensburg Synagogue, Jewish Cemetery “Judenau” and Oscar Shindler’s House. Or you can choose to participate in the Regensburg walking tour. During your guided tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, see the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, and the Porta Praetoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches, the famous towers of the wealthy medieval families, and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. An optional afternoon tour of the Audi Museum is also available. Meals B,L,D

After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the Inn and Ilz Rivers join the Danube. Your city tour takes you on an exploration of this fairy tale locale founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or, substitute the city tour with the optional excursion to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for the “Sound of Music”. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau to Linz, Austria. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town, Austria's third largest city and a major river port. Meals B,L,D

Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. Your guided tour takes you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey. Return to the ship for lunch, before you cruise the romantic Wachau Valley. Arrive in Vienna, after dinner and explore the magnificent Austrian capital on your own or enjoy an optional evening Mozart and Strauss concert. Meals B,L,D

This morning’s tour puts the city’s rich Jewish Heritage in the foreground. Highlights of this tour include the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz, Sigmund Freud’s House, Jewish Cemetery and the Jewish Quarter in Vienna’s 2nd District. Or join our Vienna city tour. Savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna during your guided sightseeing tour, including the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, spend your free time strolling along the main shopping street, Karntnerstrasse, or sampling some of Vienna’s famous pastries. In the alternative, join an optional tour to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Enjoy dinner as you continue your journey pass Slovakia and cruise overnight to Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital. Meals B,L,D

This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to the Sankt Stephan Park where you can visit the statues of Raoul Wellenberg and Gabor Sztehlo, both credited with saving thousands of Hungarian Jews during WWII. Afterwards, visit the Jewish District where you will have a walking tour with highlights such as the Dohany St. Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Tree of Life. Or join the Budapest city tour. This morning excursion includes sightseeing in Buda & Pest. From historic Buda Castle, enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square, and much more. In the afternoon join our optional 1956 Hungarian Revolution Tour. See the Parliament Building still bearing bullet holes from the Soviet intervention. Also, visit the “House of Terror,” a feared location of the Hungarian secret police. Tonight enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner. Afterwards, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. Meals B,L,D

This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to the Sankt Stephan Park where you can visit the statues of Raoul Wellenberg and Gabor Sztehlo, both credited with saving thousands of Hungarian Jews during WWII. Afterwards, visit the Jewish District where you will have a walking tour with highlights such as the Dohany St. Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Tree of Life. Or join the Budapest city tour. This morning excursion includes sightseeing in Buda & Pest. From historic Buda Castle, enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square, and much more. In the afternoon join our optional 1956 Hungarian Revolution Tour. See the Parliament Building still bearing bullet holes from the Soviet intervention. Also, visit the “House of Terror,” a feared location of the Hungarian secret police. Tonight enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner. Afterwards, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. Meals B,L,D