Tour Type:River Cruise Tour Duration:10 Days (9 Nights) From:Cologne toPrague Tour Code:UNITPRM Operator:Uniworld
from AU $3,195 pp
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River Cruise Description
From the heartland of Germany along the Rhine and Main to the 'City of Spires,' Prague, you'll get an up-close look at the magnificent castles and gardens of European royalty - reminders of life lived on a grand scale. Get lost in the Medieval chivalric atmosphere of Nuremberg's Kaiserburg Castle, representative of the thousands of fortresses that dotted Germany's landscape in the Middle Ages. And experience Prague's, eclectic mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Glimpse into the life of present-day aristocracy during a private guided tour with a member of the Princely family through the magnificent Versailles-like Schloss Kleinheubach. Revel in the bucolic delights of expertly planned gardens including the Federal Horticultural show, the Pompeianum Italian Gardens, and the Hesperiden Gardens. And for those who'd like to share the gift of Europe with the special young people in their lives, we offer select, family-friendly sailings during the summer.
Included Features
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stylish newly-remodelled River Ambassador
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
Complimentary fine European wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks during dinner onboard; bottled water in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar during your cruise
7 shore excursions, fully hosted by Englishspeaking local guides
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions during your cruise
Use of bicycles during your cruise
Signature Lecture: “My Heart Belongs to My Garden”
Exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program
Exclusive Multigenerational Family- Friendly Program during summer months
Düsseldorf, transfer to Cologne
Arrive at Flughafen Düsseldorf International Airport where you will be transferred to the ship docked in Cologne. (D)
Day 2
Koblenz, cruising the romantic Rhine Featured Excursions: Koblenz walking tour and horticultural show at Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Begin your day with a walking tour of lovely Koblenz. You’ll wind your way through romantic narrow streets and historic squares, taking in Old Town and the 12th-century Church of Our Lady. Then you’ll take a breathtaking trip across the Rhine on an aerial cable car. Enjoy panoramic views as you’re whisked up to the venerable fortress of Ehrenbreitstein to take in a stunning bouquet of colours and fragrances at the Federal Horticultural Show. While sailing in the afternoon, be dazzled by the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine Valley as you cruise toward Mainz. (BB/L/Captain’s Welcome Gala)
Day 3
Aschaffenburg Featured Excursions: Aschaffenburg walking tour and Johannisburg Castle visit.
After a morning of scenic sailing along the Main River, your ship will dock in Aschaffenburg, sometimes called the “Bavarian Nice” for its mild climate and Mediterranean gardens. In the mid-19th century, King Ludwig I of Bavaria chose to build a residence in Aschaffenburg, and after your walking tour introduces you to the town’s many charms—including historic gardens and a lovely river walk—you will understand why. King Ludwig’s passion for the ancient world led him to build a perfect replica of a Roman house, the Pompejanum, next to Aschaffenburg’s Johannisburg Castle, one of Germany’s grandest Renaissance palace complexes. Explore the magnificent Mediterranean landscape surrounding the Pompejanum and castle, taking in the scent of pine, cedar, and fig trees, before heading back to your ship. (BB/L/D)
Day 4
Miltenberg Featured Excursions: Miltenberg walking tour and Schloss Kleinheubach reception.
Begin your day with a walking tour of Miltenberg, a Medieval gem known as the “Pearl of the Main River.” You will see 14thand 15th-century half-timbered houses that seem lifted straight out of the pages of a German fairytale. Then it’s on to Schloss Kleinheubach, a magnificent Versailles-like castle with exquisite grounds built in the early 18th century. You will take a private guided tour of the estate with a member of the Princely family and indulge in a reception featuring wine from the house of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. In the afternoon, enjoy scenic sailing along the Main. (BB/L/D)
Day 5
Würzburg Featured Excursions: Würzburg Residenz visit and wine tasting.
Würzburg Residenz is an immaculate example of Baroque architecture and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built and decorated in the 18th century by an international team of architects, sculptors, stucco-workers, and painters, this grand palace features the largest ceiling fresco in the world and some of the most expansive and beautiful gardens in Europe. Your unforgettable tour of the estate will be capped off by a private tasting of fabulous Franconian wines in the historic Residenz cellars. (BB/L/D)
Day 6
Hassfurt (Bamberg) Featured Excursion: Bamberg city tour.
Spend the morning on the peaceful Main before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg. Bamberg has one of Europe’s largest intact Old Town centres. Your tour takes you past the Imperial Cathedral; Town Hall; and “Little Venice,” an area of colourful 19th-century fishermen’s houses. You will also spend time at the four-winged New Residence, the ornate former home of Bamberg’s prince-bishops. You will get a spectacular panoramic view of Bamberg from the Residence’s lovely rose gardens. (BB/L/D)
Day 7
Nuremberg Featured Excursions: Choice of Nuremberg city tour and Hesperides Gardens visit OR WWII historical tour with Documentation Center visit.
After a scenic morning cruise along the Main-Danube Canal, your panoramic tour of Nuremberg—an archetypal Medieval German city encircled by defensive walls and red-roofed buildings—will introduce you to the city’s long and storied history. Birthplace of Albrecht Dürer and famous for its pocket watches, Nuremberg was also home to the astounding post-WWII War Crimes Trials. After your city tour, during which you’ll take in Kaiserburg Castle and the famous town wall with its towers, you will visit Nuremberg’s historic Hesperides Gardens, which boast Italian-style planting. From the tranquil gardens, you will move on to equally peaceful St. John’s Cemetery, one of Europe’s most famous cemeteries, which is known for the opulent flower arrangements adorning its graves. Or turn back the pages of history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the actual site of the Nazi party rallies, with its permanent exhibition “Fascination and Terror.” You’ll also visit the newly opened Nuremberg Trials Memoriam, including Courtroom 600, venue of the Nuremberg Trials that were so instrumental in forging our current ideals of international criminal law. Note: Courtroom 600 is an active court. Visitors will only be permitted to see the courtroom during trial breaks. (BB/L/Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
Day 8
Nuremberg, transfer to Prague
Disembark from the ship and transfer via motorcoach to Prague. (BB)
Day 9
Prague Featured Excursion:Prague city tour Beauty and drama abound in the “City of Spires.”
A mixture of architectural styles from Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque and Art Nouveau make up this fairytale city. You will be taken on a panoramic city tour passing such places as the State Opera House, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, and the avant-garde Frank Gehry- and Vlado Milunicdesigned Dancing House, before finishing up in Old Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive will conclude at stunning Prague Castle. (BB)
Day 10
Depart Prague
Transfer to Prague airport for your flight home. (CB or BB)
This itinerary is based on 2012 departures. Click on the icon if you would like to view an electronic version of the brochure online. There may be some amendments to this itinerary on 2013 departures. To view the preview 2013 brochure click here.
River Cruise Prices
Cruise prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.
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Subject to availability at the time of booking.
Note:
All departures above are guaranteed to depart. Single prices available, please request.
We will check the availability of your departure in your quote along with all applicable cruise specials.
The prices on our site are land only prices. If you would like to include flights with your quote, then we have some amazing specials for you to take advantage of!
Flight specials only apply for clients booking this tour from Global Journeys. Terms & Conditions apply and full details will be provided in your quote.
General Information
The information below relates to this itinerary only.
Cruise Operator: Uniworld
Uniworld presents an unrivalled river cruise program with unique itineraries and superb five-star inclusions. Travel onboard intimate, luxurious ships with a maximum of 134 guests - fewer guests than any other river cruise company in Europe. With one highly trained staff member for every three guests and expert onboard hotel management, Uniworld are able to deliver a guest satisfaction rate of 98%.
We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on Uniworld including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well fleet information, deck plans, and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their cruises. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
It does not matter which direction you choose, as each direction contains the same included features. Timings of activities may, of course, vary a little due to cruising times up- or downstream, but you will not see or do more in one direction than in the other.
During the day, comfortable, casual attire is appropriate. The weather in Europe can be very changeable, so take a sweater or windproof jacket and an umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended for excursions. Evenings are a little dressier. Gentlemen may wish to wear a jacket to the Captain's dinner. You'll find average temperatures listed on each of the cruises on our website.
Our ships accommodate between 100 and 138 guests. They are generally 360 feet long (110 meters), and 37.5 feet wide (11.4 meters). The draft is approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters). There are typically 34 crew members aboard. We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information each ship. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience. The River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess offer guests the convenience of checking and sending e-mails. On the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess, each guest is provided with a terry cloth robe in their cabin. Our ships have one of the largest fitness centres aboard any river cruise ship. There is also a sauna and a steam room on the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess.
Sumptuous buffets at breakfast and lunch offer an extensive array of hot and cold selections. Breakfast features crispy Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and warm maple syrup, a dozen or more homemade breads and jams, an omelette station, and hand-cut seasonal fresh fruit.
Lunch offers a delectable feast with salads, soups, carved-to-order roasts, and more. Evenings provide exquisite ambience with relaxed open seating. Each dish is flawlessly prepared using the finest ingredients—local meats and seafood along with tasty side dishes. Always included with dinner onboard are European fine wines and a selection of beer and soft drinks served by an attentive, caring staff. Of course, every meal concludes with a wide range of freshly prepared, decadent desserts that look every bit as delicious as they taste.
Uniworld also provides a variety of dining experiences including: al fresco “under the stars” and light-lunch dining—both on the sun deck; Captain's Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinner; early-riser breakfast; and afternoon tea. Plus, Uniworld gives you the choice of dining on lighter cuisine with our Traveling Lite menu.
The ships are not handicapped or wheelchair accessible. There are elevators on the River Princess, River Queen, River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. On the River Queen, the elevator does not reach all decks. Additionally, most shore excursions involve some walking. Some excursions are walking cruises only, and several occur on cobblestone streets.
Tips & gratuities including the customary end-of-trip gratuity/tip for the cruise/tour manager, crew onboard and local guides for the included shore excursions are included in the price of your trip (excluding Optional Excursions). Europe & Russia cruises only.
Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience.
On other ships all purchases and paid services on board
are billed with a guest check and added to your shipboard account.
At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total, which can be paid
with cash or credit card. The ships do not accept payments made
by Diners Club cards. The onboard currency is the Euro. View individual ships here.
It depends; in many places you will dock within walking distance to the city center, but there are places where the river only touches the outskirts of a town (i.e. Bamberg or Nuremberg), and thus a motorcoach transfer is necessary.
Arrival & Departure Information
Transfers
Transfers to/from airports will be provided only for flights arriving/departing on the start/finish day of the cruise (and for extensions/extra nights). There may be a waiting period of up to 2 hours or more unless private car transfers have been purchased. The following time limits apply:
Arrival
Departure
Europe
7am - 3pm
7am - 5pm
Extensions
24 hours
24 hours
Extra Nights
24 hours
24 hours
Passenger flight details must be given to Global Journeys 45 days prior to departure. If your flight arrangements arrive/depart outside of the above you may purchase a private car transfer from Uniworld or make your own transfer arrangements. Uniworld will not be responsible for late arrivals or missed transfers due to delayed or cancelled flights, for missed cruise/trip days or for extra costs resulting from the foregoing.
Boarding Time
On turnaround day, the entire ship must be cleaned in preparation for your arrival. The facilities of the ship, including your cabin, will not be available before 4pm. We appreciate your understanding on this matter. Should you arrive early, you may leave your bags in the Reception area and take a walk into the city, or relax in the lounge.
Terms & Conditions:
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