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The capital of and largest city in Germany, Berlin, is a study in contrasts. Its turbulent past gives way to a modern metropolis that is an artist's haven brimming with galleries and cultural institutions. This complex city houses many iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, its only surviving historical city gate, and the Reichstag Parliament Building. You'll have opportunities to explore Berlin's many notable sights and aesthetic sensibilities throughout your 3-night stay.
Your Price Includes:
Fly to Berlin
Fly overnight to Berlin, Germany, arriving on Day 2.
Uncover the best of Berlin
Welcome to Berlin! If you purchased your airfare through Vantage, upon arrival at the airport you will be met by a representative who will assist you with the transfer to your centrally-located hotel. After checking in, enjoy a Welcome Drink and Dinner.
Included meals:
See the sights of Berlin
Following breakfast this morning you’ll head out on a sightseeing tour of Berlin’s iconic landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall. You’ll see the Reichstag, the lower house of Germany's national legislature; and the Gendarmenmarkt, one of the most beautiful public squares in Europe and site of Berlin’s famed wintertime Christmas Market. You’ll also have time to walk through the Topography of Terror, a museum that serves as a solemn memorial and place of remembrance honoring victims of the Holocaust. Your tour will also include a quick stop at Museum Island, a museum complex on the northern part of Spree Island in the historic heart of Berlin. This UNESCO-listed structure is one of the most visited in Berlin and is recognized as one of the most important museum sites in Europe. You will have time to return here on your own this afternoon.
After your tour, you’ll have leisure time to explore Berlin, with lunch and dinner on your own. Your knowledgeable City Host can provide recommendations for dining and other activities while you are here.
Excursion to Potsdam and Sanssouci Palace
This morning you’ll enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting out on a half-day excursion to Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg. Your short walking tour will bring you to the 18th-century Dutch Quarter, also known as “Little Amsterdam” because of the 134 Dutch-style, red brick buildings found in this neighborhood. Today, craft shops, art galleries, antique dealers, museums, and cozy cafés make up this well-preserved and popular area in Potsdam’s historic city center. Your tour includes admission to Sanssouci Palace, a large 18th-century villa and one time summer residence of Prussian king Frederick the Great. At the conclusion of your tour, you’ll have some free time to explore on your own before returning to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to spend as you wish.
Please note: Sanssouci Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays. If today's programs falls on a Monday, we will visit the New Palace instead.
Transfer to your ship in Mainz
You’ll start today with breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to the Berlin Airport to board your flight to Frankfurt. Upon arrival, embark your river ship and join Day 2 of the base tour.
YOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Transfer to Berlin
Disembark your ship and head to the airport, where you board a flight to Berlin. Upon arrival, you will be met by a Vantage representative who will assist you with the transfer to your centrally-located hotel. After checking in, dinner is on your own tonight.
Potsdam walking tour and Sanssouci Palace
This morning you’ll enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting out on a half-day excursion to Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg. Your short walking tour will bring you to the 18th-century Dutch Quarter, also known as “Little Amsterdam” because of the 134 Dutch-style, red brick buildings found in this neighborhood. Today, craft shops, art galleries, antique dealers, museums, and cozy cafés make up this well-preserved and popular area in Potsdam’s historic city center. Your tour includes admission to Sanssouci Palace, a large 18th-century villa and one time summer residence of Prussian king Frederick the Great. At the conclusion of your tour, you’ll have some free time to explore on your own before returning to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to do as you wish. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Reception and Dinner at the hotel.
Fly home
Today you’ll transfer to the Berlin airport for your return flight home.
Make the most of your included airfare by adding another wonderful European country to your passport — three nights in magnificent Prague, an elegant, Old World capital of the Czech Republic, boasting many grand castles; and two nights in Bratislava, the delightful capital of Slovakia. In Prague, you'll enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Jewish Quarter. En route to Bratislava, you'll stop in Brno, Czech Republic for a stroll with your city host. Then, in the capital city of Bratislava, a Baroque city along the Danube River cruise portion of your journey, you'll be captivated by the many historic treasures on a walking tour. To conclude your journey, you'll stop in the village of Dunaalmas, Hungary for a community hosted lunch, where you can help prepare the meal with guidance from your friendly hosts.
Fly overnight to Prague, Czech Republic
Today you will depart home on an overnight flight to Prague.
Arrive Prague and relax
Today, you’ll land in Prague. If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a Vantage representative will meet you and arrange transfer to your hotel located in the heart of Prague. Settle in and relax, then perhaps you’ll join your City Host for an orientation walking tour in the neighborhood around your hotel. Then, meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Reception and Dinner at the hotel. Cultural Connection:
Prague's Old Town and Jewish Quarter
Your discovery of Prague begins with a walking tour featuring important sites like Kampa Park, the statue-studded Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square with its medieval Town Hall and famed Astronomical Clock. You have a choice of remaining here to explore on your own; or continuing with your City Host to the historic Josefov Jewish Quarter to see the Holocaust Memorial at the Pinkas Synagogue, and the Jewish cemetery which dates to the early 15th century. The area, of course, had a turbulent history, but throughout it all a rich culture thrived here. After lunch on your own, you can return on our coach to your hotel, or stay on to explore some more and enjoy dinner is on your own.
Please note: If this day's program falls on a Saturday, we will visit Prague Castle instead and visit the Jewish Quarter the following day.
Included Features:
Explore Prague Castle today
This morning, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Prague Castle. Now the official residence of the President of Czech Republic, it dates back to the 9th century. Following your tour, you'll have lunch on your own and the afternoon at leisure to explore as you wish, shop, or relax. Perhaps you’ll delve into Prague’s avant-garde side, admiring the ironic and bizarre sculptures of David Černý such as the upside down King Wenceslas in the Lucerna Palace, the giant crawling babies on the Zizkov Television Tower, or Sigmund Freud hanging off a building by a flagpole. You might peer into St. Vitus Cathedral, or the Alphonse Mucha Museum to admire some art nouveau treasures. Dinner tonight is on your own. Cultural Connection:
Visit Brno en route to Bratislava, Slovakia
Transfer from Prague to Bratislava, with a stop in the charming Moravian city of Brno where you will enjoy an orientation walk and lunch on your own. Continuing on to Bratislava, you’ll settle into your hotel and enjoy dinner on your own. Cultural Connection:
Explore Bratislava on a walking tour
Get to know Bratislava today during a wonderful walking tour led by expert local guide. Bratislava is quite compact so it will be easy to explore further on your own this afternoon. Included Feature:
Dunaalmás community-hosted lunch, embark ship
Today you’ll transfer from Bratislava to Budapest to embark ship and commence your cruise. But along the way you’ll stop in the small town of Dunaalmás for a community-hosted lunch and strudel-making demonstration. Cultural Connection:
Dunaalmás community-hosted lunch
Today you’ll transfer from Budapest to Bratislava. Along the way you’ll stop in the small town of Dunaalmás for a community-hosted lunch and strudel-making demonstration. You’ll reach Bratislava afterward and check into your hotel. Cultural Connection:
Visit Brno en route to Prague
Transfer from Bratislava to Prague, with a stop in the charming Moravian city of Brno where you will enjoy an orientation walk and lunch on your own. Continuing on to Prague, you’ll settle into your hotel and enjoy dinner on your own. Afterwards, you can try some of Prague’s famous beer during a pub crawl organized by your City Host. Cultural Connections:
This morning, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Prague Castle. Now the official residence of the President of Czech Republic, it dates back to the 9th century. Following your tour, you'll have lunch on your own and the afternoon at leisure to explore as you wish, shop, or relax. Perhaps you’ll delve into Prague’s avant-garde side, admiring the ironic and bizarre sculptures of David Černý such as the upside down King Wenceslas in the Lucerna palace, the giant crawling babies on the Zizkov Television Tower, or Sigmund Freud hanging off a building by a flagpole. You might peer into St. Vitus Cathedral, or the Alphonse Mucha Museum to admire some art nouveau treasures. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Briefing and Dinner at the hotel.
Included Feature:
Return home
Today you’ll fly home from Prague’s airport.
