Imperial Cities with Oberammergau Alternative

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Ask your agent for details today! Click here for terms and conditions.Great sightseeing, traditional entertainment and fabulous cultural elements define an amazing tour of the Imperial cities of Central Europe. Learn the unique history of the Hungarian horsemen as they put on a spectacular horse show. A city tour of Budapest features the Mathias Church, where many kings have had their coronations. Travel back in time with a visit to a 14th century castle, where knights with colorful costumes and authentic weaponry recreate the days of chivalry. In the grand city of Vienna, the baroque marvels of Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty, are revealed. “Waltz” across the breathtaking Danube and travel through the historic Wachau Valley during your scenic Danube River cruise. See Prague’s Hradcany Castle and its famous Golden Lane and spend an overnight in lovely Innsbruck. Your tour concludes with a memorable and moving performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play; the origins of this historic event date back to 1634.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Great sightseeing, traditional entertainment and fabulous cultural elements await you on your amazing tour of the Imperial cities of Central Europe. Your cultural experience of a lifetime begins with an overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2: Arrive Budapest, Hungary
You arrive in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube," and truly one of the world's most beautiful cities. Buda, decidedly more rugged in terrain, sits on one side of the river, and Pest is on the gentler opposite bank. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Budapest - Szentendre - Visegrad - Budapest
An informative city tour features the Mathias Church, site of many coronations of kings. You also visit the Fishermen’s Bastion with its white walls, towers and arcades for spectacular views. Continue to historic Old Buda and Gellert Hill, followed by the Parliament. At Heroes Square, admire the imposing Millennium Monument, completed in 1904, which memorializes the 1,000th anniversary of Hungarian dominion. Later, visit the beautiful baroque town of Szentendre and travel to the former Renaissance capital of Visegrad to enjoy a magnificent view of the Danube Bend and the Borzsony Mountains. Travel back in time with a visit to a 14th-century castle where knights with colorful costumes and authentic weaponry recreate the days of chivalry. This evening, enjoy a special Renaissance-style dinner and re-enact the days of medieval times. Complete with wine and music, this evening is sure to delight.

Day 4: Budapest - Domonyvolgy (Horse Show) - Grinzing - Vienna, Austria
Travel to the picturesque Hungarian countryside, called the "Puszta," and visit a typical horse farm in this land which some say is "flat as water." Learn the unique culture and history of the Csikos, or Hungarian horsemen, whose equestrian lineage reaches back 1,000 years. Watch in amazement as they put on a spectacular horse show for your pleasure. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional Hungarian feast, including goulash soup, in a typical setting against a backdrop of wonderful gypsy music. Your journey then takes you to the grand city of Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Tonight, enjoy a memorable evening with entertainment in the picturesque wine-making village of Grinzing.

Day 5: Vienna
A city tour of Vienna features the baroque marvels of Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. In the city center, see the gothic St. Stephan’s Cathedral and behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks and spires that fill the city.

Day 6: Vienna - Danube River - Melk - Prague, Czech Republic
Travel along the banks of the Danube to the medieval town of Durnstein where you board your boat for a scenic Danube River cruise. "Waltz" across one of the most breathtaking bodies of water in the world, immortalized by Strauss, and travel through the historic Wachau Valley. Later, visit the 11th-century Melk Abbey, famous for its production and collection of manuscripts. A scenic ride through the countryside takes you to Prague, variously called the "Golden City" or "The City of 100 Spires."

Day 7: Prague
This morning enjoy a panoramic tour as you drive through the city to the amazing Hradcany Castle. Today is at leisure to independently explore the city, shop for famous Bohemian crystal, or visit one of the city’s many outstanding museums, such as the Lapidarium, home of stone sculptures dating from the 11th-century to the present.

Day 8: Prague - Oberammergau Region, Germany
This morning you depart for the beautiful Bavarian village of Oberammergau. Upon arrival, the balance of your day is at leisure to explore the many wonderful shops throughout the village.

Day 9: Oberammergau Region, Germany
Your morning is at leisure. This afternoon, witness a performance of the Passion Play. The original performance dates back to 1634. During the Thirty Year War, the village of Oberammergau was spared the Black Plague and for this reason, the villagers vowed that every ten years they would give a play to honor the life of Christ. The performers are native Oberammergauers. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast start to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance. Also, the intricate costumes are made locally by the villagers. During the break of the performance, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip.

Day 10: Oberammergau Region - Tour Ends

Don't miss our current specials: Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe Check out these last minute SAVINGS provided by our airline partners who have offered special pricing for specific tours and dates only. As a result, we're delighted to offer you FREE or reduced companion air on select tours. See list of tours for details on our last minute offer applied to that specific tour when you make your air-inclusive booking. Some restrictions may apply, please call 800-942-3301 for details. Italian Vistas This 13 day trip has everything you've always wanted in a trip to Italy. Enjoy multiple night stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi coast and Stresa in the Lakes District. Discover the treasures of Classical and Christian Rome. Walk in the footsteps on the ancients in Pompeii. See the gems of the Renaissance in Florence's Academy Gallery, including Michelangelo's David. Visit Lugano, Switzerland, and cruise to Isola Bella, one of the scenic Borromean Islands. Reflections of Italy Revel in the magic of Italy on this 10-day tour that explores the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Perugia. Travel the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside, exploring medieval hill towns and visiting the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi. Discover the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence and see hot glass transformed into exquisite art on Murano Island. Linger in Venice for two nights before ending your journey in the lovely Italian Lake region. Cross the border and explore the Swiss resort town of Lugano. Spain's Classics Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives. Explore the priceless treasures in Madrid’s Prado Museum. Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra palace, resplendent with Moorish regal flair. See Columbus’ tomb. Feel the passion of the Flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville. Explore Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba and Toledo. Travel the Sierra Nevada Canada's Winter Wonderland Immerse yourself in the ultimate winter wonderland — the Canadian Rockies. Hop aboard VIA Rail Canada's Snow Train Express and head for Jasper with spectacular views. Travel across the Icefields Parkway with breathtaking scenery. Relax at three Fairmont properties: Jasper Park Lodge, Château Lake Louise, and the Banff Springs Resort, each magically decorated for the holiday. Enjoy a cooking demonstration, kitchen tour and learn how to make your own holiday pastries FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/9/2010 - 9/18/2010	$2,999
9/16/2010 - 9/25/2010	$3,299
9/20/2010 - 9/29/2010	$2,999
9/24/2010 - 10/3/2010	$3,299
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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