2007 Danube River Cruise

2007 DANUBE RIVER CRUISE

Ship:	Viking Europe
Departure Date:	October 14, 2007
Return Date:	October 21, 2007
Number of Days:	8
Port of Departure:	Budapest, Hungary
Port of Debarkation:	Nuremburg, Germany
Clientele:	Men & Women Welcome

*** 2-FOR-1 PRICING! ***
Our 2007 Danube River Cruise for gay & lesbian travelers is just under 2 months away now and this is your LAST CHANCE to take advantage of a significant price reduction on this deluxe cruise...

2-FOR-1 PRICING! That's right: 2 persons sharing a 'C' or 'D' cabin can travel for the price of 1!
'D' cabin: normally $2599 per person; now $2599 for 2 ($1299 per person)
'C' cabin: normally $2799 per person; now $2799 for 2 ($1399 per person)

Solo Travelers: Have your own cabin and pay NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT and take an ADDITIONAL 35% OFF -- That's a total savings of 60%!
'E' cabin: normally $2749; now $1099
'D' cabin: normally $3249; now $1299
'C' cabin: normally $3499; now $1399

Also, you can take advantage of 10% savings on the Budapest and Prague 3-night city extensions.
BUDAPEST: Oct 11-14. Was $649 per person; now $584 per person, double occupancy
PRAGUE: Oct 21-24. Was $749 per person; now $674 per person, double occupancy

You must book by September 4 to receive these fantastic discounts on the river cruise and city extensions. Please note that there are port taxes of $119 per person for all guests on board.

You're invited on an unforgettable journey along Europe's most legendary river - the beautiful Danube - as it winds from the captivating city of Budapest, along the Hungarian-Slovakian border, into imperial Vienna, through charming Austrian towns like Melk and Linz, and then into Germany, calling at Passau, the Danube Gorge, and finally Nuremburg. You'll enter a world of natural wonders, like the beautiful Wachau Valley, and engineering marvels, such as the Main-Danube Canal. You'll cruise through a world of hilltop castles, lush vineyards and gorgeous countryside. And you'll discover wonderful art, grand cathedrals and a rich cultural heritage along the way.

During your 7-night journey aboard the MS Viking Europe, you call on grand cities and quaint villages. Explore both sides of Hungary's capital, traditional "Buda" and modern "Pest", and see how the river divides the city from atop Fishermen's Bastion. Discover the imperial architecture and time-honored culture of Vienna, see hilltop castles, and tour riverside towns in Austria's UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley. And in Germany, you explore baroque abbeys, magnificent cathedrals and stroll narrow cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn the legends of this unique part of the world, and you'll understand why Strauss immortalized the romantic Danube in his famous Blue Danube waltz.

Your Ship
The Viking Europe was built to maximize scenery viewing. The interior features a clean, Scandinavian design, and the vessel's spacious observation lounge boasts plush seating and panoramic windows. Take in 360-degree views from the sun deck. Even the dining room has large picture windows so you can enjoy the countryside as you dine.

The cabins were designed with your comfort in mind. Your cabin rivals a fine hotel, complete with feather duvets, private bathroom and climate control. Many cabins feature hotel-style beds and large picture windows that open-unique features for river cruise ships. Unpack just once and settle in. The staff will make you feel right at home.

The ship has 74 total cabins: 11 standard cabins, 63 deluxe cabins. All outside cabins, featuring bathroom with shower, air conditioning, telephone, TV, hairdryer and safe. Amenities include restaurant, lounge and bar, library, sun deck, promenade deck, souvenir shop, laundry service, voltage 220V, 2 plugs and 115V (razor outlet).

ITINERARY

Day	Port
1	Budapest - Board your ship and free time Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital that is divided by the Danube River. After boarding your ship, you have free time to visit both sides, traditional "Buda" and more modern "Pest". Meals: D.
2	Budapest - Coach & walking tour Your morning tour begins with a motorcoach ride through the Pest side of the city. You ride along famous Andrássy Boulevard and see numerous 19th and 20th century mansions plus the National Opera House. You stop in Heroes' Square to learn more about Hungarian culture and history. Other noted sites are the renowned Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Cross the Danube to tour the Buda side with a visit to the Castle District. Walk up the hill to see Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church and catch brilliant views of the city below. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise along the Hungarian-Slovakian border for the remainder of the day. Meals: B, L, D.
3	Vienna - Coach & walking tour, free time (optional concert) Arrive in Vienna just after breakfast for your half-day city tour. Visit the baroque Belvedere Palace with beautiful gardens and wonderful art. Then ride along the beautiful Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater. You then visit St. Stephan's Cathedral. Return to the ship for lunch. The afternoon is yours to further explore this city on your own: you may go shopping along the Kärtnerstrasse or take an excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, home of Maria Theresa and the Hapsburgs' summer residence. Dinner is served aboard, and you may choose to complete your day in this "City of Waltzes" with an optional evening concert. Meals: B, L, D.
4	Melk - Abbey tour in Melk; Linz - Evening at leisure From near your docking location, you can see the imposing 900-year-old Benedictine abbey that sits on the hilltop and overlooks the picturesque town of Melk. You then join a guided tour through the ornate interior of this baroque gem of architecture. You see its wonderful frescoes and medieval manuscripts inside the large library. Rejoin your ship for lunch and an afternoon cruise along the Danube. Cruise through dinner and arrive this evening in Linz, a quaint town in the center of Austria's wineproducing region. Enjoy your evening at leisure with a stroll around town or sample some locally-produced wines. Meals: B, L, D.
5	Passau - Walking tour, organ concert, free time After an early scenic cruise, arrive mid-morning in Passau, situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town's narrow streets takes you through the old town and past traditional patrician houses. You see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you're treated to a special concert played on the 17,000- pipe organ, considered Europe's largest. Eat lunch aboard, but return to the city for further exploration on your own before an early evening departure and cruise through the night. Meals: B, L, D.
6	Regensburg & Kelheim After breakfast you meet your guide dockside for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. See one of the largest groupings of 13th and 14th century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. You also encounter the 12th century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter's Cathedral and a number of colorful squares. Take time to stroll the streets or shop before returning to your ship for lunch and afternoon cruising. Arrive mid-afternoon in Kelheim at the southernmost point of the Main-Danube Canal. From here, you embark on a ferryboat ride to explore the Danube Gorge's dramatic scenery and its spectacular 400-foot chalk cliffs. You then visit the renowned Weltenburg Abbey, which still echoes with age-old Gregorian chants. It's famous for its dark ale, brewed here by monks since 1050. An evening departure is followed by dinner aboard. Meals: B, L, D.
7	Main - Danube Canal & Nuremberg This morning, you sail through a number of locks that comprise the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube River. Begun as Charlemagne's dream in 793, it was completed in 1992 with 16 locks that raise the water to 1,332 feet. Today it enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Arrive just after lunch in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second largest city. Your motorcoach tour features the Zeppelin Grounds, Main Railway Station and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. You have a brief stop at the Court House before returning to the old town area enclosed by ancient city walls. You see Elizabeth and St. James Church, and your tour ends with a walk to the castle grounds, passing the Albrecht Dürer House and Main Market Square. Dinner is served aboard, but you have the rest of the evening to explore; your ship remains docked overnight. Meals: B, L, D.
8	Nuremberg Disembarkation after breakfast. Meals: B.

RATES

Category	Description	Rate (US$)	Availability
A	Deluxe cabin (154 sq ft) with 2 hotel-style beds and panoramic window that opens	$2,999
B	Deluxe cabin (154 sq ft) with 2 hotel-style beds and panoramic window that opens	$2,899
C	Deluxe cabin (154 sq ft) with 2 hotel-style beds and non-opening picture window	$2,799
D	Deluxe cabin (154 sq ft) with 2 hotel-style beds and non-opening picture window	$2,599
E	Standard cabin (120 sq ft) with 1 sofa bed, 1 pullman bed and half-height picture window	$2,199

Pricing is based on double occupancy of a cabin and is before any early sign-up discount is applied. If you are traveling solo and wish to share a cabin, we will do our best to assign you a cabin mate. A limited number of single-occupied cabins are available for solo travelers who wish to have their own cabin. The single supplement in this case is 25%. Not included: port charges of $119 per person; gratuities to ship personnel; beverages (except for coffee, tea, iced tea, water, and herbal teas, which are always available); transfers to/from ship for embarkation/disembarkation (these can be arranged as extra services); airfare; personal expenses.