Tour: RSE - 2012 (RSE) - 2012 / 2013

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Itinerary

DAY 1Arrive in Munich, Germany

Time to rest or to start exploring the Bavarian capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)

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DAY 2Munich–Prague, Czech Republic

An orientation tour of Germany’s “Secret Capital” features the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, and MARIENPLATZ in the historic heart of the city. Later, head for the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and travel to Prague, the “Golden City.” This evening, why not join an optional outing to explore Prague by night? (Breakfast, Dinner)

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic

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DAY 3Prague

Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive capitals. Visit the HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS. Also see St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings

Prague located on the lovely River Vltava

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DAY 4Prague–Bratislava, Slovakia–Budapest, Hungary

Into Moravia, where Napoleon established his headquarters during the Battle of Austerlitz. Around lunchtime, reach Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Afterwards, follow the course of the Danube River to Budapest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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Budapest

"A few hours in Hungary’s culturally-rich capital, and you’ll understand how it came to be known as the “Paris of the East.” A day or two of soaking in Budapest’s complex history, intricate artwork and ornate architecture, and you’ll be ready for a relaxing evening with the Danube’s calm waters as your backdrop. If your plans leave you with a bit of daylight, take time for a stroll around picturesque Margaret Island, Budapest’s answer to Central Park. Then head to dine and wine on one of the many first class restaurants tucked away in ships docked along the shores of the Danube. As the sunlight begins to fade, set your sights on the medieval Fisherman’s Bastion for an awe-inspiring view of the city. Budapest’s bridges and historic buildings, adorned with sparkling lights, create a breathtaking reflection in the river’s still waters."

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DAY 5Budapest

Your Local Guide takes you through Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. See elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world’s second-largest Jewish synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then, visit the 13th-century MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes’ Square. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner can be arranged. (Breakfast)

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DAY 6Budapest–Vienna, Austria

This morning, drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing with vistas of Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then, drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. An optional excursion to the wine village of Grinzing is available. (Breakfast)

View the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

The Museum of Natural History in Vienna is one of the important museums of the world

The Belvedere gardens in Vienna, Austria

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DAY 7At Leisure in Vienna

A whole day at leisure gives you the opportunity to join exciting optional excursions, such as the Vienna Woods, historic Schönbrunn Palace, a concert, or just explore this magnificent city on your own. (Breakfast)

Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire

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DAY 8Vienna–Salzburg

A scenic day! Enjoy a leisurely DANUBE CRUISE (March 30-October 5 departures) along the most scenic section of the river. No landscape is more typically Austrian than the Sound of Music lakeland of the Salzkammergut on your way to Salzburg. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is the largest fully preserved fortress in Europe

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DAY 9Salzburg–Munich, Germany

A pleasant stroll with a Local Guide takes you through the historical center. Admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, the monumental Domplatz and Mozart’s birthplace in the charming Getreidegasse. Taste a traditional local specialty, a chocolate Mozart Kugel, before returning to Munich. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner and, as a finale to this exciting vacation, you may want to sample a stein of beer at the famous Hofbräuhaus. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Shop along the cobbled Getreidegasse Street in downtown Salzburg

The Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg are considered to be one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens of Europe

"Munich, Germany's Secret Capital"

"Munich is the only German metropolis that seems to have everything – wealth, beauty, prominence, fame. Some even call it Germany’s “secret capital.” Unlike Berlin, which some dub “architecturally challenged,” Munich bursts with historical buildings reconstructed after the devastation of World War II. Its grand Residenz, the former home of Bavarian kings, dominates the city center, which also boasts the flamboyant, gilded Cuvillié Theater. Nearby, the neo-gothic Neues Rathaus gives a medieval touch to the Marienplatz, the heart of Munich. "

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DAY 10Munich–Berlin

You will be transferred by high-speed TRAIN to Berlin, arriving early afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast)

Berlin is the capital of Germany and also its largest city

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin serves as a symbol of peace and reunification of the city

The Reichstag building is a historical building in Berlin, Germany that was built in 1894

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DAY 11Berlin

Morning guided sightseeing features the restored Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, and a picture stop at BRANDENBURG GATE and the Holocaust Memorial. (Breakfast)

The Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate and a main symbol of Berlin

Checkpoint Charlie

"It’s just a white shed and a stack of sandbags filled with concrete, a replica of Checkpoint Charlie. Visitors to this traffic island on Friedrichstrasse pose from two directions – west and east – because they’re standing on the old symbolic border of the two Berlins. Checkpoint Charlie was for diplomats, Allied military and foreign tourists wanting to get into East Berlin, and that’s the source of its mystique. Today’s Cold War buffs have to be content with photos by the 1960s-era replica shed, a browse through the private collections of the nearby Haus am Checkpoint Charlie – and maybe a visit to the Allied Museum in Berlin’s Zehlendorf district, where the original Checkpoint Charlie building is on display. The huge portrait photographs over Checkpoint Charlie of two soldiers – one American, one Soviet – symbolize the Big Brother military presence of Cold War Berlin."

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DAY 12Berlin

Full day at leisure. Ask your Local Host for suggestions. (Breakfast)

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DAY 13Berlin

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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DATES & PRICES