Discover Europe in 2012
Features: PRAGUE, BUDAPEST plus 14 night Danube and Rhine Cruise, Budapest to AMSTERDAM plus PARIS and LONDON
Optional extension on the "Queen Mary 2" to New York

27 days/23 nights accommodated

Departs:

2012: 13 June, 11 July, 8 August, 5 September, 3 October, 31 October.

Please Note:
(1) This tour will operate for a minimum of 2 passengers. You will be in the care of Viking Cruises from arrival Prague to departure from Amsterdam, and our local agents in Paris and London. Escorted from Auckland subject to minimum of 10 travelling. Best chance of an escort 13 June departure.

(2) Arrangements around the cruise are flexible. Fly direct into Budapest for 2 weeks cruising and directly home from Amsterdam (or cruise upstream)from just $9,990, extend your stay in Paris or London, or whatever you wish. tell us what you would like to do and we will prepare an itinerary and quote for you. THESE CRUISES ARE EXTREMELY POPULAR AND EARLY RESERVATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL.

Day 1. Wednesday. AUCKLAND DEPART.
Depart Auckland today.

Day 2. Thursday. ARRIVE PRAGUE (BD)
Arrive Prague and transfer to the Hilton Prague Hotel or similar.

Day 3. Friday. PRAGUE. (BD)
Our morning sightseeing includes a walking tour of the old town including a visit to the 1,000 year old Hradcany castle, St Vitus and Golden Lane, the Jewish quarter, 15th century astronomical clock and Market Square. The afternoon is free to relax and explore as you wish.

Day 4. Saturday. PRAGUE (BD)
Free day to relax and explore this beautiful and historic city at your leisure. Many optional tours are available to explore the surrounding countryside. Your escort will have some suggestions or just relax and enjoy one of Europe's most beautiful and interesting cities.

Day 5. Sunday. PRAGUE - BUDAPEST (BD)
We travel to Budapest, capital of Hungary straddling the Danube River to board our new luxury cruise ship "Viking Freya", home for the next 14 nights. You will have time to explore and enjoy the city this evening.

Day 6. Monday. BUDAPEST DEPART (BLD)
We disembark after breakfast for our tour of "Buda" and "Pest" including the National Opera House and Heroes Square, Fishermens Bastion and Matthias Church. Lunch is served on board and the afternoon is free to explore at your leisure. Optional tours are available. Sail this evening and our dinner will feature the cuisine of Hungary.

Day 7. Tuesday. BRATISLAVA (BLD)
Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising along the Danube River and become aquainted with the facilities of your ship. After lunch enjoy a walking tour of Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. See the medieval fortifications at Michael's Tower, the baroque Trinity Church and Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, and neoclassical Archbishops Palace. You will also have some free time to wander as you wish before returning to the ship for dinner and continue your cruise.

Day 8. Wednesday. VIENNA. (BLD)
After breakfast we set off to explore Austria's capital beginning with a drive along the Ringstrasse, lined with imposing Palaces and grand residences. Tour the baroque Belvedere Palace and see Vienna's world famous Opera House, Town Hall, St Stephans Cathedral, and Hofburg Palace. The afternoon is free to explore at your leisure or maybe take an optional tour of the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace. After dinner on board you have the option of a classical concert.

Day 9. Thursday. MELK. (BLD)
During the morning we cruise through the Wachau Valley, heart of Austria's wine country. We berth in Melk and take a tour of the 900 year old Benedictine abbey which features Austria's finest Italian baroque architecture and offers spectacular views of the Danube. Enjoy the interior highlights including the imperial rooms and ceiling frescoes. Reboard the ship for dinner.

Day 10. Friday. PASSAU. (BLD)
Late morning we arrive in the beautiful city of Passau with its cobblestone streets and graceful arcades. Our walking tour this morning will take us through the old town's narrow alleyways and see the hilltop Oberhaus fortress towering from the hill above. At St Stephen's Cathedral, home of Europe's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes we listen to a special organ concert before rejoining our ship.

Day 11. Saturday. REGENSBURG. (BLD)
Around breakfast time we arrive in Regensburg, a wonderfully preserved medieval city. Our walking tour will show us the 13th and 14th century churches and many beautiful patrician houses as well as the Old Town Hall and 12th century stone bridge, Europe's oldest bridge. We have free time to wander and enjoy and maybe visit the 12th century St Peter's cathedral or Alte Wurstkuche.

Day 12. Sunday. NUREMBURG. (BLD
Late morning we arrive in Nuremburg. This afternoon we take a tour of this medieval city surrounded by 13th century walls. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field and see the Palace of Justice, site of the WW2 Nuremburg trials. Later we visit the imposing Imperial Castle and stroll through the Market Square. Time to shop and explore before dinner on board. There will be time go ashore again to sample the night life if you wish before sailing in the early hours of the morning.

Day 13. Monday. BAMBERG. (BLD)
Cruise this morning and we arrive Bamberg around lunchtime. Another walking tour this afternoon will show us one of Germany's most beautiful cities. See the beautiful architecture including the imposing 16th century Old Court and the New Residence. Sail late afternoon.

Day 14. Tuesday. WURZBURG AND ROTHENBURG. (BLD)
Disembark after breakfast in Wurzberg and tour the impressive Bishop's residence, one of Germany's largest and most ornate baroque palaces. Enjoy lunch on board or take an optional tour along Germany's "Romantic Road" to Rothenburg for a walking tour admiring the medieval half timbered houses. Rejoin your ship for dinner and an evening glass blowing demonstration.

Day 15. Wednesday. WERTHEIM. (BLD)
The beautiful city of Wertheim is situated at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. A highlight of our walking tour through the city will be a demonstration of the city's glassblowing tradition. Again there will be free time to wander as you will before returning to the ship and sailing.

Day 16. Thursday. MIDDLE RHINE AND KOBLENZ (BLD)
Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine. This stunning stretch of river is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the famous Lorelei Rock rising some 440 feet above the river.which marks the river's narrowest point . This afternoon stop to visit Marksburg, the only Rhine Castle never destroyed. Rejoin your ship in Koblenz and dine aboard.

Day 17. Friday. COLOGNE. (BLD)
Disembark for a guided tour of Cologne's magnificent Gothic cathedral and the old city. After free time return to the ship for dinner and departure.

Day 18. Saturday. KINDERDIJK (BLD)
Enjoy your final leisurely cruise this morning travelling along the waterways of Holland. Arrive Kinderdijk (a World Heritage Site) around lunch time. Tour this fascinating network of windmills and other ingenious flood management technologies. Return to your ship for a special farewell dinner.

Day 19. Sunday. AMSTERDAM. (B)
Arrive Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the Movenpick Hotel or similar. Enjoy a walking tour through Amsterdam and there is time for an optional cruise through the canals in a glass topped canal boat with breathtaking views of Amsterdam and visit of the Rijksmuseum to enjoy the famous paintings by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters.

Day 20. Monday. AMSTERDAM - PARIS (BD)
Make your own way to the rail station and travel south to Paris. Make your way to a nearby hotel. (If any departure is escorted from Auckland transfers will be provided at no extra charge).

Day 21. Tuesday. PARIS. (BD)
Our full day sightseeing includes the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dam Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and a cruise on the Seine.

Day 22. Wednesday. PARIS. (BD)
Free day to explore at your leisure.

Day 23. Thursday. PARIS - LONDON.
Make your way to the railway station and join "Eurostar" for the fast ride under the channel to London. Make your way to our hotel on arrival. (If any departure is escorted from Auckland transfers are provided for no extra cost)

Day 24. Friday. LONDON (BD)
Our full day tour includes all the main sights of London. Westminster, Hyde Park, St Pauls, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, a cruise on the Thames etc.

Day 25. Saturday. LONDON (BD)
The day is free to explore at your leisure. Optional day tour to Paris.

Day 26. Sunday. LONDON DEPART
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Day 28. Tuesday. AUCKLAND ARRIVE
Arrive Auckland this morning.

There are a huge number of options for exploring Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, etc. We recommend a cruise of the Baltic or Scandinavia.

Why not enjoy a cruise on the magnificent "QUEEN MARY 2' to New York and fly home from there or explore the USA and Canada. Why not enjoy a Caribbean cruise on the largest cruise ship in the world?

Tour cost per person based on category E cabins and subject to confirmation on booking.	2 per room	Single room
Full tour 28 days	$15,960	$19,900

Tour cost includes: (full tour)
Round trip economy class air fare and prepaid taxes, 11 nights accommodation at 4 star hotels and 14 nights aboard your cruise ship. Most meals as indicated by each day (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), arrival and departure transfers at each point in Britain and Europe, 14 night Viking cruise including all shore excursions - Sightseeing in Prague by air conditioned coach with local guides, services of escort subject to a minimum of 10 travelling.

Deposits and payments
Non refundable deposit due when reserving $2,000 per person
Balance due 2 months prior to departure

Discounts Available
Friendly Four - 4 people reserving and travelling together throughout 5%

SINGLES ACCEPTED AT SHARE RATES UP TO 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM NEW ZEALAND IF PREPARED TO SHARE