The Great Rivers of Europe - President's River Cruise (2012)

Austria: Vienna, Linz • Germany: Regensburg, Kelheim, Nuremburg, Bamberg, Wertheim, Heidelberg, Mainz, Koblenz, Cologne • Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  • 15 days
  • from only:
  • $2695
  • $180 per day
    River Cruise Only
  • 16 days
  • from only:
  • $3895
  • $244 per dayIncludes international airfare and government taxes
IN THIS SECTION:
Detailed Itinerary
President's Cruise Special Events
It's Included
Hotel & Ship Accomodations
Trip Extensions
Vienna, Austria
Prague, Czech Republic
Brussels & Bruges, Belgium
Optional Tours
Know Before You Go
Your Travel Handbook
Air Information
LearnMore
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Customize your trip

Learn how to customize your River Cruise, or view standard air routing and travel times. The choice is yours with our True Choice program.

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Customize your trip

With our True Choice Program, you can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two vacations to maximize your value. Here are more ways to create the Grand Circle Cruise Line River Cruise that’s right for you:

  • Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer
  • Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available
  • International airport transfers to and from your ship or hotel are available for purchase
  • Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip
  • Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your vacation
  • Choose to “break away” before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own
  • Extend your vacation with our optional pre- and post-trip extensions
  • Combine your choice of Grand Circle Cruise Line vacations to maximize your value
  • Upgrade to business or premium economy class

The air options listed above will involve an additional fee of $100 per person for confirmed requests (as well as incremental airfare costs based on your specific choice). This service fee will be waived for Inner Circle/Sir Edmund Hillary Club members.

Or, when you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing, for which approximate travel times are shown below.

(Vienna)

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington, DC (Dulles)

13hrs

Boston, Chicago, New York (JFK)

12hrs

Dallas, Los Angeles, San FranciscO

15hrs

Denver

20hrs

Houston, Miami

14hrs

Minneapolis, Portland, OR

16hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Vienna, Austria. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

(Amsterdam)

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington, DC (Dulles)

13hrs

Atlanta, Miami, Minneapolis

9hrs

Boston, Houston

10hrs

Chicago, Dallas, Denver

13hrs

Detroit

8hrs

Los Angeles, Newark, New York (JFK), Portland, OR, San Francisco, Washington, DC (Dulles)

11hrs

Philadelphia

12hrs

San Diego

14hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

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Pre-Trip: Vienna, Austria

3 nights from only $595
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Join us on an optional pre-trip extension as we explore Vienna, a magnificent Old World city that retains the grace and charm that has for centuries helped it stand out even in the dazzling company of other great European cities. This is a city of museums and music, art and architecture, and famous people from a storied past. Walk the streets where Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Freud strolled about on their daily business. Once the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna came to symbolize the splendor of an age. Today the visitor to Vienna can recapture some of that feeling while wandering among the city’s Baroque palaces and other stunning architecture. Vienna is a feast for the senses that you will not soon forget.

Single Supplement: FREE.

It's Included

  • Accommodations: for 3 nights at the Superior First-Class Arcotel Kaiserwasser Hotel or similar
  • Transportation: complimentary public transportation pass
  • 3 meals: 3 breakfasts
  • Included tour: Vienna
  • Exclusive services of a resident Grand Circle Program Director
  • All transfers

Optional Tours

Fling in Grinzing ($80 per person); Musical Vienna ($85 per person); Best of Vienna ($80 per person)

Day 1
Depart U.S.

Depart the U.S. today on your flight for Vienna.
Day 2
Arrive Vienna, Austria

Arrive the following day in Vienna. A Grand Circle representative meets you at the airport and helps you transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time and hotel check-in policy, you may not be able to check into your hotel room immediately upon arrival at your hotel. Your Program Director will advise you of our check-in status and activity schedule for the day when you arrive.

Enjoy a brief walk with your Program Director to get acquainted with the area around your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your overseas flight, or venture out on your own explorations.

Join your Program Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink and Orientation Briefing before enjoying dinner on your own this evening. Your Program Director will have many suggestions for you as you select a restaurant in this extraordinary city.
Day 3
Vienna/City tour/Optional Fling in Grinzing dinner

After breakfast you’ll enjoy a bus and walking tour of Vienna, including the Ringstrasse, probably the greatest achievement of the Emperor Franz Joseph. In 1857, the Emperor ordered the demolition of the ancient city walls, which were no longer needed as fortifications, and which were impeding the growth of the city. In their place, was constructed an elegant, 2.5-mile-long boulevard, encircling the Innere Stadt. The Neoclassical buildings along the Ringstrasse bring together the greatest architectural styles in an exuberant celebration of all that seemed possible during the Industrial Revolution.

You then walk to a typical Viennese coffeehouse and stop in for coffee and cake. Our stroll continues along the city sidewalks, passing by the well-known Hofburg Spanish Riding School.

Vienna has served as home and inspiration to some of the world’s greatest artists, thinkers, and musicians. You’ll see statues of Strauss, Mozart, Beethoven, and Mahler throughout the city, and see how music is an integral part of Viennese life. The numerous performances of the Vienna State Opera House are the constant talk of the town, and its performers are treated like celebrities. The strains of waltz music emanate from the many cafes, and the entertainment moves outdoors to the sidewalks in good weather.

You return to the hotel in time for lunch on your own. The balance of the day is free to relax or do some more exploring on your own. You might consider a tour in a horse-drawn Fiaker (carriage), a leisurely way to view the city.

You have the evening free to spend as you wish and to seek out an interesting spot for dinner on your own.

Or, join us this evening on an optional outing for dinner with local vintages in the Grinzing wine district at an authentic Heurigen restaurant. The Emperor Joseph II passed a law stating that small local winemakers were allowed to serve their vintages and food to members of the public so long as they sold only wine of their own making. Many people then opened the gardens of their homes and small estates, and visiting one of these establishments became a traditional outing for the city dwellers. It’s a rich tradition that is maintained today.

Day 4
Explore Vienna/Optional Musical Vienna performance

Make use of your Vienna Card transit pass to explore on your own today.

Maybe you'll visit the gardens of Maria Theresia’s Schoenbrunn Palace, or you may want to browse through one of the city’s many museums. Perhaps you’ll enjoy a visit to the famous Spanish Riding School, known as much for its architecture as for the renowned Lippizanner horses.

This evening, relax in the hotel after dinner on your own.

Or, you may want to enjoy an unforgettable optional Musical Vienna excursion to one of Vienna’s famed concert halls. You’ll hear enchanting performances of some of the most wonderful melodies of classical Austrian music by professional singers.

Relax in the hotel after dinner on your own.
Day 5
Vienna/Optional Best of Vienna tour

You have a morning of leisure to further sample the delights of Vienna. Or, get to know three completely different faces of Vienna with our Best of Vienna optional tour this morning.

Begin by visiting the world-famous Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), built by the Emperor Franz Joseph and inaugurated in 1869 with a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. The building was almost completely destroyed in the 1945 bombings but was rebuilt and presented its second opening in 1955 with Beethoven’s Fidelio. The new, ornate Opera House follows the traditional Neoclassicism of the original structure, and has been the showplace of choice for world-renowned performers such as Maria Callas, Jose Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jessie Norman. Then see another side of Vienna with a stop at the Hundertwasserhaus, an expressionist landmark and cutting-edge example of Vienna's 21st-century architecture. Please note: When the Vienna State Opera is not available, a visit to another musical venue will be included.

Your tour ends with a traditional stop at famous Prater Park. This old-fashioned amusement park was given to the Austrian people by the Emperor Franz-Joseph as a place to have fun. You’ll enjoy a thrilling ride on the Riesenrad, the park’s giant Ferris wheel. Built in 1897, it is one of the oldest and largest in the world, and became internationally recognized after the famous ride of Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton in the film, The Third Man.

Before lunch, you are transferred to the pier to embark your waiting cruise ship. You now join the travelers on your Great Rivers of Europe River Cruise.