Tour/Cruise priced from $3,799 to $4,448 (plus airfare).

In addition to being your host throughout the entire cruise, Burt will present the following special events:

1. An Introduction and Tasting of the Wines of the Region.
2. A Tasting of the Special Foods of the Region.
3. An Introduction to the History of European Architecture.
4. An Introduction to Pairing Food and Wine.
5. A Talk on How his Public Television Programs are Produced.

• Prior to the trip, Burt will send you detailed research reports on each of the cities and towns on the itinerary. These reports were prepared by Burt and cover the local art, architecture, food, shopping, museums, points of historic interest, nature, sports, entertainment and performing arts, and annual events. He will also include a DVD of one of his programs that relates to the tour. These reports will give you the information you need to fully appreciate each location. They will also give you some ideas for things you might like to do in your free time.
• Onboard, Burt will present an overview of the area and give a number of talks about the importance of the locations you will be visiting.
• Cruising through the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary is a perfect combination of cruising and touring with a pace you set yourself.
• Unlike ocean cruising, our river cruise often docks right in the city centers and the old towns. You can tour close to the ship or venture further into town.
• The ship’s entire interior is non-smoking and all announcements are in English.

With Burt as your host, the cruise will begin in Prague, Czech Republic and travel through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, ending in Budapest, Hungary. The cruise itinerary includes stops in Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk, and Vienna. The ship's English-speaking Captain, Cruise Director and crew are experienced professionals dedicated to your comfort.

Board overnight flight from the U.S. to Prague, Czech Republic.

Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. It straddles the Vltava River with a skyline of domes, cupolas, spires, and pinnacles. Prague’s best-known treasures are the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock; Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world with its St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge. Burt has filmed in Prague and he will supply you with detailed information on what to see, eat and buy. And he’ll be with you to answer any additional questions.

We’ll cross the German border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Nuremberg where the crew of our ship will welcome us onboard.

In the morning we’ll tour Nuremberg with Burt. The city is still associated with its handmade toys and the first pocket watches, called “Nuremberg Eggs,” that were made here in the sixteenth century. We’ll visit Kaiserburg, including the three castles that tower over the city and the churches that are located inside the city walls. Burt will guide us through the picturesque Hauptmarkt---famous for its gingerbread products.

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall, the white and gold Old Chapel and the Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. The city is a bustling university town and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers.

Located at the confluence of the Ilz and Danube Rivers, Passau is a city of arcades and cobblestone streets. Its Cathedral of St. Stephen’s houses the world's largest church organ with over 17,000 pipes. The day also offers two optional excursions --- one to the Austrian city of Salzburg, the other to Cesky Krumlov in Southern Bohemia.

We visit Melk's Benedictine Abbey -- one of the most magnificent structures in Europe and one of Europe’s largest monasteries. During the evening, we will arrive in Vienna, the capital of Austria---the city that inspired Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and some of the world’s finest pastry chefs.

For hundreds of years Vienna was the center of the Habsburg Empire. It is filled with magnificent art, architecture, music and excellent shopping. It is also the world epicenter for great coffee. Burt will give you his guide to coffee in Vienna and take you to his favorite café.

Vienna is also filled with outstanding museums. The Hofburg Museum holds the imperial jewels of the Habsburg dynasty. The Sisi Museum allows visitors to view the Imperial apartments and silver cabinet. Across from the Hofburg are museums which house paintings by old masters as well as ancient and classical artifacts.

The trip as outlined above contains all the elements that I consider essential. However, having taken the cruise before, I realized that there were a number of excursions that might prove interesting to some (but not all) of our passengers. I was reluctant to add the cost of these excursions to the general trip, but felt they should be offered to fellow passengers who might find the subjects inviting.

Moravia and Bohemia Folklore Concert
Dancers and musicians in traditional folk costumes present the folk music of the different regions of the Czech Republic.

The following excursions run at the same time so you must choose.

Unknown Prague
Our local expert will take us on an insider’s tour of Prague; interesting places where you would least expect to find them, virtually unknown streets with fascinating stores.

OR

Prague’s Jewish Heritage – The Important Jewish Sites in Prague’s History
Located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River, Prague's Jewish Quarter (known as Josefov) was once one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe, with a rich and varied history dating back to the 10th century. The circumstances leading to WW II and the country's post-war Communist regime did little to revive the hopes and religious rights (or indeed living standards) of those who survived, with many deciding to emigrate to the U.S., Western Europe or Israel. Today, with only 1,500 or so Orthodox Jews living in what remains of the traditional Jewish Quarter, it has once again become a thriving – and fascinating - part of Prague. Our local expert will take us on a tour to the Jewish Museum, the Jewish Cemetery and the Synagogues --- an insider’s view of Jewish Life in the past and today.

Weltenburg Abbey and the Danube Gorge
The Weltenburg Abbey is located on a peninsula directly beneath the cliffs of the Danube Gorge. It was founded by Irish and/or Scottish monks in 620 and is one of the oldest abbeys in Bavaria. The present Benedictine structure dates back to the 18th century when it was extensively rebuilt in the baroque style. And as Burt is quick to point out, the monks of the Weltenburg Abbey have been brewing beer since 1050, which makes it the oldest abbey brewery in the world---you owe yourself a glass.

Excursion to Salzburg
This is a full day tour to a city in which Burt has filmed on a number of occasions. It’s the birth-place of Mozart and the setting for the Sound of Music movie. It is also a charming small town with busy lanes, lined with interesting shops, and a coffee house with magnificent pastries, on a street with great views of the nearby river.

Excursion to Cesky Krumlov
Cesky Krumlov, located in Southern Bohemia was an important medieval village. But as the years passed, it became less and less significant. After WW II, when the iron curtain fell it became even less significant. Today, it is being rediscovered as one of the most beautiful, charming and romantic little villages in Europe. The old town still looks as it did for centuries with over 300 historic buildings. On the hill above the village is the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic. Our local experts will guide us back in time.

Royal Waltz Concert
Burt and your cruise director will take you to one of the city’s famous concert halls for a presentation of some of Vienna’s most well-known music---a little opera, a little ballet and a little champagne.

Schönbrunn Imperial Palace
Schönbrunn, is the former summer residence of the imperial family and considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. When it became the property of the Republic of Austria, it was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Our local guide will give us a tour of the residence, a circuit through its parks and a piece of apple strudel.

Jewish Budapest
The success of modern Budapest was due in great part to the diligence and organizational skills of Jewish industrialists and there are still many memories of the period. The Jewish Museum presents the community’s religious traditions, while the Holocaust Centre, which opened in 2004, reminds us of the terror. Starting in 1990, a major renaissance of Jewish culture took place in Budapest. The city has the most populous and active Jewish community in Central Europe. They cherish their religious, artistic and historical heritage. Our local expert will explain the history and take you to visit the largest synagogue in Europe, and the Jewish Museum.

One of the most popular aspects of a Burt Wolf River Cruise is the excellence of the food and complimentary wine onboard. Each full day on board, there is a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a cocktail reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner --- one sitting with open seating arrangements (non-assigned). At dinner, each evening, there is a selection of a red wine and a white wine from Europe’s most famous wine regions, which are served throughout the meal without charge.

Early Riser Coffee: 6:00am, Self-service coffee, hot water, tea bags, croissants, cookies or other finger foods.

Breakfast: 7:00am – 8:30am, A buffet table includes a wide variety of breads, cereals, fruit and fruit salad, cold cuts, smoked salmon, cheeses, pastries, yogurts, juices. Scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and other hot items can vary from day to day. The chef will prepare fresh omelets and other egg dishes to order.

Lunch: Usually served at 12:30pm depending on the cruise schedule, Buffet-style with appetizers, soups, sandwiches, cold cuts, breads, salad bar, two main courses (one of which may be a carving station), dessert table, cheese board, and fresh fruit.

Afternoon Tea: Coffee, tea and cake will be served either in the lounge or on the Sun or Sky Deck.

Dinner: Usually served at 7:30pm depending on cruise schedule. Dinner is traditionally four courses including a vegetarian selection. Choice of entrees with every dinner to include complimentary red and white wines from the region.

Since 1982, Burt has written and produced over 4,000 segments for Cable News Network (CNN), 800 segments for ABC (the American Broadcasting Company), 125 half-hour programs for the travel division of The Discovery Channel, 25 half hours for the Family Channel, and 250 half hours for Public Broadcasting. He has been nominated for two Cable Ace Awards and a national Emmy in connection with culture and history.

Air Transportation between the U.S./Prague and Budapest/U.S. can be made privately or through Globus. Globus offers competitive air-inclusive prices, including Business Class. Globus offers free airport transfers (8/13/09 Prague airport to Prague hotel; 8/23/09 ship to Budapest airport) when you book your transatlantic flights with Globus.

The Land/Cruise cost, per person (based on double occupancy):

Cabins are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Expenses not included in the Land/Cruise cost include: roundtrip airfare, travel insurance, port tax (approximately $98.00); 4 lunches and 3 dinners in Prague (Days 2-5); miscellaneous expenses onboard (laundry, internet, telephone, minibar, liquor/food not on the regular menu, porters at airports, excess baggage fees, gratuities to your Cruise Director, guides and ship’s crew), passport, airport transfers in Europe (approximately $70.00 per person), and all other items of a personal nature. If you book your air with Avalon Waterways/Globus the airport transfer fee is waived.

Burt evaluated dozen of ships before selecting the Avalon fleet. Built in 2007 the Avalon Tranquility is the newest design in ships for river cruising. It is offered exclusively by Avalon Waterways to English-speaking travelers.

Contrary to other vessels on rivers today, the navigational bridge is located in the stern, behind the passenger section, which allows for a more spacious interior. The lounge and restaurant, located in the front of the vessel, give unimpeded views on three sides of the passing river landscape. The Sky Deck is a large area for sunning, taking pictures, or just relaxing!

The Avalon Tranquility provides a complete break from the pressures of every day. The public rooms are elegant, and the dining room is spacious. You unpack only once. The Avalon Tranquility features the Silent Drive System (SDS) with engines that are located at the back of the ship, separated from the passenger compartment, which allows for a quieter cruise experience than traditional small ships.

Built: 2007; Length: 443 ft.; Crew members: 43; Staterooms: 81; Jr. Suites: 4

1 Sky Deck with Deck Chairs 2 Navigating Bridge 3 On-board Camera 4 Lounge 5 Bar 6 Lobby 7 Hairdresser 8 Restaurant 9 Reception 10 Foyer 11 Fitness Center 12 Galley
Royal Deck	Sapphire Deck Aft
Royal Deck	Indigo Deck Forward
Sapphire Deck Forward
Cabins
Staterooms 172 sq. ft. 1 Bed 2 Toilet 3 Washbasin 4 Shower 5 Closet 6 Writing Desk 7 Sliding glass doors	Suites 258 sq. ft. 1 Bed 2 Toilet 3 Washbasin 4 Shower 5 Closet 6 Writing Desk 7 Sliding glass doors 8 Sofa 9 Coffee Table