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13 Day Blue Danube River Cruise
October 4 - 16, 2010
Cities Visited: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Salzburg, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, Prague
From $4590 per person
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Join Steve Perillo on this Anniversary Cruise!
I’d like you to celebrate Perillo’s 65th anniversary with me as my personal guest aboard the ms Swiss Emerald for a super-elegant Blue Danube River cruise.
I’ll be in Budapest to greet you at our welcome reception and dinner. After 2 days enjoying this wonderful city, we’ll board our deluxe riverboat for 7 dreamy days plying the graceful waters of the Blue Danube.
We’ll unpack for the week, and meet “up on deck” to toast the adventure ahead. Imagine - Budapest, Vienna, Linz, Salzburg and much more! I’m personally requesting the presence of our valued past Perillo guests and new friends as well.
It’s time to live a little . . .It’s time to celebrate . . . Do I hear a waltz?
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10 Breakfasts
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7 Lunches
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9 Dinners
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Service charges, taxes, porterage, airport transfers and applicable cruise fuel surcharges
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Gratuities to ship staff - including gratuities for tour guides, drivers and transfers
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Complimentary snack baskets served from 2PM to midnight
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Open dining with no assigned seats; tables seat 4 and 6
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Wine with dinners. (Vegetarian meals are available)
All entertainment
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Admission to all museums, attractions and exhibits
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All ship’s shore excursions throughout the cruise
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Bottled water
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Internet access
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Daily ‘Happy Hour’ 5pm to 6pm with ½ price drinks
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Fitness center, whirlpool on sun deck, available 24 hours
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Accept cash (Euros), Visa, MasterCard, American Express (no money exchange on-board)
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At a Glance:
- Day 1 - Depart USA
- Day 2 - Arrive in Budapest
- Day 3 - Fascinating Pest
- Day 4 - Exploring Buda/ Danube River Cruise Begins
- Day 5 - Baroque in Bratislava
- Day 6 - The Imperial City of Vienna
- Day 7 - Vienna/Cruise to Dürnstein
- Day 8 - Picturesque Dürnstein and Wachau Valley Cruise
- Day 9 - Salzburg sights or relaxation in Linz
- Day 10 - Passau/Cruising the Danube
- Day 11 - Regensburg / Prague
- Day 12 - Prague, Past and Present
- Day 13 - Homeward bound
Day 1 - Depart USA
Day 2 - Arrive in Budapest
Tour begins at 6:00 PM at the InterContinental Budapest. A transfer is included from Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport to the InterContinental Budapest in the heart of Pest on the Danube’s eastern bank, across the river from the Royal Palace. Please join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight as you meet your fellow travelers. D
Lodging: InterContinental Budapest, Hungary
Day 3 - Fascinating Pest
View the impressive architecture of Hungary’s capital – divided by the Danube River into two distinct sections, Buda and Pest. On a tour of Pest, see patriotic Heroes’ Square, the fashionable shopping street of Váci Utca, the Parliament building and tree-lined Andrassy Avenue, and experience a very special visit to the State Opera House. B
Lodging: InterContinental Budapest, Hungary
Day 4 - Exploring Buda/ Danube River Cruise Begins
After a morning at leisure, a guided walking tour of Buda takes you up to Castle Hill, overlooking the Danube. View the iconic Fishermen’s Bastion, and visit the late-Gothic-style Matthias Church (it may be closed on some days due to services). Embark your riverboat this afternoon for the start of your cruise and a memorable journey along the River Danube. Meet the ship’s Captain at tonight’s welcome reception and dinner. B, D
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 5 - Baroque in Bratislava
Cruise the Danube to Bratislava, capital city of modern Slovakia and a long-ago capital of Hungary. Your local expert shares insights about this beloved city on a guided walk back through centuries of history on a visit to the 13th-century Old Town Hall, past Habsburg-era palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Treat your taste buds to some regional fare in a local coffeehouse before returning to the ship. Colorful Slovakian entertainment is on the docket for this evening when a talented troupe of dancers and musicians performs aboard ship. B, L, D
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 6 - The Imperial City of Vienna
Dock in legendary Vienna, inspiring romantic visions of “Old Europe.” Sightseeing includes the Ringstrasse, the Opera House and Parliament, and your choice of a visit to Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Silver Room at the Hofburg. Prepare to be pampered with royal treatment tonight at a private Imperial Evening in a traditional palace, where a grand gala dinner provides an incomparable setting for tonight’s Viennese performers. B, L, D
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 7 - Vienna/Cruise to Dürnstein
For centuries, Vienna was the capital of the Habsburgs’ Austro-Hungarian Empire, and its exalted position among European cities survives to this day. The morning is yours to discover some of the city’s opulent palaces, theatres and other cultural institutions – including over a hundred museums – on your own before returning to the riverboat to resume your Danube River trip. Cruise this afternoon along picturesque landscapes en route to Dürnstein in Austria’s wine country for a late night arrival. High on a hilltop above the town lie the ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle, a place of history and legend; England’s King Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom here during the Crusades. B ,L, D
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 8 - Picturesque Dürnstein and Wachau Valley Cruise
Join a local guide for a walking tour of Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets that reveals 16th-century Baroque houses and a 13th century Romanesque church. Explore on your own, or walk up to the castle ruins for lovely vistas of Dürnstein and the Danube, prior to a delightful wine tasting at a local Wachau region winery. Your riverboat journey continues past lush vineyards, ancient castles and monasteries in the Wachau Valley, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes and towns, including Melk. Local Austrian entertainers come aboard ship this evening to share the musical traditions of their country. B, L, D
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 9 - Salzburg sights or relaxation in Linz
You have a choice today; enjoy the town of Linz, Austria, as you wish, or join us for a full-day excursion to enchanting Salzburg, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s hometown on the Salzach River. A pageant of beautiful Baroque architecture awaits on a guided walking tour through narrow lanes and old squares; climb up narrow staircases for a glimpse inside Mozart’s birthplace and visit lovely Mirabell Gardens, adorned with Baroque statues and fountains, before rejoining the ship for dinner. B, L, D
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 10 - Passau/Cruising the Danube
Arrive in Passau after breakfast for a guided walking tour through the tunnels, archways, churches, four-story Baroque houses and cobblestone streets of this Bavarian town on the Danube and Inn Rivers. See the Old Town and Altes Rathaus (town hall) before returning to your riverboat for lunch. An idyllic afternoon awaits as you cruise through pastoral landscapes to Regensburg. Join us tonight for our farewell reception and dinner. B, L, D
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 11 - Regensburg / Prague
Disembark your riverboat in Regensburg, whose roots stretch back to its humble beginnings as a campsite for the Roman legions. A guided walking tour of Old Town Regensburg chronicles the town’s rich heritage; see 12th-century Steinerne Brücke (Germany’s oldest surviving stone bridge), towering Dom St. Peter – Bavaria’s most impressive Gothic wonder – and the remains of the Roman wall. Some 1,400 period buildings stand as enduring testimony to the town’s medieval history. Enjoy lunch on your own before departing for Prague by bus. B, L, D
Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague Czech Republic
Day 12 - Prague, Past and Present
Discover Prague, capital of the modern Czech Republic, starting in the Hradcany (Castle) district, where 1,000-year-old Prague Castle is surrounded by a complex of palaces, gardens, museums and monasteries. Visit the Gothic Cathedral of St. Vitus, and enjoy a private guided tour of the beautiful 18th-century Baroque libraries of Strahov Monastery. Spend the afternoon exploring on your own or come along on a walking tour of ethereal Old Town, home to the famous Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. B
Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague Czech Republic
Day 13 - Homeward bound
Our beautiful Danube River cruise ends in Prague, Czech Republic. A transfer is included from the Prague Marriott Hotel to Prague’s Ruzyne Airport; allow a minimum of 2½ hours for flight check-in.
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Departs USA Monday, October 4th, 2010
Returns Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Select a category below to reserve or book this cruise for 2010.
Prices below are cruise-only and do not include airfare.
For more information on airfares check out the "Air Information" section of this page.
| Rates (Click Category to Book) | Per Person Double/triple Cabin | Single Rate | Per Person in Triple | |
| Category 1 (Emerald Deck) | $4590 | $6426 | n/a | |
| Category 2 (Emerald Deck) | $4840 | $6776 | n/a | |
| Category 3 (Ruby Deck) | $5440 | $7616 | n/a | |
| Category 4 (Ruby Deck) | $5740 | $9184 | n/a | |
| Category 5 (Diamond Deck) | $6340 | $10,778 | n/a | |
| Category 6 (Diamond Deck) | $7040 | $11,968 | $6335 | |
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E: Entrance R: Reception Desk S: Boutique B: Reading/Internet Center • = Three-guest capacity suites with pull-out sleeping couch. |
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Let Perillo book your flights.
We will be happy to arrange your flights to Budapest and return from Prague. The following “sample airfares” are based on current rates (October 2009).
Airfares are subject to change and do not include government imposed departure taxes or fuel surcharges.Your exact airfare cost will be advised within 48 hours of booking your tour.
Airfares include your roundtrip airport transfers, provided you arrive and depart on scheduled tour dates. If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay, airport transfers are not included.
Step 1: Choose the zone of your departing city.
| Zone 1 |
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Boston, MA Newark, NJ New York City, NY |
| Zone 2 | |||
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Akron, OH Albany, NY Allentown, PA Baltimore, MD Bangor, ME Buffalo, NY Burlington, VT |
Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Dayton, OH Hartford, CT Manchester, NH |
Norfolk, VA Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA Portland, ME Providence, RI Richmond, VA |
Roanoke, VA Rochester, NY Syracuse, NY Toledo, OH Washington, D.C. WilkesBarre/Scranton, PA |
| Zone 3 | |||
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Asheville, NC Atlanta, GA Austin, TX Birmingham, AL Charleston, SC Chattanooga, TN Charlotte, NC Columbia, SC Columbus, GA Dallas, TX Des Moines, IA Detroit, MI Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
Ft. Myers, FL Ft. Wayne, IN Grand Rapids, MI Greensboro, NC Greenville/Spartan, SC Houston, TX Huntsville, AL Indianapolis, IN Jackson, MS Jacksonville, FL Kalamazoo, MI Kansas City, MO Knoxville, TN
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Lansing, MI Lexington, KY Little Rock, AR Louisville, KY Memphis, TN Miami, FL Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis, MN Mobile, AL Montgomery, AL Myrtle Beach, SC Nashville, TN New Orleans, LA Oklahoma City, OK
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Omaha, NE Orlando, FL Raleigh/Durham, NC San Antonio, TX Sarasota, FL Savannah, GA Shreveport, LA South Bend, IN St. Louis, MO Tampa, FL Tulsa, OK W. Palm Beach, FL |
| Zone 4 | |||
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Albuquerque, NM Billings, MT Boise, ID Bozeman, MT Butte, MT Casper, WY Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO
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Great Falls, MT Helena, MT Idaho Falls, ID Jackson, WY Kalispell, MT Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA Missoula, MT
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Palm Springs, CA Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR Rapid City, SD Reno, NV Sacramento, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA |
San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Santa Ana, CA Seattle, WA Spokane,WA Tucson, AZ Wichita, KS |
Step 2: Match your zone to find the “sample airfare.” Exact airfares will be advised within 48 hours of booking your tour.
SAMPLE AIRFARES
| Airline Zone | Depart USA - Oct 4, 2010 Return USA - Oct 16, 2010 |
| ZONE 1 | $850 |
| ZONE 2 | $950 |
| ZONE 3 | $1050 |
| ZONE 4 | $1150 |
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Airfare includes your airport transfers provided you arrive and depart on scheduled tour date. Airfares are subject to change without notice. |
Book Early
Don’t be disappointed and wait too long to book the cabin of your choice. This cruise offer will sell out fast. Airfares are capacity controlled and limited. They are available on a first-come, first serve basis. If your “sample airfare” is not available at the time you book, you may be offered the option to pay a surcharge. Again, a word to the wise — BOOK EARLY!
Air Upgrade
Did you know that the normal cost of a Business/First Class upgrade to Europe is now around $6000 per person from New York? Now, if you buy your coach ticket through Perillo Tours, you can upgrade for a surcharge of $2799 per person. Here’s a chance to spend a little of your children’s inheritance and travel in the lap of luxury!
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Open dining, with no assigned seats; tables seat 4 and 6
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Wine with dinner included; vegetarian meals are available
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Alternative bistro dining available in Lido Bar
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Room service breakfast available in Category 6 suites
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Complimentary snack baskets served from 2:00 PM to midnight
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E-mail available in Internet Corner of the Lido Bar; complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship; Wii games available on each riverboat
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Themed Happy Hour in the bar/lounge; piano music nightly
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Fitness center; whirlpool on sun deck, available 24 hours
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On-board entertainment programs include movie nights, cooking demonstrations, themed game nights and more
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Video-on-demand
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Accept cash (Euros), Visa, MasterCard, and American Express; no money exchange on board
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Tour Director audio commentary available in cabins
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Laundry service (limited); ironing available
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The ms Swiss Emerald, represents the state of the art in modern river cruising. She features three passenger decks custom-designed to comfortably accommodate 118 Perillo guests in gracious style; most similar-sized riverboats average about 140 guests. The ms Swiss Emerald boasts four times more suites than most other European riverboats –14 lush 300-square-foot suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, brocade upholstery, walk-in closets and marble baths with full-size tubs, along with 7 junior suites.
Well appointed, outside-facing cabins and junior suites, ranging from 150 to 183 square feet, offer plush interiors with plasma TV, minibar, radio, safe, hair dryer, adjustable air conditioning and private bathroom with shower, pampering l’Occitane toiletries and terry cloth robes and slippers; power is 220 volt. Floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies grace 85% of our cabins.
Guests enjoy exceptional vantage points throughout the ship; panoramic windows provide spectacular views of the passing shore. Culinary pleasures are many, from a spacious restaurant offering menus designed or a variety of tastes to alternative bistro dining featuring lighter fare in the teak-lined Lido Bar; limited outdoor dining is also available. Sporting a fully opening 180º glass wall, the Lido Bar also offers coffee & tea, cappuccino, and snacks throughout the day. The ms Swiss Emerald also has a fitness center and a sun deck with 24-hour Jacuzzi, as well as a lounge, library and boutique.
ms SWISS EMERALD SPECIFICATIONS
Newly Built for 2006, 2008 and 2009!
Registry: Swiss
Length: 361 ft. (110 meters)
Width: 37 ft. (11 meters)
Draft: 4 ft. (1.2 meters)
Number of Guests: 118
Crew Members: 29
Crew Nationality: Mostly European
Number of Decks: 3 plus a sun deck
Fully air conditioned: Yes
Elevator: Yes – between the Ruby and Diamond decks; stairs (12 steps) between the other decks
Internet: Send/Receive/Surf
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