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Aboard the M.S. Amadeus Classic and Majestic Imperator Train Deluxe
May 25 to June 3, 2005
- Austria
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Poland
- Czech Republic
In Prague, one of the world's most beautiful cities, enjoy accommodations at the Praha Palace Hotel, a 95-year-old landmark built in the Viennese Art Nouveau style. Walk through the Old Town Square, where Franz Kafka lived, and stroll through the medieval lanes of Hradcany, the great castle complex, which dominates this great and vibrant capital of Bohemia.
Traveling aboard the Majestic Imperator Train de Luxe, experience imperial opulence and the history of a bygone era while dining on fine cuisine and taking in scenic views of the Slovakian and Polish countryside during a day journey en route to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kraków. Enjoy a walking tour of the city's most important medieval landmarks, before continuing with a second daytime journey aboard the Majestic Imperator to Budapest, Hungary to explore the city's renowned architectural landmarks.
In Budapest, embark upon the M.S. AMADEUS CLASSIC, one of the finest vessels in Central Europe, for a cruise on the fabled "Blue Danube" along the river's most scenic stretch, the vineyard- and cliff-lined Wachau Valley. Spend a day exploring the magnificent city of Vienna, Austria, and enjoy the beauty of the breathtaking Baroque Benedictine Abbey of Melk.
All ship and hotel accommodations, excursions and travel aboard the Majestic Imperator are included. There will also be leisure time to relax, explore local attractions and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Club travelers. This program offers excellent value for an itinerary unavailable anywhere else in the U.S. and is made even more attractive if you book now and take advantage of the Early Booking Savings!
We anticipate that this unique and magnificent Central European experience will sell out quickly, so we urge you to make your reservations now. We look forward to seeing you!
Join us on this exciting voyage!
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
In 1989, as the Velvet Revolution swept over Prague, Czechs raised the playwrightphilosopher Vįclav Havel to the newly independent republic's presidency. Since bursting out of four decades of communist domination, Prague has regained its position as one of the classic imperial cities of Central Europe, dedicated to the arts, sciences and the triumph of the human spirit. For the last 15 years, Prague has experienced a renaissance - its streets once again filled with life, its buildings brightening with restored Baroque and Art Nouveau ornamentation. Stroll through the Old Town and Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter, and visit historic Hrad”cany, the ancient castle complex surrounding the 14th-century St. Vitus' Cathedral.
KRAKÓW, POLAND
For more than a thousand years, Kraków has been the cultural and spiritual capital of Poland, and its treasures remain undiminished through the centuries. Kraków is the only major city of Poland to escape World War II unscathed, and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a walking tour, experience the unique character and majesty of this cultured city. Begin with Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter. Jewish life, following World War II, is beginning to revive here, and Kazimierz's 16th-century synagogues have been restored to approach their former magnificence. Continue to Wįwel Hill, for 500 years the seat of Poland's monarchs. The Cathedral, dating from the 14th century, is a sanctuary of national history; the Castle, which blends 16thcentury Florentine architecture with medieval Polish motifs, is the repository of the state art collection. Walk along the Rynek Glówny, or "market square," an enormous plaza surrounded by ornate houses and towering spires, and view the 14th-century Mariacki Church, one of the finest Gothic structures in Poland.
VLKOLĶNEC, SLOVAKIA
Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1993, this fascinating village of 32 inhabitants is one of the most traditional mountain villages in Central Europe. First mentioned in historic documents in 1376, most of the buildings in this fascinating village never installed modern plumbing or electricity, maintaining their original character for centuries. Serving as an outdoor museum, Vlkolķnec offers remarkable insight into the everyday life for a typical Slovakian farmer from the Middle Ages until the 20th century.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
For centuries, the twin cities of Buda and Pest have faced one another across opposite banks of the Danube River. When the Habsburg Archduke Joseph, son of Leopold II, became Palatine of Budapest in 1796, he embarked upon a building program of unprecedented scope. By the time of this "most Hungarian Habsburg's" death in 1847, Budapest was well on its way to becoming an imperial capital of the first rank alongside Vienna. Today, the "Pearl of the Danube" is a glorious and imposing city, renowned for the magnificent Parliament Building along the Pest bank of the Danube. Experience Pest's Neoclassical and neo- Gothic monuments, and pass through Hero's Square during a sightseeing tour. Cross over the impressive Chain Bridge to the high Castle Hill of ancient Buda. Here, on the western bank of the Danube, a more classically Hungarian atmosphere prevails, less imperially impressive, but more intimate and home to Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion which stand as striking landmarks.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Seat of the Habsburg Empire and an open-air museum of Baroque architecture, Vienna owes its present appearance to Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef, who demolished the city's defenses in order to create the Ringstrasse, which showcases some of the city's finest architecture - the Austrian National Opera, University, Burgtheater and Town Hallr. The focal point of the city is the Stephansdom, the great 13th-century cathedral renowned for the zigzag tiles that adorn its roof. Later, explore on your own, or relax over a Viennese coffee in one of the city's famous cafés.
WACHAU VALLEY, AUSTRIA
Cruise along this most scenic stretch of the Danube, where the river courses past steeply terraced vineyards and craggy cliffs topped by medieval castle ruins. During the springtime, the picturesque riverbanks are a fragrant tangle of apricot blossoms. Pass by the tiny walled town of Dürnstein, with its blue-and-white Baroque tower, and gaze up at the crumbling stones of Castle Kuenringer, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after the Third Crusade.
MELK, AUSTRIA
Rising above a bend of the Danube, Melk Abbey glows in mustard-yellow hues from the top of a high granite bluff. The original monastery dates from 1089; in the 18th century, local architect Jakob Prandtauer was commissioned to create the present structure, a repository for valuable relics, 100,000 medieval volumes and magnificent artworks by 16th-century masters - Paul Troger, Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach.
IMPORTANT
This is merely an announcement of the tour program of the Commonwealth Club of California. Please refer to individual tour folders/agencies for specific itineraries, tour inclusions, exclusions and responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the tour participant to ascertain directly with the vendor agency of each program what the exact requirements, payment due dates and fees pertaining to each program are. A Commonwealth Club representative accompanies each tour to enhance the study tour aspects and to represent the Club on the tour. The Club reserves the right to cancel the tour and/or not provide a Club representative if the number of participants falls below the number sufficient for a Club-sponsored tour.
All tour prices are per person, double occupancy and airfare, when included, is from San Francisco unless otherwise noted; all travel dates and tour costs are subjected to change. Included in all tour prices is a modest charge to cover the Commonwealth Club's costs of administering a membership tour program. All dates and tour costs are subject to changes at any time. Tour participants must be members of the Commonwealth Club of California or belong to their immediate family.
If you wish to receive more information on our
2005 Tour Program, please contact The Club's travel desk at (415) 597-6720 or email the Club Tour Desk
with the following information:
-Your Name
-Address
-Home Phone
-Tour Name/s
