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 SOLD OUT!
This summer, public television viewers have a chance to join MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION for a rich and memorable travel experience, based on a European Danube River Cruise hosted by Burt Wolf, and operated by Avalon Waterways and Globus.
THE TOUR | DEPARTS JUNE 30, 2007
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Rooftops of Vienna, Austria |
The "Burt Wolf Danube River Cruise" is available only through MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION. The "Burt Wolf Danube Cruise" is not available to the general public. Burt and his television crew will be onboard the cruise to produce a special edition of his Travels & Traditions program.
In addition to the daily cruise itinerary (listed below), Burt has added a number of unique events including a class and tasting of the wines of Austria and the distinct foods of the region. Burt will also give a series of short talks about the importance of the locations he will be filming.
THE SPECIAL BURT WOLF ELEMENTS IN THE TOUR ARE MARKED IN COLORED CAPITAL LETTERS BY DAY
- The seven-night Danube River Cruise begins and ends in Budapest (a total of 9 days - from U.S. departure to U.S. return).
 - Burt Wolf and participants will cruise onboard the ship, MS Avalon Poetry, which has some of the largest staterooms of any river cruiser; all with exterior views. With only 176 passengers onboard, participants will meet Burt Wolf and watch as he and his crew film a Travels & Traditions television program.
- Avalon Waterways' English-speaking staff will include a Cruise Director, professional Tour Director while touring, and Avalon Waterways' hosts to assist at airports.
- Ground transportation will be via a private deluxe motor coach with air-conditioning and extra leg room.
- Children must be eight years or older.
- Participants may book their flights via Avalon Waterways/Globus who offers competitive air-inclusive prices, including Business Class. Participants may depart from any city in the U.S. or Europe. Avalon Waterways/Globus offers free airport transfers when participants book scheduled transatlantic flights with Avalon Waterways/Globus.
- If participants prefer, they may make their own travel arrangements, and/or arrive in Europe earlier and/or stay later. Avalon Waterways/Globus can book the arrangements for extending their stay.
- Avalon Waterways/Globus offers numerous travel protection plans.
DAY 1.
Board overnight flight from the United States.
DAY 2.
Arrive Budapest, Transfer to Esztergom & Board Ship
Arrive in Budapest, Hungary and transfer by Globus bus to Esztergom, which is the port of embarkation on the Danube River.
ONBOARD, BURT WOLF WILL PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF THE TRIP AND THE PLAN FOR FILMING THE PUBLIC TELEVISION PROGRAM.
DAY 3.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. We will visit Old Town, Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic cathedral of St. Martin. ONBOARD, BURT WILL TALK ABOUT GOTHIC ART AND HOW IT CHANGED THE RELATIONSHIP OF ART TO RELIGION.
DAY 4.
Melk, Austria - Grein
We will visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, Melk, and the resort town of Grein that lies in the shadow of the Abbey.
PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CRUISE BURT WILL SEND THE PARTICIPANTS A DVD OF HIS PROGRAM ABOUT MELK AND THE ABBEYS OF AUSTRIA.
DAY 5.
Passau, Germany - Linz, Austria
Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ with over 17,000 pipes. There is an optional full-day excursion to Salzburg (which is not part of River Cruise costs).
PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CRUISE, BURT WILL SEND THE PARTICIPANTS A DVD OF HIS SALZBURG PROGRAM.
HE WILL ALSO PROMISE (IN WRITING) NOT TO SING ANY PART OF THE THEME FROM THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
DAY 6.
Dürnstein - Vienna
Dürnstein in the center of the Wachau wine region is known for its extraordinary baroque church. We will visit the church and a castle above the town where Richard the Lionhearted, King of England, was held for ransom. We'll then proceed down river and dock in Vienna, where we will take a tour of the city. ONBOARD, BURT WILL TALK ABOUT WHY BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE WAS DEVELOPED.
DAY 7.
We continue our tour of Vienna.
DAY 8.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest with Buda on the right bank and Pest on the left is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan city in Eastern Europe. We'll visit the massive hilltop complex with Fishermen's Bastion and the Matthias Church, then shop for peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain and Hungarian specialty foods.
DAY 9.
Transfer to Budapest Airport. Flight back to the United States.
ADDITIONAL BURT WOLF ELEMENTS
- On-board tasting class on the wines of the region.
- On-board tasting of the special foods of Austria (Sachertorte, high mountain jams, etc. All these foods are packaged, shelf stable and safe to taste. They will be presented on board by the Austrian Export Council).
- Tasting and presentation on the history of Austrian coffee culture. (prior to the commencement of the cruise, Burt will send the participants a DVD of his program on the history of coffee).
- At the end of the cruise, Burt Wolf will present a gift basket to all participants.
- Participants will receive a DVD copy of the final "Burt Wolf Danube Cruise" program.
FILMING FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION
Throughout the cruise, Burt and his crew will be shooting material for a half-hour Travels & Traditions public television program about the Danube cruise. This is a unique opportunity for a limited number of people to travel with Burt and see how his television programs are produced.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK THIS CRUISE
» Call Annette Lange at 410-581-4339 to get more information on how you can join Maryland Public Television for this wonderful travel opportunity.
» Visit http://www.avalonwaterways.com/burtwolf/
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