This celebration of Mozart’s life will take us on a journey along the River Danube, from Hungary to Regensburg in Germany and through Slovakia and Austria. On this nine night river cruise we will visit small towns and villages as well as the cities of Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and Salzburg, enjoying some of Mozart’s finest works in idyllic settings. In addition to our excursions and music ashore, we will also enjoy performances onboard. Our journey through Middle Europe will end with a two night hotel stay in Prague.

In the course of Mozart’s life, three cities were of particular importance. The first was Salzburg, the town where he was born. The second was the imperial capital of Vienna where he experienced great professional success, and the third city was Prague. Though not the cultural epicentre that Vienna was at the time, Prague had a great appreciation for Mozart’s compositions. His operas triumphed here and his work was played to packed stage houses. He fell in love with the city, claiming that, “The Prague people understand me”.

More than any other 18th-century composer, Mozart changed the course of music. His unique craftsmanship, partly learnt and partly instinctive, widened the boundaries making him the master of his art. His understanding and perception of human nature resulted in marvellous operas, which are today as uplifting and relevant as they were to audiences over 200 years ago. He changed the course of the symphony, pianoforte, concerto, the string quartet and the sonata and much more besides. For many the quote ‘Mozart is Music’ is an undeniable truth which will resound for as long as civilisation exists. The life and times as well as the music of Mozart will be brought vividly to life on this cruise by our guest speaker who will accompany the trip. Informative after dinner talks and the benefit of our expert’s knowledge on our visits ashore will add much to our understanding and enjoyment of what promises to be a marvellous affair.

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to Budapest. Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Johann Strauss, your floating hotel for the next nine nights. There will be a performance of gypsy music onboard before welcome drinks and dinner this evening. Moor overnight.

Day 2 – Budapest. A guided tour will include the Matthias Church, for centuries the scene of the coronation of the kings of Hungary and the Fisherman’s Bastion from where there are fine views of the twin cities of Buda and Pest. Later, enjoy an onboard piano recital by Agnes Kovecs of the Liszt Academy who will be playing works by Mozart, Bartok, Liszt, Schubert and Beethoven.

Day 3 – Bratislava. Spend the morning cruising along the Danube to the Slovak capital. A tour of this historic city, formerly known as Pressburg, will concentrate on Mozart’s time here. The tour ends with a concert of music by Dvorak and Mozart in the Palais Tichy by the Slovak String Quartet, four gentlemen who are all members of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. Sail in the late evening for Vienna.

Day 4 – Vienna. A guided excursion of Austria’s elegant capital will take us around the famous Ringstrasse and on to the gardens of the Belvedere Palace and the stunning Hofburg Palace. After lunch on board we will visit the summer palace of Schonbrunn with its splendid formal gardens. Evening optional visit to the State Opera House or Volksopera (performance details not available at time of going to press). Moor overnight.

Day 5 – Vienna. A morning excursion by coach and on foot will focus on Mozart’s career and life in the city, including the Figaro House. The morning is completed with a short concert of works by Mozart and Schubert by a string quartet from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Afternoon free. Sail in the late evening.

Day 6 – Wachau Valley. This morning we will reach the picturesque Wachau Valley, famous for its wine. Enjoy a walking tour of Durnstein where Richard the Lionheart was held captive on a Crusader journey. Continue to Weissenkirchen to sample the excellent local wine before returning to the vessel. Sail on to Melk where we will moor under the shadow of the great Baroque Abbey, situated on a cliff high above the Danube. A guided tour of the abbey will conclude with a piano concert.

Day 7 – Salzburg. From Linz drive to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and famous for its architectural treasures and music festival. Our excursion will concentrate on Mozart’s family and his musical contemporaries. Visits will be made to the house known as Tanzmeisterhaus where he was born and spent his early life; to Schloss Mirabell and the Residenz. Before leaving Salzburg we shall enjoy a special concert of music by Mozart.

Day 8 – Passau. The ancient city of Passau sits on the confluence of three rivers and has been an important trading post since the earliest of times. Join a guided tour through the medieval byways to the imposing cathedral which houses one of the largest pipe organs in the world.

Day 9 – Regensburg. This is Germany’s largest and best preserved medieval city. Explore its winding lanes, streets and numerous squares. Afternoon free.

Day 10 – Regensburg to Prague . Disembark after breakfast and drive through Bohemia, a land of lakes, forests and rolling fields dotted with villages and castles. We will stop for lunch in the western region of Bohemia a lovely untouched region that borders Bavaria. Reach Prague in the late afternoon and transfer to your first class hotel for a two night stay.

Day 11 – Prague. Although Mozart only visited Prague on three occasions, he left a remarkably strong impression. His first visit was to attend and conduct the performance of ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ (1786), which was taking Prague by storm. That same year, in appreciation of the city’s warm welcome, Mozart composed ‘Don Giovanni’ especially for Prague, where he personally conducted its world premiere in 1787 at the Estates Theatre. Today we will visit the major attractions including Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral, the old Jewish quarter, the Estates Theatre, Wenceslas Square and the old town square with the town hall’s famous astronomical clock. This evening we hope to attend a Mozart Opera or concert (schedules not available at the time of going to press).

Day 12 – Prague to London. Morning free in Prague. Depart by afternoon flight to London.  

The Life, Music and Times fo Mozart - Music on the River Danube Cruise

Departure Date: 27 April - 08 May 2009

Prices are per person - Based on double occupancy

Tour Code: RCJS270409

CAT	DECK	CABIN DESCRIPTION	BROCHURE PRICE	EARLY BOOKING PRICE
D	Polka	Forward	£2145	£1545
C	Polka	Mid-ship	£2445	£1845
BF	Opera	French balcony forward	£2795	£2195
B	Opera	French balcony	£2945	£2345
A	Waltz	French balcony	£3145	£2545
D	Polka	Sole occupancy	£3345	£2745
C	Polka	Sole occupancy	£3645	£3945
B	Opera	Sole occupancy	£4045	£3445

Deck Plans are available on request.

Price Includes:  Economy class scheduled air travel, 9 nights aboard the MS Johann Strauss on full board, shore excursions, musical performances onboard and ashore as described, guest speaker, services of a cruise director, tour manager, two nights hotel accommodation in Prague on half board basis, lunch on day 10, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes.

Not included: : Travel insurance, optional tickets for Vienna and Prague State Opera Houses, gratuities

N.B. Ports and performances subject to change. Water levels may affect itinerary. All special offers are subject to availability.

This cruise is operated on our behalf by NOBLE CALEDONIA ATOL 3108