Journal Star Destinations

MERRY CHRISTMAS!Danube River Cruise

with Women of Nebraska!

Dear Women of Nebraska,Come, join me, on this once-in-a-lifetime, nine-day Christmas fairy tale tour. Our journey is the perfect combination of a shorter land tour with an enchanting river cruise along the Danube River, full of the very special Christmas atmosphere only Europe can bring us.We will fly to Frankfurt where we will start our experience with the Christmas markets, then head to Rothenburg and Nuremberg where we will board the “MS Amadeus Queen”, a state-of-the-art ship equipped with outside staterooms only, making the journey along the Danube even more joyful. We will cruise for 6 nights while we visit the German and Austrian cities of Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Linz, and Vienna.Our days are filled with Christmas magic and each place we visit has its own unique atmosphere. You will have the opportunity to buy exclusive craft works of real quality and beautiful traditional gifts such as Christmas ornaments, woodcarvings, marionettes, and lambskin shoes to place beneath your Christmas tree. The aromas of roasted chestnuts, grilled sausages, gingerbread biscuits and marzipan figures further enhance this tour. The sweets are appealing and who can resist a baked apple on a crisp winter day, accompanied by a glass of delicious mulled wine? We will taste and enjoy it all while our guides will share their local knowledge of each place we visit. This is a journey celebrating The Celebration of Light, or as some call it, The Midwinter Feast, or Christ’s Mass, and our tour will include many sights and sounds of Christmas, along with some side tours and several additional options to choose from. A fantastic way to start your Christmas Holiday! I hope you will join me!

Sincerely,Ann K. Bruntz Women of Nebraska Ambassador

December 2-10, 2020

Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited.

WO M E N O F N E B R A S K AT r a v e l S o l o T o g e t h e r

December 2, 2020WednesdayOur European fairy tale adventure begins as we take an overnight flight to Frankfurt. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you start your dream vacation.

December 3, 2020Thursday - FrankfurtWelcome to Frankfurt! Located on the River Main, Frankfurt is the home of the European Central Bank, the German Stock Exchange, but also to the world-famous Frankfurter sausage and apfelwein (apple cider). We are met at the airport by our river cruise coordinator and take a short transfer to the center of town. Every year, the scent of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and grilled sausages fill the air above the Roemerberg Square during the holiday season. Frankfurt’s Christmas market is famous for numerous traditional Christmas delicacies and we will take a walking tour to experience it all. We will check in to our hotel in the afternoon and tonight we meet with our fellow river cruise travelers as we enjoy a welcome drink (included) in a cozy atmosphere. Unwind, relax and make sure to get a good night’s rest. B (during flight)

December 4, 2020Friday - Rothenburg - NurembergWe travel via motorcoach to Germany’s best-preserved medieval city; Rothenburg. We enjoy a city walking tour and a visit to

the famous Christmas market. As you stroll the cobblestone streets, you will be spellbound by the city’s 700-year-old charm. The quaint buildings with the original half-timbered walls and the townhall square are lined with festively decorated booths. Make sure to visit Kathe Wohlfahrt, a famous family-run Christmas shop brimming with gifts for you to take or send home. We continue to Nuremberg and in the late afternoon, we board the MS Amadeus Queen, our home for the next six nights. Welcome dinner on board, the ship is docked overnight in Nuremberg. B | D

December 5, 2020Saturday - NurembergEnjoy a Nuremberg city tour and experience the world’s best-known Christmas market visited by more than two million people every year. The market is located inside the medieval city walls on the Market Square around St. Lorenz Church. Nuremberg’s street lamp posts are decorated with Christmas symbols, garlands of natural fir and colored lights. Of course, the Nuremberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread), as well as the original Nuremberger Wuerstle (small grilled pork sausages), are known worldwide. It is time to pull out your cameras! The joyful sound of bells and the clatter of hooves tells us that the stagecoach is coming. Take a ride with Heinz who proudly has braved wind

and weather for more than twenty years and offers a noble and nostalgic trip back in time. Afternoon cruising through the passage of the Continental Divide. B | L | S | D

December 6, 2020Sunday - RegensburgAfter a rich breakfast, we head out to spend our day in Regensburg, a medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Germany’s oldest towns situated in Eastern Bavaria and founded by the Romans in 179 A.D. Today it is a prosperous city with 3 universities and many landmarks dating back to the Middle Ages. Crusaders used the 12th century Stone Bridge to cross the Danube en route to the Holy Land. We have arranged an old-town city sightseeing by foot including a visit to the Christmas market at the Thurn & Taxis Palace. During Advent, the palace’s courtyard serves as a magical stage for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Bavaria. Don’t forget to swing by the historic “Wurstkuchl” (Sausage Kitchen). Located in a 900-year-old building, this is the world’s oldest sausage kitchen, still serving more than 6,000 sausages to its guests daily. The menu is simple: sausages (which come in portions of six, eight or ten) along with sauerkraut and mustard - a meal for a queen! Our ship is docked for the evening in Regensburg. B | L | S | D

December 7, 2020Monday - Passau Visit or Salzburg Optional TourToday, we are docked in Passau situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers, a beautiful and fascinating fairy tale town with cobblestone streets and the famous baroque Cathedral of St. Stephen. It is also home to the Wiener Dog Museum. Yes, you read that correctly - the Bavarian city of Passau has a museum that celebrates the German sausage dog, the dachshund. The museum is filled with 4,500 different items honoring the breed, from stamps to puppets to glass figurines. You are invited to join a walking tour of Passau or to join an optional tour to Salzburg*. A short drive takes us to the hometown of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We will take a walking tour of the famous Old Town, Miracle Gardens, Mozart Square, the Dom Cathedral and historic center made famous by the “Sound of Music”. Visit the “Geburtshaus”, the house where Mozart was born in 1756 and lived with his parents until 1773. The house is now transformed to a three-floor exhibit, showcasing Mozart’s life: how he grew up, his start in music, who his friends and patrons were, family relationships, his passion for opera, and much more. Enjoy time at leisure to shop, visit a cafe, stroll the wonderful Getreidegasse & experience the famous Christmas markets throughout this walkable city. Later, we head to the picturesque area of Mondsee, yet another

film location of “The Sound of Music”. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you return to the ship. B | L | S | D

December 8, 2020Tuesday - Melk & ViennaOur cruise continues towards Vienna and we will make a stop to visit the Stift Melk Abbey. Towering high above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, the bright yellow Benedictine abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg - Austria’s first ruling dynasty. The library is one of the most impressive features with roughly 100,000 volumes and a ceiling fresco by Paul Troger. There is a beautiful church and several important paintings to be found, but the real treasures are the two Melk Crucifixes, one said to contain a piece of Christ’s cross. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Vienna, the “City of Waltz!” An optional tour to the Vienna Christmas market is offered tonight!*At the traditional Vienna Christmas market, the Rathausplatz (townhall square) becomes a shining fairy tale land with 150 stands offering Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, sweets, and warming drinks. B | L | S | D

December 9, 2020Wednesday - ViennaEnjoy an included Vienna city tour. For over 600 years, the magnificent Baroque

capital city of Vienna was the seat of the mighty Hapsburg Emperors, a heritage that has bestowed it with many dazzling palaces and monuments: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, and the majestic Ringstrasse. The capital is also known as the “City of Music” for having once been the home of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, and Johann Strauss. An optional excursion to visit the Schoenbrunn Palace* dressed for the season is offered or stroll the Museumsquartier, enjoy a Viennese Melange (best coffee ever) along with a piece of that delicious Sacher torte …or simply shop till you drop! Tonight, we enjoy a farewell gala dinner. B | L | S | D

December 10, 2020Thursday - Return HomeAll too soon, your vacation has ended. Transfer to Vienna airport in plenty of time to check in for our flight and to clear security. You may do some last-minute shopping at the duty-free stores before boarding and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States. B

Itinerary subject to change.

B-Breakfast: Hotel/Onboard L-Lunch: Onboard S-Snacks: Onboard afternoon and/or evening

D-Dinner: Onboard with local wines

*Optional tours are offered and can purchased onboard only.

Forwarding registration and deposit signifies that you agree to the terms and conditions of this tour which can be found athttp://executivetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

9/10/2019Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited.

1212 O Street • Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: 402-435-8888 (ask for Group Department)

Fax: 402-435-2735 GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com

www.executivetravel.com

ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK: executivetravel.com/WMWXMAS20-WofNE

To register contact:

Not Included:• Additional baggage fees (first checked bag FREE, 50 lbs)• Travel insurance• Gratuities (estimate $130)• Optional excursions**• Personal expenses• Meals other than mentioned in the tour program• Entrances to monuments and/or museums other than

mentioned• Professional fee, $75 per person, due at time of registration • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

**See additional insert

WO M E N O F N E B R A S K AT r a v e l S o l o T o g e t h e r

A wholly owned division of Executive Travel Inc.

Package Price, Per Person, Including Air:Shared double room/cabin - Cat. E: $4,595 (Single +$1,000)

Shared double room/cabin - Cat. D: $4,895 (Single +$1,000)

Shared double room/cabin - Cat. C: $5,295 (Single +$1,400)

Shared double room/cabin - Cat. B: $5,495 (Single +$1,400)

Shared double room/cabin - Cat. A: $5,695 (Single +$1,800)

Shared double room/cabin - Suite: $5,995 (Single +$2,600)

Cabins are offered on a first come, first served basis.

We offer “Pair & Share” service. Ask us to assist with finding your roommate! A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required upon signing up for the tour. Deposit can be paid by cash, check or credit card. Balance is due on August 3, 2020, and is non-refundable. Balance can be paid by cash or check. Credit card payment(s) (any payment applied to the tour after the deposit) will access a 3.5% processing fee. This tour will be materialized with a minimum of 18 travelers. Should the number of travelers fall below 18, all funds paid to Executive Travel will be refunded 90 days prior to departure.

Included:• Airfare Omaha-Frankfurt/Vienna-Omaha, economy class,

incl. all taxes and fees*• Baggage fee (1 checked bag up to 50 lbs included,

per person)• 1 night at a moderate 4-star hotel in Frankfurt• 6-night cruise - outside cabin• 18 meals (7-B, 5-L, 6-D & daily snacks during cruise)• Baggage handling at hotel and ship• Port taxes• Hotel and ship transfers• Professional English-speaking cruise manager• Local licensed guides during optional excursions• Tour host and Women of Nebraska Ambassador,

Ann K. Bruntz*Ask us for airfare from a different hometown/state (a small fee may occur). Special rules for upgrading to business class and extending your stay in Europe exists. We are holding a group reservation and seat assignments become available 30 days prior to departure. Premium seating (incl. upgrades) can be purchased at this time only

Activity level: LEVEL 2 (3 if you plan to walk more than what is scheduled in the itinerary)Involves a considerable amount of activity such as substantial walking, stairs, longer periods of standing and possibly some steep areas within the towns visited. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended. We are walking on cobblestone in many of the cities visited.

Travel Insurance: We recommend travel insurance to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services, priced from $332 per person (covers land and air up to $5,000 per person.) For full pricing grid and highlights, please review the enclosed brochure or ask us.For complete details of this travel protection plan, visit policy.travelexinsurance.com/CTSB-0819. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; NAIC #22276. YIE

Optional Excursions

There are three excursions available for purchase. Registration and payment will take place on board the MS Amadeus Queen (no pre-registration). Estimate prices from $65 to $175 per person. Your cruise manager will go over all the excursions and take registrations during the first days of the tour.

Excursion to Salzburg with lunch and Christmas Market

A two-hour coach ride will take you to Salzburg — the city of music. The old town with its world-famous Baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. It was adopted by UNESCO in 1997 and is included on its list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. During the guided tour through the old town, you will see the birth house of Mozart (exterior only), as well as other well-known attractions such as the ‘Getreidegasse‘, the gorgeous cathedral of the town and the area of the Salzburg Festival. On arrival, you will see the fortress ‘Hohensalzburg’ from afar. After enjoying an included lunch, you have enough time to stroll around the famous Christmas market. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mondsee, best known as a film location for the famous movie “The Sound of Music”, as you return to the ship.

Duration: 9.5 hoursWalking grade III: The excursion by bus is followed by a longer walk. You may need to climb several stairs.

Guided tour of Vienna Christmas Market

A short coach ride will take you to the world-famous Vienna Christmas market. You will have the opportunity to marvel at the variety of products and traditional Austrian handicrafts in the unique ambience of the Christmas market in front of the Rathausplatz (townhall).

Duration: 2 hoursWalking grade II: The excursion by bus is followed by moderate walking.

Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace

Travel by coach to one of the most beautiful sights of Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace. As one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Austria, Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens were declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The reign of Maria Theresia signified the most splendid era for Schönbrunn. The castle and park were the centers of the court and political life. Under the personal guidance of the Empress, it was remodeled and expanded to become a royal residence; a complex with a total of 1,441 rooms and halls was created. Visit many of the ceremonial rooms and then have the opportunity to walk around the beautifully designed gardens of the palace.

Duration: 3.5 hoursWalking grade II: The excursion by bus is followed by a moderate walking tour. You may need to climb some stairs.

9/10/2019

MS Amadeus Queen - Ship Specifications

9/5/2019