About this event
The Vineyard Region is headed to Europe! We are putting together a fun filled package with options that will take you to some fantastic stops in Europe via a Viking River Cruise, (8 days, 7 nights) from Budapest to Regensberg. Then optional extended stay post cruise in Stuttgart (3 days, 2 nights) to visit the Porsche and Mercedes museums. Final option of 12 days, 11 days nights of visiting Stuttgart; then driving through Italian and Austrian alps, eventually coming back to Stuttgart.
You can choose option A (cruise only), and/or option B (post cruise extension in Stuttgart) or option C (Stuttgart and alps drive returning to Stuttgart).
Airfare or rental car not included (see below for options of rental car).
For the cruise, we will board Viking River Cruises from Budapest on May 31st and travel to Regensburg on this 8 day journey. On this river cruise you will sail through charming Cities and VIllages on the Romantic Danube River. Visit Budapest’s Castle District and cross the famous Chain Bridge. Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centers, and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots. Celebrate Vienna’s musical heritage at a concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, this 8-day journey on the “Blue Danube” is one you are sure to love. In addition to seeing these beautiful sights, we will plan a few fun "Porsche Only" events to meet up with your fellow Porsche Passengers on the boat. What a great way to connect and share experiences with new or established friends.
Here's the itinerary for May 31, 2024 to June 7, 2024:
BUDAPEST TO REGENSBURG
Fly from US on 5/30 to arrive in Budapest 5/31:
Day 1 Budapest
Day 2 Budapest (Included tour: Panoramic Budapest, and enjoy Scenic Cruising: Danube Bend)
Day 3 Vienna Morning (Included tour: Panoramic Vienna)
Day 4 Vienna (Full day at leisure)
Day 5 Krems (Included Tour: Göttweig Abbey, and enjoy Scenic Cruising: Wachau Valley)
Day 6 Passau (Included Tour: Passau Walking Tour)
Day 7 Regensburg (Included Tour: Regensburg Walking Tour)
Day 8 Regensburg - Disembark
ALL THIS IS INCLUDED:
• 8-day cruise visiting 3 countries with a river-view stateroom
• 5 guided tours
• Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• All onboard meals including regional specialties
• Culture Curriculum: Destination Performances & concerts;
attend lectures on the European Union; Viennese
coffeehouses & Mozart; learn how to make apple strudel
• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Port taxes & fees
Cost for option A (cruise only) is dependent on selection of cabin class, on-board drink pkg, optional excursions, etc. As of today, here are prices on the different categories (prices and availability subject to change):
Category F window $2874 pp includes $150 per cabin shipboard credit. (4 available)
Category E window $2974 pp includes $150 per cabin shipboard credit (8 available)
Category D French balcony $4879 pp includes $150 per cabin shipboard credit (6 available)
Category C French Balcony $5074 pp includes $150 per cabin shipboard credit (4 available)
Category B Verandas $5374 includes $150 per cabin shipboard credit (4 available)
Category A Verandas $5698 includes $150 per cabin shipboard credit (2 available)
NOTE: If interested, you'll need to contact Zigmund at https://www.funcruise.com/coming-soon-03 to make your Viking reservation with the club, $25 deposit hold until 11/30, final payment due 12/30. Please contact https://www.funcruise.com/coming-soon-03 ASAP to reserve your space!
After a beautiful cruise with your fellow Porsche enthusiasts (which ends in Regensburg), or for those just wanting to fly into Stuttgart, option B (June 7 - June 9, 2024) will provide 3 days, 2 nights in Stuttgart at hotel (breakfast included) walking distance from Porsche museum.
Included is first evening welcome dinner (with 1-2 drinks), Sat am walk and visit to Porsche museum and afternoon transport to Mercedes museum (approx 5 miles away). Sunday am (6/9) option B ends, people can make their own plans for return to US, continued stay in Stuttgart or other destinations.
Post cruisers from Regensburg will have private transportation to Stuttgart with possible stop at Munich airport.
Cost for option B (Stuttgart only, 3 days, 2 nights) is $600 per couple.
Cost for option B extra day (4 days, 3 nights) is $775 per couple. Contact Richard if extra day is Thur night (6/6) or Sun night (6/9).
Option C - arrival in Stuttgart to begin your European Dream Vacation for the Italian/Austrian Alps portion of the tour (June 7 - 18, 2024). This section of the tour is a NON PCA sponsored event and is limited to a small group. Only 8 openings (cars & rooms) including our tour guide, Richard, Vineard Region Board of Director and Tours Chair extraordinaire who has been planning quite the trip for everyone who can attend. This will limit our attendance for this option to approximately 14-15 people total.
If you are not arriving from the Viking cruise in Regensburg, and choose to ONLY attend this portion of the trip, you will be responsible for your own transport/transfer to Stuttgart and all participants will be responsible for their own rental car, be it a Porsche from nearby Porsche Drive dealer or rental from local airports (Stuttgart/Munich). Included in this leg of the tour are carefully planned drives, hotel accommodations, admissions to Porsche Museum and Mercedes Museum and some group dinners/lunches/wine tasting.
Here's the Itinerary for option C (first 3 days same as option B above):
ONLY ONE SPOT (ROOM) LEFT as of 2/29/24
Fri (6/7) arrival in Stuttgart
2 nights at hotel near to Porsche Museum; Friday welcome dinner. Rental car options (book on your own);
- car rental at Stuttgart airport. Rates vary (typically $50-$100 per day)
- Porsche Drive rental by Porsche museum. Rates vary $250-$400/day depending on model (https://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/porschedrive/rental
- Private guided Porsche museum tour on Sat (10:30am).
- Sat afternoon take metro or drive a few miles to Mercedes museum (4:30-6:00).
B&B HOTEL Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen Lorenzstraße 6, 70435, Stuttgart, Germany +49 711 6997229-0
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Driving in the Alps:
Sun (6/9) Stuttgart to Merano, Italy (approx. 280 mi)
Leave Stuttgart heading south following Switzerland border, experiencing first set of mtn passes of central alps, arriving in Merano, south Tyrol Italy
4 nights (6/9-6/13) in nice hotel in center of town along the river, underground parking, includes 2 dinners (6/9 and 6/11).
Flora Hotel Merano Via XXX Aprile, 2, 39012 Merano BZ, Italy
Mon (6/10) through Wed (6/12) – driving in the alps
2-3 days of various drives of historic mountain passes along Italian alps (approx. 100-200 mi ea)
One day may include a visit at Mezzacorona winery for wine tasting.
Thur (6/13) Merano to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy (approx. 120-150 mi)
Heading east through several epic alpine passes, arriving outside of Cortina d’Ampezzo for 2 nights.
Hotel half board; breakfast & dinner included for both nights.
B&B HOTEL Passo Tre Croci Cortina, SR48, 32043 Cortina d'Ampezzo BL, Italy
Fri (6/14) Lesiure day in Cortina alpine mtns (optional short drive to Misurina for alpine hike)
Trailhead of good hike (3 mi) to nearby alpine lake next to hotel. Optional drive/lunch – early am short drive to Misurina to nat’l park (3 cime), 2-4 mile hike (7,500ft), lunch at Rifugio Lavaredo (nat’l park entry & lunch included)
Sat (6/15) Cortina d'Ampezzo to Salzburg, Austria (approx. 180 mi)
Head northeast through Austrian alps, arriving in Bad Reichenhall (just outside Salzberg). Local dinner nearby.
Amber Hotel Bavaria, Am Münster 3, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
Sun (6/16) Leisure day around Bad Reichenhall or Salzburg area
Optional drive – early am drive to Austrian backroads & nearby lakes.
Mon (6/17) Salzburg to Stuttgart (approx. 260 mi)
Leave alps, driving through famous Rhineland countryside, arriving at simple hotel next to Stuttgart airport. Farewell dinner nearby.
Premier Inn Stuttgart Airport 20 Dieselstraße, 70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany
Tues (6/18) Stuttgart airport for return flight to US
Option C tour package includes;
- 11 nights lodging including breakfast every day (except last day 6/18)
- 7 dinners including 1-2 drinks
- Several lunches including wine tasting one day and entry fee to 3 Cime nat’l park
- Entry fee to Porsche and Mercedes museums entry
Option C cost is $4000 per couple.
For single driver, cost is $2900, contact Richard for single registration