A deluxe Danube River cruise from Vienna to Bucharest is the highlight on this fascinating getaway through Eastern Europe. Sail through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge and see the sights with a Local Guide in each city, including Vienna, the "City of Music." Along the way, explore the Hungarian capital of Budapest, paprika country's Kalocsa, the Petrovaradin Fortress at Novi Sad, Serbia's Belgrade, Bulgaria's Arbanassi and Veliko Tarnovo, and Varna on the Black Sea. End your Danube River cruise in Oltenita, then travel to Romania's lively capital of Bucharest for guided sightseeing and an overnight before flying to Istanbul, one of the most exciting places in the world. While here, visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and the Grand Bazaar-an incredible conclusion to an amazing vacation.
INCLUDED FEATURES
CRUISE:
Deluxe 9-night cruise from Vienna to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
VIENNA:
Guided sightseeing; welcome reception
BUDAPEST:
Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen's Bastion
KALOCSA:
Orientation; organ concert
PECS:
Orientation
NOVI SAD:
Guided sightseeing, see Petrovaradin Fortress
BELGRADE:
Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress
IRON GATES:
Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan Table
VELIKO TARNOVO:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch's Church
ARBANASSI:
Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity
VARNA:
Guided sightseeing, visit the National Archaeological Museum
BUCHAREST:
Guided sightseeing, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art Museum
ISTANBUL EXTENSION:
Intra-tour flight to Istanbul; guided sightseeing, visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and Grand Bazaar; Host service during your stay
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full buffet breakfast (B) in Vienna and Bucharest; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day, Istanbul Extension: Full buffet breakfast (B)
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
VIENNA InterContinental (D), BUCHAREST Athenee Palace Hilton (SF); ISTANBUL EXTENSION The Ritz Carlton (D)
NOTE
Notes:
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Vienna, Austria
(Wed.) Welcome to Vienna, Austria's capital, which is known as the "City of Music" and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.
Day 2 Vienna
(Thu.) Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your included tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)
Day 3 Vienna (Embarkation)
(Fri.) Time today to browse the shops along the Karntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood cafe. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
Day 4 Budapest, Hungary
(Sat.) Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Budapest
(Sun.) A free day to explore Budapest at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Kalocsa-Pecs
(Mon.) Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. This quiet town, which is best known for paprika and folklore art, is dominated by the Archbishop's Palace and Kalocsa Cathedral. Here, enjoy an ORGAN CONCERT before continuing to Pecs, Hungary's fifth-largest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Novi Sad, Serbia
(Tue.) Overlooking the city of Novi Sad with a spectacular view of the Danube and surroundings is Marshal Vauban's unconquerable Petrovaradin Fortress. Dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region, resplendent with natural beauty and a proud history. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of this interesting town. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Belgrade
(Wed.) The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A local expert will be proud to show you its main sights which include the city's principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS; St. Sava, the world's largest Orthodox church; and Marshal Tito's tomb and monument. The city center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafes. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Iron Gates
(Thu.) The Serbian fortresses of Smederevo and Golubac and the Trajan Table marking the Roman conquest of Dacia are impressive sights on the right bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the IRON GATES, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing Europe's Alps in the northwest from the Carpathians in the southeast and forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Svistov, Bulgaria-Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi-Rousse
(Fri.) A comfortable ride from Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of the Royal Fortress, palaces, and the PATRIARCH'S CHURCH. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Rejoin your ship in Rousse. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Silistra-Excursion to Varna, Black Sea
(Sat.) Located in northeastern Bulgaria at the country's border with Romania, Silistra is a port city and the capital of an important agricultural region. After breakfast, travel by road to Varna. This city on the Black Sea is not only an important naval base and sea resort, but also has a long history. Roman baths are among the younger artifacts. During your sightseeing you will visit the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, home of the Gold of Varna, as featured in National Geographic some years ago. (B,L,D)
Day 12 Oltenita, Romania (Disembarkation)-Bucharest
(Sun.) Bucharest, Romania's lively capital, is only a short drive from Oltenita. Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained it the name "Paris of the East." Much recent history has taken place here. During your included tour, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon, and Royal Palace Square, scene of riots in 1989, which led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. (B)
Day 13 Bucharest-Istanbul, Turkey
(Mon.) Today, fly to Istanbul. Free time to relax and begin soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. (B)
Day 14 Istanbul
(Tue.) Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in the year 330, and finally called Istanbul, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between the Orient and the Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent history. Guided sightseeing includes Emperor Justinian's HAGIA SOPHIA and Sultan Ahmet's BLUE MOSQUE, magnificent monuments to two competing world religions that stand peacefully side by side; TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, residence of the Ottoman Sultans; and the GRAND BAZAAR. (B)
Day 15 Istanbul
(Wed.) A free day in Istanbul to explore on your own. Or, why not join a full-day optional excursion to the fabulous archaeological site of Ephesus? Fly to Izmir, then travel to the city which later became the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked, "Is there a greater city?" Visit the Library of Celsus, the Amphitheater, and listen to exciting "inside stories" of life in ancient Ephesus as you walk down its "Champs Elysees." Also visit the House of the Virgin Mary before returning to Istanbul for a final evening in Turkey. (B)
Day 16 Istanbul
(Thu.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
