A deluxe Danube River cruise is the highlight on this fascinating vacation through Eastern Europe. Your trip begins with three overnights in exciting Istanbul, Turkey, with visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and the Grand Bazaar. Fly to Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital, then travel to Oltenita to embark your ship for a 10-night cruise along the Danube River. Explore the Danube Delta with its unique birdlife, celebrate the end of the Danube’s journey as it flows into the Black Sea, and sail through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. See the sights with a Certified Local Guide in Romania’s Bucharest, Constanta on the Black Sea, Bulgaria’s Arbanassi and Veliko Târnovo, Serbia’s Belgrade, Croatia’s Vukovar, and the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Disembark in Vienna for two overnights in the remarkable “City of Music.” Savor Sachertorte in a local café, spend time in one of the many marvelous museums, window shop along the Kärntnerstrasse, or stroll along the historic streets—an incredible conclusion to an amazing vacation!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey. Free time to relax and begin soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. At 6 pm, meet your Local Host for a welcome get-together.
Day #2 Istanbul. 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 #3 Istanbul. A free day in Istanbul to explore on your own. Or, why not join a full-day optional excursion to the fabulousarchaeological 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 Elysées." Also visit the House of the Virgin Mary before returning to Istanbul for a final evening in Turkey. (B)
Day #4 Istanbul–Bucharest, Romania. Fly to Bucharest where its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained this city the name “Paris of the East.”(B)
Day #5 Bucharest–Fetesti (Embarkation). Much recent history has taken place in Romania’s capital city. During your included tour this morning, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon. Royal Palace Square was the scene of riots in 1989, which led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. This afternoon, a motorcoach ride takes you to Fetesti where your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
Day #6 St. Gheorghe – Danube Delta. This morning during breakfast dock in St. Gheorghe from where the excursion into the DELTA will start. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the best preserved of Europe’s deltas, this area hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 species of freshwater fish. From its source in the Black Forest, to its delta at the Black Sea, the Danube measures 2,845 kilometers in length. The Km markings can be clearly seen on the river banks the length of the river., Enjoy a small celebration to mark Km “0” - the end of the Danube’s journey, before departing St. Gheorghe during lunch. A peaceful afternoon to relax as you sail to Tulcea, and a chance to learn more about the fascinating Delta at an onboard lecture. In the early evening visit Tulcea’s DELTA MUSEUM. (B,L,D)
Day #7 Harsova. Excursion to Constanta. Arrive in Harsova after breakfast. From here you may choose to take either a full-day or a half-day excursion to Constanta, the most important commercial center in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. A Certified Local Guide shows you the highlights of this city and a visit of the NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM is included. Then there is free time to enjoy this resort town on your own, rejoining your vessel in Harsova in the late afternoon. Alternatively you may want to relax on board in the morning and visit Constanta in the afternoon only. (B,L,D)
Day #8 Rousse, Bulgaria. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi. A comfortable ride from Rousse is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. 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. Those who do not wish to participate in the full day excursion, may remain on board, and join an included sightseeing of Rousse after breakfast. At lunchtime sail for Svistov where excursion participants will rejoin the ship. (B,L,D)
Day #9 Iron Gates. Today enjoy a leisurely day of sailing. At first the river separates Romania on the right bank from Bulgaria on the left and is relatively wide. Later, it carves a path through the lower Carpathian Mountains to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the south, creating a series of four steep gorges, known as the Iron Gates. Until the Iron Gate Dam (which houses a hydro-electric power station) was completed in 1972, this section of the Danube presented great hazards to the shipping trade. (B,L,D)
Day #10 Iron Gates. More spectacular scenery as you continue through the Iron Gates, passing through the Small and Great Kazan gorges. This afternoon dock at. Donji Milanovac from where a short drive takes you to the impressive EXHIBITION CENTER housing archaeological artifacts found in this area and from where you have unique views of the Danube Gorge .(B,L,D)
Day #11 Belgrade, Serbia. 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 alively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. (B,L,D)
Day #12 Vukovar, Croatia. Excursion to Osijek. Today, learn more about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence. Accompanied by local experts, explore both Osijek, an important economic and cultural center, as well as Vukovar, Croatia’s largest river port located at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers. Vukovar was scene to an 87-day siege in 1991, known as the Battle of Vukovar. This and other dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region. (B,L,D)
Day #13 Mohács. Excursion to Pecs and the Villány Wine District. This morning, a guided excursion takes you to Pecs, Hungary’s fifth-largest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture . Then into the Villány district, where some of Hungary’s best red wines are produced. Learn more about which varietals are grown, and why the climate and soil conditions here are ideal for the production of excellent wines. Relax on board this afternoon as you sail toward Budapest. (B,L,D)
Day #14 Budapest. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Eight 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 #15 Bratislava, Slovakia (Disembarkation)–Vienna, Austria. This morning, bid farewell to your ship’s crew as you arrive in Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. A Certified Local Guide will show you the charming Old Town with its Town Hall and views of Mirbach Palace, as well as gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL. Then, a motorcoach transfer will take you to Vienna, where you have free time to start exploring Austria’s capital on your own. (B)
Day #16 Vienna. Vienna is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Disembark after breakfast and enjoy an included tour of Austria’s capital. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, the city has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majesticRingstrasse, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights. You do not rush through Vienna—you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)
Day #17 Vienna. Your vacation ends with breakfast today. (B)
