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Overview

See the best of Eastern Europe on this exciting Black Sea adventure. Your vacation begins with two overnights in the lively Hungarian capital of Budapest. Board your ship and head south, enjoying guided sightseeing in each city, including inside visits of Fishermen’s Bastion in Budapest, Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, Patriarch’s Church in Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi’s Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity, Varna’s National Archaeological Museum, and the National Art Museum in Bucharest. Other highlights: a Puszta excursion with display of Hungarian horsemanship, an organ concert in Kalocsa, sailing past the Petrovaradin Fortress at Novi Sad, and passing through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. Your journey ends with an overnight in Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital and the “Paris of the East.”

CRUISE:

Deluxe 7-night cruise from Budapest to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

BUDAPEST:

Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion; Puszta excursion with display of horsemanship; welcome reception

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 TÂRNOVO:

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

Meals – (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

Full buffet breakfast (B) in Budapest 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

Hotels

BUDAPEST InterContinental (SF), BUCHAREST Athénée Palace Hilton (SF)

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.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Budapest, Hungary

(Fri.) Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 2Budapest

(Sat.) Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting 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. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (Breakfast)

Day 3Budapest (Embarkation)

(Sun.) Not far from the capital and an integral part of Hungarian rural life is the PUSZTA, or Great Plain, the vast grasslands where the country’s beloved fiery horses are reared. After a visit and a demonstration of traditional Hungarian EQUESTRIAN PROWESS performed by the Csikós, wranglers in their picturesque costumes, return to Budapest. Board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4Kalocsa–Pecs

(Mon.) Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. This quiet town that 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5Novi 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 of struggle, victory and defeat alike. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6Belgrade

(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 cafés. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7Iron 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8Svistov, Bulgaria–Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Rousse

(Fri.) A comfortable ride from the river port of Svistov 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. Rousse today is Bulgaria’s largest inland port. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9Silistra, Bulgaria–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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10Oltenita, 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 in the city. During the included tour this afternoon, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon. The 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. (Breakfast)

Day 11Bucharest

(Mon.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

BLACK SEA DISCOVERY – CATEGORY E

Tour Code – WBO-E

11 days Budapest to Bucharest
2 nights Budapest, 7 night cruise from Budapest to Oltenita, 1 night bucharest

*The departure date above is based on starting your vacation on day 1 of the itinerary.

UPGRADING CABINS

To upgrade to a higher cabin category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:

INCLUDED CHARGES

OPTIONAL CHARGES

ACCOMMODATION PRICES

Please note triple rooms not available.

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Europe