See the best of Eastern Europe on this exhilarating Balkan adventure.
Your cruise 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 Kalemegdan Fortress
in Belgrade, the eclectic rock formations of Belogradchik, Patriarch’s
Church in Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi’s Ethnographical Museum and Church
of the Nativity, and the National Art Museum in Bucharest. Other
highlights: an organ concert in Pécs, passing through the dramatic Iron
Gates gorge, and visits to the Lepenski Vir archaeological site and
Vidin’s medieval fortress. Your journey ends with an overnight in
Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital and the “Paris of the East.”
Vacation Itinerary
Day Num:
1 Arrive in Budapest, Hungary.
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital spanning the banks of the
Danube. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern
Europe’s most cosmopolitan metropolis.
Day Num:
2 Budapest.
Whether you’re seeing the sights, shopping for handcrafted embroidery
or Herend porcelain, or basking in the coffee house culture over a rich
cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud Café, Budapest’s unique energy is
positively palatable. On your included GUIDED TOUR of the city, the
massive hilltop castle complex is a major sight with its remarkable
Fishermen’s Bastion and 11th-century Matthias Church, the coronation
spot of several Hungarian monarchs. Be sure to take note of the city’s
eight bridges—many famous sights in and of themselves—which connect
ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. You may even want
to walk across Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849. This
afternoon is free. Perhaps visit St. Stephen’s Basilica for marvelous
city views from its viewing platform, or stroll along Váci utca, the
main shopping street. (B)
Day Num:
3 Budapest (Embarkation).
This morning you can explore this vibrant city at your own pace. Shop
at the Great Market Hall and purchase paprika or embroidery at one of
its 180 vendor stalls, or wander around the Royal Palace grounds. This
afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a
welcome reception. (B,D)
Day Num:
4 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs.
This morning, enjoy some leisurely cruising before arriving in Mohács,
the last stop in Hungary. After lunch, an included excursion takes you
to Pécs. Established by the Romans in the 2nd century, this was a
flourishing and important town for Christianity by the 4th century.
These early Christians left behind many underground burial chambers with
memorial chapels above ground. With a Local Guide, visit the
UNDERGROUND TOMBS—now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site—many of which
have splendidly decorated murals with Christian themes. Later, enjoy an
ORGAN CONCERT. Pécs is also a rich showcase of Turkish architecture and
home to Turkish mosques, striking churches, and an enjoyable atmosphere
around its restaurants and cafés. (B,L,D)
Day Num:
5 Belgrade, Serbia.
Before arriving in Belgrade this afternoon, attend a fascinating
ONBOARD LECTURE on the Balkans to better help you understand this region
of Europe. One of the oldest cities in Europe, the capital of Serbia is
situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A Local Guide
will be proud to show you its main sights, including St. Sava, the
world’s largest orthodox church. Also visit the city’s principal
landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS, which showcases the history of Belgrade.
Built in stages between the 1st and 18th centuries, the fortress
witnessed many battles and observed the courage of those trying to
defend the city from conquerors. The surrounding park is the most
beautiful and largest park in Belgrade. In your free time, be sure to
check out the city’s lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés.
(B,L,D)
Day Num:
6 Excursion to Lepenski Vir–Iron Gates.
After breakfast, dock at Donji Milanovac, where a short drive takes you
to the impressive LEPENSKI VIR EXHIBITION CENTER, which houses area
archaeological artifacts and from where you have unique views of the
Danube Gorge. Return to your ship before lunch, then cruise what must
surely be the most spectacular scenery of the dramatic IRON GATES gorge,
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 Num:
7 Vidin, Bulgaria. Excursion to Belogradchik.
Vidin is an important Danube port in northwestern Bulgaria. Its
medieval FORTRESS, known as “Baba Vidin,” is the town’s primary
landmark. It served as Vidin’s main defensive installation during the
course of the Middle Ages and is the only entirely preserved medieval
fortress in the country. It is now a fortress museum and has been
restored to its former appearance. In the afternoon, drive to nearby
Belogradchik to view the eclectic group of ROCK FORMATIONS on the
western slopes of the Balkan Mountains. Sculpted by natural elements for
more than 200 million years and with a variety of sizes and shapes, the
Belogradchik Rocks are spectacular! (B,L,D)
Day Num:
8 Svistov–Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Rousse.
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. One of the oldest towns in Bulgaria
(dating back to 4300 BC), the oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of
the Royal Fortress, palaces, and the PATRIARCH’S CHURCH. With your Local
Guide, discover this town that played an important role in Bulgaria’s
history. Next, journey to Arbanassi, founded in the 15th century, and
best known for its Bulgarian Revival architecture and ETHNOGRAPHICAL
MUSEUM, a 400-year-old house preserved as a museum. Visit the CHURCH OF
THE NATIVITY, one of the town’s oldest churches, and see its outstanding
collection of frescoes. Rejoin your ship in Rousse, Bulgaria’s largest
inland port. If you don’t wish to participate in the full-day excursion,
stay on board, relax, and join a GUIDED TOUR of Rousse in the
afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day Num:
9 Oltenita, Romania (Disembarkation)–Bucharest. Bucharest,
Romania’s lively capital, is only a short drive from Oltenita. Its
wide, tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—built in 1922 to honor
the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in WWI—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, and the Royal Palace Square, 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, which includes over 100,000
works of Romanian and European art from the 15th to the 20th centuries.
In your free time, discover this interesting city even further. Stroll
down Calea Victoriei, “Victory Avenue,” Bucharest’s most historic and
alluring street. Initially built in 1692, today it is lined with shops,
museums, churches, restaurants, cafés, and fine houses. (B)
Day Num:
10 Bucharest. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Availability: October 15, 2013 and February 11, 2014
For more information on this River Cruise Vacation Offer
http://www.rivercruisespecialist.com/tours/WBO/2014
If you are thinking about seeing Europe, why not unpack once and cruise into Paris, city of lights, or cruise
by breathtaking castles on the Rhine, visit Vienna (known as the 'city
of music') or Amsterdam with its' world famous museums.
For river cruise vacation deals-
http://www.rivercruisespecialist.com/
