 |
Cruise Categories |
 |
|
|
|
|
Quick Find |
 |
|
|
Follow Us |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blue Danube and Black Sea - from Bucharest2012 Season |
From 2,756EUR |
 |
|
|
Length: 13 days from Bucharest to Vienna
Overview
A deluxe Danube River cruise from Bucharest to Vienna is the highlight on this fascinating getaway through Eastern Europe. See the sights with a Local Guide in each city and sail through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. Along the way, explore Romania’s lively capital of Bucharest, Constanta on the Black Sea, Bulgaria’s Arbanassi and Veliko Târnovo, Serbia’s Belgrade, Croatia’s Vukovar, and the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Your adventure concludes with guided sightseeing and two overnights in Vienna, the magical “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—a delightful way to end this memorable vacation!
Duration: 13 Days
Ships Serving this Tour: Imagery
| Start Date |
End Date |
| 21 July, 2012 |
02 August, 2012 |
| 29 September, 2012 |
11 October, 2012 |
City Highlights
CRUISE: Deluxe 9-night cruise from Oltenita to Vienna in an outside stateroom with hotel-style bedsBUCHAREST: Guided sightseeing, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art MuseumOLTENITA: Welcome receptionCONSTANTA: Guided sightseeing, visit the Natural History and Archaeological MuseumVELIKO TÂRNOVO: Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch’s ChurchARBANASSI: Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the NativityIRON GATES: Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan TableBELGRADE: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan FortressVUKOVAR: Guided sightseeingMOHÁCS: Excursion to PecsBUDAPEST: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s BastionVIENNA: Guided sightseeing
Day 1 Arrive in Bucharest, Romania. Welcome to Bucharest! Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained this city the name “Paris of the East.”
Day 2 Bucharest–Oltenita (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 short motorcoach ride takes you to Oltenita where your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
Day 3 Cernavod?. Excursion to Constanta, Black Sea. Today, disembark in Cernavod?. From here, a 40-mile-long canal, the pride and joy of communist achievement, runs to Agigea and N?voradi on the Black Sea. Constanta is the most important commercial center of Romania. Enjoy a guided tour of this popular resort town and visit the NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Svistov, Bulgaria. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi. A comfortable ride from 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. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Iron Gates. The Trajan Table marking the Roman conquest of Dacia and the Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo are impressive sights on the left 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 6 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 a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Vukovar, Croatia. Today, learn more about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence. Vukovar, Croatia’s largest river port, which is located at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers, 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 8 Mohács, Hungary. Excursion to Pecs. Mohács, situated on the Hungarian border with Croatia, was the scene of two famous battles that marked the beginning and end of the Ottoman dominance over Hungary. From here, an excursion takes you to Pecs, Hungary’s fifth-largest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Budapest. 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 10 Budapest–Vienna. A free morning in Budapest before cruising to Vienna. Time to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upriver and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Vienna, Austria (Disembarkation). 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: the 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 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 12 Vienna. A free day in this fascinating city, with time to browse the shops and pick up some last-minute souvenirs. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (B)
Day 13 Vienna. Your vacation ends with breakfast today. (B)
Meals: Buffet breakfast (B) in Bucharest and Vienna; 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; quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements.
Hotel Information: BUCHAREST Athénée Palace Hilton (SF), VIENNA InterContinental (D); |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Currencies |
|
|
|
|
|
Questions? |
|
|
|
Information |
|
|
|
Affiliate Program |
|
|
|
|
|
Danube
