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ITINERARY (Prague to Budapest)
Day 1. Budapest.
Although Budapest is not as well-known as Paris, it could lay claim to being an equally romantic city, thanks to the splendid buildings and its wonderful position on the banks of the Danube. After checking in to your deluxe hotel, enjoy some time in the afternoon to explore as you please in this delightful city.
Two Night Stay: Budapest.
Day 2. Budapest.
Today a morning sightseeing tour takes you to such places as historic Buda Castle, where you have views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion and the marvellous Royal Palace. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps explore the main square, ancient Buda, stroll through the Statue Park or just find somewhere to sit and absorb the majesty of this beautiful Hungarian city.
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Day 3. Puszta Excursion - Embark Ship.
Explore the Hungarian Puszta region, the vast flat Great Plain, where Hungarian ‘cowboys’ still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Visit a typical Gypsy village and marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders and drivers during the horse show. There will be a light lunch of goulash, the national dish, before boarding your luxurious river ship in Budapest.
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Day 4. Mohacs - Pecs - Vukovar.
This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. Upon arrival here, take a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue, visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica, all accompanied by the traditions and tales of old Pecs brought alive by the local guides. Mohacs is very close to the Croatian border and as the ship exits Hungary the river forms the boundary between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. Tonight the ship will arrive in Vukovar.
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Day 5. Vukovar - Novi Sad.
This morning enjoy a tour of Vukovar by bus and foot. During lunch cruise to Novi Sad in Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress, guarding the Danube. Ruled by the Ottoman Turks for 160 years, from the early 16th century, the current fortress was improved and modified by the Habsburg Austrians.
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Day 6. Belgrade.
This morning you arrive in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade. The White City dates back more than 2,500 years with medieval tombs, Turkish baths and fortifications dating back to Celtic times. On your city tour see the home of the Patriarch and St Sava’s, the largest Orthodox church in the country, the old and new towns, Tito’s Memorial, the Town Hall, Parliament Building, as well as Belgrade Fort and Kalemegdan Fortress.
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Day 7. Cruising - Iron Gates.
Today settle in for a full day of cruising through one of Europe’s most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrow gorges as the river winds past the Carpathian Mountains on one side of the river and the Balkan Mountains on the other. These natural borders today make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania. Bask in the fresh air and take a moment to admire one of the great natural attractions of Europe from atop your vessel’s Sun Deck, or even from the privacy of your suite.
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Day 8. Vidin.
The Bada Vida fortress stands guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle has thick walls and dark towers, which contrast with the natural surroundings of the park it sits within. Travel overland to see Belogradchik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations.
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Day 9. Giurgiu - Bucharest.
Today enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, Romania’s capital and its largest city. The French influence is paramount in many of the restored buildings of the former aristocracy and monarchy. During the morning city tour you will see the Arch of Triumph, the Athenaeum and Library as well as the Parliament Palace - the world’s second largest building. Following lunch in a local restaurant, in the afternoon you can choose to have free time or visit the open air museum, dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania.
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Day 10. Rousse - Disembark Cruise - Veliko Turnovo - Nessebur.
This morning you will disembark in Rousse and continue your tour by coach to the Black Sea and Istanbul. First stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. Passengers who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia, a wonderful street market. Then will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing on to the Black Sea and the town of Nessebur.
Stay: Nessebur.
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Day 11. Nessebur - Istanbul.
Situated on a small peninsula, Nessebur is one of the oldest towns in Europe. During this morning’s insightful walking tour you will visit St Stephan’s, Pantocrator Church and Nessebur’s oldest church, the Basilica on the Beach. After taking some free time for lunch, you’ll re-board your ship and continue to Istanbul, Turkey, arriving late this afternoon.
Three Night Stay: Istanbul.
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Day 12. Istanbul Sightseeing.
Istanbul is situated in an intriguing position at the crossroads of both Europe and Asia, on the banks of the Bosphorus. Formerly Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman Empire, the city’s rich history goes back thousands of years. This morning’s city tour will feature the old city of Istanbul. See the mighty defensive walls, Roman aqueduct and hippodrome, the Suleymaniye Mosque and church of the Pantocrator, the Galata Tower and the Blue Mosque. Later you have the choice to see more of Byzantine Constantinople and visit one of Christendom’s greatest churches, St Sophia, or explore more of Ottoman Istanbul and visit the Grand Bazaar.
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Day 13. Istanbul.
Today after breakfast you will visit the Sultan’s Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the time of the conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century until the end of the 19th century. The palace has many fine buildings, pavilions and courtyards. During your tour you will see the private chambers of the Sultans, the world famous harem, the treasury, home to the Topkapi diamond, the holy relics room, Hagia Eirene Church originally constructed by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reception rooms of the Imperial Court.
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Day 14. Depart Istanbul.
Today after breakfast, your wonderful tour ends.
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