Day
1 Depart Vancouver
Day
2 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 3 Budapest
Free day to explore
Day
4 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, see
Heroes' Square as well as 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, built in 1849 and a
symbol of Budapest. 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. (Breakfast)
Day 5 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. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Excursion to Lepinski 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. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Day 9 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! Before you leave Vidin, a local
expert will come on board to demonstrate the technique
of ICON PAINTING (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 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. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 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.
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.
(Breakfast)
Day 12 Bucharest
Free day toexplore
Day
13 Bucharest
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Flight
to Vancouver. (Breakfast)
|