Amadeus Waterways Black Sea VoyageOverviewStart your journey with vibrant Budapest, a famous haven for musicians, writers and artists. See the rolling hills and vine clad slopes of Pecs before departing Hungary where the river makes up the boundry between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. Cruise through the narrow gorges of the Iron Gates. Visit one of the many restored buildings of the former aristocracy and monarchy as you explore the capital and largest city in Romania, Bucharest. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and one of the oldest towns in Europe, Nessebar. Conclude your grand vacation in Istanbul - a city with rich history going back thousands of years. Brief Itinerary
Your Travel Value Includes
Detailed ItineraryDay 1, Thu. DEPART USABoard your overnight flight to Budapest. Day 2, Fri. ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. Day 3, Sat. BUDAPEST Morning sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, where you have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year old Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Day 4, Sun. BUDAPEST The Puszta, is the region of Hungary most widely known throughout the world. The vast flat Great Hungarian Plain stretches across to the east, where Hungarian cowboys still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Upon arrival you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. Try a light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest to transfer to your ship. Day 5, Mon. MOHACS - PECS EXCURSION (HUNGARY) - CRUISE TO CROATIA This morning, the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. Upon arrival, there is a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue, visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica, all accompanied by the traditions and tails of old Pecs brought alive by the local guides. Mohacs is very close to the frontier of Hungary. As the ship exits Hungary the river makes up the boundary between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. You will be leaving the European Union and passing into two countries within the space of several miles. Tonight the ship will arrive in Vukovar, Croatia. Day 6, Tue. VUKOVAR-NOVI SAD, CROATIA & SERBIA There will be a bus and walking tour during which you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and Churchs St.Philip and St.Roch. During lunch cruise to Novi Sad Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress. Day 7, Wed. BELGRADE, SERBIA This morning you arrive in the Capital of Serbia, Belgrade, where you will see both old and new towns. Your tour features Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Sq, Republic Sq. and Mihajlova street; as well as Belgrade Fort, "Varoš" Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. Day 8, Thu. CRUISING - IRON GATES Today is a full cruising day through one of Europe's most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrows gorges, as the river winds between the Carpathian Mountains on one side of the river and Balkan Mountains on the other. These natural borders today make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania. Day 9, Fri. VIDIN, BULGARIA The "Bada Vida" Fortress sits 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. You will also travel overland to see Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations. Day 10, Sat. GUIRGUI-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, Capital and largest city in Romania. This "Paris of the East" is famed for it's Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th century. During the morning city tour, you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, Athenaeum and Library, as well as visit the Parliament Palace - the world's largest palace. Followed by lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon you can choose to have free time for shopping and exploration on your own or visit the open air museum, a museum dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. Day 11, Sun. ROUSE-VELIKO TURNAVO-NESSEBAR, BULGARIA This morning, you will disembark in Rouse and continue your tour by coach to the Black Sea and Istanbul. First stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Those pax who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street. You will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and the town of Nessebar. Day 12, Mon. NESSEBAR-ISTANBUL During this morning’s walking tour you will visit St.Stephan's, Pantocrator church and Nessebars oldest church the 5th-6th century Basilica on the Beach. After free time for lunch, you continue onto Istanbul, Turkey, arriving late this afternoon.
Day 13, Tue. ISTANBUL
Day 14, Wed. ISTANBUL
Day 15, Thu. ISTANBUL-USA Cost of This Itinerary13 night cruise and landThe least expensive stateroom costs $229 per person per night in low season and $237 pp pn in high season
The most expensive suite costs |
