Begin your vacation in Vienna, one of the world's most celebrated cities, renowned for its music, architecture and dance. Transfer to Budapest to begin your Danube voyage. Discover the rolling hills and vine-clad slopes of Pecs before departing Hungary. Soon, you will cruise the portion of the Danube that makes up the boundary between Serbia and Croatia. Traverse the narrow gorges of the Iron Gates, a stunning passage that divides Europe's Balkan and Carpathian mountains. Then, sail along the Romanian-Bulgarian border to Bucharest, the capital and largest city in Romania. Disembark and continue by motor coach to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, before arriving in Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria. Conclude your grand vacation in Istanbul, rich in history that dates back for millennia.
All local Taxes Day 1, DEPART USA/CANADA
Board your overnight flight to Vienna, Austria.
Day 2, ARRIVE IN VIENNA
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the Day is at your leisure.
Day 3, VIENNA
This morning, your city tour takes you around the Burgring, the circular road around Vienna's historic center. You will also take a walking tour through Vienna's old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights of your tour will include the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or join an optional tour to the Imperial SchAnbrunn Palace. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B)
Day 4, VIENNA - BUDAPEST - EMBARK SHIP
Bid farewell to Vienna as you check out of the hotel and travel to Budapest where you will have free time for lunch followed by a sightseeing tour in Buda & Pest. From historic Buda Castle, enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features a visit to the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion. Afterwards, embark your ship which is docked in the city center. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
Day 5, MOHACS - PECS - VILANY
Arrive in Mohacs during breakfast and then depart for your excursion to Pecs, EU Cultural Capital 2010. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pecs became an important early Christian bishopric and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. Upon arrival, visit the Mosque Church, the largest structure surviving from the Ottoman period as well as the underground burial chambers dating back to the 4th century. You will also see St. Peter's Basilica, the main Catholic cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohacs. After lunch, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion, where you will sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Vilany. In the alternative, a guided bicycle tour to Mohacs is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 6, VUKOVAR, CROATIA - NOVI SAD, SERBIA
This morning, choose between a tour of Vukovar or wine tasting in the town of Ilok. Your city tour of Vukovar includes the Ovcara Memorial, the monumental cross that is a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia's struggle for independence. As an alternative, travel to the town of Ilok, which is famous for its wines. Here, you will visit a local winery and sample their vintages before your walking tour of the town. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia. Enjoy a walking tour of Novi Sad in the afternoon, beginning at the Danube Park and then stroll through the old town center. You will also tour the 18th-century Austrian-Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)
Day 7, BELGRADE
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and explore its myriad of streets, plazas and squares. Belgrade has over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. On your panoramic tour, you will see the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. As an alternative, choose to take the Tito's Memorial tour which includes a visit to the House of Flowers, where the tomb of Josip Tito is located. You will also see some of the many gifts Tito received during his presidency. You will have free time in the city center after your tour to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the main pedestrian and shopping center of the city. A guided bicycle tour is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 8, CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES - VIDIN, BULGARIA
Today, enjoy a full Day of cruising through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows, as it winds through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern foothills of the Balkan Mountains. Forming the natural border between Serbia and Romania, today's passage will be an unforgettable highlight of your Black Sea adventure. Late this evening, the ship sails to Vidin. (B,L,D)
Day 9, VIDIN
The "Baba Vida" Fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle has massive walls and dark towers, in contrast to the natural park that surrounds the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations. (B,L,D)
Day 10, GIURGIU - BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - ROUSSE, BULGARIA
Enjoy a full Day excursion to Bucharest, known as "Paris of the East." Visit the Open Air Museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. After lunch, you will have two options. Enjoy a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest building in the world or tour the Historical center. Spend the remainder of the Day at your leisure. (B,L,D)
Day 11, ROUSSE - DISEMBARK SHIP - VELIKO TARNOVO - PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
Disembark the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motor coach. Your first stop is in the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the hill top town of Arbanassi where you will sample a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing on to Plovdiv. This evening, see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town on a walking tour before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 12, PLOVDIV - ISTANBUL, TURKEY
After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Black Sea Voyage. You will stop for lunch in Erdine, and then continue on to Istanbul where you will check into your hotel. The rest of the evening is free to explore on your own. (B,L)
Day 13, ISTANBUL
A comprehensive city tour will take you through its old city, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of its historic past. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the Galata Tower and visit the Blue Mosque. This afternoon is free to explore the town on your own or join the optional "Turkish Delight" tour. (B)
Day 14, ISTANBUL
Today, your guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th century until the end of the 19th century. During your tour, admire the private chambers of the Sultans, marvel at the world famous Harem and also see the treasury, home to the Topkapi Diamond. This afternoon, enjoy an optional Bosporus cruise to Ortakoy or use the remainder of the Day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B)
Day 15, ISTANBUL - USA
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)