Experience a Escorted Coach tour of Istanbul and Gallipoli before embarking on a river cruise from Bucharest to Budapest along the Danube river.
Day 1. Arrive Istanbul
On arrival in Istanbul, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day to familiarise yourself with the city or relax, before tonight’s Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Istanbul Sightseeing
Today, a tour will take you through Istanbul’s old city, with its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of an historic past. Admire the defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the Galata Tower and visit the Blue Mosque as well as Hagia Sophia, today a museum that’s one of the best surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Afterwards learn the culinary arts during a Turkish Cooking Class.
Day 3. Istanbul, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, perhaps tour Topkapi Palace, relax with a Turkish bath experience and massage or visit the Rüstem Pasha Mosque and the Spice Bazaar, before lunch at the Orient Express railway restaurant.
Day 4. Istanbul, Çanakkale
Leave Istanbul and travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Arrive in Gelibolu for lunch then continue to the national park area for a tour of the war memorials, including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Later arrive in Çanakkale and enjoy time at leisure, before dinner.
Day 5. Çanakkale, Istanbul
Depart Çanakkale and head for the ancient city of Troy, referred to in Homer’s Iliad. Then return to Istanbul, where you will enjoy a seafood dinner during which you’ll be entertained by a Turkish belly dancing performance.
Day 6. Istanbul, Bucharest, Rousse
Today, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Bucharest. On arrival, transfer to Rousse and board your river ship.
Day 7. Giurgiu, Bucharest
Today enjoy an excursion to Bucharest, Romania’s capital and its largest city. During a city tour, see the Arch of Triumph, the Athenaeum and Library as well as the Parliament Palace. Then enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before free time.
Day 8. Vidin
Arrive in Vidin today and see the Baba Vida Fortress guarding the Danube at this Bulgarian frontier town. Then travel by coach to Belogradchik to see the mighty Kaleto Fortress, on the north slopes of the Balkan Mountains.
Day 9. Iron Gates
Today relax atop your ship’s Sun Deck or in the Observation Lounge as you cruise through one of Europe’s most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates, a natural border that makes up the frontier between Serbia and Romania.
Day 10. Belgrade
Arrive this morning in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. On a tour here, visit the home of the Patriarch and St Sava’s, the old and new towns, Tito’s memorial, the Town Hall, Parliament Building, Belgrade Fort plus the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress.
Day 11. Novi Sad - Vukovar
Arrive in Novi Sad this morning and see the 18th century Petrovaradin Fortress. After a city tour, continue to Vukovar in Croatia.
Day 12. Mohács, Pécs
Today arrive in Mohács for an excursion to Pécs. Charming Old Pécs is brought alive by your local guide. After lunch on board, enjoy a wine tasting excursion and sample wines.
Day 13. Budapest, Great Hungarian Plain, Disembark Ship
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, be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. Perhaps sample goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest and checking in to your hotel.
Day 14. Budapest Sightseeing
After breakfast, join a tour that includes such places as 500 year-old Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and Buda Castle. Following this insightful tour, the remainder of the day is at your leisure before a Farewell Dinner tonight.
Day 15. Depart Budapest
After breakfast this morning, your tour ends as you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
