Tour Details - BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION - CATEGORY E
BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION - CATEGORY E
DISCOUNTS ON EVERY TOUR, UP TO 10% !!!
Tour Duration: 16 days Tour Code: WVOE-E2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$6870 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Welcome to Vienna, Austria's capital, which is known as the "City of Music" and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.
2
VIENNA Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your included tour. You do not rush through Vienna-you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)
3
VIENNA (EMBARKATION) Time today to browse the shops along the Karntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood cafe. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
4
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. (B,L,D)
5
BUDAPEST A free day to explore Budapest at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D)
6
MOHACS. EXCURSION TO PECS Mohacs, on the border with Croatia, was the scene of two famous battles that marked the beginning and the end of the Ottoman dominance of Hungary. From here, an excursion takes you to Pecs, Hungary's fifthlargest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture. (B,L,D)
7
VUKOVAR, CROATIA Today, learn more about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence. Vukovar, Croatia's largest river port located at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers, was scene to an 87-day siege in 1991, known as The Battle of Vukovar. This and other dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region. (B,L,D)
8
BELGRADE, SERBIA The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A local expert will be proud to show you its main sights which include the city's principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS; St. Sava, the world's largest Orthodox church; and Marshal Tito's tomb and monument. The city center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafes. (B,L,D)
9
IRON GATES The Serbian fortresses of Smederevo and Golubac and the Trajan Table marking the Roman conquest of Dacia are impressive sights on the right bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the IRON GATES, 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. (B,L,D)
10
SVISTOV, BULGARIA-EXCURSION TO VELIKO TARNOVO & ARBANASSI-ROUSSE A comfortable ride from Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of the Royal Fortress, palaces, and the PATRIARCH'S CHURCH. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Rejoin your ship in Rousse. (B,L,D)
11
HARSOVA, ROMANIA. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA, BLACK SEA-CERNAVODA Constanta, situated on the Black Sea, is the most important commercial center in Romania. Enjoy a guided tour of this popular resort town and visit the NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. Return to your ship at Cernavoda. From here, the 40-mile-long canal, the pride and joy of communist achievement, runs to Agigea and Navoradi on the Black Sea. (B,L,D)
12
OLTENITA (DISEMBARKATION)-BUCHAREST Bucharest, Romania's lively capital, is only a short drive from Oltenita. Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained it the name "Paris of the East." Much recent history has taken place here. During your included tour, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon, and Royal Palace Square, scene of riots in 1989, which led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. (B)
13
BUCHAREST-ISTANBUL, TURKEY Today, fly to Istanbul. Free time to relax and begin soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. (B)
14
ISTANBUL Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in the year 330, and finally called Istanbul, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between the Orient and the Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent history. Guided sightseeing includes Emperor Justinian's HAGIA SOPHIA and Sultan Ahmet's BLUE MOSQUE, magnificent monuments to two competing world religions that stand peacefully side by side; TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, residence of the Ottoman Sultans; and the GRAND BAZAAR. (B)
15
ISTANBUL A free day in Istanbul to explore on your own. Or, why not join a full-day optional excursion to the fabulous archaeological site of Ephesus? Fly to Izmir, then travel to the city which later became the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked, "Is there a greater city?" Visit the Library of Celsus, the Amphitheater, and listen to exciting "inside stories" of life in ancient Ephesus as you walk down its "Champs Elysees." Also visit the House of the Virgin Mary before returning to Istanbul for a final evening in Turkey. (B)
16
ISTANBUL Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Deluxe 9-night cruise from Vienna to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds (Category E) VIENNA: Guided sightseeing; welcome reception BUDAPEST: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen's Bastion MOHACS: Excursion to Pecs VUKOVAR: Guided sightseeing BELGRADE: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress IRON GATES: Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan Table VELIKO TARNOVO: Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch's Church ARBANASSI: Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity CONSTANTA: Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological Museum BUCHAREST: Guided sightseeing, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art Museum ISTANBUL EXTENSION: Intra-tour flight to Istanbul; guided sightseeing, visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and Grand Bazaar; Host service during your stay MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B) in Vienna and Bucharest; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements. Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the cruise description
Meals Breakfast - 15 Lunch - 8 Dinner - 9
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
49
EUR
Name:ROYAL WALTZ CONCERT Location:VIENNA Details:Would a stay in Vienna be the same if you were not able to listen to the tunes of the "Blue Danube Waltz" or the "Radetzky" March? Your Cruise Director will accompany you to one of Vienna's famous Concert Halls. Avalon will make preferred seating arrangements. In order to celebrate this evening in style, have a glass of sparkling wine in the intermission, before you listen to the famous tunes brought to you by opera singers and watch the elegant ballet dancers as they interpret some of the most well known classical tunes from Vienna.
44
EUR
Name:A VISIT OF SCHONBRUNN IMPERIAL PALACE Location:VIENNA Details:Schonbrunn, the former summer residence of the Imperial family, is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. The Habsburgs resided here for the better part of the year in numerous rooms to house the large Imperial family in addition to representational rooms. Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO's cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings. Follow our local expert and visit Empress Sisi's former summer residence, afterwards take your time to stroll through the park or enjoy a demonstration of how the famous Viennese Apple Strudel is made - Samples to taste included.
54
EUR
Name:BEETHOVEN'S VIENNA WOODS Location:VIENNA Details:Vienna is surrounded by a ring of hills and forests; the famous Vienna woods. Composers like Strauss, Schubert and Beethoven were inspired by the lovely landscape and the unique buildings that shaped this area. A leisurely motorcoach transfer brings us to the abbey of Heiligenkreuz for a first stop and a short inside visit of the little church. On the way to Baden, we hear about crown-prince Rudolf's love and tragic end, and see the Helenental that inspired Beethoven to one of his most famous music pieces before we arrive in Baden, once the summer spa of the Viennese nobility. Free time for lunch; Music lovers may enjoy an inside visit to the Beethoven house, or simply stroll through the lovely pedestrian area before returning to Vienna via the Wine road.
49
EUR
Name:AN EXCURSION TO SZENTENDRE IN PEST COUNTY, HUNGARY Location:BUDAPEST Details:An exiting round trip by Hydrofoil (weather permitting) takes you to Skanzen, Szentendre's Open Air Museum. It presents folk architecture, interior decoration, farming and way of life in the Hungarian language area from the 2nd half of the 18th century to the 1st half of the 20th century. The more and more elaborate settlement plan appropriates the relocation of more than 400 edifices into the museum, arranged into village-like regional units on the basis of ethnographical considerations. Within the units buildings are fitted into the traditional system of peasant households, supplemented by sacred, communal and outbuildings which used to be integral parts of traditional villages. Dwellings and farm-buildings represent the typical houses and outbuildings having evolved historically in each region. Halfway through the walk, try the oven baked bread with sour cream/garlic and a glass of wine in a cellar which exhibits the history of pub life in Hungary. In the second half of the afternoon you will see Caprice, a famous Jewellery centre, where the history and artisanship of jewellery making will reveal itself.
59
EUR
Name:HUNGARIAN PUSZTA FARM WITH HORSE SHOW AND LUNCH Location:BUDAPEST Details:Admire the unsurpassed qualities of the Hungarian Equestrian virtue at an active stud farm on the Great Hungarian Plain. Enjoy the sight of the proud horses as they lead the festive procession. Take a typical country wagon ride and learn about the life on the typical Hungarian farm. Experience the well-known Hungarian hospitality in the most natural environment of the Puszta Farm. The Hungarians have been inseparable from their horses for more than a thousand years. Do not miss this unique opportunity to experience the Hungarian countryside and its authentic ways.
42
EUR
Name:DINNER AT BELGRADE'S SKADARLIJA DISTRICT Location:BELGRADE Details:Once the home of many Serbian poets, writers, artists, and actors, the cobble-stoned Skadarlija (or Skadarska) street today hosts some of the best restaurants in town, all of which strive to preserve bohemian traditions from the early 19th century. Definitely the place to go if you want to get a feel of the atmosphere of Belgrade's old times, cruise art galleries, shop for antiques or souvenirs, or taste the best of local food.
54
EUR
Name:BUCHAREST STYLE ROMANIAN DINNER Location:BUCHAREST Details:Taste traditional Romanian fare in Bucharest with your fellow travellers on the evening of our stay in the Romanian capital. The Romanians rightly pride themselves in being the Balkan's most versatile chefs and equally so, producers of some of the continent's finest spirits. Your fine Bucharest style 4-course Romanian Dinner with drinks, all in the elegant setting of Bucharest's most prestigious "Villa District", transportation and guided services are all included.
Optional Excursions
