Black Sea Voyage

14 day program (2 nights in Vienna + 7 night cruise + 1 night in Bulgaria + 3 nights in Istanbul)

Guaranteed Departures

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.

Included in your program:

° 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Vienna at the InterContinental (or similar) with daily Buffet Breakfast (Budapest is also

  available; ask for details)

° Transfer from the hotel in Vienna to the ship in Budapest

° 7-night Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom

° Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary

° Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Internet, Movie and Music Library & English Language TV stations

° Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms

° Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise

° Free-flowing Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions, beer and soft drinks with every Dinner on board the Ship

° Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily

° Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner

° Fully escorted Motorcoach Tour from the Ship in Rousse, Bulgaria to Istanbul

° 1-Night Hotel Accommodation in Plovdiv at the Dedeman (or similar) including Buffet Breakfast

° 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Istanbul at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel (or similar) including daily Buffet Breakfast

° Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, onboard Music Performances and afternoon and evening

  Piano performance

° Use of Bicycles to explore on your own

° Services of Professional Cruise Manager

° All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)

° All local Taxes

Day 1  Arrive in Vienna
Arrive in Vienna. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 2 - 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 tours will include the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, Vienna University, Kartnerstrasse and Sacher Hotel. (B)

Day 3 - Vienna - Budapest - Embarkation
Transfer to Budapest, where you will enjoy a city tour before embarking your ship. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at the Gala Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

Day 4 - Mohacs - Pecs - Vilany
Arrive in Mohács 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. The area around Pecs is made up of rolling hills, vine clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, you will take a city tour that includes UNESCO underground excavations. After lunch on board ship, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion, where you will sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Vilány. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Vukovar, Croatia - Novi Sad, Serbia
Your guided motor coach and walking tour of Vukovar will include the Manorhouse Eltz and the Ovcara Memorial (Croatian victims of the Yugoslav civil war). Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia. Enjoy a walking tour of Novi Sad in the afternoon. The ship sails for Belgrade this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - 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. Your guided tour features Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, the Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Street, Republic Square and Mihajlova Street, "Varos" Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. You will have free time in the city center after your tour. A guided bicycle tour is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). A shuttle bus will run from the city to the ship during the afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Cruisisng 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 8 - 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 9 - Giurgiu - Bucharest, Romania - Rousse, Bulgaria
Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, known as “Paris of the East.” The city is famed for its Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th-century. During the morning city tour, you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum, the Library and visit the Palace of the Parliament - the world's largest palace. Enjoy lunch in a typical Romanian restaurant, and then choose to shop, explore on your own or visit the Open Air Museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. This evening, the ship departs for Rousse. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Rousse - Disembark ship - Veliko Tarnovo - Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Disembark the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motorcoach. Your first stop is in the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the citadel of the city, the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces, the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Shoppers can explore the traditional street market, Samovodska Charshia. Enjoy 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 your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - 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, where you will transfer to another motor coach for the remainder of your journey to Istanbul. (B)

Day 12 - 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 13 - Istanbul
Today, your guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every single 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 and visit to the Spice Bazaar or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B)

Day 14 - Istanbul

End of services after breakfast. (B)

* Reverse itinerary available as well.