BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA (WVO2010)

Ship
Avalon Artistry®

City Highlights


Cruise:
Deluxe 9-night cruise from Vienna to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

Vienna:
Guided sightseeing

Budapest:
Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion

Kalocsa:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Paprika Museum;

Novi Sad:
Guided sightseeing, Petrovaradin Fortress

Belgrade:
Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress

Iron Gates:
Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; Trajan Table

Veliko Târnovo:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch’s Church

Arbanassi:
Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity

Varna:
Guided sightseeing, visit the National Archaeological Museum

Bucharest:
Guided sightseeing, Parliament Building, visit the National Art MuseumNotes:In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.

 

Meals
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; Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; Complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day

Hotels


Vienna
Hilton Stadtpark (D),

Bucharest
Athénée Palace Hilton (SF)

Day 1:
(Tue.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Vienna, Austria. (Wed.) 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.

Day 3:
Vienna. (Thu.) Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the 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)

Day 4:
Vienna (Embarkation). (Fri.) Time today to browse the shops along the Kärntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)

Day 5:
Budapest, Hungary. (Sat.) 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)

Day 6:
Budapest. (Sun.) A free day to explore Budapest at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Kalocsa. (Mon.) Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. The Archbishop’s Palace and the Kalocsa Cathedral dominate this quiet town that is best known for paprika and folklore art. Learn how paprika has been grown and prepared through the ages at the PAPRIKA MUSEUM. (B,L,D)

Day 8:
Novi Sad, Serbia. (Tue.) Overlooking the city of Novi Sad with a spectacular view of the Danube and surroundings is Marshal Vauban’s unconquerable PETROVARADIN FORTRESS. Dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region, resplendent with natural beauty and a proud history. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of this interesting town. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
Belgrade. (Wed.) 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 cafés. (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Cruising–Iron Gates. (Thu.) 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)

Day 11:
Svistov, Bulgaria–Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Rousse. (Fri.) A comfortable ride from Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. 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)

Day 12:
Silistra–Excursion to Varna, Black Sea. (Sat.) Located in northeastern Bulgaria at the country’s border with Romania, Silistra is a port city and the capital of an important agricultural region. After breakfast, travel by road to Varna. This city on the Black Sea is not only an important naval base and sea resort, but also has a long history. Roman baths are among the younger artifacts. During your sightseeing you will visit the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, home of the Gold of Varna, as featured in National Geographic some years ago. (B,L,D)

Day 13:
Oltenita, Romania (Disembarkation)–Bucharest. (Sun.) 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)

Day 14:
Bucharest. (Mon.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Don't miss our current specials: Save up to $2,000 on select 2010 Europe River Cruises Save up to $2,000 per couple on these select 2010 Avalon Waterways River Cruises.* $2,000 off per couple Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches 8 days from Paris to Paris or 9 days incl. travel Aug 30, 2010 Burgundy & Provence 11 days from Côte d’Azur to Paris or 12 days incl. travel Aug 30, 2010 Central European Experience 12 days from Prague to Paris or 11 days incl. travel Aug 19, 2010 Sept 30, 2010 The Blue Danube Discovery 13 days from Budapest to Prague or 14 days incl. travel Oct 21, 2010 Oct 24, 2010 European Splendor 13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel Oct 18, 2010 Windmills, Vineyards & Paris 13 days from Paris to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel October 4, 2010 Blue Danube to the Black Sea 13 days Vienna to Bucharest or 12 days incl. travel Aug 17, 2010 The Rhine & Moselle 14 days from Amsterdam to Basel or 15 days incl. travel Oct 16, 2010 Magnificent Europe 15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest 16 days incl. travel Aug 21, 2010 Oct 9, 2010 Oct 16, 2010 Magnificent Europe 15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam 16 days incl. travel August 28, 2010 September 4, 2010 September 25, 2010 October 2, 2010 The Upper Rhine to the City of Music 13 days from Zürich to Vienna or 14 days incl. travel Oct 29, 2010 North Sea—Black Sea Cruise 23 days from Bucharest to Amsterdam or 24 days incl. travel August 27, 2010 *Book a select 2010 Europe Avalon Waterways River Cruise vacation to receive $1,000 off per person. Book a select Taste of Danube river cruise vacation to receive the $500 off per person. Offer available on select dates of select cruises listed above. Suites excluded. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied anytime after May 18, 2010 for travel at select times in 2010. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. Avalon Waterways Will Not Be Undersold! Avalon will match competitor pricing on 2010 European river cruises!* Call today and gives us the name and departure date of a competitor's river cruise you are considering.  If Avalon has a comparable 2010 cruise available, they'll match the per diem price - with the newest fleet on the market, why not? *Book a Europe Avalon River cruise vacation to receive the match offer.  Must provide the name and departure date of the competitor cruise in order to qualify.  Must be made, under deposit, and discount applied prior to March 2, 2010 for travel through December 31st, 2010. Offer good in conjunction with other qualifying offers including Journeys Club.  Offer is subject to change and could be withdrawn at any time.  Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings.  Offer reliant on space availability.  Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/28/2010 - 10/11/2010	$3,689
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Ship Facts:

• Inagurated: 2004
• Length: 426 ft
• Decks: 5 decks
• Staterooms: 87
• Passenger Capacity: 187
• Voltage: 220v
• Onboard Currency: Euro

Ship Amenities:

• Headsets for all guided shore excursions in Europe
• Services of a professional Cruise Director
• Sightseeing with Local Guides
• Revolutionary engineering
• Non-smoking interior
• Internet access & Wi-Fi hotspots
• Elegant polished metal & glass throughout
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Panoramic picture windows for landscape viewing
• Hair Salon
• Fitness Center
• Spacious Sky Decks with shade system for sunning
• 6-person whirlpool
• Lounge & Bar
• Complimentary coffee & tea available throughout the day
• Fine dining
• Buffet breakfast items are conveniently color coded to indicate foods that are low calorie, low fat/low calorie, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy
• Complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks will be included on all onboard dinners
• Open seating throughout the dining room for all meals
• Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
• Comfortable, hotel-style beds
• Comfortable beds that can be configured as two twins or one queen
• European-style duvets
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• Private bathroom with shower
• Large closets
• Minibar, hairdryer & safe
• Individual climate control
• Connecting rooms
• Royal Deck passengers can order Continental breakfast to their staterooms
• All staterooms are outside and those on Royal and Sapphire Decks have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and French balconies