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Spend three nights in Prague,
then cruise from Nuremberg all the way to the
Black Sea, ending your vacation in Romania’s
capital, Bucharest. There are guided sightseeing
tours of the capital cities of Prague, Vienna,
Budapest, Belgrade, and Bucharest, as well as
walking tours with local experts in many other
stops along the way. Cross the Continental
Divide and enjoy scenic beauty all along the
river with the dramatic landscapes of the Danube
Gorge and the Iron Gates. History, both past and
present, comes alive while cruising down the
Lower Danube, visiting Bulgaria’s ancient
capital of Veliko Tārnovo, as well as nearby
Arbanassi and the Black Sea resort of Constanta.
Leave your cruise vessel in Oltenita for a short
drive to Bucharest, the “Paris of the East,” for
a 1-night stay. |
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Day 1
(Wed.) Board your overnight transatlantic
flight.
Days 2-4 Prague, Czech Republic
(Thu.-Sat.) Prague is a 1,000-year old city
preserved in time. Best-known treasures are the
Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, HRADCANY CASTLE,
St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Mix
with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll
along the Vltava River. (BB daily)
Day 5 Prague–Nuremberg, Germany.
(Embarkation)
(Sun.) After lunch, drive to Nuremberg,
where the crew of your vessel waits to welcome
you aboard. (BB,D)
Day 6 Nuremberg
(Mon.) Although Nuremberg suffered extensive
damage during WWII, much of it was restored to
its original style. Marvel at its fabulous
Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses.
Nuremberg’s traditions include its famous
Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. (FB,L,D)
Day 7 Regensburg
(Tue.) Regensburg is one of Germany’s best
preserved medieval cities. Highlights include
the Old Town Hall; the white and gold OLD
CHAPEL; and the Porta Pretoria, gates to an
ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. (FB,L,D)
Day 8 Passau–Linz, Austria
(Wed.) Passau, ideally located at the
confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube,
is home to St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the
world’s largest church organ with more than
17,000 pipes. An optional full-day excursion to
Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music
sights. Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, lies
on both banks of the Danube and is an important
industrial town and busy river port. (FB,L,D)
Day 9 Melk–Vienna
(Thu.) Melk’s magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY
dominates the town from its commanding hill site
and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries.
Vienna, known as the “City of Music,” inspired
the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and
Strauss. An optional concert is available
tonight. (FB,L,D)
Day 10 Vienna
(Fri.) Once the center of the mighty
Habsburg Empire, Austria’s capital has much to
offer: the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera
House, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen’s
Cathedral. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy
Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. (FB,L,D)
Days 11-12 Budapest, Hungary
(Sat. & Sun.) Spanning the banks of the
Danube, Budapest is the most cosmopolitan city
in Eastern Europe. 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 are
sights not to be missed. Shop for renowned
peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and
paprika. Not far from the city and an integral
part of Hungarian rural life is the PUSZTA, vast
grasslands where the country’s beloved fiery
horses are reared. (FB,L,D daily)
Day 13 Kalocsa
(Mon.) Following a turbulent history, the
Archbishop’s Palace and Kalocsa Cathedral
dominate the quiet town of Kalocsa, now best
known for paprika and folklore art. (FB,L,D)
Day 14 Novi Sad, Serbia
(Tue.) Overlooking the city of Novi Sad, is
Marshal Vauban’s unconquerable Petrovaradin
Fortress. Dramatic past events shaped both the
present and the future of this beautiful region.
(FB,L,D)
Day 15Belgrade
(Wed.) The capital of Serbia is situated at
the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers.
Its main sights include KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS, the
world’s largest Orthodox Church of St. Sava, and
Marshal Tito’s tomb and monument. (FB,L,D)
Day 16 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. Most spectacular
is Iron Gates gorge, a narrow and formerly very
dangerous passage dividing Europe’s Alps from
the Carpathians and forming a natural border
between Serbia and Romania. (FB,L,D)
Day 17 Svistov, Bulgaria–Veliko Tārnovo–Arbanassi–Rousse
(Fri.) A comfortable ride away from the
river port of Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian
capital of Veliko Tārnovo. Situated on three
hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was
a natural fortress. The oldest part is Tsarevits
Hill, home of the Royal Fortress and PATRIARCH’S
CHURCH. The historic village of Arbanassi is
best known for its ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM and
outstanding collection of frescoes in the CHURCH
OF THE NATIVITY. Today, Rousse is Bulgaria’s
largest inland port. (FB,L,D)
Day 18 Black Sea Canal, Romania–Constanta
(Sat.) The 40-mile-long Black Sea Canal, the
pride of communist achievement, was completed in
1984. Constanta is Romania’s most important
commercial center and a popular resort, with
interesting sights such as the NATURAL HISTORY
AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM and the PETER AND PAUL
ORTHODOX CHURCH. (FB,L,D)
Day 19 Oltenita (Disembarkation)–Bucharest
(Sun.) Bucharest, Romania’s lively capital,
is only a short drive from Oltenita. Its wide
boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have earned it
the name “Paris of the East.” The impressive
Parliament Building is the second-largest
building in the world, after the Pentagon. Royal
Palace Square was the scene of riots in 1989,
which led to the collapse of the communist
dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses
the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. (FB)
Day 20 Bucharest
(Mon.) Your homebound flight arrives the
same day. (BB)
** This itinerary also operates in Reverse,
from Bucharest to Prague
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