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DAY 1, Tue. Depart USA
Board overnight flight.
DAY 2, Wed. Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul, meet & greet, transfer to
hotel. Hosted Welcome Desk at the hotel.
DAY 3, Thu. Istanbul
This morning's comprehensive city tour will
show you the old city, with its numerous Roman,
Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her historic
past. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the
Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the
Galata Tower and visit the Suleymaniye Mosque
and Blue Mosque. Later, you can explore the town
on your own or choose an optional tour.
DAY 4, Fri. 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 or use the remainder of the day
to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the
charming tea houses or restaurants. This
evening, you may wish to join some your fellow
passengers for the optional Istanbul By Night
where you will enjoy a belly dancing show with
dinner.
DAY 5, Sat. Istanbul-Nessebar (Bulgaria)
This morning, you will leave Istanbul bound
for the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, Nessebar.
Situated on a small peninsula, Nessebar is
ancient in origin. After a late afternoon
arrival, tonight you will enjoy dinner at a
local restaurant and see the highlights of the
towns rich history.
DAY 6, Sun. Nessebar-Veliko Turnovo-Rousse
(embark the ship)
The first stop this morning is the ancient
capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo. Here, you
will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the
city. You will see the old fortress walls, the
Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and
the Baldwin's Tower. Those passengers who wish
to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia -
traditional market street. Before continuing on
to Rouse, to embark your ship, enjoy a
traditional Bulgarian lunch in a local
restaurant.
DAY 7, Mon. Giurgiu-Bucharest (Romania)
Today enjoy a full day excursion to
Bucharest, the capital and largest city in
Romania. This "Paris of the East" is famed for
its Belle Epoque Era buildings dating from the
19th century. The French influence is paramount
in many of the restored buildings of the former
aristocracy and monarchy. The post war communist
era of grandiose architecture is brought home by
the world's second largest building, the
Parliament Palace. During the morning city tour
you will see the Arch of Triumph, the Soseaua
Kiseleff, the Athenaeum and Library, and visit
the Parliament Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy
lunch in a local restaurant, and then choose to
have some free time or visit the Open Air
Museum, with typical village builds from
throughout Romania.
DAY 8, Tue. Vidin (Bulgaria)
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day of
cruising the Danube, arriving in the late
afternoon in Vidin. The "Bada Vida" fortress
sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian
frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle
has thick walls and dark towers, which contrast
with the natural surroundings of the park it
sits within.
DAY 9, Wed. Cruising - Iron Gates
Today is 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.
DAY 10, Thu. Belgrade (Serbia)
This morning, arrive in Belgrade, the
capital of Serbia, where you have a chance to
explore both the old and the new town. 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.
DAY 11, Fri. Novi Sad -Vukovar (Croatia &
Serbia)
Novi Sad is dominated by its huge fortress,
Petrovaradin, guarding the Danube. The antiquity
of Novi Sad can be traced back to the Romans and
Byzantines, but, it was the 13th Century Tartar
invasion that resulted in the building of the
original fortress. Ruled by the Ottoman Turks
for 150 years, it was captured by the Austrian
army during the Great Turkish War and rebuilt to
modern standards. After your visit, continue to
Vukovar, Croatia. Vukovar is situated in Eastern
Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and
Danube Rivers. Vukovar's rich history is a
result of the many battles fought by the
Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and
Serbians. During your city tour, you will see
the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano,
the Manorhouse Eltz and the St. James and the
St. Nicholas church.
DAY 12, Sat. Mohacs
This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs,
where you depart for the excursion to Pecs.
Founded more than 2000 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,
there is a walking tour during which you will
see the Synagogue and visit the former Turkish
Mosque and Christian Basilica.
DAY 13, Sun. Budapest
This morning, you will disembark the ship
and enjoy a sightseeing tour to The Puszta. 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, you will be met by
horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality,
brandy and scones. Try a lunch of Goulash, the
national dish, before returning to Budapest to
check into your hotel.
Day 14, Mon. Bratislava, Slovakia.
A guided morning tour of Bratislava reveals
the city's major sights, including the Old Town
Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and the Gothic
St. Martin's Cathedral. The afternoon is free to
shop or explore on your own. Perhaps, visit the
13th century Bratislava Castle where you'll
enjoy breathtaking views overlooking three
countries - Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. An
eventful day is followed by an evening filled
with an enchanting music performance on board.
After midnight the ship departs for Vienna.
Day 15, Tue. Vienna, Aistria
During a guided sightseeing tour you will
see the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive
Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse,
awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral and visit
the National Library. This afternoon, explore
the capital on your own or join an optional tour
to the Imperial Schonbrunn Palace. Tonight,
explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your
own, or come along for an optional Mozart and
Strauss concert.
Day 16, Wed. Durnstein - Melk
Early this morning, reach the Wachau Valley.
Stop in Durnstein for a walking tour before
lunchtime. After a short cruise, arrive in Melk
for a guided tour and visit the town's
magnificent Benedictine Abbey. An evening wine
tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau
Valley.
Day 17, Thu. Linz - Passau, Germany
After breakfast, take an optional full-day
excursion to fascinating Salzburg and the Sound
of Music sights, or cruise through Upper Austria
to Passau in Germany. During your walking tour,
gaze at this fairy-tale city founded more than
2,000 years ago.
Day 18, Fri. Regensbrug
At lunchtime, arrive in Regensburg, one of
Germany's best preserved medieval cities. A
guided tour will show you the city's
architectural highlights, including the Old Town
Hall, and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an
ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Tonight,
folklore entertainers will come on board for
your delight.
Day 19, Sat. Nuremberg
This morning enter the Main-Danube Canal and
relax during a leisurely cruise through the
beautiful Altmuhl Valley. In the afternoon enjoy
a guided tour of Nuremberg, capital of
Franconia. Moor overnight in Nuremberg.
Day 20, Sun. Nuremberg
Today travel by train to Munich, the capital
of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities,
often given the nickname "Germany's secret
capital." Your escort today will offer
suggestions of to what to do whilst you are
there and take you to lunch in the world famous
Hofbrauhaus. Tonight you will meet fellow
travelers embarking from Prague.
Day 21, Mon. Bamberg
Enjoy your breakfast as you cruise along and
marvel at the engineering feat of the
Main-Danube canal which straddles the Franconian
Alps via 16 locks. Then arrive in Bamberg and
enjoy a walking tour of this medieval gem, which
was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
1993. There is free time before you continue
your cruise, now on the Main River.
Day 22, Tue. Wurzburg
This morning, arrive in Wurzburg, the
capital of Lower Franconia. During your tour,
see the major sights including the magnificent
Residenz Palace. This afternoon explore Wurzburg
on your own, or take an optional tour along the
Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg.
Day 23, Wed. Wertheim-Miltenberg
Disembark in Wertheim for a glass-blowing
performance and free time perhaps browsing the
market square and the shops. Then cruise to
Miltenberg for a guided walking tour. Tonight,
the ship is leaving Bavaria, Franconia and the
Main River behind.
Day 24, Thu Mainz-Heidelberg-Rudesheim-Koblenz
Today, disembark in Mainz and you can choose
to travel by coach to Heidelberg, where you will
visit the red-walled Castle, seeing the Great
Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask and
beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and
Heidelberg below. Then there is a walking tour
of old Heidelberg and free time for lunch on
your own. In the afternoon, drive to Rudesheim
to rejoin your ship. If you don't opt for
Heidelberg, you can enjoy a leisurely walking
tour of charming Mainz, including a visit to the
Gutenberg Museum, before cruising on the Main
and Rhine rivers to the wine village of
Rudesheim. Here, tour the town by mini-train and
visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument
Museum. Late this afternoon, everyone will
cruise the most beautiful and famous part of the
Rhine River and arrive in Koblenz after dinner.
Day 25, Fri Cochem-Zell
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit of
Reichsburg Castle, situated above Cochem with
spectacular views of the River Mosel. This
afternoon continue past hillside vineyards to
Zell, home of the famous "Zeller Schwarze Katz"
wine. A surprising wine fest awaits you this
evening.
Day 26, Sat. Bernkastel-Trier
Arrive in Bernkastel early this morning and
explore this quaint little town on your included
walking tour. Strategically located in the
middle of the Mosel wine-producing region,
Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented
wine history. Then onto Trier, Germany's oldest
city, for a guided tour which will introduce you
to the city's rich ancient Roman past.
Day 27, Sun. Trier-Luxembourg-Paris, France
(Disembarkation)
This morning, bid farewell to your cruise
ship and head to Luxembourg for a city tour of
the Grand Duchy and some free time. After lunch,
continue on to Paris, France, where you arrive
this afternoon.
Day 28, Mon. Paris
Enjoy Paris famous sights during this
morning's guided tour. Visit Notre Dame
Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the
commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine,
Champs Elysees and much more. The remainder of
the day is yours to explore on your own.
Day 29, Tue. Paris
A full free day to explore the amazing City
of Light. Various optional tours will be
offered.
Day 30, Wed. Depart Paris for USA
Transfer to the airport for your homebound
flight.
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