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20 Days Grand Black Sea Cruise Tour Package
Duration: 20 Days / 19 Nights
Priced From: $4,949 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: May, Jun, Aug, Sep /08
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 Târnovo, 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.
Itinerary
Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Days 2-4 Prague, Czech Republic
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)
After lunch, drive to Nuremberg, where the crew of your vessel waits to welcome you aboard. (BB,D)
Day 6 Nuremberg
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 15 Belgrade
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
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 Târnovo–Arbanassi–Rousse
A comfortable ride away from the river port of Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. 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
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
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
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
Highlights
PRAGUE
Guided sightseeing, visit Hradcany Castle
NUREMBERG
Welcome reception; guided sightseeing
MAIN-DANUBE CANAL
Cruise in the canal
REGENSBURG
Guided sightseeing, visit the Old Chapel
PASSAU
Guided sightseeing
MELK
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
VIENNA
Guided sightseeing
BUDAPEST
Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen's Bastion; Puszta excursion with display of horsemanship
KALOCSA
Guided sightseeing, visit the Paprika Museum
NOVI SAD
Guided sightseeing
BELGRADE
Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress, Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge
VELIKO TÂRNOVO
Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriach’s Church
ARBANASSI
Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity
CONSTANTA
Guided sightseeing, visit the Natural History and Archaeological Museum and Peter and Paul Orthodox Church
BUCHAREST
Guided sightseeing, visit the National Art Museum
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
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Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
9/08
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