2012 | 2013 |

 

Rhine, Moselle, Main & Danube

2012

Rhine, Moselle, Main & Danube

BLACK SEA DISCOVERY - CATEGORY E

Tour Code - WBO-E

11 days Budapest to Bucharest 2 nights Budapest, 7 night cruise from Budapest to Oltenita, 1 night bucharest

All inclusive prices starting at: $3354

See the best of Eastern Europe on this exciting Black Sea adventure. Enjoy city tours of remarkable Belgrade and Bucharest, Romania's lively capital. Stop in Kalocsa in the heart of paprika-growing country, sail past the Petrovaradin Fortress at Novi Sad, and pass through the dramatic Iron Gates Gorge. Also enjoy full-day excursions to Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi, and the resort town of Varna on the Black Sea.

Meals

  • Breakfast - 10
  • Lunch - 6
  • Dinner - 7

Standard Features

CRUISE: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Budapest to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds (Category E)
BUDAPEST: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen's Bastion
KALOCSA: Orientation; organ concert
PECS: Orientation
NOVI SAD: Guided sightseeing, see Petrovaradin Fortress
BELGRADE: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress
IRON GATES: Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan Table
VELIKO TARNOVO: 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, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art Museum
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B) in Budapest 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.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the cruise description

BLACK SEA DISCOVERY - CATEGORY E

Day by Day

DayDescription
1

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan metropolis.

2

BUDAPEST

Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting 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. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (B)

3

BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION)

The morning is free for you to explore on your own. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)

4

KALOCSA-PECS

Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. This quiet town that is best known for paprika and folklore art is dominated by the Archbishop's Palace and Kalocsa Cathedral. Here, enjoy an ORGAN CONCERT before continuing to Pecs, Hungary's fifth-largest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture. (B,L,D)

5

NOVI SAD, SERBIA

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 of struggle, victory and defeat alike. (B,L,D)

6

BELGRADE

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 cafes. (B,L,D)

7

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. 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)

8

SVISTOV, BULGARIA-EXCURSION TO VELIKO TARNOVO & ARBANASSI-ROUSSE

A comfortable ride from the river port of Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo. 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. Rousse today is Bulgaria's largest inland port. (B,L,D)

9

SILISTRA, BULGARIA-EXCURSION TO VARNA, BLACK SEA

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)

10

OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)-BUCHAREST

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 in the city. During the included tour this afternoon, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon. The 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. (B)

11

BUCHAREST

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

BLACK SEA DISCOVERY - CATEGORY E

Dates/Prices

NB: All prices listed are per person

May 2012

ShipStart DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin Share
MS Imagery04 May 201214 May 2012On Request $3454 USD Hotel List
MS Tranquility25 May 201204 Jun 2012On Request $3454 USD Hotel List

Jul 2012

ShipStart DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin Share
MS Imagery13 Jul 201223 Jul 2012On Request $3354 USD Hotel List

Sep 2012

ShipStart DateEnd DateAvailabilityTwin Share
MS Imagery21 Sep 201201 Oct 2012On Request $3454 USD Hotel List
MS Tranquility28 Sep 201208 Oct 2012On Request $3454 USD Hotel List

Cabin Upgrades

To upgrade to a higher cabin category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:

CategoryDeckPrice
BSapphire $549 USD
ASapphire $599 USD
PRoyal $699 USD
SuiteRoyal $1299 USD

Accommodation Prices

Pre & Post TourCityStart DateEnd DateSingle PriceTwin PriceTriple Price
POSTBucharest01 Jan 201231 Dec 2012 $260 USD $137 USD $ USD
PREBudapest01 Apr 201224 Jun 2012 $ USD $137 USD $ USD
PREBudapest16 Aug 201214 Oct 2012 $ USD $137 USD $ USD
PREBudapest25 Jun 201215 Aug 2012 $ USD $110 USD $ USD

Charges

TypeNamePrice
OPTIONALGratuity110 USD
Included Port Charges105 USD

BLACK SEA DISCOVERY - CATEGORY E

Tour Code - WBO-E

11 days Budapest to Bucharest 2 nights Budapest, 7 night cruise from Budapest to Oltenita, 1 night bucharest

See more information about the ships on this cruise:

BLACK SEA DISCOVERY - CATEGORY E

Cruise Map

WBO-E

BLACK SEA DISCOVERY - CATEGORY E

Optional Excursions

To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour. Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.

PriceDetails
19  EUR

Name: BUDAPEST'S NIGHT LIGHTS
Location: BUDAPEST
Description: Buda and Pest two cities of the same capital divided by the river Danube and connected by beautiful bridges like the "Chain Bridge" or the "Elisabeth Bridge". Join your local expert on a drive up to the hills of Buda for a breathtaking view overlooking the roofs of Budapest, and the latest gossip in town.
34  EUR

Name: COMMUNIST BUDAPEST
Location: BUDAPEST
Description: From 1947 to 1989, the Hungarian Communist Party held sway. Although the regime was not as deferential to the Soviet Union, the collective economy and fear of the secret police shaped the lives of Hungarian citizens. Today the former headquarters of the AVH, the dreaded secret police, are a museum. Budapest was clearly tied to the East in the bipolar Cold War world. Still, there are vestiges of Lenin's legacy. Our local experts will explain why on the lawn beyond the Hungarian Parliament flies a flag with a hole in the centre.
42  EUR

Name: DINNER AT BELGRADE'S SKADARLIJA DISTRICT
Location: BELGRADE
Description: Once the home of many Serbian poets, writers, artists, and actors, the cobble-stoned Skadarlija (or Skadarska) street today hosts some of the best restaurants in town, all of which strive to preserve bohemian traditions from the early 19th century. Definitely the place to go if you want to get a feel of the atmosphere of Belgrade's old times, cruise art galleries, shop for antiques or souvenirs, or taste the best of local food.
29  EUR

Name: EXCURSION TO SREMSKI KARLOVCI
Location: NOVI SAD
Description: Fruska Gora is a long ridge of low hills running east-west to the south of Novi Sad. Although it reaches heights of only 500 m / 1640 ft, the hills add a welcome variety to the flat relief of Vojvodina. These southern valleys also shelter more than a dozen monasteries, which often blend in style of the byzantine and Baroque of which the best known is Krusedol. But the Srem region is also one of the oldest viticulture areas in Europe. The grapevine has sprouted on Mt. Fruska Gora's fertile hills for over 1,700 years, ever since it was first planted by Roman Emperor Probus of the ancient Sirmium. And finally where the wooded slopes of the Fruska Gora meet the Danube there is Sremski Karlovci, once an important town, that history seems to have passed by for the last hundred years.
 
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