Day 1 - Welcome to Europe… Your choice of either Vienna or Budapest!Check in to your hotel and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.
Day 2 - City sightseeingThis morning’s city tour for our guests staying in Vienna will begin along the Burgring, the circular road around Vienna’s historic center. You will also take a walking tour through Vienna’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights of your morning sightseeing will include the Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Meals B
Guests who have selected Budapest will also enjoy a city tour - focusing on both the Buda and Pest sides of Hungary’s handsome capital. From historic Buda Castle, you’ll have a splendid view of the twin cities spread along both banks of the Danube. Your morning tour also takes in the iconic Fishermen’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Heroes’ Square and more. Meals B
Day 3 - Travel to Budapest and embark your shipA scenic drive from Vienna brings you to Budapest, where you will enjoy a city tour before embarking your elegant, 5-star river ship. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at our Gala Welcome Dinner. Meals B,D
Travelers who have been staying here in Budapest will enjoy a morning excursion into the Great Hungarian Plains. See Hungarian cowboys in traditional garb and enjoy a light luncheon featuring world-famous Goulash before returning to the city where you will board your luxury river ship. Meals B,D
Day 4 - Historic Pecs and the vineyards of VilányArrive in Mohács during breakfast and then depart for your excursion to Pecs, which was lauded in 2010 as the European Union Cultural Capital. Founded more than 2,000 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, you will take a city tour that includes the Mosque Church and its underground burial chambers dating back to the 4th century. You will also see St. Peter’s Basilica and the restored Synagogue. After lunch on board ship, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion, where you will sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Vilány. Meals B,L,D
Day 5 - From Vukovar, Croatia to Novi Sad, SerbiaThis morning, choose between a tour of Vukovar or wine tasting in the town of Ilok. Your city tour of Vukovar includes the Ovcara Memorial, the monumental cross that is a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. As an alternative, travel to the town of Ilok, which is famous for its wines. Here, you will visit a local winery and sample their vintages before your walking tour of the town. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia. Enjoy a walking tour of Novi Sad in the afternoon, beginning in Danube Park and continuing with a guided stroll through Old Town. You will also tour the 18th-century Austrian-Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. The ship sails for Belgrade this evening. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 - Ashore in BelgradeWake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and explore its myriad streets, plazas and squares. Belgrade has over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. Your guided panoramic tour shows you the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. A guided bicycle tour is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). Meals B,L,D
Day 7 - Cruising through the Iron Gates into BulgariaToday, enjoy 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. Late this evening, the ship sails to Vidin, Bulgaria. Meals B,L,D
Day 8 - The castles of VidinThe "Baba Vida" Fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th-century castle has massive walls and dark towers, in contrast to the natural park that surrounds the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th-century castle, located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations. Meals B,L,D
Day 9 - Excursion to Bucharest, RomaniaEnjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, known as the “Paris of the East.” The city is famed for its lovely Belle Époque era buildings dating from the 19th-century. This morning you’ll visit the Open Air Museum, dedicated to the traditional architecture of rural Romania. After lunch you’ll have two options: Enjoy a visit to the Palace of the Parliament – the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. Or join a guided tour of the city’s historic district.. This evening, the ship departs for Rousse. Meals B,L,D
Day 10 - Disembark and travel to Plovdiv, BulgariaDisembark your ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motorcoach. Your first stop is in the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch in the charming hilltop town of Arbanassi before continuing on to Plovdiv. This evening, see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town on a walking tour before dinner at a local restaurant. Meals B,L,D
Day 11 - Onward to IstanbulAfter breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Black Sea Voyage. You will stop for lunch in Erdine, where you will transfer to another motor coach for the remainder of your journey to Istanbul. B
Day 12 - Discover exotic, friendly IstanbulA comprehensive tour will take you through Istanbul’s historic Old City, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the Galata Tower and visit the Blue Mosque. This afternoon is free to explore the town on your own or join the optional “Turkish Delight” tour. Meals B
Day 13 - The Topkapi PalaceToday, 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 and visit to the Spice Bazaar or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. Meals B
Day 14 - Farewell, IstanbulYour grand journey concludes this morning after breakfast. Meals B