The Balkan Rivers: Vienna - Istanbul, 20 Jul 2012 - 02 Aug 2012

Route description:

Your journey begins in Vienna. With its gentle hills and vine-clad slopes, is it any wonder it became a haven for writers, musicians, and artists? The Danube River will guide you past Serbia, Croatia, and the narrow gorge that divides the Balkans from the Carpathian Mountains. Bucharest awaits you, a capital that combines the splendor of the past with the luxury of the present in such attractions as the Snagov Monastery and the National Museum of Contemporary Art. A motor coach will lead you on to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, before you arrive in your destination of Plovdiv, a town of fascinating architecture. Your journey concludes in Istanbul, the city of the Byzantine Empire, the city of the Ottomans, the city that will leave you breathless.

Day 1	Arrive in Vienna You will arrive in historic Vienna and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2	Vienna This morning, your city tour takes you around 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 tours will include the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, Vienna University, Kartnerstrasse and Sacher Hotel. (B)
Day 3	Vienna - Budapest - Embark Ship Transfer to Budapest, where you will enjoy a city tour before embarking your ship. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at the Gala Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
Day 4	Mohacs - Pecs, Hungary Arrive in Mohács during breakfast for your excursion to Pecs. Charming Old Pecs will be brought alive by your local guide as you see the Synagogue, Christian Basilica, and visit the former Turkish Mosque. After lunch onboard the ship, enjoy a wine-tasting where you will sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Vilány.
Day 5	Vukovar - Novi Sad, Croatia Your guided bus and walking tour of Vukovar will show you the Franciscan Monastery of St. John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz, and the St. James and St. Nicholas churches. Enjoy your lunch as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia. Arrive in Novi Sad in the afternoon, where you will see the 18th-Century Austrian-Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. The ship sails for Belgrade at midnight.
Day 6	Belgrade, Serbia When you wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, the potential for exploration is infinite. Belgrade has over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. 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 7	Cruising - Iron Gates 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.
Day 8	Vidin The "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 which strongly contrast the natural park that surrounds it. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th-century castle, located in a fairy tale landscape of unusual rock formations.
Day 9	Giurgiu - Bukharest, Romania Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, known as “Paris of the East.” The city is famed for its Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19thcentury. During the morning city tour, you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum, the Library and visit the Palace of the Parliament - the world's largest palace. Enjoy lunch in a typical Romanian restaurant and then choose to shop, explore on your own, or visit the open air museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. This evening, the ship departs for Rousse.
Day 10	ROusse – Veliko Tarnavo – Plovdiv, Bolgaria Leave the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motor coach. Your first stop is in the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the citadel of the city, the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces, the Patriarchal church, and Baldwin's Tower. Shoppers can explore the traditional street market, Samovodska Charshia. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing on to Plovdiv. This evening, see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town before dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 11	Plovdiv - Istanbul, Turkey After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Black Sea Voyage.
Day 12	Istanbul A comprehensive city tour will take you through Istanbul’s 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 evening is free to explore the town on your own or join the optional “Turkish Delight” tour.
Day 13	Istanbul Today, your guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every 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.
Day 14	Departure Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.