13 Day Black Sea Discovery 2009

13 days Budapest/Bucharest with Path of Dracula Extension
Spend two nights in Budapest, then sail on the Lower Danube to the Black Sea

INCLUDED FEATURES

Spend two nights in Budapest where a guided tour makes the Hungarian capital come alive. Cruise along the boarder of Croatia into Serbia then onto Belgrade, a city tour shows you the highlights of this remarkable capital. Return via the Black Sea Canal to Bucharest, Romania's lively capital. Spend one night here and enjoy the sights on a guided tour, or opt for the two-night extension with a full day visit to "Dracula country".

This cruise is also available in reverse, travelling from Bucharest to Budapest (tour code: WOB).

Visited Cities
Budapest, Kalocsa, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi, Constanta and Bucharest

Highlights
Superb dining with all meals on board including a Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner, and Captain's Gala Dinner. Quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions included with every dinner.

Meals
Breakfast - 11
Lunch - 7
Dinner - 7

Standard Features
BUDAPEST: Guided sightseeing, visit Matthias Church and Fishermens Bastion, Puszta Excursion with display of horsemanship, Welcome reception
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 TARNOVO: 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

ITINERARY (Budapest to Bucharest)

Day 1: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's exciting capital city!

Day 2: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. 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 is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (B)

Day 3: BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION).
Not far from the capital and an integral part of Hungarian rural life is the PUSZTA, or Great Plain, the vast grasslands where the country's beloved fiery horses are reared. After a visit and a demonstration of traditional Hungarian EQUESTRIAN PROWESS performed by the Csikos, wranglers in their picturesque costumes, return to Budapest for embarkation. The crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you aboard! (B,L,D)

Day 4: KALOCSA.
Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. The Archbishop's Palace and the Kalocsa Cathedral dominate this quiet town that is best known for paprika and folklore art. Learn how paprika has been grown and prepared throughout the ages at the PAPRIKA MUSEUM. (B,L,D)

Day 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)

Day 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 centre has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafes. (B,L,D)

Day 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)

Day 8: SVISTOV, BULGARIA - 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)

Day 9: SILISTRA, BULGARIA - EXCURSION TO VARNA, BLACK SEA.
Located in north-eastern 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 artefacts. During our sightseeing we will visit the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, home of the Gold of Varna, as featured in National Geographic some years ago. (B,L,D)

Day 10: OLTENITA (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. On 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)

Day 11: BUCHAREST.
A day to rest and explore Romania's capital city. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (B)

Day 12: BUCHAREST. EXCURSION TO TRANSYLVANIA.
Head out of the city to your first stop, BRAN CASTLE of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and assumed to be the home of Romanian vampires. Then, into the Carpathians to SINAIA to visit the monastery of the same name, built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino's visit to Mount Sinai. This afternoon, head slowly back to Bucharest. (B,L)

Day 13: BUCHAREST.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

REVERSE ITINERARY (Bucharest to Budapest)

Day 1 BUCHAREST, ROMANIA. Welcome to Bucharest! Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained this city the name of “Paris of the East.”

Day 2 BUCHAREST A free day in Bucharest gives you a chance to browse the shops and visit many of the attractions of this city known as "The Paris of the East". A full-day excursion takes you first to BRAN CASTLE of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and assumed to be the home of Romanian vampires. Then into the Carpathians to SINAIA to visit the monastery of the same name built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino's visit to Mount Sinai. Enjoy lunch in this mountain resort before visiting the former royal summer palace of PELES CASTLE, an exotic hybrid of Renaissance, baroque and rococo styles from the late 19th century. (BB,L)

Day 3 BUCHAREST, ROMANIA A free day in Bucharest. (BB)
* Note: For operating reasons, it maybe necessary to reverse Days 2 & 3.

Day 4 BUCHAREST - OLTENITA (EMBARKATION) Much recent history has taken place in Romania's capital city. The impressive Parliament Building is the second-largest building in the world, after the Pentagon. The Royal Palace Square was the scene of riots in 1989, which finally led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. This afternoon the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you on board.(BB,D)

Day 5 CONSTANTA, BLACK SEA CANAL Situated on the coast of the Black Sea, Constanta is the most important commercial centre of Romania and a popular resort. Interesting sights are the NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM and the PETER AND PAUL ORTHODOX CHURCH. The 40-mile-long Black Sea Canal is the pride and joy of Communist achievement and was completed in 1984 (FB,L,D)

Day 6 ROUSSE, BULGARIA - EXCURSION TO VELIKO TÂRNOVO AND ARBANASSI - SVISTOV Today Rousse is Bulgaria's largest inland port. A comfortable ride away is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. 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 Tsarevits 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. Rejoin your ship in Svistov.(FB,L,D)

Day 7 IRON GATES The Trajan Table marking the Roman conquest of Dacia and the Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo are impressive sights on the left bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the Iron Gate, 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. (FB,L,D)

Day 8 BELGRADE The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. Its main sights include the city's principal landmark KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS, the world's largest Orthodox Church of St. Sava, and Marshal Tito's tomb and monument. The city center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. (FB,L,D)

Day 9 CRUISING A full day of scenic cruising on the Danube, with Croatia on your left and Serbia on your right. (FB,L,D)

Day 10 KALOCSA, HUNGARY - BUDAPEST Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. The Archbishop's Palace and the Kalocsa Cathedral dominate this quiet town, nowadays best known for paprika and folklore art. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. (FB,L,D)

Day 11 BUDAPEST. (DISEMBARKATION) 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 FISHERMENS BASTION and the MATTHIAS CHURCH are sights not to be missed. Not far from the city and an integral part of Hungarian rural life is the Puszta, or Great Plain, the vast grasslands where the country's beloved, fiery horses are reared. (FB,L,D)

Day 12 BUDAPEST A free day to enjoy the Hungary's exciting capital. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for many things to do. (BB)

Day 13 BUDAPEST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
 

Last Minute SPECIAL 2 cabins available departing 21 SEP 2008 Amsterdam to Budapest A$3199 per/person

2009 Amsterdam to  Budapest EARLYBIRD SUPER DEAL $2638 p/person

VERY LIMITED availability!!

BOOK NOW!

EASTERN EUROPE
6 Country Danube Cruise

17 Sept and 14 Oct 2008

from A$2358*

Magnificent 12 day cruise visiting Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania all in the comfort of our delighful “Kleine Prinz” holding only 90 passengers and featuring some of the largest cabins on the Danube at 172 sq. ft! Plus all meals, shore excursions and live on board entertainment!

*BASED ON TWIN SHARE - PORT CHARGES NOT INCLUDED (APPROX A$198)

EGYPT EXPLORER

from A$1238*

Fantastic 11 day program featuring Cairo combined with a deluxe Nile cruise aboard the brand new Nile Dolphin! Deluxe 5* hotels, all sightseeing, shore excursion, entertainment, home hosted dinners and much more!

Departures 

31 AUG 2008

14 SEP 2008

*BASED ON TWIN SHARE - PORT CHARGES NOT INCLUDED (APPROX A$68)

Last Minute SPECIAL 2 cabins available departing 21 SEP 2008 Amsterdam to Budapest A$3199 per/person

To reserve your cabin and SAVE call Costless Holidays:

• Brisbane 07 3018 2898
• Sydney 02 8307 3598
• Melbourne 03 8807 2198
• Perth 08 9282 1098
• Adelaide 08 7421 2398
• Gold Coast 07 5630 2571