11 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.
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 "Paris of the East".

Day 2: BUCHAREST - OLTENITA (EMBARKATION).
Much recent history has taken place in Romania's capital city. On your included tour this morning, 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. This afternoon the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you aboard! (B,D)

Day 3: 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 4: SVISTOV - EXCURSION TO VELIKO TARNOVO & ARBANASSI.
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. Rejoin your ship in Svistov. (B,L,D)

Day 5: CRUISING - 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 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 6: BELGRADE, SERBIA.
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: NOVI SAD.
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. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of this interesting town before relaxing on board this afternoon as you cruise upriver. (B,L,D)

Day 8: 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 that is best known for paprika and folklore art. Learn how paprika has been grown and prepared through the ages at the PAPRIKA MUSEUM. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. (B,L,D)

Day 9: 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 FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights a Local Guide will show you. 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. (B,L)

Day 10: BUDAPEST.
A free day to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for many things to do. (B)

Day 11: BUDAPEST.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

 

WBO ( Budapest to Bucharest ), rates are per person twin share

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

WOB ( Bucharest to Budapest ), rates are per person twin share

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

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