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Blue Danube To The Black Sea From Vienna To Istanbul 2013
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Tour Operator |
Globus |
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Tour Code |
WVOE3 |
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Vacation Quality |
First Class |
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Vacation Type |
River Cruise |
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Number of Days |
17 |
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Countries Visited |
Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey
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City Highlights |
Belgrade, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Constanta, Istanbul, Mohacs, Oltenita, Osijek, Rousse, Svistov, Tulcea, Veliko Turnovo, Vienna, Vukovar |
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Vienna: Guided sightseeingBratislava: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral; welcome receptionBudapest: Guided sightseeing, see Fishermen’s BastionMohács: Wine tasting in Villány wine regionOsijek: Guided sightseeingVukovar: Guided sightseeingBelgrade: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan FortressIron Gates: Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan TableVeliko Târnovo: Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch’s ChurchArbanassi: Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the NativityHarsova: Excursion to Celic Dere MonasteryDanube Delta: Delta excursionConstanta: Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological MuseumBucharest: Guided sightseeing, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art MuseumIstanbul: Guided sightseeing, visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and Grand Bazaar; Host service during your stay
MEALS
B: full buffet breakfast L: lunch D: dinnerComplimentary sparkling wine with breakfast, soft drinks with lunch, and wine, beer, or soft drinks with dinner are included on board your vessel.
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Day 1: Arrive in Vienna, Austria.
Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital, known as the “City of Music” and which inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.
Day 2: Vienna.
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your included tour. You do not rush through Vienna—you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)
Day 3: Vienna–Bratislava, Slovakia (Embarkation).
A free morning to relax or explore on your own. Then, a motorcoach transfer after lunch takes you to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. A Certified Local Guide will show you the charming Old Town with its Town Hall and views of Mirbach Palace, as well as gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL. Your river cruise vessel is docked here on the Danube and after the tour of Bratislava, meet the crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
Day 4: Budapest, Hungary.
Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Eight 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 Certified Local Guide will show you. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Mohács. Excursion to Villány Wine District.
This morning, enjoy some leisurely cruising while taking in the peaceful riverscape of southern Hungary. After lunch, an excursion takes you into the Villány district, where some of Hungary’s best red wines are produced. Learn more about which varietals are grown, and why the climate and soil conditions here are ideal for the production of excellent wines, as you enjoy a WINE TASTING. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Osijek & Vukovar, Croatia.
Today, learn more about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence. Accompanied by local experts, explore both Osijek, an important economic and cultural center, as well as Vukovar, Croatia’s largest river port located at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers. Vukovar was scene to an 87-day siege in 1991, known as The Battle of Vukovar. This and other dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region. (B,L,D)
Day 7: 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 center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. (B,L,D)
Day 8: 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 9: Svistov, Bulgaria–Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Rousse.
A comfortable ride from Svistov 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 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 Rousse. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Harsova, Romania. Excursion to Celic Dere Monastery.
After breakfast, a drive in the countryside takes you to Celic Dere, one of the most well-known monasteries in this area and considered the center of Orthodoxism. The first church was built here in the early 19th century by priests from Transylvania and Bessarabia who had lived on Mount Athos in Greece. Return to your ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon and evening of tranquil sailing toward Tulcea and the mouth of the Danube. (B,L,D)
Day 11: St. Gheorghe, Danube Delta.
Perhaps this morning you will wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Black Sea. Later, enjoy a small celebration to mark “Km 0.” From its source in the Black Forest, to its delta at the Black Sea, the Danube measures 2,845 kilometers in length. The Km markings can be clearly seen on the river banks the length of the river, and today it’s time to celebrate the end of the Danube’s journey at “Km 0.” This afternoon, enjoy an excursion into the Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best preserved of Europe’s deltas, hosting over 300 species of birds as well as 45 species of freshwater fish. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Cernavodă. Excursion to Constanta.
Cernavodă lies at the western end of the 40-mile-long Black Sea Canal, the pride and joy of communist achievement. From here, drive to Constanta, the most important commercial center in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Enjoy a guided tour of this popular resort town and visit the NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. Late this afternoon, return to your ship. (B,L,D)
Day 13: 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 here. During your included tour, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon, and Royal Palace Square, scene of riots in 1989 that led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. (B)
Day 14: Bucharest–Istanbul, Turkey.
Today, fly to Istanbul. Free time to relax and begin soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. (B)
Day 15: Istanbul.
Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in the year 330, and finally called Istanbul, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between the Orient and the Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent history. Guided sightseeing includes Emperor Justinian’s HAGIA SOPHIA and Sultan Ahmet’s BLUE MOSQUE, magnificent monuments to two competing world religions that stand peacefully side by side; TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, residence of the Ottoman Sultans; and the GRAND BAZAAR. (B)
Day 16: Istanbul.
A free day in Istanbul to explore on your own. Or, why not join a full-day optional excursion to the fabulous archaeological site of Ephesus? Fly to Izmir, then travel to the city which later became the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked, “Is there a greater city?” Visit the Library of Celsus, the Amphitheater, and listen to exciting “inside stories” of life in ancient Ephesus as you walk down its “Champs Elysées.” Also visit the House of the Virgin Mary before returning to Istanbul for a final evening in Turkey. (B)
Day 17: Istanbul.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Vienna InterContinental (D), Bucharest Athénée Palace Hilton (SF), Istanbul Crowne Plaza Istanbul Old City (SF) Dates and Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Avalon Waterways, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only, starting at $300. Required intra-vacation air segment: Bucharest/Istanbul. Air prices were effective on April 11, 2012 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher.Port charges: $180 Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available. Extra nights per person in Vienna:in single room $230 in twin room $137Extra nights per person in Istanbul:in single room $315, in twin room $165Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck. To upgrade to a higher category, add per person:Category / Decks / Price B / Sapphire Deck / $784 A / Sapphire Deck / $856 P / Royal Deck / $1,070Avalon Suite / Royal Deck / $1,856
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| Touring Date | Land & Air | Land Only | | May 28, 2013 - Jun 13, 2013 | Call Us | $6,638 | | Jul 02, 2013 - Jul 18, 2013 | Call Us | $6,638 | | Aug 06, 2013 - Aug 22, 2013 | Call Us | $6,538 | | Oct 15, 2013 - Oct 31, 2013 | Call Us | $6,538 |
* All prices are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1 800 232 6459 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents.
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