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BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA - 2010: Artistry
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Vienna to Bucharest (WVO)
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 A deluxe Danube River cruise is the highlight on this fascinating getaway through Eastern Europe. Sail through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge and see the sights with a Local Guide in each city, including Vienna, the "City of Music!" Visit the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Romania's lively capital of Bucharest, and Serbia's Belgrade, as well as paprika country's Kalocsa; Bulgaria's Arbanassi and Veliko Tarnovo; and Varna on the Black Sea. Travelers who opt for the extension in Istanbul will also visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and the Grand Bazaar on this Eastern European river cruise. INCLUDED FEATURES
Cruise:
Deluxe 9-night cruise from Vienna to Oltenita or Oltenita to Vienna in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
Vienna:
Guided sightseeing
Budapest:
Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen's Bastion
Kalocsa:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Paprika Museum;
Novi Sad:
Guided sightseeing, Petrovaradin Fortress
Belgrade:
Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress
Iron Gates:
Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; Smedereva and Golubac Fortresses; Trajan Table
Veliko Tarnovo:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch's Church
Arbanassi:
Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity
Varna:
Guided sightseeing, visit the National Archaeological Museum
Bucharest:
Guided sightseeing, Parliament Building, visit the National Art Museum
Notes:
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) DinnerBuffet breakfast (B) in Vienna and Bucharest; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain's dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-ClassVienna Hilton Stadtpark (D), Bucharest Athenee Palace Hilton (SF) INSIDE VISITSInside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable. Itinerary
Day 1 (Tue.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2 Vienna, Austria(Wed.) Welcome to Vienna, Austria's capital, which is known as the "City of Music" and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city. Day 3 Vienna(Thu.) Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, 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 4 Vienna (Embarkation)(Fri.) Time today to browse the shops along the Karntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood cafe. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D) Day 5 Budapest, Hungary(Sat.) 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. (B,L,D) Day 6 Budapest(Sun.) A free day to explore Budapest at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D) Day 7 Kalocsa(Mon.) 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. (B,L,D) Day 8 Novi Sad, Serbia(Tue.) 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. (B,L,D) Day 9 Belgrade(Wed.) 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 cafes. (B,L,D) Day 10 Cruising-Iron Gates(Thu.) 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 11 Svistov, Bulgaria-Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi-Rousse(Fri.) A comfortable ride from 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 Rousse. (B,L,D) Day 12 Silistra-Excursion to Varna, Black Sea(Sat.) Located in northeastern 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 artifacts. During your sightseeing you will visit the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, home of the Gold of Varna, as featured in National Geographic some years ago. (B,L,D) Day 13 Oltenita, Romania (Disembarkation)-Bucharest(Sun.) 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, which led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. (B) Day 14 Bucharest(Mon.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
| Call (818) 552-7700 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8587242 | | Avalon Waterways | | Offer valid through 11/30/2009 | |  Artistry
Click for more information on this ship. |
| | | US$ Price Details Applicable air fare taxes and feesPort charges:
$126
Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
Extra nights per person in Vienna:
in single room $308, in twin room $187
Extra nights per person in Bucharest:
in single room $390, in twin room $209
Cruise-Only Option From $2,949
Day 4 Vienna (Embarkation) - Day 13 Oltenita, Romania (Disembarkation)-Bucharest
Cruise-only option allows you to participate in just the river cruise portion of the vacation, removing the overnight stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary. Ask your Travel Consultant for details at the time of booking.
Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.
To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:
Category / Decks / Price
D / Indigo Deck / $127
B / Sapphire Deck / $642
A / Sapphire Deck / $706
P / Royal Deck / $834
Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $1,542Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your vacation may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.) However, once your airfare is confirmed for departures Jan 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2009 (or published 2010 departures) and Avalon Waterways has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed. Departure is based on the land start date as listed in the vacation itinerary.
We also accept your reservation on a land-only basis:
While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages, you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines' special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our low air-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these "deals" you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable airfare taxes & fees:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th Security Fee of up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300, depending on your itinerary. Your final air-inclusive vacation price for departures Jan 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2009 is not guaranteed until your air schedule has been confirmed and your full air and land deposit have been received by Avalon Waterways. Departure is based on the land start date as listed in the vacation itinerary.
Not included in the vacation price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon Waterways menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature. |
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