Celebrate the beauty and history of the Danube, Europe's second largest river. Journey from Nuremberg across the Continental Divide, and along the way visit charming towns and marvel at beautiful vistas. Enter Austria and cruise along the Wachau wine region. Visit three grand old capitals, magnificent Vienna, charming Bratislava and vibrant Budapest. Continue to Croatia and Serbia and cruise through the Iron Gates, a very narrow passage dividing the Balkan mountains from the Carpathian mountains. Sail along the Romanian/Bulgarian border before ending your grand European journey in what was known for centuries as the world's greatest city, Istanbul.
All local TaxesDetailed Itinerary
DAY 1, DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight to Czech Republic.
DAY 2, ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.
DAY 3, PRAGUE
This morning's sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the thousand-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard, St. Vitus, and then walk over the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The evening is free to mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, shop for souvenirs or enjoy one of the charming cafes or restaurants. (B)
DAY 4, PRAGUE
Today, why not join the optional tour to Terezin, the once infamous Nazi WWII labor camp, now a memorial to those who perished. Or, stroll through a museum or wander along the banks of the Vlatava River. (B)
DAY 5, PRAGUE - KARLOVY VARY - NUREMBERG, GERMANY
This morning, depart Prague after breakfast and stop in Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian Spa. After lunch, drive through the pastoral countryside to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia. Tonight gather onboard for a Gala Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. (B,D)
DAY 6, NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE - DIETFURT
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant impressive walls. At lunchtime, rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube-Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks to Dietfurt. (B,L,D)
DAY 7, REGENSBURG
Cruise the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg, which is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Your guided tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, and the Porta Praetoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Then take the opportunity to join the optional excursion to beautiful Weltenburg Abbey in the Danube Gorge. In the evening enjoy a music performance onboard. (B,L,D)
DAY 8, PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairy tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or take an optional full day tour to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the location of the Sound of Music. For those staying onboard, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau to Linz. The ship moors overnight in Linz. (B,L,D)
DAY 9, MELK - VIENNA
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. Your tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. Enjoy your lunch sailing through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the City of Music. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)
DAY 10, VIENNA
Your tour of Vienna will show you the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. Then enjoy a free afternoon to shop, explore or visit one of the city's many museums or palaces. Continue cruising overnight to Budapest, Hungary. (B,L,D)
DAY 11, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
During this morning's city tour, appreciate the beauty from historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica, and much more. Tonight, enjoy a Gala Dinner with Gypsy music. (B,L,D)
DAY 12, BUDAPEST
Puszta is the region of Hungary widely known throughout the world for its Hungarian cowboys who still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Upon arrival, you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with brandy and scones. Take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders during the horse show. There will be a lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest. (B,L,D)
DAY 13, MOHACS - PECS - VILANY
During breakfast arrive in Mohacs for an interesting excursion to Pecs. Charming Old Pecs is brought alive by local guides on your walking tour. See the Synagogue, Christian Basilica and visit the former Turkish Mosque. Enjoy a wine-tasting excursion, where you will sample aromatic, spicy white wines from the vineyards of Vilany. (B,L,D)
DAY 14, VUKOVAR, CROATIA - NOVI SAD, SERBIA
Your guided bus and walking tour of Vukovar will show you the Franciscan Monastery of St. John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and the Churches St. James and St. Nicholas. During lunch, continue your cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, where you will see the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)
DAY 15, BELGRADE
This morning, arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, where you have a chance to explore both the old and the new town. 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. (B,L,D)
DAY 16, CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES - VIDIN, BULGARIA
Today, 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. (B,L,D)
DAY 17, 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 which surrounds the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th-century castle, located in a fairy tale landscape of unusual rock formations (B,L,D)
DAY 18, GIURGIU - BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - ROUSSE, BULGARIA
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, capital and largest city in Romania. The city is famed for its Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th-century. 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, then explore on your own or visit the open air museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. (B,L,D)
DAY 19, ROUSSE - VELIKO TARNOVO - PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
Disembark in Rousse and continue your tour by motorcoach. Your first stop is 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. This evening, arrive in Plovdiv and see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town, before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
DAY 20, PLOVDIV - ISTANBUL, TURKEY
After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Black Sea Voyage. (B)
DAY 21, ISTANBUL
A comprehensive city tour will show you the old city, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her historic past. 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. (B)
DAY 22, 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 Spice Bazaar or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs. (B)
DAY 23, ISTANBUL - USA
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
