Istanbul - Vienna, 17 Oct 2012 - 30 Oct 2012

Route description:

Your journey begins in Istanbul,  the city of the Byzantine Empire, the city of the Ottomans, the city that will leave you breathless. Then a motor coach will lead you on to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, before you arrive in your destination of Plovdiv, a town of fascinating architecture. Bucharest awaits you, a capital that combines the splendor of the past with the luxury of the present in such attractions as the Snagov Monastery and the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The Danube River will guide you past the narrow gorge that divides the Balkans from the Carpathian Mountains, and bring you to Croatia and Serbia. You journey will end at Viena,with its gentle hills and vine-clad slopes - a haven destination for writers, musicians, and artists?

Day 1	Arrive in Istanbul You will arrive in historic Istanbul. Your driver will be waiting you on the exit gate to take you to your hotel.
Day 2	Istanbul This morning's comprehensive city tour will show you the old city, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of its historic past. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the Galata Tower and visit the Blue Mosque. Later, you can explore the town on your own or choose an optional tour. (B)
Day 3	Istanbul Today, your guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every single Sultan from the 15th to 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 Bosphorus cruise or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. This evening is free to explore the town on your own. (B)
Day 4	Istanbul - Podliv (Bulgaria) This morning, you will leave Istanbul for Plovdiv. After lunch in Erdine, you will transfer to another bus for the remainder of your journey to Plovdiv. Tonight, you will see the highlights of Plovdiv’s Old Town before enjoying dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
Day 5	Plovdiv - Veliko - Tarnavo - Rousse The first stop this afternoon is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo. Here, you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin’s Tower. Those passengers who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street. Before continuing on to Rousse to embark your ship, enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch at your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 6	Giurgiu - Bukharest, Romania Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, the capital and largest city in Romania. This “Paris of the East” 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, the Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum and Library, and visit the Parliament Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, and then choose to have some free time or visit the Open Air Museum, dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. (B,L,D)
Day 7	Vidin Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day of cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. The “Bada Vida” fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th-century castle has thick walls and dark towers, which contrast with the natural surroundings of the park it sits within. (B,L,D)
Day 8	Cruising - Iron Gates Today is 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. (B,L,D)
Day 9	Belgrade, Serbia 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. A guided bicycle tour is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 10	Novi Sad - Vukovar, Croatia Arrive in Novi Sad in the morning and enjoy a walking tour. After your tour, continue to Vukovar, Croatia. Vukovar is situated in Eastern Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers. Vukovar’s rich history bears the influence of the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians. Among the sites you will see on your city tour are the Manorhouse Eltz and the Ovcara (Croatian victims during the Yugoslav civil war) Memorial. (B,L,D)
Day 11	Mohacs - Pecs, Hungary This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for your excursion to Pecs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pecs became an important early Christian bishopric and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. The area around Pecs is made up of rolling hills, vine clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, you will take a city tour that includes UNESCO underground excavations. (B,L,D)
Day 12	Budapest, Hungary - Vienna, Austria This morning, you will disembark the ship in Budapest and enjoy a city tour before transferring to Vienna. (B)
Day 13	Vienna This morning, enjoy a guided city tour followed by free time in the city center, then a walking tour from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, enjoy your free time strolling along the main shopping street, Karntnerstrasse, or sampling some of Vienna’s famous pastries. In the alternative, join an optional tour to the Imperial Schonbrunn Palace, which includes entrance to the Carriage Museum. In the evening, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B)
Day 14	Departure Today is the end of your exciting journey. Your driver will take you to the airport for departure. (B)