The Danube & Black Sea Coast 2012

Bucharest to Prague

Day 1 (Sat) Bucharest. Fly to Bucharest where you will be met and transferred to the Athenee Palace Hilton hotel for one night.

Day 2 (Sun) Bucharest – Oltenita. During your included tour of Romania’s lively capital this morning, see the impressive Palace of Parliament, the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon and the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Museum. A coach ride takes you to Oltenita, where your cruise ship is docked.

Day 3 (Mon) Silistra. Excursion to Varna. Located in north-eastern Bulgaria at the country’s border with Romania, Silistra is a port 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 dating back to pre-historic times. During your sightseeing you will visit the National Archaeological Museum, home of the Gold of Varna.

Day 4 (Tue) Svistov. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi. Travel by coach from the river port of 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 to the Royal Fortress, palaces and 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.

Day 5 (Wed) Iron Gates. The Trajan Tablet, 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 is surely 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, which forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

Day 6 (Thu) Belgrade. The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A local expert will show you its main sights, including the city’s principal landmark, Kalemegdan Fortress, St Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox Church, and the tomb and monument of Marshal Tito, the former president of Yugoslavia. The city centre has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés.

Day 7 (Fri) Novi Sad. Overlooking the city of Novi Sad, with a spectacular view of the Danube, is Marshal Vauban’s unconquerable Petrovaradin Fortress. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of the town before relaxing on board this afternoon as you cruise upstream.

Day 8 (Sat) Pecs – Kalocsa. Pecs is Hungary’s fifth-largest city and its richest in terms of Turkish architecture. Enjoy an orientation and some free time before proceeding to Kalocsa, a charming Hungarian town renowned for its paprika production and strong folklore traditions. Founded as an archbishopric by St Stephen in 1009, the serenity of this old town belies its turbulent past of relentless Ottoman attack. See the majestic Archbishop’s Palace and fine Kalocsa Cathedral, before being treated to an organ concert.

Day 9 (Sun) Budapest. 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 Matthias Church, is among the many sights a Local Guide will show you.

Day 10 (Mon) Budapest – Vienna. A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery along the banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upstream and Slovakia is on your right. Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss.

Day 11 (Tue) Vienna. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s capital 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 city tour. Take your time to savour each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a local café. An optional concert is available during your stay.

Day 12 (Wed) Dürnstein – Melk. Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above the town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. This afternoon visit Melk, whose magnificent Benedictine Abbey dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. This evening you’ll be able to sample some of the Wachau Valley’s famous wines.

Day 13 (Thu) Linz – Passau. Linz, Austria’s third-largest city, straddles the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in sights of the popular film ‘The Sound of Music’. Continue to Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. Its cathedral, St Stephen’s, houses the world’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.

Day 14 (Fri) Regensburg. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria — gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen).

Day 15 (Sat) Nuremberg. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses, on a tour with a local expert. Nuremberg’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metalworking. After dinner sample some of Germany’s famous beers.

Day 16 (Sun) Nuremberg – Prague. After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship. Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the ‘Golden City’ to the Hilton hotel for three nights.

Day 17 (Mon) Prague. Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures such as the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe, Hradcany Castle Grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge. Mingle with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River.

Day 18 (Tue) Prague. A free day to explore the city at your own pace.

Day 19 (Wed) Prague. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Note: Owing to lock closures and planned maintenance of technical equipment on the Main-Danube Canal, this itinerary may be modified slightly on some departures. On 14th April departure, embarkation will be in Passau and the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly.