GRAND DANUBE CRUISE

Included in your Amadeus Waterway Cruise

Celebrate the beauty and history of the Danube, Europe's second largest river. Journey from Nuremberg across theContinental Divide, and along the way visit charming towns and marvel at beautiful vistas. Enter Austria and cruise through the lush Wachau wine region. Visit charming towns and marvel at beautiful vistas along theWachau 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.

ITINERARY

Day 1   
Board an overnight flight to Istanbul , Turkey

Day 2    Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.

Day 3    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. This afternoon is free to explore the town on your own or join the optional “Turkish Delight” tour. (B)

Day 4   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 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 to Ortaköy or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B)

Day 5  Istanbul - Plodiv, Bulgaria
This morning, you will leave Istanbul for Plovdiv. After lunch in Erdine, continue your journey through the Bulgarian countryside on your way to Plovdiv. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city prior to check-in at your hotel. The remainder of the evening is yours to explore this quaint Bulgarian town.(B)

Day 6   Plodiv - Veliko Turnavo - Rousse - Embarkation
The first stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo. Here, you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. Those passengers who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the hill top town of Arbanassi where you will sample a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing on to Rousse to embark your ship. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner(B, L, D)

Day 7   Giurgiu - Bucharest, Romania
Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, known as “Paris of the East.” Visit the Open Air Museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. After lunch on your own, you will have two options. Enjoy a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest building in the world or tour the Historical center. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. (B, L, D)

Day 8  Vidin , Bulagaria
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day of cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in 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, in contrast to the natural park that surrounds the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations. (B, L,D)

Day 9  Cruising - Iron Gates
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 (B, L, D)

Day 10    Belgrade, Serbia
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and explore its myriad of streets, plazas and squares. Belgrade has over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. On your panoramic tour, you will see the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. As an alternative, choose to take the Tito’s Memorial tour which includes a visit to the House of Flowers, where the tomb of Josip Tito is located. You will also see some of the many gifts Tito received during his presidency. You will have free time in the city center after your tour to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the main pedestrian and shopping center of the city. A guided bicycle tour is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). (B, L, D)

Day 11  Novi Sad - Vukovar, Croatia
Arrive in Novi Sad in the morning and enjoy a walking tour of Novi Sad in the afternoon, beginning at the Danube Park and then stroll through the old town center. You will also tour the 18th-century Austrian-Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. After your tour, continue to Vukovar, Croatia where you may choose between a tour of Vukovar or wine tasting in the town of Ilok. Your city tour of Vukovar includes the Ovcara Memorial, the monumental cross that is a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. As an alternative, travel to the town of Ilok, which is famous for its wines. Here, you will visit a local winery and sample their vintages before your walking tour of the town. (B, L, D)

Day 12  Mohacs - Pecs Hungary
Arrive in Mohács during breakfast and then depart for your excursion to Pecs, EU Cultural Capital 2010. 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. Upon arrival, visit the Mosque Church, the largest structure surviving from the Ottoman period as well as the underground burial chambers dating back to the 4th century. You will also see St. Peter’s Basilica, the main Catholic Cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács. (B, L, D)

Day 13  Budapest
Today you will visit the famous Puszta region, the vast flat plain where Hungarian cowboys still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Upon arrival, you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. Try a lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to the ship in Budapest.(B, L, D)

Day 14  Budapest
This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy 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 Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square and more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B,L, D)

Day 15  Bratislava, Slovakia - Vienna, Austria
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, choose a “Communist Tour” that includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. Later, you will have some free time before the ship cruises to Vienna, the music capital of the world. After dinner, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace or Palais Auersperg. (B,L,D)

Day 16  Vienna
Savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna during your guided sightseeing tour, which will include the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. After dinner, experience a traditional “Viennese Wine and Music” evening in a wine village near Vienna. Enjoy the year’s newest vintage, surrounded by music and hospitality. (B, L, D)

Day 17  Durnstein - Melk
This morning arrive in Dürnstein, where you will take a walking tour along the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche. Your tour will also include a wine tasting at a local vintner, where you will enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. As an alternative, explore the majestic Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour from Dürnstein to Melk (capacity controlled). The ship arrives in Melk this afternoon, where you will tour the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. The ship moors overnight in Melk. (B, L, D)

Day 18  Linz - Gmunden
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. Your walking tour will take you along the Landstrasse to the city’s main square. You will see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, Landestheatre and St. Martin’s, the oldest church in Austria. Return to the ship for brunch. This afternoon you have the choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” region, the Austrian Lake District, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic town of Gmunden, on the shore of Lake Traunsee. The second option is to join an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This is a wonderfully preserved medieval town, nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third choice this afternoon is an excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. Enjoy free time on your own, before returning to the ship. (B, L, D)

Day 19 Passau, Germany - Vilshoffen
Early this morning, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Your city tour takes you on an exploration of this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Highlights include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. As an alternative, explore the city on a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). This afternoon, the ship cruises to Vilshofen, a charming 1200-year-old Bavarian town on the confluence of the river Vils and the Danube. There, you’ll enjoy “Oktoberfest” in Vilshofen. Relax at long tables and benches, sampling local food and beer accompanied by Bavarian folk music, song and dance. (B,L,D)

Day 20 Vilshoffen - Disembarkation - Regenburg - Prague
This morning, disembark your ship in Vilshofen, and depart for Munich. Stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, where you will enjoy a walking tour. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Regensburg’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch on your own, continue to Prague and check into the hotel. (B)


Day 21 Prague
Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with its historic city center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the 1,000 year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus, before walking over to Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square. The balance of the day is at your leisure; perhaps visit the Wenceslas Square or enjoy yourself in one of the charming cafes. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions. (B)

Day 22 Prague
Spend a day at your leisure to relax and stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vltava River, relax at an outdoor restaurant or shop for local handicrafts and art work. This afternoon, participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished.

Day 23 Depart Prague
Your cruise has come to an end.