North Sea To The Black Sea Cruise Map

Included Features

An unforgettable journey across the heart of Europe on three historic rivers. Begin in Amsterdam and travel on the Rhine to Cologne and the historic town of Koblenz. Traverse Europe's Continental Divide to visit the grand capitals on the Danube. Then journey through the Iron Gates along the Romanian-Bulgarian border to Bucharest. Disembark and continue by motor coach to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, before arriving in Plovdiv. Conclude your grand vacation in Istanbul, rich in history that dates back for millennia.

ITINERARY

DAY 1, DEPART
Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam, Holland

DAY 2, ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND – EMBARKATION.
Arrive in charming Amsterdam and embark your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner. (D)

DAY 3, AMSTERDAM
After breakfast, admire beautiful 18th-century homes, charming churches and 17th-century merchant houses on a canal boat tour. Then enjoy a motor coach tour of Amsterdam, including a photo stop at the Rembrandt Windmill, followed by free time in Amsterdam. Enjoy an afternoon information briefing as you cruise towards Germany. ( B,L,D)

DAY 4, DUSSELDORF - COLOGNE , GERMANY
Arrive in Düsseldorf this morning and take a motor coach to Venlo, where you will have the unique opportunity to visit the Floriade World Horticultural Expo. Bringing together more than 100 exhibitors from dozens of countries, the Floriade Expo grounds will feature five themed zones connected by wooded areas. Each of the zones contains its own horticultural exhibits, cultural attractions, activities, restaurant, music, dance and theatrical performances. Late this afternoon, travel to Cologne, where your ship is now docked. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the fabled 13th-century gothic cathedral. As an alternative to a walking tour, take a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). Late tonight, the ship departs for Rüdesheim. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, RÜDESHEIM
Today you will have your choice of visiting the Koblenz Flower Show or Rüdesheim. The Flower Show is a special event featuring 120 acres of magnificent floral displays, exhibitions and a river side promenade. If you choose the Rüdesheim excursion, you will travel to this charming town, and take a mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. You will have free time to explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants, during your free time. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, MILTENBERG – WERTHEIM
Arrive in Miltenberg for a walking tour of this old Franconian town with narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. During lunch, the ship will cruise to Freudenberg. A motor coach tour will take you to Wertheim, where you will have free time before boarding your ship for an overnight cruise to Würzburg. A guided bicycle tour of Wertheim is also available (capacity controlled. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, WÜRZBURG – KITZINGEN
During your guided tour, visit the magnificent Residenz Palace and see the major sights. This afternoon take an optional tour along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg, and visit its world famous Christmas Museum. Or, relax on board this afternoon as you cruise to Kitzingen. After dinner on board enjoy an evening walk and wine tasting in Kitzingen, at Germany’s oldest wine cellar. ( B,L,D)

DAY 8, BAMBERG
Arrive this afternoon in enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided walking tour of this medieval gem and marvel at the breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. You will also sample some of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer before continuing your cruise this evening to ancient Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, NUREMBERG
Today decide to either tour the medieval history of Nuremberg to see the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle, or join the “modern tour” of the city’s role in the 20th-century, and see the Zeppelin field and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. At lunchtime, return to the ship and cruise the Main Danube Canal to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level, where you cross Europe's Continental Divide, then start descending through stair-step locks. (B,L,D)

DAY 10, REGENSBURG
A guided morning tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. In the alternative, you can take a tour of the Audi Car Factory. The afternoon is free to relax or join an optional excursion to beautiful Weltenburg Abbey in the Danube Gorge (seasonal). In the evening, enjoy a music performance on board. (B,L,D)

DAY 11, PASSAU , AUSTRIA.
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau for a walking tour. Explore this 2,000-year-old city at the confluence of three rivers (the Danube, Inn, and Ilz), which is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Or join the optional excursion to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Those staying on board can enjoy a scenic journey to Linz, Austria. ( B,L,D)

DAY 12, MELK – DÜRNSTEIN
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley this morning. A guided tour takes you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries. After lunch, enjoy a scenic cruise through the lovely Wachau Valley, dotted with castles, to Dürnstein. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche and high above town. You will also enjoy a wine tasting, where you will sample several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. A guided bicycle tour from Melk to Dürnstein is also available (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)

DAY 13, VIENNA
Enjoy a guided city tour followed by free time in the city center, then a walking tour from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Enjoy an optional excursion to the Schönbrunn Palace and the Carriage Museum. Or use the free afternoon to stroll along the main shopping street, Kärntnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna's famous pastries. Tonight, explore the Austrian capital on your own, or join an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 14, VIENNA – BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA.
Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising to Bratislava followed by your choice of a “Communist Tour” in which you will discover architectural landmarks and experience the history of the city. In the alternative, enjoy a walking tour of Bratislava, which reveals the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. The rest of the afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Tonight there is an evening music performance on board. ( B,L,D)

DAY 15, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
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 and St. Stephen's Basilica. This afternoon, an optional excursion is available, which will take you back to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Tonight, enjoy a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. (B,L,D)

DAY 16, 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 17, MOHÁCS – PECS – VILÁNY.
Arrive in Mohacs 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 Mohacs. After lunch, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion, where you will sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Vilany. In the alternative, a guided bicycle tour to Mohacs is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)

DAY 18, VUKOVAR, CROATIA – NOVI SAD, SERBIA
This morning, 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. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia. 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. (B,L,D)

DAY 19, BELGRADE
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 20, 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 21, VIDIN
The 14th century "Baba Vida" Fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. 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 22, GIURGIU – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – ROUSSE, BULGARIA.
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 23, ROUSSE – DISEMBARK – VELIKO TARNOVO – PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
Disembark the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motor coach. Your first stop is in the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the hill top town of Arbanassi where you will sample a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing on to Plovdiv. This evening, see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town on a walking tour before dinner at a local restaurant.. (B,L,D)

DAY 24, PLOVDIV – ISTANBUL, TURKEY
After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul after stopping for lunch and transferring to another motor coach. Arrive late afternoon and check into your hotel. (B,L)

DAY 25, ISTANBUL
A comprehensive city tour will take you through its 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 26, 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 to Ortakoy or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants.. (B)

DAY 27,
END OF CRUISE