SPECIAL CRUISE FEATURES

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 01: DEPART THE USA
Depart on overnight flights to Vienna, Austria. Meals and services per airline policy.

DAY 02: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
EMBARKATION
Welcome to Austria! Transfer to the port where your home away from home, the MS Der Kleine Prinz, is docked. Prior to dinner, meet your fellow passengers and Cruise Staff for a cocktail, crew introduction followed by an information meeting. Then enjoy your first dinner on board, followed by a well deserved rest. (D)

DAY 03: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Your morning city sightseeing tour will introduce you to the most attractive sights of this “Imperial” capital, such as the Hundertwasserhaus, Belvedere Palace where you tour the grounds and gardens, and a drive along the Ringstrasse will bring you past famous architectural gems such as the State Opera, the Parliament, the Burgtheatre, the Votiv-Church and others. The next stop will be in the old center of Vienna to view St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Take a walk through the pedestrian zone from Graben and Kohlmarkt to Michaela Square ending at the entrance of the Hofburg (Imperial Palace). From this point, continue past the Spanish Riding School to Albertina Square, where you will see the State Opera and the famous Hotel Sacher. Then drive past the famous "Prater" with its Giant Ferry Wheel. Return to the ship in time for lunch. The balance of the day is at leisure. You may choose to explore Vienna on your own or purchase the optional tour to Schoenbrunn Castle. An optional classical Music peformance will be offered in the evening. Set sail for Bratislava, Slovakia before midnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 04: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Enjoy a morning panoramic city sightseeing tour by bus and marvel at St. Martin's Cathedral, the Castle and Primate's Palace. The sightseeing will end with a walk through the Old Town – Michael's Gate, Michael's Tower, Main Square, Old Town Hall and Slovak National Theatre.Enjoy some free time for shopping and strolling and return to the ship for lunch. As you set sail for Budapest after lunch, enjoy a wine tasting party featuring a selection of high quality but lesser known wines from Hungary, Serbia and Romania, accompanied with live music from our on board live Band! (B, L, D)

DAY 05: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Welcome to Hungary! Your morning motor coach tour of this lovely city will include the most popular sights: The Parliament Building, St. Stefan Cathedral, the Opera, the Square of Heroes, and the town park with the Vajdahunyad Castle. There will be stops at the Square of Heroes, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Gellert Hill. Return to the ship for lunch. The balance of the afternoon is free to explore on your own or participate in the recommended optional walking tour of Pest. An optional evening cultural Performance will be offered as well. (B, L, D)

DAY 06: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
After breakfast depart on your excursion to St. Andrej (Szentendre) a small picturesque village (17th century), 25 km away from Budapest. Renowned as a sanctuary for artists, painters and hand crafted arts, the tour will include the Main Square with the memorial cross, the first teaching school in Hungary, Preobrazenska Church, and the Church of the Hill, etc. Return to the ship in time for lunch. The balance of the day is at leisure to visit one of the many museums and other independent sightseeing, or take the highly recommended optional Puzta horse farm and equestrian show excursion offered. (B, L, D)

DAY 07: PECS (Mohac), HUNGARY
From the port of Mohac, a 45 minute bus ride will take you to visit the town of Pecs, a gem of old world architecture, often referred to as the “city for art lovers”. Here you will tour Szecheni Square, Kaptalan Street and the Palace of Lorant including a visit to the catacombs. You will also visit a local wine cellar and enjoy some wine tasting. Lunch is back on board as you set sail for Vukovar, Croatia. In the afternoon enjoy lectures on the Balkans held by our Cruise Managers and end the day with a delightful concert of Gypsy music performed by our on board Gypsy band! (B, L, D)

DAY 08: VUKOVAR, CROATIA - NOVI SAD, SERBIA
Welcome to Croatia! Vukovar, Croatia’s largest river port is a delightful riverside town with a lively pedestrian zone full of open air cafes, museums and shops. Your morning walking tour will include a visit to the Franciscan Monastery that is the center piece of the village. Then enjoy lunch back on board as you continue sailing on to Serbia.Your first stop in this “newly” minted Balkan country will be in Novi Sad, Serbia’s third largest city after Belgrade and Nis. You will be delighted with this pedestrian friendly town as you join your local guide for a walking tour through the town center. After the tour you will have free time to explore the many nooks and crannies of the town or enjoy a cappuccino and some people watching from the terrace of one of the many open air cafés. Or take the optional Countryside tour. Dinner is on board as you set sail for “White City” – Serbia’s capital of Belgrade! (B, L, D)

DAY 09: BLEGRADE, SERBIA
A big day is ahead as your morning motor coach tour of this lively and vibrant city will include all of the major attractions: Kalemegdan Fortress, looming over the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers; St. Sava’s Orthodox Cathedral, perched on a hill which can be seen from every part of the city; the Parliament Building; Princess Ljubica's Manor; Mark's Church; and others. The tour will end with a stroll through Knez Mihajlova Street, the main pedestrian zone full of boutiques, open air cafés and galleries.
The afternoon is free to explore Belgrade on your own or partake in the highly recommended optional tour to the village of Jarak where you will meet an authentic Serbian multi-generation family and enjoy a wonderful taste of Serbian home made food, live music and hospitality! After dinner, you will enjoy a private folklore show performed by members of Belgrade’s renown “Talia” ensemble. In between the dances, a special fashion show will introduce you to the wonderful hand made sweaters of “Sirogojno” – made with special wool and local motifs. These sweaters are sold in some of the most fashionable boutiques worldwide for hundreds of dollars as each one is an individual work of art. If you live in cold climates, one of these sweaters would be a wonderful gift for a family member – or yourself! Early morning the next day – set sail for Romania & Bulgaria. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: AT SAIL & PASSAGE THROUGH “THE IRON GATE” GORGE
In the morning hours, enjoy the passing vistas as well as talks on Balkan History presented by your Cruise Director. After lunch you will delight in viewing a great natural attraction, as the ship passes through the highest gorge on the Danube, aptly named the "The Iron Gates". Over 100 km long, this canyon, was a gigantic obstacle to navigation because of its pointed rocks, cliffs, and changing water levels, surrounded with very wild, yet attractive nature. This danger was finally overcome in 1972, with the building of the “Djerdap” Hydroelectric and Navigation System, the largest of its kind in Europe. The Romanian and Yugoslav builders carried out this gigantic construction project by building a huge concrete dam which raised the level of the water from 30 to 80 meters. On both sides of the dam, two locks and two hydroelectric stations were built which today produce an average annual output of 10 billion kWh and enable safe passage for passenger and cargo ships all the way to the Black Sea. Then it's time to prepare for our festive Captain’s Gala dinner accompanied by the sounds of our bands Gypsy violins! (B, L, D)

DAY 11: VIDIN, BULGARIA
Welcome to Bulgaria! After breakfast, embark on a walking tour of this delightful Bulgarian river port highlighted by a visit to the 13th century fortress named “Baba Vida” (“Grandma Vida”) the best preserved medieval fortress in the country. Then enjoy some free time for strolling and shopping before returning to the ship for lunch and continued sailing. Tonight, after dinner, our live Band will hold a final farewell concert for you as you dance the night away! (B, L, D)

DAY 12: GIURGIU//MAGURELE - BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
END CRUISE
As all good things must come to an end – so does your wonderful cruise adventure! Disembark after breakfast, and depending on water levels, transfer from either Giurgiu or Turnu Magurele to the “Paris of the East” – Bucharest, Romania’s lovely capital (2 hrs). Upon reaching the city, a panorama tour will highlight the major attractions including; Revolution Square, Arc de Triumph, the National Theatre, the Romanian Athenaeum and others. Stop for photographs at President Ceausescu’s humongous "People's House" (today’s Parliament) the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. Then it’s on to your first class hotel, where after check-in you will have free time to explore this lovely city at your leisure and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants on your own. (NOTE: If taking the optional Dracula Extension you will enjoy your last night in Bucharest AFTER returning from Brasov). (B)

DAY 13: BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – FLY HOME
Enjoy a final breakfast before transferring to the airport for flights home. (B)