EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
5% Discount if you Book between 1st and 20th May and Pay in Full by 20th May 2008

BLACK SEA VOYAGE

ITINERARY

Day 1    Budapest
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2    Budapest
Morning sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, where you have a splendid view of the twin cities of
Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500- year old Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 3    Budapest
The Puszta is the region of Hungary most widely known throughout the world. The vast flat Great Hungarian Plain stretches across to the east, 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 light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest to embark onto your ship. (B, L, D)

Day 4   Mohacs - Pecs - Vukovar, Croatia
Arrive in Mohacs during breakfast for your excursion to Pecs. Charming Old Pecs is brought alive by your local guide as you see the Synagogue, Christian Basilica and visit the former Turkish Mosque. After lunch onboard ship, enjoy a wine tasting excursion, and sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Vilány. (B,L,D)

Day 5  Vukovar - Novi Sad, Serbia
Your guided bus and walking tour of Vukovar will show you the Franciscan
Monastery of St. John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and the St. James and St. Nicholas churches. Enjoy your
lunch as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia. Arrive in Novi Sad in the afternoon for your tour of the 18th-century Austrian- Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. The ship sails for Belgrade. (B,L,D)

Day 6   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. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 7   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 is an unforgettable highlight of your adventure. Late this evening, the ship sails to Vidin. (B,L,D)
Today, enjoy a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrows gorges, as the river winds between the Carpathian and the Balkan Mountains. This natural border also makes up the frontier between Serbia and Romania. (B, L, D)

Day 8  Vidin Bulgaria
The "Bada Vida" Fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle has massive walls and dark towers, which strongly contrast the natural park which surrounds the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations. (B, L, D)

Day 9  Guirgi - Bucharest, Romania - Rousse , Bulgaria
Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, capital and largest city in Romania. The city 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, Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum, the Library and visit the Parliament Palace - the world's largest palace. Enjoy lunch in a typical Romanian restaurant, and then choose to shop, explore on your own or visit the open air museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. This evening, the ship departs for Rousse. (B,L,D)

Day 10    Rousse - Disembark Ship - Veliko Tarnovo - Plodiv, Bulgaria.
Disembark the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motorcoach. Your first stop is in the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Tour Tsarevets Hill, the citadel of the city, the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces, the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Shoppers can explore the traditional street market, Samovodska Charshia. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing on to Plovdiv. This evening, see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town, before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 11  Plodiv - Istanbul, Turkey
After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Black Sea Voyage. (B)

Day 12  Istanbul
A comprehensive city tour will take you through its old city, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her historic past. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome. See the Galata Tower and visit the Blue Mosque. This evening, participate in the optional Istanbul By Night for dinner at a local restaurant and a belly dancing performance. (B)

Day 13  Istanbul
Today, your guide 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. The remainder of the day is yours to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B)

Day 14  Istanbul
Transfer to the airport

Included in your Amadeus Waterway Cruise

Start your journey with vibrant Budapest, a famous haven for musicians, writers and artists. See the rolling hills and vine clad slopes of Pecs before departing Hungary. Soon, the Danube makes up the boundary between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. Cruise through the narrow gorges of the Iron Gates, a narrow passage which divides Europe's Balkan from the Carpathian mountains. Then sail along the Romanian- Bulgarian border to Bucharest, the capital and largest city in Romania. Disembark and continue by motorcoach to VelikoTarnavo,
the ancient capital of Bulgaria, before arriving at the Black Sea resort of Nessebar, one of the oldest towns in Europe. Conclude your grand vacation in Istanbul, a city wit hrich history going back thousands of years