DANUBE RIVER CRUISES   CRUISE FROM BUDAPEST TO THE BLACK SEA - STAY IN NESSEBAR BULGARIA AND TOUR ISTANBUL

14 days/13nights -  2 nights in Budapest, then take a 7-night cruise to Romania, stay 1 night in a Black Sea resort - end with 3 nights in Istanbul

Detailed Itinerary 2009  (Black Sea Voyage) DAY 1, BUDAPEST Arrive in Budapest and optional 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 – EMBARK SHIP
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 lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest to embark 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)

DAY 8, VIDIN
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 surrounding 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, GIURGIU - 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 - PLOVDIV, 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, PLOVDIV - 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 guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th to the end of the 19th-century. During your tour, admire the private chambers of the Sultans, marvel at the world famous Harem and see the treasury, which is home to the Topkapi Diamond. This afternoon, enjoy an optional Bosporus cruise and visit to the Spice Bazaar or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B)

DAY 14, ISTANBUL - USA
Optional transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Daily Program Features 

Day		Destination		Activities
Day 1		Budapest
Day 2		Budapest
Day 3		Budapest		Optional tours Embarkation Welcome Cocktails Welcome Dinner
Day 4		Mohacs		Pecs excursion
Day 5		Vukovar Novi		City tour Sad Tour of Fortress
Day 6		Belgrade		City tour
Day 7		Iron Gates		Full day cruising
Day 8		Vidin		City tour Bada Vida Fortress
Day 9		Bucharest		City tour
Day 10		Rouse Veliko		Disembark Turnavo City tour
Day 11		Nessebar		City tour
Day 12		Istanbul		City tour Optional tours
Day 13		Istanbul		Tour Topkapi Palace
Day 14		Istanbul		Airport transfer

INCLUDED FEATURES: 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Budapest with daily Buffet Breakfast 7-night Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Internet, Movie and Music Library & English Language TV stations Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise Unlimited Quality Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions with every Dinner onboard the Ship Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner Fully escorted Motorcoach Tour from the Ship in Rousse, Bulgaria to Istanbul 1 Night Hotel Accommodation in Bulgaria including daily Buffet Breakfast 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Istanbul including daily Buffet Breakfast Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music Use of Bicycles to explore on your own Services of Professional Cruise Director All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck) All local Taxes

2009 DEPARTURES:      Departures   Start City Ship Name Cruise only Cruise & Land 18 Apr Budapest Amalyra $2099 $3419 23 Apr  Sold out  Istanbul Amalyra $2199 $3519 08 May Sold out  Budapest Amacello $2299 $3619 13 May Istanbul Amacello $2299 $3619 06 Jun Budapest Amadante $2299 $3619 11 Jun Istanbul Amadante $2299 $3619 19 Jun Budapest Amadante $2299 $3619 24 Jun  Sold out  Istanbul Amacello $2299 $3619 05 Aug Sold out  Istanbul Amacello $2299 $3619 11 Sep Budapest Amacello $2499 $3819 16 Sep Istanbul Amacello $2499 $3819 15 Oct  Sold out  Istanbul Amadante $2299 $3619  28 Oct Istanbul Amacello $2099 $3419 Port Charges: $98  per person To upgrade to a higher Category, add per person: Cat.   Deck   STATEROOM Price D Piano Deck Window   $149 C Cello Deck French Balcony   $449 B Cello Deck French Balcony   $599 A Violin Deck French Balcony   $699 S Violin Deck French Balcony   $1499 NOTE: Please select bedding configuration at the time of booking. The choices are: Choice A: Two twin beds Choice B: One large bed (larger then queen size) *Euro rate based on the exchange  for ship description and pictures click here!