Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1, USA – ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Board overnight flight to Istanbul,Turkey.

DAY 2, ISTANBUL
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.

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. Later, you can explore the town on your own or choose an optional 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 Bosphorus 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. This evening is free to explore the town on your own. (B)

DAY 5, ISTANBUL – PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
This morning, you will leave Istanbul and continue to Plovdiv. After lunch in Erdine, you will transfer to another bus for the remainder of your journey to Plovdiv. Tonight, you see the highlights of Plovdiv’s Old Town before enjoying dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, PLOVDIV – 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. You will see the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin’s Tower. Those passengers who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street. Before continuing on to Rousse to embark your ship, enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch at your hotel. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, GIURGIU – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, the capital and largest city in Romania. This “Paris of the East” is famed for its Belle Epoque Era buildings dating from the 19th-century. The French influence is paramount in many of the restored buildings of the former aristocracy and monarchy. The post war communist era of grandiose architecture is brought home by the world’s second largest building, the Palace of the Parliament. During the morning city tour you will see the Arch of Triumph, the Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum and Library, and visit the Parliament Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, and then choose to have some free time or visit the Open Air Museum. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, VIDIN, BULGARIA
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day of cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. The “Bada Vida” fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th-century castle has thick walls and dark towers, which contrast with the natural surroundings of the park it sits within. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, CRUISING – IRON GATES
Today is 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 cruise. (B,L,D)

DAY 10, BELGRADE, SERBIA
This morning, arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, where you have a chance to explore both the old and the new town. 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. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a guided bicycle tour of Belgrade (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)

DAY 11, NOVI SAD – VUKOVAR, CROATIA
Arrive in Novi Sad in the morning and enjoy a walking tour. After your tour, continue to Vukovar, Croatia. Vukovar is situated in Eastern Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers. Vukovar’s rich history bears the influence of the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians. During your city tour, you will see the Manorhouse Eltz and the Ovcara Memorial (Croatian victims of the Yugoslav civil war). (B,L,D)

DAY 12, MOHÁCS – PECS, HUNGARY
This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for your excursion to Pecs. 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. The area around Pecs is made up of rolling hills, vine clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, you will take a city tour that includes a UNESCO underground excavation. (B,L,D)

DAY 13, 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 marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica and Great Market Hall. Continue to Puszta, 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. (B,L,D)

DAY 14, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA – VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Today, choose either a “Communist Tour” or a guided walking tour of Bratislava’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. The remainder of the afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Perhaps, visit the 13th-century Bratislava Castle where you'll enjoy breathtaking views overlooking three countries - Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. An eventful day is followed by an evening filled with an enchanting music performance on board. Just before midnight the ship departs for Vienna. (B,L,D)

DAY 15, VIENNA
Enjoy a guided city tour followed by free time in the city center, then a walking tour from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, enjoy your free time strolling along the main shopping street, Karntnerstrasse, or sampling some of Vienna’s famous pastries. As an alternative, join an optional tour to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace, which includes entrance to the Carriage Museum. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)

DAY 16, DÜRNSTEIN – MELK
Early this morning reach the Wachau Valley for your walking tour of Dürnstein, known as one of the prettiest towns along the Danube. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche and see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Your walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century town houses and wine taverns and includes a wine tasting at a local vintner. After lunch, enjoy your scenic cruise to Melk. Here, you will tour the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. You also have the option of taking a guided bicycle tour from Dürnstein to Melk (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)

DAY 17, LINZ – PASSAU, GERMANY
After breakfast, take an optional full-day excursion to fascinating Salzburg, setting for “The Sound of Music,” or cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany. Located where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube, a walking tour will lead you through this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)

DAY 18, REGENSBURG
After lunch, arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, and the Porte Praetoria – a gateway to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Tonight, folklore entertainers will come on board for your delight. (B,L,D)

DAY 19, NUREMBERG
Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising through the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmühl Valley. In the afternoon, you decide as you enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. Either choose the medieval history of Nuremberg and see the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle, or join the tour centered on the modern role the city played in the 20th-century and see the Zeppelin field and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Moor overnight in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)

DAY 20, DISEMBARK – CARLSBAD (KARLOVY VARY), CZECH REPUBLIC – PRAGUE
This morning, depart Nuremberg after breakfast and drive through the pastoral countryside to Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian Spa. After lunch, continue to Prague and check into the hotel. (B)

DAY 21, PRAGUE
This morning’s sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard and St. Vitus, then walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. Mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy yourself in one of the charming cafés or restaurants (B)

DAY 22, PRAGUE
Today is a free day, for you to stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vlatava River, relax at an outdoor restaurant or shop for local handicrafts and art work. Another consideration is to travel farther afield and join the optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII labor camp, now a memorial to those who perished. (B)

DAY 23, DEPART PRAGUE
Bid farewell to Prague and transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)