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from $6,897pp
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Istanbul to Paris
Visit 11 countries including a 21-night cruise from Bulgaria, Romania to Germany and Trier. Begin with a 3-night stay in Istanbul and end with a 3 night stay in Paris. 30 Days Fly to Istanbul & return from Paris. | View Itinerary Map
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Day 1, USA - Istanbul, Turkey Board overnight flight to Turkey. Day 2, Istanbul Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to explore the town on your own. Day 3, Istanbul This morning's comprehensive city tour will show you the 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 Suleymaniye Mosque and 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 Bosporus cruise and 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. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and see the highlights of Plovdiv Old Town. (B,D) Day 6, Nessebar-Veliko Tarnavo-Rousse (Embark The Ship) 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. Tonight gather onboard for a Gala Welcome 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 Parliament Palace. 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, with typical village builds from throughout Romania. (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 Black Sea adventure. (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. (B,L,D) Day 11, Novi Sad -Vukovar, Croatia Arrive in Novi Sad in the morning, where you will see the 18th-century Austrian-Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. After your city tour, continue to Vukovar, Croatia. Vukovar is situated in Eastern Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers. Vukovar's rich history is a result of the many battles fought by the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians. During your city tour, you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and the St. James and the St.Nicholas church. (B,L,D) Day 12, Mohacs - Pecs, Hungary This morning, the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the 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, there is a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue and visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica. (B,L,D) Day 13, Budapest 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. (B,L,D) Day 14, Bratislava, Slovakia - Vienna, Austria A guided morning tour of Bratislava reveals the city's major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. 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. After midnight the ship departs for Vienna. (B,L,D) Day 15, Vienna During a guided sightseeing tour you will see the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. This afternoon, explore the city on your own or join an optional tour to the Imperial Schonbrunn Palace. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D) Day 16, Durnstein - Melk Early this morning, reach the Wachau Valley. Stop in Durnstein for a walking tour before lunchtime. After a short cruise, arrive in Melk for a guided tour and visit the town's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. An evening wine tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau Valley. (B,L,D) Day 17, Linz - Passau, Germany After breakfast, take an optional full-day excursion to fascinating Salzburg and the Sound of Music sights, or cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D) Day 18, Regensburg At lunchtime, 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 Porta Pretoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Tonight, folklore entertainers will come on board for your delight. (B,L,D) Day 19, Nuremberg This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmuhl Valley. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. Moor overnight in Nuremberg. (B,L,D) Day 20, Nuremberg - Munich Today, travel by train to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities, often given the nickname "Germany's secret capital." Your escort today will offer suggestions of to what to do whilst you are there and take you to lunch in the world famous Hofbrauhaus. Tonight, you will meet fellow travelers embarking from Prague. (B,L,D) Day 21, Bamberg Enjoy your breakfast as you cruise along and marvel at the engineering feat of the Main-Danube canal which straddles the Franconian Alps via 16 locks. Then arrive in Bamberg and enjoy a walking tour of this medieval gem, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. There is free time before you continue your cruise, now on the Main River. (B,L,D) Day 22, Wurzburg This morning, arrive in Wurzburg, the capital of Lower Franconia. During your tour, see the major sights including the magnificent Residenz Palace. This afternoon explore Wurzburg on your own, or take an optional tour along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg. (B,L,D) Day 23, Miltenberg Cruise to Miltenberg for a guided walking tour along narrow, cobble-stoned streets, seeing the gabled, half-timbered houses. This afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Wertheim for some free time to explore the town on your own. Tonight, the ship sails leaving Bavaria, Franconia and the Main River behind. (B,L,D) Day 24, Mainz - Heidelberg - Rudesheim - Koblenz Today, disembark in Mainz and you can choose to travel by coach to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, seeing the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon, 18th-century wine cask and beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Then there is a walking tour of old Heidelberg and free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, drive to Rudesheim to rejoin your ship. If you don't opt for Heidelberg, you can enjoy a leisurely walking tour of charming Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, before cruising on the Main and Rhine rivers to the wine village of Rudesheim. Here, tour the town by mini-train and visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Late this afternoon, everyone will cruise the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine River and arrive in Koblenz after dinner. (B,L,D) Day 25, Cochem - Zell After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit of Reichsburg Castle, situated above Cochem with spectacular views of the Mosel River. This afternoon, continue past hillside vineyards to Zell, home of the famous "Zeller Schwarze Katz" wine. A surprising wine fest awaits you this evening. (B,L,D) Day 26, Bernkastel - Trier Arrive in Bernkastel early this morning and explore this quaint little town on your included walking tour. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Then onto Trier, Germany's oldest city, for a guided tour which will introduce you to the city's rich ancient Roman past. (B,L,D) Day 27, Trier, Disembark Ship - Luxembourg - Paris, France This morning, bid farewell to your cruise ship and head to Luxembourg for a city tour of the Grand Duchy and some free time. After lunch, continue on to Paris, France, where you arrive this afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 28, Paris Enjoy Paris' famous sights during this morning's guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, the Opera, La Madeleine, Champs Elysees and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. (B) Day 29, Paris A full free day to explore the amazing City of Light. Various optional tours will be offered. (B) Day 30, Paris Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. (B) |
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