24 Day Black Sea River Cruise to Amsterdam

Bucharest to Amsterdam

Overview

DAY 1: Bucharest
Welcome to Bucharest, Romania’s capital. You will be met and transferred* to your hotel.
Two Night Stay: Bucharest

DAY 2: Bucharest (FB)
We journey through the farmland and valleys of The Transylvanian plateau today, passing medieval towns and castles as we venture into the Carpathian Mountains. We’ll visit Bran Castle, originally a stronghold of the Teutonic Knights and of strategic importance as a barrier to invading Ottoman forces. Of course, it is more widely known as the legendary home of Count Dracula.

DAY 3: Bucharest (Embarkation) (FB,D)
This morning we enjoy a city tour of Bucharest before joining our river cruise ship this afternoon.

DAY 4: Cernavoda / Black Sea (FB,L,D)
Cernavoda in Romania, famous for its chardonnay-producing vineyards, is our ship’s base today for an excursion to the seaside town of Constanta, the gateway to the Black Sea coast with the largest harbour in the Black Sea. We also visit Mamaia. This popular resort town stretches 8 kilometres in length with only a 300 metre sliver of land separating the Black Sea shore from the waters of Lake Siutghiol.

DAY 5: Russe / Arbanasi / Veliko Târnovo / Svistov (FB,L,D)
The nearby village of Arbanasi is included in UNESCO’s world heritage list of valuable cultural sites. From here we venture to we venture to Veliko Tarnovo, a town with a rich historical past dating back to 3,000 BC. In the 14th century as the Byzantine Empire weakened the town was the Bulgarian capital and known as the third Rome. We continue to the former Roman fortress town of Svistov in Bulgaria before reboarding our ship.

DAY 6: Iron Gate (FB,L,D)
Keep your camera at the ready as we cruise the spectacular Iron Gate, a narrow gorge carved by the Danube between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, which forms a natural border between Serbia and Rom

DAY 7: Belgrade (FB,L,D)
Today we explore Serbia’s capital Belgrade, one of the oldest capital cities in Europe and site of the famous siege in 1456 which ‘decided the fate of Christendom’. We’ll visit Tito’s memorial, the Fortress Kalemegdan and St Sava Church.

DAY 8: Novi Sad / Vukovar (FB,L,D)
Our cruise takes us to Novi Sad where our guided tour reveals the multiethnic origins of the city, known as the Serbian Athens for its cultural renown in the 19th century. We journey to Vukovar this afternoon. Vukovar is situated at the confluence of the Vuka River with the Danube, and locals in summer relax on the sandy river beaches.  We see architectural monuments and baroque squares, along with sombre reminders of the Balkan Wars of Independence of the early 1990’s.

DAY 9: Kalocsa (FB,L,D)
The Baroque provincial town of Kalocsa lies at the periphery of the great Hungarian plain and is renowned for its decorative embroidery and paprika production. Today we will visit a Hungarian Puszta horse farm and enjoy a show before tracing the Turkish origins of paprika.

DAY 10: Budapest (FB,L,D)
Today enjoy Budapest at your leisure; perhaps enjoy a trip to the baths, wander the streets of the old town or simply relax onboard.

DAY 11: Budapest (FB,L,D)
Nearly 2,500 years old, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most ancient yet cosmopolitan cities. Your morning tour will visit Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the medieval town on Castle Hill. In the afternoon enjoy free time to explore more on your own or shop for local crafts. This evening, be entertained by folklore music on board.

DAY 12: Vienna (FB,L,D)
This morning we explore the famous sights of Vienna, including the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg Palace. Whether it’s strolling Vienna’s famous shopping street ‘Kärtnerstrasse’ or visiting one of the many museums on offer, lose yourself in the marvel of Vienna with an opportunity to explore this magnificent city on your own. Your Cruise Director is on hand to enhance your experience and help you make the most of your time in this history steeped Austrian capital. SCENICENRICH This evening enjoy a glass of Austrian ‘Sekt’ at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, followed by a private Viennese concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart.

DAY 13: Vienna (FB,L,D)
SCENIC FREECHOICE Today choose from: (1) a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace; (2) visit the Opera House before enjoying coffee and cake in a famous Viennese café: or (3) a guided excursion to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.

DAY 14: Dürnstein – Melk (FB,L,D)
The ship sails through the spectacular wine region of the Wachau Valley, and on to Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the area. The town is nestled below the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after the crusades in the 12th century. Enjoy a guided tour of Melk and discover the magnificent Benedictine Abbey. SCENICENRICH During your visit inside the Abbey an exclusive organ recital has been arranged.

DAY 15: Linz – Passau (FB,L,D)
Today you’ll have the choice of some great experiences.  Today SCENIC FREECHOICE choose from: (1) a guided tour of Passau; or (2) visit Salzburg, setting for ‘The Sound of Music’ and birthplace of Mozart; or (3) a full day excursion to the beautiful medieval town of Cesky Krumlov.

DAY 16: Regensburg (FB,L,D)
Dating back to settlement in 500 B.C., Regensburg is one of Germany’s finest preserved cities. Your guided walking tour visits the Old Chapel and the Thurn und Taxis Castle and includes the medieval stone bridge across the Danube which is a wonderful place to view the cityscape of red roofs, churches, towers, turrets and townhouses from the 12th to 14th centuries.

DAY 17: Nuremberg (FB,L,D)
Today, explore this lively 950 year old city with its medieval feel. Commence with a guided orientation tour including the old town. You’ll see the Justice Palace and Imperial Castle rising above the old quarter enclosed by thick walls punctuated with 80 towers. We dedicate this afternoon to the history of WWII with a visit to the Nuremberg Rallies and Trial sites. Later there’s free time to shop for traditional handicrafts, toys and metal work.

DAY 18: Bamberg (FB,L,D)
Explore this UNESCO World Heritage city with your guide and see some of the 2,400 listed buildings. The centre of town is the largest preserved old quarter in Europe. Admire hundreds of richly decorated and ornamented building facades including the iconic Old Town Hall, built in the middle of the Regnitz River. SCENICENRICH  Enjoy beer tasting at the Zehnthaus, a private brewery established in 1533, where we are greeted by the cellar master and taken to an underground vault to sample his selection of brews.

DAY 19: Würzburg (FB,L,D)
SCENIC FREECHOICE Today choose from:  (1) a guided walking tour of Würzburg and the magnificent Prince Bishop’s Residenz Palace; or (2) a Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site considered to be the best preserved medieval city in Europe.

DAY 20: Wertheim (FB,L,D)
Known for its glassworks, Franconian wine and friendly people, enjoy time today exploring this quaint medieval village with its half-timbered houses and cobble stoned streets.

DAY 21: Rüdesheim – Rhine Gorge (FB,L,D)
We continue our journey to Rüdesheim where we board the ‘Winzerexpress’ mini train for a guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Board a cable car for the trip to the 125-foot Niederwald Monument, overlooking the river. Cruise this afternoon through the spectacular Rhine Gorge with its stunning castles and vine-covered slopes. Pass the infamous Lorelei Rock where sailors are said to have been lured to their doom by enchanted temptresses.

DAY 22: Coblenz – Cologne (FB,L,D)
This morning you can explore the 2,000-year-old town of Coblenz, situated on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Sail through breathtaking scenery en-route to Cologne where your guide awaits you. Explore the Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical monuments. Perhaps sample the region’s most famous beer, ‘Kölsch’.

DAY 23: Amsterdam (FB,L,D)
This afternoon you will arrive in Amsterdam, a fascinating and compact city of picturesque canals, world-class museums and cafés. SCENIC FREECHOICE Today choose from:  (1) a sightseeing canal cruise; (2) a guided bicycle tour of Amsterdam (limited availability); or (3) a visit to the windmills at Zaanse Schans.

DAY 24: Amsterdam (FB)
After breakfast, you will be transferred* to the airport for your flight and the end of an unforgettable journey.

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.