18 Day Black Sea Explorer & Turkey

Budapest to Istanbul

Overview

DAY 1: Budapest (D)
Welcome to Budapest. Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most ancient and fascinating cities. You will be met at the airport by your Scenic Tours Representative and transferred* to your hotel situated on the banks of the Danube river. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Two Night Stay: Budapest

DAY 2: Budapest (FB,HD)
This morning Included tour will visit both towns of Buda and Pest, linked by the famous Chain Bridge. Guarded by the two lion statues on both bridgeheads, the suspension bridge offers one of the cities most beautiful views. Enjoy visiting Heroes’ square, Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the medieval town on Castle Hill. This evening enjoy an Included highlight dinner at a Hungarian restaurant.

DAY 3: Budapest – Embarkation (FB,D)
Enjoy free time to explore more of Budapest on your own. This afternoon your Scenic Tours Representative will transfer you from your hotel to your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’. On arrival you will be personally welcomed by our friendly dedicated staff. This evening join your fellow guests for a Welcome Cocktail in the lounge.

DAY 4: 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 5: Vukovar – Novi Sad (FB,L,D)
Vukovar is situated at the confluence of the Vuka River and the Danube. See architectural monuments and baroque squares, along with sombre reminders of the Balkan Wars on your Included guided tour. We cruise the Danube to Novi Sad where our Included guided tour reveals the multicultural origins of the city.

DAY 6: 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, Fortress Kalemegdan and St Sava Church on our Included tour.

DAY 7: Iron Gate (FB,L,D)
Be sure to have your camera 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 Romania. Relax on the sun deck or in the observatory lounge as we have a relaxing day of cruising.

DAY 8: Svistov – Veilko Turnovo – Arbanassi – Russe (FB,L,D)
Bulgaria we venture to Veliko Tarnovo, a town with a rich historical past. In the 14th century as the Byzantine Empire weakened the town was the Bulgarian capital and known as the third Rome. The nearby leafy village of Arbanassi, is Included in UNESCO’s world heritage list of valuable cultural sites.

DAY 9: Cernavoda / Black Sea (FB,L,D)
Cernavoda in Romania 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 10: Bucharest (FB,D)
This morning we disembark our Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ and travel to the Romanian capital of Bucharest. A more modern structure, Ceauçescu’s imposing Palace of the Parliament is the largest building in Europe. Today enjoy an Included sightseeing tour of the town.
Two Night Stay: Bucharest

DAY 11: Bucharest (FB)
We journey through the farmland and valleys of The Transylvanian plateau today. 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 12: Bucharest – Nessebar (FB,D)
After breakfast we cross the border into Bulgaria and travel down the Black Sea coast for our overnight stay in Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Overnight Stay: Nessebar

DAY 13: Canakkale (FB,D)
Today we enjoy a fascinating tour of Homer’s Troy, a legendary site of the Trojan Wars. We shall even see a giant replica of the Trojan Horse.
Two Night Stay: Canakkale

DAY 14: Canakkale – Gallipoli (FB,L,D)
Today we travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula, site of the WWI landings by allied forces, including ANZAC troops, on the morning of April 25, 1915. We explore the sights and gain an understanding of this unforgettable location. There are over 31 cemeteries on the peninsula which is now a national park and you will have time to explore at leisure this significant location.

DAY 15: Istanbul (FB,D)
We travel along the Northern Aegean coast today heading towards Istanbul. It is famously the only city in the world crossing two continents and linking east with west.
Three Night Special Stay: Istanbul

DAY 16: Istanbul (FB)
Highlights of the day Include a visit to the most magnificent example of Byzantium architecture, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. We have time to wander the evocative Grand Bazaar before we enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

DAY 17: Istanbul (FB,HD)
Choose from the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) a traditional Turkish cooking class where you’ll learn the art of making delicious plates of meze, after which we get to eat them, of course; or (2) an insightful tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine past including a visit to Zeyek Mosque, second only in size to Hagia Sophia as a Byzantium monument; or (3) a visit to an Ottoman Yali, the fashionable summer palaces of the wealthy. We’ll meet the current residents who’ll chat with us about the building’s history whilst we enjoy homemade refreshments. Tonight, SCENIC ENRICH a special treat awaits you as we enjoy our farewell dinner at the stunning Hamdi Restaurant, where outstanding views over the Golden Horn are accompanied by the call to prayer echoing from numerous surrounding mosques.

DAY 18: Istanbul (FB)
After breakfast, our Scenic Tours Representative will transfer* you to Istanbul airport for your onward or homebound flight.

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