Black Sea Voyage: 15 Days Cruise Tour Spend 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 Start your journey with vibrant Budapest, a famous haven for musicians, writers and artists. See the rolling hills and vine clad slopes of Pecs before departing Hungary where the river makes up the boundry between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. Cruise through the narrow gorges of the Iron Gates. Visit one of the many restored buildings of the former aristocracy and monarchy as you explore the capital and largest city in Romania, Bucharest. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and one of the oldest towns in Europe, Nessebar. Conclude your grand vacation in Istanbul - a city with rich history going back thousands of years. Inclusions Highlights Features Itinerary Dates Inclusions 2 nights hotel accommodations in Budapest with daily buffet breakfast 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 on board 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 Nessebar at the Black Sea including daily buffet breakfast 3 nights hotel accommodations in Istanbul including daily buffet breakfast Daily sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary Use of Amalegro bicycles to explore All transfers with the purchase of cruise & air package All local taxes Special Notes Departures begin June 2007 through October 2007 from $3799.00. Please call for dates, rates and availability. Special Features Enjoy folklore dances, lectures, theme dinners, on board musical performances and afternoon & evening piano music.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart USA
Board your overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2 - Arrive in Budapest
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to Welcome Desk at the hotel.

Day 3 - 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.

Day 4 - Budapest
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 light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest to transfer to your ship.

Day 5 - Mohacs/Pecs Excursion (Hungary)/Cruise to Croatia
This morning, the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. Upon arrival, there is a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue, visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica, all accompanied by the traditions and tails of old Pecs brought alive by the local guides. Mohacs is very close to the frontier of Hungary. As the ship exits Hungary the river makes up the boundary between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. You will be leaving the European Union and passing into two countries within the space of several miles. Tonight the ship will arrive in Vukovar, Croatia.

Day 6 - Vukovar-Novi Sad/Croatia & Siberia
There will be a bus and walking tour during which you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and Churchs St.Philip and St.Roch. During lunch cruise to Novi Sad Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress.

Day 7 - Belgrade, Serbia
This morning you arrive in the Capital of Serbia, Belgrade, where you will see both old and new towns. Your tour features Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Sq, Republic Sq. and Mihajlova street; as well as Belgrade Fort, "Varos" Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress.

Day 8 - Cruising/Iron Gates
Today is a full cruising day through one of Europe's most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrows gorges, as the river winds between the Carpathian Mountains on one side of the river and Balkan Mountains on the other. These natural borders today make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania.

Day 9 - Vidin, Bulgaria
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. You will also travel overland to see Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations.

Day 10 - Guirgui to Bucharest, Romania
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, Capital and largest city in Romania. This "Paris of the East" is famed for it's Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th century. During the morning city tour, you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, Athenaeum and Library, as well as visit the Parliament Palace - the world's largest palace. Followed by lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon you can choose to have free time for shopping and exploration on your own or visit the open air museum, a museum dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania.

Day 11 - Rouse to Veliko Turnavo & Nessebar, Bulgaria
This morning, you will disembark in Rouse and continue your tour by coach to the Black Sea and Istanbul. 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, Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Those pax who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street. You will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and the town of Nessebar.

Day 12 - Nessebar to Instanbul
During this morning's walking tour you will visit St.Stephan's, Pantocrator church and Nessebars oldest church the 5th-6th century Basilica on the Beach. After free time for lunch, you continue onto Istanbul, Turkey, arriving late this afternoon.

Day 13 - Instanbul
This morning's comprehensive city tour will show you the old city of Istanbul, the many Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her long past. You will see the mighty defensive walls, Roman aqueduct and hippodrome; the Suleymaniye Mosque and church of the Pantocrator; as well as the Galata Tower, then you will visit the Blue Mosque. Later you have the choice to see more of Byzantine Constantinople and visit one of Christendoms greatest church, St.Sophia, or explore more of Ottoman Istanbul and visit the Grand Bazaar.

Day 14 - Instanbul
Today, you will visit the Ottoman Sultans Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every single Sultan from the time of the conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century till the end of the 19th century. During your tour you will see the private chambers of the Sultans, the world famous Harem, and treasury home to the Topkapi diamond. You will also see the holy relics room, Hagia Eirene Church originally constructed by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reception rooms of the Imperial court.

Day 15 - Return home
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Travel Dates & Rates, Ask Agent

• Note: From pricing is per person based on double occupancy and does not include airfare. The reverse direction is also available; please call for specific dates and directions. Itineraries are subject to change due to waterways conditions and are at the sole discretion of the captain.

Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars.