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Route to Eastern Europe Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Budapest (Hungary)
We meet you at the Budapest airport and transfer your hotel for a 2-night stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or begin doing a bit of exploring on your own.
Day 2 - Budapest
Enjoy a guided city tour of this magnificent city . Visit the "Pest" side of the city, home to the National Opera House, followed by historic "Buda" where you can visit the Fisherman's Bastion. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Alternatively, take the optional excursion to Szentendre (2020 only). (B)
Day 3 - Budapest
After breakfast, you will embark your ship. Spend the day at leisure in Budapest where you can visit a museum, travel on the subway system or discover the Great Synagogue and Jewish Quarter. Your Program Director can help you to plan your free time in this beautiful city. Return to your ship and enjoy a welcome dinner. In 2020, there is an optional excursion to Godollo Palace available. (B,D)
Day 4 - Kalocsa
Take a guided tour of Kalocsa visiting the town centre followed by a short organ concert at St Joseph Church. Enjoy a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship before returning to your ship for lunch. Dine aboard this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Vukovar (Croatia)
Wake up in the Croatian city of Vukovar and travel to Osijek for an excursion, a city which has been under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Habsburgs. Discover spectacular baroque buildings and impressive monuments. In 2020, you'll also visit the home of a local Croatian family to find out more about everyday life. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Belgrade (Serbia)
Take a guided tour through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress which is now a picturesque park. Other highlights include the magnificent Orthodox cathedral and the Square of the Republic. Return to the ship for lunch, then enjoy time at leisure where you can discover the city's spectacular architecture or visit one of its museums, before dining on board. The ship departs late evening. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Iron Gate
Enjoy scenic cruising through the picturesque Lower Danube. Discover the Iron Gate, a magnificent narrow gorge with striking limestone cliffs. Learn about this natural wonder from your cruise director as you sail towards Vidin. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Vidin (Bulgaria) - Belogradchik
Explore Belogradchik Fortress built into the Belogradchik Rocks, before returning to the ship for lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Vidin where you can visit the Orthodox churches or the ruins of the synagogue. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanassi
Disembark your ship in Russe and enjoy a full-day excursion to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's former capital. In 2019, see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. Enjoy time at leisure, before enjoying lunch in Arbanasi and a guided tour of the Nativity Church. In 2020, take a stroll along the cobbled lanes and see the ruins of the royal castle from Tsarevets Hill. Dine aboard this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Giurgiu (Romania) - Bucharest
Disembark your ship in Giurgiu and transfer to the Radisson Blu Hotel (or similar) for an overnight hotel stay. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Bucharest, the capital of Romania where highlights include the Arch of Triumph and the magnificent Palace of Parliament. In 2019, you'll have lunch at a local restaurant, during which you'll enjoy a lively folkloric performance that recalls the simple pleasures of rural life. (B,L)
Day 11 - Bucharest - UK
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)
Since the pace of a river is determined by the direction of the flow, please note that timings and stops may differ slightly from one direction to another. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction from Bucharest to Budapest. Visit sequence, tours and times may vary.