Danube River Cruise Europe Grand Danube Cruise  from Prague to Istanbul  3 nights in Prague, 14-night Danube cruise from Nuremberg to Romania, 1 night in a Black Sea resort and 3 nights in Istanbul 22Days/21nights European cruise and land program  2009

Detailed Itinerary 2009:  (Grand Danube Cruise) DAY 1, ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Arrive in Prague and optional  transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city. DAY 2, PRAGUE This morning’s sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard, St. Vitus, and then walk over the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. This afternoon, join the optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII labor camp, now a memorial to those who perished. The evening is free to mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, shop for souvenirs or enjoy one of the charming cafés or restaurants. (B)

DAY 3, PRAGUE
Today is free to stroll through a museum or gallery, or wander along the banks of the Vlatava River. (B)

DAY 4, PRAGUEPRAGUE - CARLSBAD (KARLOVY VARY) - NUREMBERG, GERMANY
This morning, depart Prague after breakfast and stop in Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian spa. After lunch, drive through the pastoral countryside to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia. Tonight gather onboard for a Gala Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

DAY 5, NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE - DIETFURT
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and impressive walls. At lunchtime, rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks to Dietfurt. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, REGENSBURG
Cruise the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg, which is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Your 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. Marvel at beautiful churches and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Then take the opportunity to join the optional excursion to beautiful Weltenburg Abbey in the Danube Gorge. In the evening enjoy a music performance onboard. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairytale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or take an optional full day tour to Salzburg. For those staying onboard, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau to Linz. The ship moors overnight in Linz. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, MELK - VIENNA
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. Your tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. Then, enjoy your lunch sailing through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the City of Music. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, VIENNA
Your tour of Vienna will show you the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse, awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral and also includes a visit to the National Library. Then enjoy a free afternoon to shop, explore or visit one of the cities many museums or palaces. Continue cruising overnight to Budapest, Hungary. (B,L,D)

DAY 10, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The morning is free to spend at your leisure, then enjoy an afternoon city tour. Appreciate the beauty from historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and much more. Tonight, enjoy a Gala Dinner with Gypsy music. (B,L,D)

DAY 11, BUDAPEST
The Puszta is the region of Hungary widely known throughout the world for its Hungarian cowboys who still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Upon arrival, you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with brandy and scones. Take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders during the horse show. There will be a lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest. (B,L,D)

DAY 12, MOHACS - PECS - VUKOVAR, CROATIA
During breakfast arrive in Mohacs for an interesting excursion to Pecs. Charming Old Pecs is brought alive by local guides on your walking tour. See the Synagogue, Christian Basilica and visit the former Turkish Mosque. Enjoy a wine tasting excursion, where you will sample aromatic, spicy white wines from the vineyards of Vilány. (B,L,D)

DAY 13, VUKOVAR - NOVI SAD, SERBIA
Your guided bus and walking tour of Vukovar will show you the Franciscan Monastery of St. John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and the St. James and St. Nicholas church. During lunch, continue to Novi Sad, Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 14, BELGRADE
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 15, CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES – VIDIN, BULGARIA
Today, enjoy 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. Late this evening, the ship sails to Vidin. (B,L,D)

DAY 16, VIDIN
The "Bada Vida" Fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th-century castle has massive walls and dark towers, which strongly contrast the natural park surrounding the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th-century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations. (B,L,D)

DAY 17, GIURGIU - BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – ROUSSE, BULGARIA
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, capital and largest city in Romania. The city is famed for its Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th-century. During the morning city tour, you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum, the Library and visit the Parliament Palace - the world's largest palace. Enjoy lunch in a typical Romanian restaurant, then choose to shop, explore on your own or visit the open air museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. This evening, the ship departs for Rousse. (B,L,D)

DAY 18, ROUSSE - VELIKO TURNOVO - PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
Disembark in Rousse and continue your tour by motorcoach. Your first stop is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the citadel of the city, the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces, the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Shoppers can explore the traditional street market, Samovodska Charshia. Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto Plovdiv. This evening, see the main highlights of Plovdiv Old Town, before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

DAY 19, PLOVDIV - ISTANBUL, TURKEY
After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Grand Danube Cruise. (B)

DAY 20, ISTANBUL
A 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 Blue Mosque. This evening, join the optional Istanbul By Night, where you will enjoy a belly dancing show with dinner. (B)

DAY 21, ISTANBUL
Today, your guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th to the end of the 19th-century. During your tour, admire the private chambers of the Sultans, marvel at the world famous Harem and see the treasury, which is home to the Topkapi Diamond. This afternoon, enjoy an optional Bosporus cruise or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B) Day 23, DEPART ISTANBUL. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

DAY 22, DEPART ISTANBUL
Optional transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Included Features:

• 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Prague with daily Buffet Breakfast
• Transfer from the Hotel in Prague to the Ship in Nuremberg
• 14-night Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies
• 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 onboard 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 Bulgaria including daily Buffet Breakfast
• 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Istanbul including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary
• Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
• Use of Bicycles to explore on your own
• Services of Professional Cruise Director
• All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All local Taxes

DEPARTURE DATES 2009 

 
2009 Port Charges: $196 per person
Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites 100% of twin price.
Single supplement for Land: $840 per person.

Prices are per person in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom with window. To upgrade to a higher Category, add per person:
Cat.		Deck		STATEROOM		2009 Price
D		Piano Deck		Window		$298
C		Cello Deck		French Balcony		$898
B		Cello Deck		French Balcony		$1198
A		Violin Deck		French Balcony		$1398
S		Violin Deck		French Balcony		$2998

NOTE: Please select bedding configuration at the time of booking.

The choices are:
Choice A: Two twin beds
Choice B: One large bed (larger than queen size)

for ship description and pictures click here!