Black Sea Discovery 2011 - Cruise Only (Bucharest to Budapest)

Day 1 Arrive in Bucharest, Romania - Oltenita (Embarkation)
(Sun.) Welcome to Bucharest! Flights must arrive by 10:30 am. A motorcoach ride takes you to Oltenita, where your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)

Day 2 Silistra, Bulgaria. Excursion to Varna, Black Sea
(Mon.) Located in northeastern Bulgaria at the country’s border with Romania, Silistra is a port city and the capital of an important agricultural region. After breakfast, travel by road to Varna. This city on the Black Sea is not only an important naval base and sea resort, but also has a long history. Roman baths are among the younger artifacts. During your sightseeing you will visit the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, home of the Gold of Varna, as featured in National Geographic some years ago. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Svistov. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi
(Tue.) A comfortable ride from the river port of Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of the Royal Fortress, palaces, and the PATRIARCH’S CHURCH. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Rejoin your ship in Svistov. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 Iron Gates
(Wed.) The Trajan Table marking the Roman conquest of Dacia and the Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo are impressive sights on the left bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the IRON GATES, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing Europe’s Alps in the northwest from the Carpathians in the southeast and forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Belgrade, Serbia
(Thu.) The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A local expert will be proud to show you its main sights, which include the city’s principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS; St. Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox Church; and Marshal Tito’s tomb and monument. The city center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Novi Sad
(Fri.) Overlooking the city of Novi Sad with a spectacular view of the Danube and surroundings is Marshal Vauban’s unconquerable Petrovaradin Fortress. Dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region, resplendent with natural beauty and a proud history. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of this interesting town before relaxing on board this afternoon as you cruise upriver. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Pecs, Hungary–Kalocsa
(Sat.) Pecs is Hungary’s fifth largest city and its richest in terms of Turkish architecture. Enjoy an orientation and some free time before proceeding to Kalocsa. Founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric, Kalocsa has a most turbulent history. This quiet town, which is best known for paprika and folklore art, is dominated by the Archbishop’s Palace and Kalocsa Cathedral, where you will be treated to an ORGAN CONCERT. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Budapest, Hungary (Disembarkation)
(Sun.) Your vacation ends in Budapest. Departure flights should not leave before 10:30 am. (Breakfast)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Budapest to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• VARNA: Guided sightseeing, visit the National Archaeological Museum
• ARBANASSI: Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity
• VELIKO TÂRNOVO: Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch’s Church
• IRON GATES: Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan Table
• BELGRADE: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress
• NOVI SAD: Guided sightseeing, see Petrovaradin Fortress
• PECS: Orientation
• KALOCSA: Orientation; organ concert

See the best of Eastern Europe on this exciting Black Sea adventure. Arrive in Bucharest and transfer by motorcoach to Oltenita to board your river cruise vessel. Your cruise includes sightseeing in each city and inside visits of the National Archaeological Museum in Varna, the Patriarch’s Church in Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi’s Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity and Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade. Other highlights: pass through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, sail past Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, enjoy an organ concert in Kalocsa and a display of Hungarian horsemanship on the Puszta.

• Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day.
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds 
• Services of a professional Cruise Director
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Sightseeing with Local Guides
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges, where applicable

Crusing: Category E cabin onboard Avalon Tranquility

• Port charges: $98 
• Triples not available.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.