BUDAPEST - ISTANBUL 2009
Day	Destination	Activities
1		Flight to Hungary
2	Budapest	Transfer to hotel
3	Budapest	City tour
4	Budapest	Puszta excursion
		EMBARKATION
		Welcome Cocktails
		Welcome Dinner
5	Mohacs	Pecs excursion
	Vilány	Wine tasting
6	Vukovar	City tour
	Novi Sad	Tour of Fortress
7	Belgrade	City tour
8	Iron Gates	Full day cruising
9	Vidin	City tour
		Bada Vida Fortress
10	Bucharest	City tour
11	Rousse	DISEMBARKATION
	Veliko Tarnovo	City tour
12	Plovdiv	City tour
13	Istanbul	City tour
		Optional tours
14	Istanbul	Tour Topkapi Palace
15	Istanbul	Transfer to airport

Nautical schedules are subject to water levels, cruising conditions & subject to change without notice

Day 1, Thu. USA - BUDAPEST.
Overnight flight to Hungary.

DAY 2, Fri. BUDAPEST.
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to the hotel.

Day 3, Sat. 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. (B)

Day 4, Sun. 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 lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest to embark onto your ship. (B,L,D)

Day 5, Mon. MOHACS - PECS - VUKOVAR, CROATIA.
This morning, the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for an interesting excursion to Pecs. Charming Old Pecs will be brought alive by your local guides during your walking tour. See the Synagogue, Christian Basilica and visit the former Turkish Mosque. After lunch onboard ship, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion, where you will sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Vilány. (B,L,D)

Day 6, Tue. VUKOVAR - NOVI SAD, SERBIA.
This morning, a 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 churches. During lunch, continue your cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, where you will tour the 18th-Century Austrian-Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Wed. 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 8, Thu. 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 9, Fri. 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 which surrounds 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 10, Sat. 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 11, Sun. ROUSSE - VELIKO TARNOVO - NESSEBAR, BULGARIA.
This morning, 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 the Black Sea resort town of Nessebar. This evening, see the main highlights of Nessebar Old Town, before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)


Day 12, Mon. NESSEBAR - ISTANBUL, TURKEY.
After breakfast, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Black Sea Voyage. (B)

Day 13, Tue. ISTANBUL.
This morning's 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 Suleymaniye Mosque and Blue Mosque. This evening, you may wish to join some your fellow passengers for the optional Istanbul By Night where you will enjoy a belly dancing show with dinner. (B)

Day 14, Wed. ISTANBUL.
Today, your guided sightseeing tour will take you to the Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every single Sultan from the 15th century until the end of the 19th century. During your tour, admire the private chambers of the Sultans, marvel at the world famous Harem and also see the treasury, home to the Topkapi Diamond. This afternoon, enjoy an optional Bosporus cruise and visit to the Spice Bazaar or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. (B)

Day 15, Thu. ISTANBUL - USA.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)