Day 1Vienna
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to the deluxe Hilton Vienna Plaza (or similar), in the center of Vienna’s commercial district overlooking the Ringstrasse.* The rest of your day is free to explore this classical musical mecca.
Day 2Vienna
Take a guided walking tour through imperial Vienna, visiting Hofburg’s Imperial Apartments and stopping to sample some Viennese coffee and pastries. Join an optional tour to the quaint wine village of Grinzing, or simply enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. (B)
Day 3Vienna
You have a full day to further explore the city. Shop along the Kärtnerstrasse, visit the Wiener Prater (a large public park) and sample local fare like schnitzel. (B)
Day 4Vienna & Budapest
After breakfast, check out of your Vienna hotel and take a scenic ride through the European countryside to the gracious Hungarian capital of Budapest. Proceed to the moderate deluxe Hilton Budapest (or similar) in the heart of the city for a 2-night stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or begin doing a bit of exploring on your own. (B)
Day 5Budapest
This morning, take a tour of Hungary’s capital, exploring both the “Buda” and “Pest” sides. Begin in Pest, where you see the National Opera House and visit historic Heroes’ Square. Cross the Chain Bridge to Buda, where you stroll Fishermen’s Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. The rest of your day is free. (B)
Day 6Budapest
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we will take you to embark your ship. Enjoy a final free day in Budapest—explore a museum, do some shopping, ride around the city on the wonderful subway system, peek inside one of the Art Deco spas or visit the Great Synagogue and Jewish Quarter. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Return to your ship for a welcome dinner aboard. (B, D)
Day 7Kalocsa
Arrive in Kalocsa, Hungary this morning and take a guided city tour including a visit to the Archbishop’s Palace. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return aboard and enjoy your lunch during departure. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 8Osijek
Wake up in Vukovar and have breakfast before your excursion to the Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited by humans since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Habsburgs; now it is a pleasant town popular for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return aboard for lunch and departure. International cuisine for dinner in the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 9Belgrade
Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a beautiful park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Lunch aboard, then free time to explore Belgrade’s gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums, like the Nikola Tesla Museum. Dine aboard or experience some of Belgrade’s nightlife—we depart very late this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 10Scenic Cruising & Iron Gate
Today, enjoy scenic cruising as you travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europe’s most dramatic natural wonders, a spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Your cruise director will provide commentary about the region and scenic points of interest as you sail toward Vidin. (B, L, D)
Day 11Vidin & Belogradchik
Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin during breakfast, then take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks, and enjoy breathtaking views. Lunch aboard is followed by free time to explore Vidin’s city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city’s once-grand synagogue. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 12Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi
After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria’s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. There you will see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Proceed to Arbanasi for lunch in a local restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church with its intricate floor-to-ceiling murals and icons. Return to your ship and dine aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 13Giurgiu & Bucharest
Disembark in Giurgiu and we will take you to the superior first class Athenee Palace Hilton (or similar) in the heart of the Bucharest for a 1-night stay. This afternoon, take a half-day tour of Romania’s lovely capital city. See the Arch of Triumph, the Antim Monastery and the iconic Palace of Justice, completing your tour at the Palace of Parliament. Enjoy a free evening in Bucharest. (B)
Day 14Bucharest & Brasov
After breakfast, check out of your Bucharest hotel and take a motorcoach drive through the Transylvania countryside. Stop for a tour of Peles Castle, a 19th-century fortification in Sinaia that melds numerous European architectural styles and materials into a harmonious and romantic structure. Next, visit Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula’s castle. This landmark citadel, built in the 14th century, is the best-known of several locations linked to the Dracula legend; it was used by Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler, as his headquarters for his incursions into Transylvania. Check in to the Ramada Brasov (or similar); you have the evening at leisure. (B)
Day 15Brasov & Bucharest
Enjoy breakfast, then take a panoramic tour of charming Brasov. Spend time in the town’s main square, with its Council House (complete with ancient Trumpets Tower) and lovely fountain. After your tour, check out of the Brasov hotel and return to the Athenee Palace Hilton (or similar) in Bucharest for a 2-night stay. (B)
Day 16Bucharest
Today you have a full day to explore everything Bucharest has to offer, including many churches and monasteries, palaces and the Parliament, museums, parks, gardens and interesting neighborhoods. Or, take an optional excursion to Constanta on the Black Sea coast. The oldest living city in Romania, Constanta was founded around 600 B.C. by Greek settlers, and is now a fashionable resort town. Arrive midmorning for a city tour featuring the iconic seaside casino and Art Nouveau architecture, and a stroll along Mamaia Beach, the “Palm Beach” of the Black Sea. Return to your hotel for a final evening in Bucharest. (B)
Day 17Bucharest
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the Bucharest airport for your return flight.* (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*For 2012, transfers are not included. Let us know if you would like help arranging your airport transfers. For 2013, airport transfers are included if Viking air offer is purchased and flight arrival or departure date coincides with cruise/tour start or finish date only.