Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Wed. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight.

Day 2, Thu. ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC.
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.

Day 3, Fri. PRAGUE.
This morning's sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive city. In the afternoon, why not join the optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished. The evening is free. (B)

Day 4, Sat. PRAGUE.
Today is free to stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vlatava River. (B)

Day 5, Sun. PRAGUE - 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 on board for a Gala Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. (B,D)

Day 6, Mon. NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE - DIETFURT.
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant 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 7, Tue. REGENSBURG.
This morning takes you through the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg. A guided tour will show you the city's highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. In the evening enjoy folklore music on board. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Wed. PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA.
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or take an optional full day tour to Salzburg. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through Linz, Austria's third largest city. (B,L,D)

Day 9, Thu. MELK - VIENNA.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. At lunchtime, continue 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 10, Fri. VIENNA.
A 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 Hungary and Budapest. (B,L,D)

Day 11, Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
This morning is free. In the afternoon, your sightseeing tour includes Buda and Pest. Your tour also features the 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 12, Sun. 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 13, 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. Once your ship exits Hungary, the Danube will make up the border between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. Tonight, arrive in Vukovar, Croatia. (B,L,D)

Day 14, 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 Churches St. James and St. Nicholas. During lunch, continue your cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)

Day 15, 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 City Hall, the Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Street, Republic Square and Mihajlova street, "Varos" Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. (B,L,D)

Day 16, Thu. CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES.
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. (B,L,D)

Day 17, Fri. VIDIN, BULGARIA.
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 18, Sat. GIURGIU - BUCHAREST, ROMANIA.
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, capital and largest city in Romania. The city is famed for it's 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 also 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. (B,L,D)

Day 19, Sun. ROUSSE - VELIKO TURNOVO - NESSEBAR, BULGARIA.
This morning, disembark in Rousse and continue your tour by motorcoach. Your first stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 20, Mon. NESSEBAR - ISTANBUL, TURKEY.
During this morning's guided walking tour, see the main highlights of the town including Nessebar's oldest church, the 5th-century Basilica on the Beach. After lunch, continue on to magical Istanbul for the grand three-night conclusion of your Black Sea Voyage. (B)

Day 21, 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 Suleymaniye Mosque, the church of the Pantocrator and the Galata Tower, and tour the Blue Mosque. Later, you can explore the town on your own or choose from from various optionals that will be offered. (B)

Day 22, 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 or use the remainder of the day to shop for souvenirs or relax at one of the charming tea houses or restaurants. 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 23, Thu. ISTANBUL - USA.
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. (B)