BLACK SEA DISCOVERY
Day 1 - (Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2 - Bucharest, Romania. (Sat.) Welcome to Bucharest! Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained this city the name "Paris of the East." Day 3 - Bucharest - Oltenita (Embarkation) (Sun.) Much recent history has taken place in Romania's capital city. The impressive Parliament Building is the second-largest building in the world, after the Pentagon. The Royal Palace Square was the scene of riots in 1989, which finally led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. This afternoon, the crew of your vessel waits to welcome you aboard. (BB,D) Day 4 - Constanta, Black Sea Canal. (Mon.) Situated on the coast of the Black Sea, Constanta is Romania's most important commercial center and a popular resort. Interesting sights are the NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM and the PETER AND PAUL ORTHODOX CHURCH. The 40-mile-long Black Sea Canal is the pride and joy of communist achievement and was completed in 1984. (FB,L,D) Day 5 - Rousse, Bulgaria - Excursion to Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi'Svistov. (Tue.) Today, Rousse is Bulgaria's largest inland port. A comfortable ride away 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 Tsarevits 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. (FB,L,D) Day 6 - 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 Iron Gates gorge, 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. (FB,L,D) Day 7 - Belgrade. (Thu.) The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. Its main sights include the city's principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS; the world's largest Orthodox Church of St. Sava; and Marshal Tito's tomb and monument. The city center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. (FB,L,D) Day 8 - Cruising. (Fri.) A full day of scenic cruising on the Danube, with Croatia on your left and Serbia on your right. (FB,L,D) Day 9 - Kalocsa, Hungary - Budapest. (Sat.) Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. The Archbishop's Palace and the Kalocsa Cathedral dominate this quiet town, now best known for paprika and folklore art. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. (FB,L,D) Day 10 - Budapest (Disembarkation) (Sun.) Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church are sights not to be missed. Not far from the city and an integral part of Hungarian rural life is the Puszta, or Great Plain, the vast grasslands where the country's beloved, fiery horses are reared. (FB,L) Day 11 - Budapest. (Mon.) A free day to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for many things to do. (BB) Day 12 - Budapest. (Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB) |
