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GRAND BLACK SEA CRUISE

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 Parliament Building is the second-largest building in the world, after the Pentagon. Royal Palace Square was the scene of riots in 1989, which 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.) On the Black Sea, Constanta is Romania's most important commercial center. Interesting sights are the NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM and the PETER AND PAUL ORTHODOX CHURCH. The 40-mile-long Black Sea Canal, the pride of communist achievement, was completed in 1984. (FB,L,D)

Day 5 - Rousse, Bulgaria - Excursion to Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi'Svistov. (Tue.) A comfortable ride away from Rousse, Bulgaria's largest inland port, is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress The oldest part is Tsarevits Hill, home of the Royal Fortress 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. Most spectacular is Iron Gates gorge, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing Europe's Alps from the Carpathians 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 KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS, the world's largest Orthodox Church of St. Sava, and Marshal Tito's tomb and monument. (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.) The Archbishop's Palace and the Kalocsa Cathedral dominate the quiet town of Kalocsa, now best known for paprika and folklore art. Spanning the banks of the Danube is Budapest, the most cosmopolitan city in Eastern Europe (FB,L,D)

Day 10 - Budapest. (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, vast grasslands where the country's beloved fiery horses are reared. (FB,L,D)

Day 11 - Budapest - Vienna, Austria. (Mon.) A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise up river and Slovakia is on your right. Vienna is known as the "City of Music," and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. (FB,L,D)

Day 12 - Vienna. (Tue.) Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer, including Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay. (FB,L,D)

Day 13 - Dürnstein - Melk. (Wed.) Dürnstein lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above town are ruins of the castle where England's King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Melk's magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. (FB,L,D)

Day 14 - Linz - Passau, Germany. (Thu.) Linz, Austria's third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is home to St. Stephen's Cathedral and the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. (FB,L,D)

Day 15 - Regensburg. (Fri.) Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall; the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL; and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. It is here you will find Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (FB,L,D)

Day 16 - Nuremberg. (Sat.) Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at its Gothic churches and patrician houses, and check out traditions like the famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. (FB,L,D)

Day 17 - Nuremberg (Disembarkation)"Prague, Czech Republic. (Sun.) Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the "Golden City." (FB)

Day 18 - Prague. (Mon. & Tue). Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. Best-known treasures are the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, HRADCANY CASTLE, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. (BB daily)

Day 19 - Prague. (Mon. & Tue). Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. Best-known treasures are the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, HRADCANY CASTLE, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. (BB daily)

Day 20 - Prague. (Wed.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)