Black Sea Voyage

Black Sea Voyage- ms Amalegro

Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, Black Sea, Istanbul

Itinerary

Day 1 Fri. Budapest.
Arrive in Budapest, today transfer to hotel.
Two Nights, Sofitel Hotel.

Day 2 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 marvellous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps explore the main square, ancient Buda, or stroll through the Statue Park.
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Day 3 Sun. Budapest (Embark ship).
The Puszta is the region of Hungary most widely known throughout the world; the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain, stretching 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. You can take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and will marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders and drivers during the horse show. There will be a light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest where you embark your ship ms Amalegro for a 7-night cruise.
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Day 4 Mon. Mohacs – Pecs Excursion.
This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. Founded more than 2000 years ago by the Romans, Pecs became an important early Christian bishopric and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. The area around Pecs is made up of rolling hills, similar to Tuscany. The vine clad slopes and modest climate all combine to give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival there is a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue, visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica, all accompanied by the traditions and tales of old Pecs brought alive by the local guides. Mohacs is very close to the frontier of Hungary, as the ship exits Hungary the river makes up the boundary between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. You will be leaving the European Union and passing into two countries within the space of several miles. Tonight the ship will arrive in Vukovar, Croatia.
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Day 5 Tue. Vukovar – Novi Sad.
Situated in Eastern Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, Vukovar has a long and often troubled history, fought over by the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians the city today has a rich history. There will be a sightseeing tour by bus and foot during which you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and Churchs St.Philip and St.Roch. During lunch cruise to Novi Sad in Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress. Novi Sad is dominated by its huge fortress of Petrovaradin, guarding the Danube. Its commanding position faces the Fruska Gora Mountains on one side and Danube River below. The antiquity of Novi Sad can be traced back to the Romans and Byzantines, but it was the 13th C Tartar invasion that resulted in the building of the original fortress. Ruled by the Ottoman Turks for 160 years from the early 16th century, the current fortress was improved and modified by the Habsburg Austrians.
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Day 6 Wed. Belgrade.
This morning you arrive in the Capital of Serbia, Belgrade. The “white city – Bel Gradâ€? dates back more than 2500 years. Located at the strategic meeting point of the Danube and Sava Rivers, this truly cosmopolitan city has fortifications dating back to Celtic times, medieval tombs and Turkish baths. Belgrade is the cultural and religious center of Serbia. The Old Town streets are lined with 19th century buildings from the period of Serbian independence. The home of the Patriarch and St.Sava’s, the largest Orthodox Church in the country will all been seen during the city tour. You will see both old and new towns. Tito’s memorial, the Town Hall, Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Sq, Republic Sq. and Mihajlova street; as well as Belgrade Fort, “VaroÅ¡" Gate and visit the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress.
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Day 7 Thu. Cruising – Iron Gates.
A full day of cruising through one of Europe’s most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. These natural borders make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania.
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Day 8 Fri. Vidin.
The ‘Bada Vida’ fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. You will also travel overland to see Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations.
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Day 9 Sat. Bucharest.
Today enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, capital and largest city in Romania, this “Paris of the Eastâ€? is famed for it’s Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th century. The French influence is paramount in many of the restored buildings of the former aristocracy and monarchy. The post war communist era of grandiose architecture is brought home by the world’s second largest building, the Parliament Palace. During the morning city tour you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, Athenaeum and Library, as well as visit the Parliament Palace – the world’s largest palace. Followed by lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon you can choose to have free time for shopping and exploration on your own or visit the open air museum, a museum dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania
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Day 10 Sun. Rousse (disembark) – Veliko Turnavo – Nessebur.
This morning you will disembark the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by coach to the Black Sea and Istanbul. First stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church and Baldwin’s Tower. Passengers who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia, a traditional market street. You will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and the town of Nessebur.
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Day 11 Mon. Nessebur – Istanbul.
Situated on a small peninsula Nessebur is one of the oldest towns in Europe, it still exudes the spirit of different ages and peoples – Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Byzantines and Bulgarians. Nessebur’s greatest wealth are its many churches: the Old Bishop’s Residence in an early Byzantine style (4th-5th c.), the New Bishops Residence (St. Stephan’s), containing valuable 12-th century murals, the Christ Pantocrator and Aliturgetos churches (13-th -14th c.). Nessebur’s National Revival houses with stone foundations and broad wooden eaves, overhanging narrow cobbled lanes leading right into the sea, are also remarkably beautiful. During this morning’s walking tour you will visit St.Stephan’s, Pantocrator church and Nessebars oldest church the 5th-6th century Basilica on the Beach. After free time for lunch, you continue onto Istanbul, Turkey, arriving late this afternoon.
Three Night Stay: Istanbul, Ritz Carlton Hotel.
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Day 12 Tue. Istanbul Sightseeing.
Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the banks of the Bosphorus and natural harbour of the Golden Horn; the Black Sea to it’s north and Sea of Marmara, the entrance to the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea’s, to the south. Formerly Constantinople, capital of Byzantium and as Istanbul capital of the Ottoman Empire, the city’s rich history goes back thousands of years. For centuries she was the world’s greatest city, filled with treasures from the many Empires and peoples who have ruled her. This morning’s comprehensive city tour will feature the old city of Istanbul, the many Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her long past. You will see the mighty defensive walls, Roman aqueduct and hippodrome; the Suleymaniye Mosque and church of the Pantocrator; as well as the Galata Tower, then you will visit the Blue Mosque. Later you have the choice to see more of Byzantine Constantinople and visit one of Christendoms greatest church St.Sophia, or explore more of Ottoman Istanbul and visit the Grand Bazaar.
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Day 13 Wed. Istanbul.
Today visit the Ottoman Sultans Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every single Sultan from the time of the conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century till the end of the 19th century. The palace has many fine buildings, pavilions and courtyard. During your tour you will see the private chambers of the Sultans, the world famous Harem, treasury home to the Topkapi diamond, holy relics room, Hagia Eirene Church originally constructed by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reception rooms of the Imperial court.
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Day 14 Thu. Istanbul – Fly Home.
Your tour ends today after breakfast with your flight home.
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What’s Included

Inclusions

• Visit Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad
• Bucharest excursion & city tour
• Veliko Turnavo, visit Tsarevets Hill
• Nessebur, walking tour
• Istanbul city tour & Topkapi Palace

Finest Dining

• Daily breakfasts in Nessebur and Istanbul; one dinner in Istanbul
• All meals included whilst on board the ship
• Cocktail reception and Welcome Dinner
• Quality wines with dinner
• Special highlights including folklore performances, wine tastings, lectures, theme dinners, local festivities and on board music performances

Outstanding Places to Stay

• Two nights Budapest
• 7 night cruise on board the ms Amalegro in an outside cabin
• On board amenities including bicycles, elevator, fitness centre, massage & beauty salon and shop
• Non-smoking ship (smoking only on Sun Deck)

Additional Information

• Single supplement available on application
• Tour Notes. Port charges – add A$285 per person
• Arrival/Departure Transfers on first and last day of package – add A$140 per person
• All departures are guaranteed
• Cruise Upgrades available Contact Us for further details
• Cruise operated in conjunction with Amadeus Waterways

Earlybird Savings

• Ask about our Early Booking discounts on cruises and airfares

The APT Difference

• Services of a professional Cruise Manager
• All English language on board
• 6-star service and facilities
• APT Ownership

Air$aver Airfares

• Enquire about our great airfares to Europe

Additional Information

• Europe River Cruising pdf
• Europe – What to Bring pdf
• Europe – While on Tour pdf
• Europe Travel Documents pdf