Day 1 - Vienna Arrive in Vienna and transfer to the deluxe Hilton Vienna Plaza (or similar), in the centre of Vienna's commercial district overlooking the Ringstrasse. * The rest of your day is free to explore this classical musical mecca.
Day 2 - Vienna 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 3 - Vienna You have a full day to further explore the city. Shop along the Kartnerstrasse, visit the Wiener Prater (a large public park) and sample local fare like schnitzel. (B)
Day 4 - Vienna & 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 two night stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or begin doing a bit of exploring on your own. (B)
Day 5 - Budapest 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; or take an optional afternoon excursion to Visegrad. Though its population is under 2,000, Visegrad was used as a royal retreat and it has no fewer than three castles. Catch views of the Danube Bend from the hexagonal Solomon Tower at the Lower Castle. (B)
Day 6 - Budapest 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 7 - Kalocsa 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 8 - Osijek 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 9 - Belgrade 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 th Nikola Tesla Museum. Dine aboard or experience some of Belgrade's nightlife - we depart very late this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 10 - Scenic 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 11 - Vidin & 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 centre, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city's once grand synagogue. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 12 - Veliko 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 13 - Oltenita & Bucharest Disembark in Oltenita and we will take you to the superior first class Athenee Palace Hilton (or similar) in the heart of Bucharest for a one 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 14 - Bucharest & 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 15 - Brasov & 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 two night stay. (B)
Day 16 - Bucharest 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 neighbourhoods. 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 17 - Bucharest 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
* Transfers are not included. Let us know if you would like help arranging your airport transfers.
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
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Book by 30 April 2012—ask for offer A10.
All pricing is in AUD; details appear below.
Vienna is known worldwide as a city of music. Quality orchestras and ensembles are its seal of excellence. Along with well-established ensembles for contemporary music classical music continues to play a vital role, as made evident by the City of Vienna Concert Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, amongst others. The Vienna Academy, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Women's Chamber Orchestra are dedicated to tradition and modern music alike. International artists are a great gain to cultural life in Vienna.Vienna's cultural life is multi-faceted. You have the choice of 50 theatres, four opera houses, two stages for musicals, 100 museums and numerous theatre, music and dance festivals. The museum quarter with its baroque facade is home to one of the biggest cultural districts in Europe.
CountryAustria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 15kms Currency -Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Spanish Riding School, Prater Park, Danube Tower, Vienna Zoo
Budapest
Budapest possesses a rich and fascinating history as well as a vibrant cultural heritage. Recognizing the unique value of its traditions it has managed to maintain its magic and charm, and is rightly known as the Queen of the Danube. It has also been called the City of Spas, as there are a dozen thermal baths complexes served by over a hundred natural thermal springs.
Country - Hungary Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 14kms Currency - Forint (HUF)
Places of Interest Ecseri Flea Market, Royal Palace, National Gallery, Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum, Fisherman's Bastion, Statue Park
Kalocsa
Kalocsa is the Episcopal see of one of the four Roman Catholic archbishops in Hungary. Amongst its buildings are a fine cathedral, the archiepiscopal palace, an astronomical observatory, a seminary for priests, and colleges for training of male and female teachers. The inhabitants of Kalocsa and its wide-spreading communal lands are chiefly employed in the cultivation of the vine, fruit, flax, hemp and cereals, in the capture of water-fowl and in fishing
Country - Hungary
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from Port to Airport - 90kms
Currency - Forint (HUF)
Places of Interest Holy Trintiy Square, King Stephen monument, Paprika Festival
Belgrade
Belgrade is a very old city, dating back to several thousand years before Christ. The city can be divided into three parts: Zemun, Novi Beograd and Stari Grad, or the Old City.
Country - Serbia Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 18kms Currency - Serbian Dinar (CSD)
Places of Interest Sava and Danube Rivers, Fortress of Kalemegdan
Vidin
The town of Vidin is situated on the bank of the Danube, in the most northwest corner of Bulgaria, 199km northwest of Sofia. One of the most marvellous cities in the country, Vidin was inhabited by Celts, Romans, and Byzantines, but it was under the Bulgarian Tsars and their Ottoman conquerors that the most frenzied fortress building took place.
Country - Bulgaria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 150kms Currency - Lev (BGN)
Places of Interest Baba Vida, Church of St Petka, Ethnographic Museum
Oltenita
Country - Romania Distance from port to City - 2kms Distance from port to Airport - 70kms Currency - Ieu (RON)
Places of Interest
Bucharest
Bucharest is Romania's capital and largest city, as well as the most important industrial and commercial center of the country. With its 2 million inhabitants in the city proper and more than 2.4 million in the urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Eastern Europe. Country - Romania Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 7.5kms Currency - Ieu (RON)
Places of Interest Piata Unirii (Union Plaza), Little Paris, Palace of Parliament
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Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises itineraries journey along the rivers of Europe and Russia, allowing you to explore fascinating destinations up close and in comfort.
Better than an ocean cruise or bus tour, our river cruises show you the best of Europe from the large cosmopolitan cities to small quaint villages.
So come aboard, unpack just once, and see it all. Spend your time exploring Europe, not getting to it, and enjoy the best of Europe with Viking River Cruises.
A river cruise with Viking River Cruises is the best way to see the real Europe up close and in depth. Explore the best of Europe from an intimate perspective, spending your time being there, not getting there.
Unlike a bus tour where you spend more time on the bus than actually seeing the country, or a hotel-hopping trip where you constantly pack and unpack, Viking River Cruises offers you fine food, great service and scenic cruising along Europe's great rivers.
Viking River Cruises visits at least one port a day on virtually every itinerary and you can explore small villages off the beaten path that are inaccessible via an ocean cruise. Docking in the heart of town, you'll have more to time to see the cities, not just travel to the cities. You'll experience ever-changing riverside scenery as well as local nightlife when your ship overnights in port.
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Viking - Europe River Cruises
To visitors, Europe is a colorful world of picturesque landscapes, legendary rivers, lush vineyards and hilltop castles. As you travel through Europe with Viking River Cruises, its rich history is arrayed before your eyes—Roman ruins, magnificent monasteries, hallowed universities, rural villages and sophisticated cities, and a vibrant collage of food, music, dance, costumes and languages recalling thousands of years of human history. Traveling with Viking River Cruises gives you the opportunity to experience and learn about all these aspects of your cruise destinations. Throughout history, each great European river has played a crucial role, carrying goods and passengers from city to city and country to country. Today’s river cruises continue this proud tradition. The Rhine River, the Seine River, the Danube River, the Elbe River—their very names evoke a timeless beauty and grace. Viking River Cruises excels at giving travelers an authentic European experience on land and by river. Take one of our unforgettable river cruises along a legendary European river; these waterways cover the entire Continent, from the North Sea through the heart of Europe to the Black Sea. Enjoy natural wonders on our river cruises, like Austria’s Wachau Valley and Germany’s Rhine Valley—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—and engineering marvels like the Main-Danube Canal. Hilltop castles, lush vineyards and gorgeous countryside are right outside your ship on our European river cruises. Experience Europe’s legendary history, contemporary life and bright future for yourself.
Viking River Cruises ships cruising the waterways of Europe are listed below. Click on the ship name for details about each specific ship.
