Board overnight flight. DAY 2, Wed. ISTANBUL.
Arrive Istanbul, meet & greet, transfer to hotel. Visit the hosted Welcome Desk at the hotel.

DAY 3, Thu. 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 Galata Tower and visit the Suleymaniye Mosque and Blue Mosque. Later, you can explore the town on your own or choose an optional tour. (B)

DAY 4, Fri. 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 5, Sat. ISTANBUL-NESSEBAR, BULGARIA.
This morning, you will leave Istanbul bound for the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, Nessebar. Situated on a small peninsula, Nessebar is ancient in origin. After a late afternoon arrival, tonight you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and see the highlights of the towns rich history. (B,D)

DAY 6, Sun. NESSEBAR-VELIKO TURNAVO-ROUSE (embark the ship).
The 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, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin's Tower. Those passengers who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street. Before continuing on to Rouse, to embark your ship, enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, Mon. GIURGIU-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA.
Today enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, the capital and largest city in Romania. This "Paris of the East" is famed for its 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, the Soseaua Kiseleff, the Athenaeum and Library, and visit the Parliament Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, and then choose to have some free time or visit the Open Air Museum, with typical village builds from throughout Romania. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, Tue. VIDIN, BULGARIA.
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day of cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. The "Bada Vida" fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle has thick walls and dark towers, which contrast with the natural surroundings of the park it sits within. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, Wed. CRUISING - IRON GATES.
Today is 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 10, Thu. BELGRADE, SERBIA.
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 Town Hall, the Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Street, Republic Square and Mihajlova street, "Varos" Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 11, Fri. NOVI SAD - VUKOVAR, CROATIA.
Novi Sad is dominated by its huge fortress, Petrovaradin, guarding the Danube. The antiquity of Novi Sad can be traced back to the Romans and Byzantines, but, it was the 13th Century Tartar invasion that resulted in the building of the original fortress. Ruled by the Ottoman Turks for 150 years, it was captured by the Austrian army during the Great Turkish War and rebuilt to modern standards. After your visit, continue to Vukovar, Croatia. Vukovar is situated in Eastern Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers. Vukovar's rich history is a result of the many battles fought by the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians. During your city tour, you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and the St. James and the St.Nicholas church. (B,L,D)

DAY 12, Sat. MOHACS - PECS, HUNGARY.
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, vine clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, there is a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue and visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica. (B,L,D)

DAY 13, Sun. BUDAPEST.
This morning, you will disembark the ship and enjoy a sightseeing tour to The Puszta. The Puszta is the region of Hungary most widely known throughout the world. The vast flat Great Hungarian Plain stretches 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. Try a lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest to check into your hotel. (B,L)

DAY 14, Mon. BUDAPEST.
This morning's tour of Budapest 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 marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps explore the shops of Pest or ancient Buda. (B)

DAY 15, Tue. BUDAPEST - USA.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.