Gems of Southeast Europe April 17 - 25, 2021
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www.EO.travel/mytrip Tour = RC21 Date = 041721 Code = B Gems of Southeast Europe April 17 - 25, 2021 Special Cruise Host: Georgiana Timofte www.EO.travel • 800-247-0017 PRE-TOURS ITINERARY CRUISE FROM : Giurgiu to Budapest Touch history in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, as you sail along the exotic lower Danube. Celtic fortifications, medieval towns and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates, showcase the best of eastern Europe. Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends; or to bike through Belgrade’s sprawling Kalemegdan Park. Wine connoisseurs ISTANBUL will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine-growing hills April 14 - 18 • Starting at $1499* dating back to the Romans in Ilok, a royal and vinous town. Be treated to the APRIL 14: DEPART USA flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. Board your overnight flight to Turkey. APRIL 17: DEPART US APRIL 15: ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY Board your overnight flight to Bucharest. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. APRIL 18: EMBARKATION – GIURGIU, ROMANIA APRIL 16: ISTANBUL Embark your ship in Giurgiu. Tonight gather on board and meet your fellow Depart your hotel for an enriching guided walking tour, during which you will passengers. (D) explore the Hagia Sophia, formerly a church before becoming a mosque and finally a museum. A beautiful example of Old-World architecture, this museum APRIL 19: GIURGIU – ROUSSE, BULGARIA showcases lovely Christian murals and Islamic symbols throughout. After the Experience the best of Bucharest, Romania’s capital, known as the “Little Hagia Sophia, visit Istanbul’s similarly beautiful Blue Mosque, named for the Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Then visit Blue İznik tiles that cover its interior. For those who are interested, be guided Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and to the lively Grand Bazaar and venture through the market before returning to multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for your hotel. (B) its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo APRIL 17: ISTANBUL with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B,L,D) Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans’ Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th-19th centuries. During your tour, APRIL 20: VIDIN marvel at the private chambers of the Sultans, the Harem (women’s quarters) Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a and the Imperial Treasury’s vast collection, including the jewel-encrusted Topkapi choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved Dagger and the stunning 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond. (B) medieval castle in Bulgaria. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock APRIL 18: ISTANBUL – GIURGIU - EMBARKATION formations. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Check out of your Istanbul hotel and fly to Bucharest. Transfer to Giurgiu where Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have you will embark your ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. (B, D) the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. (B,L,D) APRIL 21: SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES The Iron Gates are some of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. (B,L,D) APRIL 22: BELGRADE, SERBIA BUCHAREST & BRASOV Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan April 13 - 18, 2021 • Starting at $1300* Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Alternatively, visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family, and the House APRIL 13: DEPART USA of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President Board your overnight flight to Romania. of Yugoslavia. Or enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, APRIL 14: ARRIVE IN BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery, followed by Arrive in Bucharest and check in to your lovely hotel. a panoramic tour of Avala Mountain. Later in the day, choose from a hike to Kalemegdan Fortress, known for its winding walking paths and incredible river APRIL 15: BUCHAREST views, or join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D) Bucharest, Romania’s capital, has earned its nickname, the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy a visit to the city’s APRIL 23: NOVI SAD, ILOK CROATIA most impressive sites—including the historic city center and the Palace of the Discover Novi Sad, the “Serbian Athens,” on a walking tour to Dunavski Park Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. If you prefer a more active the world. Or take a walking tour of Bucharest’s Old Town and visit the Open Air exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike to Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty Village Museum which showcases traditional Romanian village life. (B) stronghold no enemy has ever breached. Later in the day, cruise to Vukovar, a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour APRIL 16: BUCHAREST – SINAIA – BRAȘOV showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Alternatively, choose a wine Stop in Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle, considered by many to be one of the most tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you’ll stunning castles in Europe. Tour the castle, which was once the residence of the sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. (B,L,D) royal family. Later, head to Braşov for a tour and check in to your hotel. (B) APRIL 24: MOHÁCS - PÉCS, HUNGARY APRIL 17: BRAȘOV – SIGHIȘOARA Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. You’ll then visit Pécs, founded more Enjoy a walking tour around Braşov. Afterward, dracula lovers will be in for another than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian treat with an excursion to Sighişoara, birthplace to Transylvania’s most notorious Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with ruler, Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It’s hard to believe its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and pedestrian-friendly city. Or for wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go to the Szekszárd wine region, Old Town was Vlad’s place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called “Casa Dracula.” (B) 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around APRIL 18: BRASOV – EMBARKATION – GIURGIU Mohács. (B,L,D) Depart your Brasov hotel and continue on to the legendary region of Transylvania, APRIL 25: BUDAPEST – DISEMBARKATION a place deeply rooted in myth and history. You’ll visit Transylvania’s legendary Disembark your cruise in Budapest. (B) Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula, before boarding the ship in Giurgiu. (B,D) Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner *All prices reflect a 4% cash discount. Special Cruise Host: Georgiana Timofte Aboard Georgiana is a travel and hospitality the professional who serves EO groups AmaVerde throughout the Holy Land and Europe on land and at sea. She is a native of Romania and resides in Italy when not traveling the world. INCLUDED FEATURES 7 Nights Deluxe Cruise Accommodation CRUISE PRICING* Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Free Internet, Hit Movies, Music E Fixed Window Stateroom (170 sq ft) $3298* Library & English TV Stations D Fixed Window Stateroom (170 sq ft) $3498* Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush bedding in all Staterooms Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise (170 sq ft) C French Balcony Stateroom $3898* Free-flowing Red & White Wines from Europe’s great Wine Regions, BB French & Outside Balcony Stateroom (210 sq ft) $4298* beer & soft drinks with every Dinner BA French & Outside Balcony Stateroom (210 sq ft) $4398* Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily (235 sq ft) Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain’s Gala Dinner AB French & Outside Balcony Stateroom $4498* Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, AA French & Outside Balcony Stateroom (235 sq ft) $4598* onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music S Suite (350 sq ft) $5998* Use of Bicycles to explore on your own *Rates are per person, based