DANUBE RIVER CRUISES   CRUISE FROM BUDAPEST TO THE BLACK SEA - STAY IN NESSEBAR BULGARIA AND TOUR ISTANBUL 2008 & 2009

Early Booking Special for all 2009  departures
5% off for bookings made by Sep.30/2008!!!

14 days/13nights -  2 nights in Budapest, then take a 7-night cruise to Romania, stay 1 night in a Black Sea resort - end with 3 nights in Istanbul

Detailed Itinerary (Black Sea Voyage) DAY 1, Fri. BUDAPEST. Arrival in Budapest. Optional transfer to 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 marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure. (B)

DAY 3, Sun. BUDAPEST.
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 light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest to transfer to your ship. (B,L,D)

DAY 4, Mon. MOHACS - PECS EXCURSION (HUNGARY) - CRUISE TO CROATIA. This morning, the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. 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 tails 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. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, Tue: VUKOVAR-NOVI SAD, CROATIA & SERBIA.
There will be a bus and walking tour 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 Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, Wed: BELGRADE, SERBIA.
This morning you arrive in the Capital of Serbia, Belgrade, where you will see both old and new towns. Your tour features Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Sq, Republic Sq. and Mihajlova street; as well as Belgrade Fort, "Varoš" Gate and the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, Thu. CRUISING - IRON GATES.
Today is a full cruising day through one of Europe's most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrows gorges, as the river winds between the Carpathian Mountains on one side of the river and Balkan Mountains on the other. These natural borders today make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, Fri. VIDIN, BULGARIA.
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. You will also travel overland to see Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations. (B,L,D)

DAY 09, Sat. GUIRGUI-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA.
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, Capital and largest city in Romania. This "Paris of the East" is famed for it's Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th century. 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. (B,L,D)

DAY 10, Sun. ROUSE-VELIKO TURNAVO-NESSEBAR, BULGARIA.
This morning, you will disembark in Rouse 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. Those pax who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street. You will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and the town of Nessebar. (B,L)

DAY 11, Mon. NESSEBAR-ISTANBUL.
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. (B)

DAY 12, Tue. ISTANBUL.
This morning's comprehensive city tour will show you 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. (B,D)

DAY 13, Wed. ISTANBUL.
Today, you will 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. During your tour you will see the private chambers of the Sultans, the world famous Harem, and treasury home to the Topkapi diamond. You will also see the holy relics room, Hagia Eirene Church originally constructed by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reception rooms of the Imperial court. (B)

DAY 14, Thu. ISTANBUL-USA.
End of our services. Optional airport transfers.

Daily Program Features 

Day		Destination		Activities
Day 1		Budapest
Day 2		Budapest
Day 3		Budapest		Optional tours Embarkation Welcome Cocktails Welcome Dinner
Day 4		Mohacs		Pecs excursion
Day 5		Vukovar Novi		City tour Sad Tour of Fortress
Day 6		Belgrade		City tour
Day 7		Iron Gates		Full day cruising
Day 8		Vidin		City tour Bada Vida Fortress
Day 9		Bucharest		City tour
Day 10		Rouse Veliko		Disembark Turnavo City tour
Day 11		Nessebar		City tour
Day 12		Istanbul		City tour Optional tours
Day 13		Istanbul		Tour Topkapi Palace
Day 14		Istanbul		Airport transfer

INCLUDED FEATURES: 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Budapest with daily Buffet Breakfast 7-night Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Internet, Movie and Music Library & English Language TV Stations Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise Unlimited Quality Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions with every Dinner on board the Ship Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner Fully escorted Motorcoach Tour from the Ship in Rousse, Bulgaria to Istanbul 1 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Nessebar at the Black Sea including daily Buffet Breakfast 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Istanbul including daily Buffet Breakfast Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, on board Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music Use of Amalegro Bicycles to explore Services of Professional Cruise Director All English Language on board in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck) All local Taxes

2008 DEPARTURES: Price in US$ or Euro* Departure Start City Ship Name Cruise only Cruise & Land 13-Jun Waiting list only Budapest Amadagio $2199 $3399 18-Jun Waiting list only Istanbul Amadagio $2199 $3399 25-Jul Waiting list only Budapest Amadagio $2099 $3299 30-Jul Waiting list only Istanbul Amadagio $2099 $3299 05-Sep Waiting list only Budapest Amadagio $2199 $3399 10-Sep Waiting list only Istanbul Amadagio $2199 $3399 17-Oct Waiting list only Budapest Amadagio $2099 $3299 22-Oct Waiting list only Istanbul Amadagio $1899 $3099 Port Charges: $91 per person (2008) Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites 100% of twin price. Single supplement for Land: $720 per person. Optional transfers $40 per person per way Prices are per person in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom with window. To upgrade to a higher Category, add per person: Cat. Deck STATEROOM 2008 Price D Piano Deck Window   $99 C Cello Deck French Balcony   $399 B Cello Deck French Balcony   $499 A Violin Deck French Balcony   $599 S Violin Deck French Balcony   $1299 2009 DEPARTURES:      Departures   Start City Ship Name Cruise only Cruise & Land 18 Apr Budapest Amalyra $2099 $3419 23 Apr  Sold out  Istanbul Amalyra $2199 $3519 08 May Sold out  Budapest Amacello $2299 $3619 13 May Istanbul Amacello $2299 $3619 06 Jun Budapest Amadante $2299 $3619 11 Jun Istanbul Amadante $2299 $3619 19 Jun Budapest Amadante $2299 $3619 24 Jun  Sold out  Istanbul Amacello $2299 $3619 05 Aug Sold out  Istanbul Amacello $2299 $3619 11 Sep Budapest Amacello $2499 $3819 16 Sep Istanbul Amacello $2499 $3819 15 Oct  Sold out  Istanbul Amadante $2299 $3619  28 Oct Istanbul Amacello $2099 $3419   Port Charges: $98  per person To upgrade to a higher Category, add per person: Cat.   Deck   STATEROOM Price D Piano Deck Window   $149 C Cello Deck French Balcony   $449 B Cello Deck French Balcony   $599 A Violin Deck French Balcony   $699 S Violin Deck French Balcony   $1499 NOTE: Please select bedding configuration at the time of booking. The choices are: Choice A: Two twin beds Choice B: One large bed (larger then queen size) *Euro rate based on the exchange  Ships Used: MS Amadagio for ship description  and pictures click here!