GEMS of SOUTHEAST EUROPE RIVER CRUISE
Join me in Eastern Europe on a river cruise!!
July 10-17 2023
I have held space on the river cruise based on the great response I have gotten.
These river cruises sell so fast and I expect this one to be no exception. They can NOT hold specific cabin type without a deposit and a name. Don’t wait or the cabin category you want might be gone AND we get a cabin upgrade as long as they last if you book a French Balcony or higher!
Cabins are filled based on availability.
If you have never river cruised before, you will love it and be hooked. They do an amazing job with the tours, the food is delicious and the service is impeccable.
The fare includes: accomodations, food, wine/beer/soft drinks, an excursion each day with a guide, and on ship activites so it is very inclusive.
Our current promotion is $1000 off per person PLUS a room category upgrade while they last. PLUS pre paid gratuities!!
Promo ends March 1, 2023.
These prices are for cruise only based on double occupancy with our current promotion.
**If you have sailed with AMAWaterways before you will get an additional $100 pp off as a past cruiser.**
| Category | Description | Promos | Available | Res Total | Discount | Guest 1 | Guest 2 |
| SS | Suite – French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 300 sq. ft. | SAVE1000 | $13,996.00 | ($1,000.00) | $6,498.00 | $6,498.00 | |
| AA | French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft. | SAVE1000 | $10,396.00 | ($1,000.00) | $5,198.00 | $5,198.00 | |
| AB | French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft. | SAVE1000 | $9,996.00 | ($1,000.00) | $4,998.00 | $4,998.00 | |
| BA | French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft. | SAVE1000 | $9,596.00 | ($1,000.00) | $4,798.00 | $4,79800 | |
| BB | French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft. | SAVE1000 | $9,996.00 | ($1,000.00) | $4,598.00 | $4,598.00 | |
| C | French Balcony, 170 sq. ft. | SAVE1000 | $9,996.00 | ($1,000.00) | $4,998.00 | $4,998.00 | |
| D | Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft. (not floor to ceiling window) | SAVE1000 | $8,396.00 | ($1,000.00) | $4,198.00 | $4,198.00 | |
| E | Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft. (not floor to ceiling window) | SAVE1000 | $5,798.00 | ($1,000.00) | $2,899.00 | $2,899.00 |
Port charges are $210 pp additional.
| DAY 1 | Giurgiu | EMBARKATION |
Embark your ship in Giurgiu. Tonight gather on board and meet your fellow passengers. (B,L,D)
| DAY 2 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
| OR Rousse Highlights & Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches hike |
Visit the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnavo. Built on three hills overlooking the Yantra River, this archaic city features Tsarevets Hills, the remains of a Royal Fortress, Royal Palaces and other historic sites. You’ll also see the small village of Arbanasi, where you’ll tour the frescos inside the Nativity Church and have an exclusive opportunity to taste Damascus Rose products, including jam, candy and liqueur. Alternatively, take a highlights tour of Rousse, often called “Little Vienna,” then hike up to the Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches, which were carved out of solid rock between the 12th and 14th centuries by Orthodox monks and feature medieval frescos. (B,L,D)
| DAY 3 | Vidin | Belogradchik & Baba Vida Fortress |
| OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
| OR Vidin bike tour of Vidin |
Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. (B,L,D)
| DAY 4 | Iron Gates | Full-day scenic cruising |
The Iron Gates is one 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)
| DAY 5 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
| OR Belgrade Royal Palace & Tito’s Memorial tour |
| OR Quburich Brandy Tasting & Avala Mountain Fortress Hike |
| OR Belgrade bike tour |
Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan 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 of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Or enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery, followed by 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 views, or join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
| DAY 6 | Novi Sad | “The Athens of Serbia” walking tour |
| OR Serbian Specialties Tasting |
| OR Petrovaradin Fortress hike |
| OR Novi Sad bike tour |
| Ilok | OR Vukovar City tour with Eltz Castle |
| Croatian wine tasting |
Choose from three morning excursions in Novi Sad. Visit a local home and learn how to prepare traditional Vojvodina cuisine followed by a tasting. Or, hike up to Petrovaradin Fortress, built to defend against the Ottoman Turks, and offering spectacular Danube views. Alternatively, you may bike along the Danube and the pier known as “Strand” where the locals relax during the summer months. Later in the day, enjoy a city tour of Vukovar, including the Franciscan Monastery, Church of St. Philip & Jacob and Eltz Castle. Or savor Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times. (B,L,D)
| DAY 7 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion |
| OR Bike Ride along the Danube |
Travel from Mohács to Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or for the active cruiser, take a scenic guided bike tour through Danube-Drava National Park, a protected flood-plain known for its populations of black storks, white-tailed eagle and native grey cattle, one of the national symbols of medieval Hungary. (B,L,D)
| DAY 8 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
Disembark your cruise in Budapest. (B)
The amount of the deposit is $400 pp to hold your cabin. 50% of this is non refundable. Final payment is 120 days prior to the cruise. All payments will go on your credit card. Contact me for the CC form.
**PLEASE put the cabin type you want on your form and scan back to me.**Also include your roommate’s name. There is a single supplement fee for a solo cabin.
The optional excursions are:
Land Packages
Optional:
2 Nights Bucharest & 2 Nights Brasov package (Pre-Cruise) USD: $1200 DBL / $1800 SGL 07/06/23 – 07/10/23
3 Nights Istanbul package (Pre-cruise) USD: $1499 DBL / $2399 SGL 07/07/23 – 07/10/23
2 Nights Vienna package (Post-cruise) USD: $660 DBL / $980 SGL 07/17/23 – 07/19/23
Istanbul 3 day pre extension
Day 1, ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2, ISTANBUL. Allow yourself to be led through Istanbul’s fascinating Old City, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome, among other iconic sites. (B)
Day 3, ISTANBUL. Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans’ Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th-19th centuries. During your tour, marvel at the private chambers of the Sultans, the Harem (women’s quarters) and the Imperial Treasury’s vast collection, including the jewel-encrusted Topkapi Dagger and the stunning 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond. (B)
Day 4, ISTANBUL – GIURGIU – EMBARKATION. Check out of your Istanbul hotel and fly to Bucharest. Transfer to Giurgiu where you will embark your ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise.
Leave USA on August 26 to Istnabul
Includes 3 days on land in Isntanbul and air to the port to begin the cruise in Romania.
Land includes hotel, breakfast, city tours, transfers to and from the ship, and the cruise manager with you.
Vienna 2 day post cruise extension
Day 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Disembark the ship and enjoy a city tour of Budapest where you will see the
UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge. Check into
your Vienna hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city. (B)
Day 2 VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered
on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before
concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. (B)
Day 3, DEPART VIENNA. Bid farewell to Vienna and prepare for your return flight home. (B)
Depart Vienna on Sept 8 for USA.
Land includes hotel, breakfast, city tours, transfers to and from the ship, and the cruise manager with you.
2 NIGHTS BUCHAREST, 2 NIGHTS BRASOV- 4 night extension
DAY DESTINATION ACTIVITIES
1 Bucharest Hotel check-in
2 Bucharest Bucharest City Tour & Parliament Palace Visit
OR Old Town walking tour
3 Brasov Transfer to Brasov
Bran Castle visit and Brasov tour
Hotel check-in
4 Brasov Sighișoara excursion
5 Sinaia Transfer to Sinaia
Sinaia Excursion
Peles Royal Castle tour
Once you have decided on an extension, if you choose to do one or both, we can talk about air and I can help you book that.
Feel free to share this with friends and family. Email me with any questions.
carol@andrewstravel.net
