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12 Night Gems of Southeast Europe (Christmas) and Land Tour

From Istanbul to Vienna

AmaVerde

AMA Waterways
4 Stars
  • Cruise #: 13948222
  • Departs: Mon, Dec 2, 2024
  • Returns: Wed, Dec 11, 2024
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    Riverview
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    Itinerary Summary

    Day by Day Details

    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Friday - Nov 29, 2024
    Day
    1
    Istanbul, Turkey
    • Istanbul, Turkey
    Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.

    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Saturday - Nov 30, 2024
    Day
    2
    Istanbul, Turkey
    • Istanbul, Turkey
    Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th to the 19th century. 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) ...
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    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Sunday - Dec 1, 2024
    Day
    3
    Istanbul, Turkey
    • Istanbul, Turkey
    Depart your hotel for an enriching guided walking tour, during which you will explore the Hagia Sophia, formerly a church before becoming a mosque and finally a museum. A beautiful example of old-world architecture, this museum showcases lovely Christian murals and Islamic symbols throughout. After the Hagia Sophia, visit Istanbul's similarly beautiful Blue Mosque, named for the blue Iznik tiles that cover its interior. For those who are interested, be guided to the lively Grand Bazaar and venture through the market before returning to your hotel. (B) ...
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    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Monday - Dec 2, 2024
    Day
    4
    Istanbul, Turkey
    • Istanbul, Turkey
    • Air Travel
    • Bucharest, Romania
    • Bus Travel

    Cruise Segment of Itinerary

    Day 4 - Monday - Dec 2, 2024
    Day
    4
    Cruise Begins
    • Cruise Begins
    • Giurgiu, Romania
    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 Christmas Markets cruise.
    • Giurgiu, Romania
    Embark the ship in Giurgiu for your Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets cruise.
    Tuesday - Dec 3, 2024
    Day
    5
    Giurgiu, Romania
    • Giurgiu, Romania
    • Bus Travel
    • Bucharest, Romania
    • Bus Travel
    • Giurgiu, Romania
    • Rousse, Bulgaria
    Experience more of Bucharest where you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the Bucharest Christmas market, shining bright in festive holiday lights, in front of the Palace of the Parliament. Or visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple Orthodox temples, and enjoy the magic of the holidays when learning about the Bulgarian traditions and folklore during Christmastime. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B,L,D) ...
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    Wednesday - Dec 4, 2024
    Day
    6
    • Vidin, Bulgaria
    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, or 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 option to take an exhilarating bike tour through Vidin. Alternatively, you can bike through Vidin or enjoy a wine tasting. (B,L,D) ...
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    Thursday - Dec 5, 2024
    Day
    7
    Iron Gates
    • Iron Gates
    • Golubac Fortress, Serbia
    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. After your scenic cruise, you will arrive at Golubac Fortress - one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe - for a tour. (B,L,D) ...
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    Friday - Dec 6, 2024
    Day
    8
    Belgrade, Serbia
    • Belgrade, Serbia
    Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor's life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Serbia celebrates the holidays with festive Winter Markets as they have an extended Christmas period, following the Orthodox calendar where Christmas falls on the 7th of January and the New Year on the 14th. You'll have time to explore Belgrade's Winter Fest where the main square brims with holiday delights with colorful Christmas Market stalls, an ice-skating rink, concerts, and more. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. Later in the day, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian brandy, including slivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO's list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage", paired with delicious local appetizers. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D) ...
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    Saturday - Dec 7, 2024
    Day
    9
    Novi Sad, Serbia
    • Novi Sad, Serbia
    • Ilok, Croatia
    • Vukovar, Croatia
    Discover Novi Sad, the "Serbian Athens", on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. Experience firsthand unique Orthodox traditions at Serbia's first and oldest Winter Market where you'll see the grand- Singing Christmas Tree where choirs from all over the region gather to perform every day. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike to Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty 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 showcasing the Ovcara Memorial and Eltz Manor House. While there, experience the festive, warm atmosphere of the holidays when visiting a traditional Croatian Christmas market. Embrace the holiday cheer and rich culture as you listen to Christmas melodies, taste sweet and savory delights, and shop for traditional handcrafted goods. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you'll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac, and Frankovka wines. (B,L,D) ...
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    Sunday - Dec 8, 2024
    Day
    10
    • Mohacs, Hungary
    • Bus Travel
    • Pecs, Hungary
    • Bus Travel
    • Mohacs, Hungary
    Visit Pecs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Szechenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pecs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the delightful Pecs Christmas market with its sparkling Christmas tree in front of Town Hall. Or for wine connoisseurs, you'll want to go to the Szekszard wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohacs. (B,L,D) ...
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    Monday - Dec 9, 2024
    Day
    11
    Budapest, Hungary
    • Budapest, Hungary
    Disembark the ship in Budapest and prepare for your flight home. (B)
    • Budapest, Hungary
    • Cruise Ends

    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Day 11 - Monday - Dec 9, 2024
    Day
    11
    • Bus Travel
    • Vienna, Austria
    Disembark the ship and enjoy a city tour of Budapest where you will see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman's Bastion, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the Chain Bridge. Transfer to Vienna and check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city. (B)

    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Tuesday - Dec 10, 2024
    Day
    12
    Vienna, Austria
    • 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. Following your city tour, spend your afternoon enjoying the festivities of the Christmas markets. (B) ...
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    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Wednesday - Dec 11, 2024
    Day
    13
    Vienna, Austria
    • Vienna, Austria
    Bid farewell to Vienna as you prepare for your flight home. (B)


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