Enchantment of Eastern Europe & Istanbul

Welcome to Budapest, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Star-Ship to be greeted by your friendly captain and crew. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Eastern Europe’s liveliest city at your leisure. The ‘Pearl of the Danube’ is a truly breathtaking sight, where dozens of lights adorn the stone bridges that cross the mighty Danube, separating both sides of the city. This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner. Your ship will remain docked until late this evening so you can go ashore and explore Budapest’s legendary nightlife. EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board Enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner, then a Hungarian folk dancing and music performance on board. Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.

This morning, dock in Ordas. This tiny village on the left bank of the Danube is in one of Hungary’s most fertile agricultural regions, which is famous for its paprika. EmeraldPLUS Puszta Equestrian Heritage Travel to the Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, for a traditional performance showcasing the exceptional equestrian skills of the Magyar cowboys. Relax as you watch their spectacular horse parade and witness their exercise drills, most of which were practised in preparation for wartime. 

The second-largest city in Serbia, Novi Sad has a relaxed atmosphere and lively spirit that sets it apart from other major cities in the region. You’ll find the locals relaxing in leafy parks, swimming in the river and sharing drinks in busy laneway bars. It’s compact and easily walkable, dotted with grand public buildings, excellent museums and the striking Petrovaradin Fortress.  Included Excursion Guided tour of Novi Sad Set out on an easy walking tour of the city with a local guide. See the market, Orthodox Cathedral, City Hall, Catholic Cathedral, and enjoy a visit to the Synagogue.  EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted lunch with a Serbian family Visit the home of a local Serbian family and join them for a traditional lunch. During the meal, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss Serbian traditions and the daily life of the people EmeraldACTIVE Guided e-bike tour in Novi Sad Discover Novi Sad on two wheels with this guided e-bike tour. Ride along the Danube promenade and pass iconic landmarks. Learn about the city’s history, culture and local life from your guide while enjoying a leisurely cycling pace.

The Serbian capital, Belgrade, is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Europe and has lived a multitude of lives over the last 2,000 years. It has been shaped by conflict and still bears the scars of bombings from World War II through to the 1990s. At the same time, this gritty centre is filled with beautiful architecture, engaging street art and a legendary cafe culture that can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire.  Included Excursion Highlights of Belgrade This city tour introduces you to the highlights of one of Europe’s oldest cities. Relax as your coach takes you through the centre of this peaceful city to see the symmetrical façade of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest church buildings, the Parliament Building, Republic Square, City Hall and more. Finish with a drive through Belgrade’s wealthiest neighbourhoods and past Tito’s Mausoleum.  EmeraldPLUS Serbian folklore evening show on board Watch local musicians and dancers perform traditional dances from around Serbia while wearing authentic, colourful costumes.  EmeraldACTIVE Guided e-bike tour in Belgrade Cycle through Belgrade with a local guide to experience the city’s landmarks and natural beauty along the Danube. Learn about the diversity of the local area as well as the history of the city and its people, including the former country of Yugoslavia. Highlights include the Belgrade Waterfront, Staro Sajmiste (former concentration camp), and Ada Island.  DiscoverMORE Routes of Nikola Tesla (extra expense) Learn the story of Serbian-American Nikola Tesla at the intriguing museum dedicated to the life and work of one of the worlds most famous inventors. You’ll see magnificent working models of Teslas machines, his various personal items and his visions of the future. Activity level: Moderate, Duration: 2.5 hours

In eastern Serbia, within the Majdanpek municipality, the town of Donji Milanovac sits on the right bank of the Danube. Surrounded by spectacular landscapes and with a rich heritage, it’s the gateway to one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites. As the day ends, relax on board as you cruise through the Iron Gates, a picturesque narrow gorge that meanders between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps. Look out for the huge rock carving of Decebalus, the last King of Dacia. Included Excursion Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum Visit the Palaeolithic site of Lepenski Vir, the oldest urban settlement in Europe. Enjoy learning about the importance of this archaeological site, which changed modern understandings of the early Stone Age, and its illustrious history spanning over eight millennia.  DiscoverMORE Golubac Castle visit (extra expense) Take a walking tour of the medieval Golubac Fortress. The castle was built at the entrance to the Iron Gates, at the point where the Danube is the widest and then runs into the gorge of the Carpathian Mountains. An exceptional strategic point, it enabled easy control of all the land and waterways that connected the East and the West, whereas the steep and inaccessible cliffs on which the fortress was built offered natural protection. Activity level: Moderate, Duration: 2 hours

In eastern Serbia, within the Majdanpek municipality, the town of Donji Milanovac sits on the right bank of the Danube. Surrounded by spectacular landscapes and with a rich heritage, it’s the gateway to one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites. As the day ends, relax on board as you cruise through the Iron Gates, a picturesque narrow gorge that meanders between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps. Look out for the huge rock carving of Decebalus, the last King of Dacia. Included Excursion In eastern Serbia, within the Majdanpek municipality, the town of Donji Milanovac sits on the right bank of the Danube. Surrounded by spectacular landscapes and with a rich heritage, it’s the gateway to one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites.   As the day ends, relax on board as you cruise through the Iron Gates, a picturesque narrow gorge that meanders between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps. Look out for the huge rock carving of Decebalus, the last King of Dacia. DiscoverMORE Golubac Castle visit (extra expense) Take a walking tour of the medieval Golubac Fortress. The castle was built at the entrance to the Iron Gates, at the point where the Danube is the widest and then runs into the gorge of the Carpathian Mountains. An exceptional strategic point, it enabled easy control of all the land and waterways that connected the East and the West, whereas the steep and inaccessible cliffs on which the fortress was built offered natural protection. Activity level: Moderate, Duration: 2 hours EmeraldACTIVE Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress Transfer to Belogradchick Rock Fortress Park for a guided hike to its ancient mountaintop fortress. First built when the region was part of the Roman Empire, it has been used and extended in the 14th century and by the Ottomans in the 19th century, right up until the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885.  DiscoverMORE Traditional Bulgarian pastry making (extra expense) Watch your host prepare a traditional Bulgarian banitsa pastry, before joining a demonstration and learning to make your own. Banitsa is a very popular Bulgarian dish, consisting of dough sheets with various fillings, the most popular being white cheese and eggs. Afterwards, enjoy a tasting, served with a bowl of the famous Lactobacillus Bulgaricus yoghurt. Activity level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes

Today, your Emerald Star-Ship will cruise into Rousse, Bulgaria’s most elegant city. This important port on the Danube is often called ‘Little Vienna’ thanks to its elegant Belle Epoque and Neo Baroque architecture, leafy squares and wide boulevards.  Included Excursion Walking tour of Rousse Be immersed in history as you wander through Bulgari’s ‘Little Vienna’. Admire the Court House, City Hall, Opera Building, the main shopping street Alexandrovska and St. Trinity Church, then enjoy coffee and cake at a local restaurant.  EmeraldACTIVE Guided hike to Ivanovo Church Transfer to the River Lom Nature Park for an active hike to the World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo. Dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, these remarkable structures are lined with exquisite frescoes representing biblical scenes.  DiscoverMORE Full day tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi (extra expense) Visit Veliko Tarnovo and learn about its rich history as the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. This medieval city was built atop three hills, and its fortifications and cobbled streets will delight history lovers. Nearby, Arbanasi sits on a high plateau overlooking the Yantra. Each street in the area is lined with traditional houses, and old churches offer centuries of exploration. Activity level: Moderate, Duration: 8.5 hours

Disembark your Emerald Star-Ship in Giurgiu this morning, then relax on board your comfortable coach and enjoy the passing scenery as you drive towards Bucharest. You’ll first pass the Romanian city of Giurgiu, set amongst the mud flats and marshes of the Danube.  Included Excursion Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace Learn about Bucharest’s vibrant history on a guided coach tour, passing by the Palace of Parliament. Visit the Spring Palace and the private residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, before enjoying free time to explore the city at leisure.   This evening, settle into the stylish surrounds of your hotel before perhaps taking a stroll down one of the wide avenues or leafy boulevards that give Bucharest a distinctly French feel. 

After breakfast, youll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Turkey and Istanbul, one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities in world history. Upon arrival, youll be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel for your three-night included stay. This evening, enjoy meeting your fellow guests and tour director for a convivial welcome drink.

Today, you’ll have time to explore incredible Istanbul at leisure. Your tour director will be more than happy to help you plan your explorations in this iconic Turkish city during your stay. Included Excursion Guided tour of Istanbul This morning, join this fascinating guided tour to explore some of Istanbul’s highlights, such as the famed Hippodrome Square, which was once the sporting and social centre of Constantinople that hosted the chariot races until the Middle Ages. You will get to see the Blue Mosque, probably one of the most famed masterpieces of Ottoman religious architecture. Standing in great prestige with its six minarets and perfectly proportioned dome, the Blue Mosque is named after its turquoise-coloured tiles made of quartz minerals. Ottoman Sultans preferred to pray in this timeless shrine due to its incomparable beauty until the empire collapsed after World War I. Afterwards, youll continue on to the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest Christian shrines ever constructed. DiscoverMORE Topkapi Palace and Harem section (extra expense) Visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, residence of the Sultans for almost three centuries. This is located on the promontory jutting out between the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn and provides a magnificent view. The construction of the Topkapi Palace was completed between 1465 and 1478. Just inside the palace, the Harem offers a revealing look into how the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived. These private apartments were carefully situated so as not to be seen from the state apartments or courtyards where public affairs were conducted. Next, you’ll visit and descend underground into the Basilica Cistern, constructed in 532 AD by Justinian to hold the water supply for the Great Palace. The Cistern is 70 metres (164 feet) wide and 140 metres (459 feet) long, with a capacity of 80,000m³ of water. Here, you’ll find an atmospheric forest of 336 beautiful columns: don’t miss the two columns featuring the head of Medusa on their bases, providing a memorable highlight. Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 4 hours DiscoverMORE Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (extra expense) In the early evening, you’ll attend a spectacular Whirling Dervishes Ceremony at Hocapasha Cultural Centre. Founded in the 13th century, the order of Whirling Dervishes introduced cohesion and understanding of various faiths and exalted the idea of dissolving them within the pot of love of God. Before you attend the performance, your expert guide will give you the inner meaning of this special experience with all the metaphors hidden in the traditions of whirling.

Continue exploring Istanbul at leisure today. Included Excursion Guided tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise On todays wonderful guided excursion, begin with a tour of the Underground Cistern, known by the locals as the Sunken Cistern. From here, youll continue your explorations with the bustling atmosphere of the Spice Market, dating back to the 17th century, but still the most popular bazaar. This iconic market is frequented by locals to shop for fresh ingredients to spice up the dishes prepared in the kitchens of Istanbul. Afterwards, youll experience a unique aspect of the city by boarding a private boat for an unforgettable cruise on the waters of the Bosphorus. During your cruise on this famed strait running between the two continents, your guide will share with you all the legends and myths about the Bosphorus and its impressive mansions and palaces. As well as the scenery of the historical edifices, youll be mesmerised by the iconic skyline of Istanbul, ornamented with domes and minarets of Byzantine and Ottoman cultures. DiscoverMORE Street Food tour (extra expense) Begin with a stroll across the low-lying Galata Bridge, where, for generations, fishermen have been hauling in their daily catch. Stalls selling everything from jewellery to simits (Turkish bagels) line the bridge. On the other side in the Beyoglu district, youll encounter Karakoy Gulluoglu, a shop that makes the best baklava in Istanbul. Indulge in this sweet delight, a traditional Turkish pastry made of several layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey. Walk off your sweet treat by hiking up the hill to Galatasaray, a neighbourhood that is home to Galatasaray S.K., one of Turkeys most famous football teams. Jump on the tram at Istiklal Caddesi, the citys grand bustling boulevard lined with shops and restaurants. Hop off and explore this street as your guide explains the areas history and points out landmarks and famous buildings. Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 4 hours

This morning, after breakfast, its time to say farewell to your fellow guests as you will be transferred to the airport for your onward or homebound flight, leaving with treasured memories of one of the worlds most mesmerising cities.