Highlights of Eastern Europe & Istanbul

12 days
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5/5 Excellent
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USTOA

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River Cruise
An ideal voyage for travellers seeking new, off-the-beaten-path destinations. Follow a path forged by crusaders, kings and conquerors through Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Immerse yourself in new cultures and make new friends as you travel from splendid Budapest to exotic Istanbul, discovering the best that the revitalized nations ...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Visit Cities Budapest, Osijek, Vukovar, Belgrade, Veliko Tarnovo
    • Enjoy cruising through Danube River
    • Visit belogradchik Rocks National park
    • Explore the fascinating cultural crossroads of Istanbul
    • Visit Hagia Sophia, Mogoșoaia Palace and Topkapi Palace

What's this trip about?

    An ideal voyage for travellers seeking new, off-the-beaten-path destinations. Follow a path forged by crusaders, kings and conquerors through Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Immerse yourself in new cultures and make new friends as you travel from splendid Budapest to exotic Istanbul, discovering the best that the revitalized nations of Eastern Europe have to offer along the way.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBudapest
End CityIstanbul

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • River Cruise
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Dining All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
    • 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
    • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
    • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
    • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water Accommodations 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the imperial River Duchess or stunning River Princess
    • 2 nights in Bucharest at the Radisson Blu Hotel (or similar) with breakfast
    • 2 nights in Istanbul at the InterContinental Istanbul (or similar) with breakfast
    • Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® of England beds, high-thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
    • Free Internet and Wi-Fi access Experiences 6 countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Turkey
    • 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
    • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
    • All transfers on arrival and departure days
    • All gratuities, both onboard and onshore
    • Captivating onboard local entertainment
    • Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture: “The Orient in Europe: Eastern Influences on the Western World” Excursions 7 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
    • Guided "Go Active," "Do as the Locals Do," "Village Day" and "Gentle Walking" options
    • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
    • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks

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Itinerary

Travel Map
Day 1: Budapest
Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.

Day 2: Budapest, cruising the Danube River
FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Budapest city tour OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour OR exclusive guided “Go Active” Budapest by bike Savor the beauty of Buda and Pest on a panoramic tour of the city. Or “Do as the Locals Do,” riding the metro and...
Day 3: Cruising the Danube River, Vukovar (Osijek)
FEATURED EXCURSION: Full-day tour of Vukovar and Osijek with exclusive farm visit and home-hosted lunch Take a short walking discovery tour of Vukovar before departing for Osijek, where you’ll explore the Old Town on foot. Then venture into the Croatian countryside to experience a family-owned farm and enjoy a delicious tapas-style meal.

Day 4: Belgrade
FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Belgrade city tour with visit to the Royal Grounds of Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace OR exclusive guided “Go Active” “I Bike Belgrade” tour Explore Belgrade, Serbia’s capital and largest city, in one of two ways—a panoramic tour that includes a tour inside the Royal Palace, or a guided bike tour highlighting historic sites dating from WWII to the present day.

Day 5: Cruising the Iron Gates
Enjoy a day onboard cruising through the Iron Gates, a scenic stretch of the Danube marking the boundary between Romania and Serbia.

Day 6: Vidin, cruising the Danube River
FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Belogradchik rock formations OR Romanian Cetate Cultural Port visit Explore the lesser-known town of Vidin and the extraordinary Belogradchik rocks, whose peculiar shapes have given rise to many legends. Or, visit the Cetate Cultural Port, a residence for Romanian writers and artists.

Day 7: Rousse (Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi or Rousse and Ivanovo)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi with authentic Bulgarian lunch OR Rousse walking discovery tour and Ivanovo and Basarbovo monasteries See the majestic ruins of Tsarevetz Castle in Veliko Tarnovo and the frescoed Nativity Church in Arbanassi,...
Day 8: Giurgiu (disembark), transfer to Bucharest hotel
FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Bucharest city tour OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Bucharest walking tour Disembark the ship and transfer via motorcoach to Bucharest, where your panoramic tour highlights the city’s eclectic mix of Soviet- and French-inspired architecture. Or, “Do as the Locals Do” with a guided walk through revitalized downtown neighborhoods.

Day 9: Bucharest
FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of People’s Palace visit OR Romanian countryside tour with visits to Mogosoaia Palace and Vlad the Impaler’s tomb Spend some time today in the lavish People’s Palace—the world’s largest civilian building, erected at enormous cost. Or, you ca...
Day 10: Bucharest, fly to Istanbul, transfer to Istanbul hotel
Explore the fascinating cultural crossroads of Istanbul at your leisure today.

Day 11: Istanbul
FEATURED EXCURSION: Istanbul city tour with Grand Bazaar Your panoramic tour of Istanbul features many of its most famous sites—including the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace— followed by a visit to the legendary Grand Bazaar. Note: The Blue M...
Day 12: Istanbul, transfer to the airport
Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,999
Price per day$417
Last Updated: 3/27/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Uniworld.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Uniworld Reviews & Ratings

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Bradley Acuff

Jan 2023

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The staff is most efficient and kind.

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Tour Operator

Uniworld

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Award-winning Uniworld—the world's ONLY authentic boutique cruise line™—offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Russia, and Asia. The company’s European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.

In 2004, Uniworld was acquired by The Travel Corporation (TTC), a highly successful international travel group founded by Stanley Tollman. TTC has more than 30 top brands, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Contiki, as well as Red Carnation Hotels, a renowned collection of four- and five-star luxury properties.

TTC has made major investments in Uniworld's ships, crew, and staff, with an eye towards providing guests with all the elements of an unforgettable Six-Star Experience: Expertise; Service; Luxurious Ships, Uniquely Designed; Culinary; Choice; and Truly All-Inclusive. Combining the tour planning and hotel management expertise of TTC’s sister companies with Uniworld’s decades of superior nautical experience has created an entirely new category of luxury river cruising.

In partnership with its sister company, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld takes pride in its long-lasting relationships with guests, for whom there is “No request too large, no detail too small.” Uniworld employs a professionally trained, dedicated, English-speaking staff, so guests never have to worry about communication.

What they’re known for
Posh all-inclusive river cruises with fascinating shore excursions in destinations across Europe and Asia.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Flights
    • Passport and Visa Charges
    • Personal Expenses

Accommodation

Ship & cabin information
River Duchess
The recently remodeled, 130-passenger River Duchess is decorated in soft hues of blue and green complemented by soothing earth tones, providing a tranquil and elegant onboard ambiance. Enjoy spectacular and ever-changing views of Europe’s most enchanting waterways in the ship’s stylish Blue Danube Lounge, Palace Restaurant, or the La Motte Sky Lounge.
Rivers: Rhine River,Main River,Danube River Guests: 130 Staff: 41 Suites: 4 (214 Sq Ft) Staterooms: 61 (151 Sq Ft) Length: 361 Ft Width: 37.5 Ft
Cancellation policy
Cancellation Notice Received Before Tour Start Date, 90 days or more then Cancellation Charges Per Person is $300 nonrefundable deposit Cancellation Notice Received Before Tour Start Date, 89 – 60 days then Cancellation Charges Per Person is 35% of the fare** Cancellation Notice Received Before Tour Start Date, 59 – 30 days then Cancellation Charges Per Person is 50% of the fare** Cancellation Notice Received Before Tour Start Date, Less than 30 days then Cancellation Charges Per Person is 100% of the fare** Cancellation Notice Received have not recived Before Tour Start Date, then Cancellation Charges Per Person is 100% of the fare** **Fare is defined as the cost of any cruise, land, or air element purchased from Uniworld. Port charges are fully refundable if they have been paid prior to cancelling your trip.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
11 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 7 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
Budapest Extension | Magic is Born Where East Meets West For cruises that begin or end in Budapest Enjoy extra time in Budapest, the regal “Queen of the Danube” and one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. Included in your 3-day stay: 2 nights at the deluxe Corinthia Hotel Budapest (or similar) Breakfast daily and all gratuities, service charges, taxes, and porterage Discovery walk of national treasures English-speaking expert All transfers
Additional Information
Trip ID
Uniworld-HigEasUni

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