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Highlights of Eastern Europe & Istanbul tour
Belgrade Blue Mosque Highlights of Eastern Europe & Istanbul Trip

Highlights of Eastern Europe & Istanbul

Uniworld
5.0 . Excellent
99%
Travel Style: Array Relaxed
Physical Level: All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included. Moderate
Lodging Level: 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards. Comfort (4*)
12 days
From: $ 4,999 $ 417 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • 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

Short Description

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.

Style River cruise
Array
Itinerary Focus N/A
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Lodging Level Comfort (4*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Budapest
End City Istanbul

Itinerary

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 stopping at a lively local market, Károlyi Garden and the National Museum. Alternatively, see the sites on a guided bike tour. In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.

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, followed by a traditional Bulgarian lunch. Or, opt for a tour of Rousse and the UNESCO-designated cave churches of Ivanovo and Basarbovo. In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner.

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 can choose to head into the countryside to get a closer look at the lives of Romanian villagers and explore the 18th-century Mogosoaia Palace and the lakeside tomb of Vlad the Impaler.

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 Mosque is a place of active worship. Ceremonies may prevent visitors from entering at times. At all times, please obey mosque etiquette.

Note: Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays and Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. The city tour of Istanbul will be arranged in accordance with the days attractions are open. If your visit occurs on days when these attractions are closed, your full-day city tour may be split into two half-day tours and provided over the course of two days so that you can experience the attractions listed here. If Hagia Sophia is not available during your stay, we will offer a visit to the Topkapi Palace harem instead.

Day 12: Istanbul, transfer to the airport

Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your flight home.

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 4,999
Price Per Day: $ 417 per day
  • Deposit Price: $ 300

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Uniworld.

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.

118 Uniworld Travel Reviews & Ratings

99%
5.0 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 115
Great 3
Average 0
Disappointing 0
Terrible 0
Value
5.0
Guide
4.9
Activities
4.9
Lodging
5.0
Transportation
5.0
Meals
5.0

Highlights of Eastern Europe & Istanbul

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Company Reviews

The staff is most efficient and kind.

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The staff is most efficient and kind.

Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve.

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and professional. Most remembered your preferences and were prepared to assist.
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The service on the Tosca was OUTSTANDING.

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The service on the Tosca was OUTSTANDING. The crew was very attentive, concerned always that we had what we needed and wanted. They could not be more helpful! It was very clear that their first priority was customer service. They take that concept to a new and the highest of standards. It was fantastic. Just as importantly, we got to know them, and they made us feel as if we were home. In particular, the dining staff made sure we always had food that we wanted, were concerned about allergies and offered substitutions if we ever just wanted a chicken breast with rice and vegetables or some steak and potatoes. We wanted for nothing, were blessed with everything. What a trip!
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The staff was very attentive to all our needs.

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The staff was very attentive to all our needs. Yes, I would cruise with Uniworld again.

Everyone that I came in contact with was polite, friendly, attentive and helpful.

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Everyone that I came in contact with was polite, friendly, attentive and helpful.
Vasijelo (sp) deserve special recognition for serving a particularly difficult dinner quest with poise and patience. Jolana (sp) while being friendly and helpful was particularly observant with having drinks ready upon seeing our arrival for meals.
a very enjoyable cruise
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Best service at any price!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Everyone on board bent over backwards to make our river cruise memorable! Any time there was even the slightest of issues it was immediately taken care of. Even better Uniworld does NOT nickel and dime you - what a pleasant change of pace.
Read more

Details

Ship Name

River Duchess

Ship Stats

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

Ship Description

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.

Deck & Cabin Plans

All Deck & Cabin Plans (affiliate link) Trip Photos (affiliate link)

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

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Standard Group - 25 + people

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.

Trip ID#:

HigEasUni

What's excluded

  • International Flights
  • Passport and Visa Charges
  • Personal Expenses

Meals Included

11 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 7 Dinners

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