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Multi-day Tours
Grand European Adventure 15-Day Tour May 10 - May 24, 2010 for the Probus Club Mississauga South A grand European journey visiting 8 countries and including a fascinating 8-night cruise. We start in what for centuries was known as the greatest city in the world, Istanbul, Turkey. Travel along the Black Sea to visit one of the oldest towns in Europe, Nessebar and the historic city of Varna. We visit Bucharest then join MS Amadeus Princess sailing along the Romanian and Bulgarian border before continuing on to Serbia and through the Iron Gates, a very narrow passage dividing the Alps from the Carpathian Mountains. Enjoy the history and beauty of the Danube as we continue through Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and finish our journey in Vienna, Austria.
Day 1: Monday, May 10 –Depart Toronto Welcome to our Grand European Adventure, which begins with our transfer service from your home to Pearson International Airport. You will meet your Canadian hosts who travel with you throughout this journey. Board your overnight flight to Istanbul via Frankfurt with Air Canada / Lufthansa service. Meals served in flight.
On arrival in Istanbul, we will be met by our Tour Director and transferred by private coach to the Istanbul Conrad Hotel (or similar) where we spend the next three nights. Balance of afternoon at leisure followed by a 4-course Welcome Dinner. (D)
After full hot breakfast at hotel , a local guide will take us on a comprehensive full day city tour of Istanbul , including visits to Ottoman Sultans’ Grand Palace of Topkapı, home of every Sultan from the 15h century through end of the 19th century, the Basilica of St. Sophia, a masterpiece of architecture from Byzantine period, the Blue Mosque famous with is interior file decoration, and the world famous Grand Bazaar. Tonight an interesting evening of dining and entertainment as we enjoy “Istanbul by Night” with a folklore show and belly dancers. (Breakfast and dinner show)
Following breakfast, a half-day Bosphorus cruise tour by private boat with lunch included. Afternoon tour of Asian Sector of Istanbul, including the Camlica Hill, the highest hill in the city for a stunning view and Beylerbeyi palace, the summer residence of the Sultans. No organized dinner this evening so you are free to explore the city on your own. (B, L)
We spend a leisurely morning as we travel by private coach along the Black Sea to the beautiful coastal city of Nessebar. Lunch and sightseeing tour of Nessebar - listed in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list. Situated on a small peninsula one of the oldest towns in Europe still exudes the spirit of different ages and peoples – Thracians, Hellenes, Grand European Adventure Romans, Slavs, Byzantines and Bulgarians. Nessebar’s greatest wealth are its many churches: the Old Bishop’s Residence in an early Byzantine style (4th to 5th century), the New Bishop’s Residence, and the National Revival Houses. Also St Stephan’s Church contains valuable 12th century murals, the Christ Pantocrator and Aliturgetos churches (13th to 14th century) Nessebar’s National Revival houses with stone foundations and broad wooden eaves, overhanging narrow cobbled lanes leading right into the sea, are also remarkably beautiful. Iberostar Festa Panorama Hotel or similar. (B, L, D)
We continue on to Varna which was founded in 6th c. BC. The town was called Odessos and one can still marvel at the remains preserved from the times of the Romans and Byzantine. Ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern cultures mingle and coexist throughout the city. Magnificent examples of the different period of art and culture are the Roman Thermal Baths and the early Christian Basilica from the 4th. century. Some of the city’s sight interest are: the Aladja Monastery, Dolphinarium, the Roman fortress wall and Round Tower, Old Clock Tower in the City Gardens and residential quarters. After our visit to Varna we head inland to Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Hotel Intercontinental Bucharest (or similar) (B, L, D)
A local guide will introduce us to the sights of Bucharest this morning, including the parliament buildings and the Memorial to Freedom, followed by a visit to the open-air village and folk art displays in Herastrau Park. The Park contains a variety of old farm houses from all over the country, complete with furniture and fittings, as well as other buildings such as barns, granaries and windmills. After an included lunch at a local restaurant, we will drive to the pier in Cernavoda to board on Ms Amadeus Princess. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on board this evening as we begin sailing downstream en route to the Danube Delta. (B, L, D)
This morning we cruise past the foothills of the Maﬞ cin Mountains, the oldest rock formations in Romania. They have been heavily worn down by erosion, and flourishing vineyards now cover the south-facing slopes. We cruise along St. George’s Channel almost to the Mouth of the Danube, where it meets the Black Sea. Observe the unique world of the Danube Delta, known for its diverse wildlife, including white tailed eagles and meadow vipers. In total, there are over 5,000 species of flora and fauna residing in the delta, including 300 different species of birds and 30 fish. In the afternoon, we reverse our direction, sailing upstream towards Rousse. (B, L, D)
Enjoy a relaxing morning on the sundeck as we sail up the Danube– chatting, reading, snoozing, or just admiring the lovely scenery. Arriving in Rousse around noon and following lunch we have an excursion to Veliko Tarnova, the former capital of Bulgaria, rejoining the ship in Nikopol. The ship departs Rousse at 1.00 pm, and sails to the Bulgarian port of Nikopol, where we stop for about an hour, for the passengers returning from the excursion. (B, L, D)
We spend a leisurely day cruising upstream through Romania and into the waters of Serbia and Montenegro. Some 450 miles from Rousse, we reach the narrow Kazan Gorge. A tablet with a Latin inscription commemorating the Roman Emperor Trajan can still be seen etched into the rock at this point. A little further, we reach the so-called Iron Gates. In ancient times, this was the most hazardous part of a journey along the Danube, as ships had to steer carefully through a narrow gorge with high cliffs on either side. While the water level is higher and the shipping hazards removed, the journey is still of interest. We will want to be on deck as the ship maneuvers through the two locks by the Djerdap power stations. This afternoon we cruise a particularly scenic stretch of the river, as the Danube passes through the Carpathians and the foothills of the Balkans. Private Probus Club Cocktail Party this evening prior to dinner. (B, L, private cocktail party and D)
Early this morning we arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and Montenegro. Built at the junction of the Danube and Save Rivers, the city has been destroyed and rebuilt many times during its 2,000-year history. Our morning tour will introduce us to the city and will feature a visit to the Kalemegdan fortress. Enjoy free time this afternoon - we sail at 5:00pm (B, L, D)
Our riverboat docks in Osijek, the administrative and economic centre of Eastern Croatia, early this morning. The country’s 4th largest city, it is situated on the Drava River. This morning we will join our guide for a visit to the old quarter of the city. Highlights of the visit will include the Church of the Raising of the Holy Cross and the Tvrda, which was built from 1712-1722 as a military fortress. Departing at noon, we enjoy lunch as we cruise up the Danube en route to the Hungarian border and Budapest. (B,L,D) Day 13: Saturday, May 22 - Budapest We arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, early this morning. Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. Buda is the older and more graceful part, with its cobbled streets and medieval architecture, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and impressive 19th century public buildings. East meets West in this fascinating city, and this can be seen in the variety of shops and restaurants. This morning we have an included city tour followed by free time in the afternoon for personal explorations. (B, L, D)
Following a morning of cruising, we spend the afternoon in the city of Bratislava, the capital of the Republic of Slovakia and a city, which celebrated its 2000th anniversary in 1991. On arrival we will pass underneath the colossal new ‘SNP’ suspension bridge across the Danube. This afternoon our tour will introduce us to the delights of Bratislava from the old quarter to the fortress that overshadows the city and the river. This evening we set sail for Vienna while we enjoy the captain’s gala Farewell Dinner and a show by the crew. (B, L, D)
We say farewell to the Ms Amadeus Princess as we disembark this morning and transfer to airport for your flight back home. (Breakfast) Optional Extension Day 1: Monday, May 24 –Vienna We say farewell to the Ms Amadeus Princess as we disembark this morning and continue our journey by coach with our tour director. This morning we are taken on a tour of Vienna, featuring fabulous Schonbrunn Palace, built by Emperor Leopold I for his son, Josef I. Marie-Antoinette spent her childhood here. It was in the concert room that Mozart, at the age of 6, astonished the empress and her courtiers with his amazing talents. Later, in the castle’s little theater, the prodigy directed his opera Der Schauspieldirecktor in 1786. In 1805 and 1809, Napoleon I set up his headquarters in Schönbrunn. We have time for lunch on our own and spend the afternoon at leisure or exploring on our own, with guidance from our tour manager. Hotel Mercure Wien Zentrum Vienna (1 night). (B, D)
Transfer to Munich and upon arrival, guided city sightseeing. Half-day guide for 4 hours. Entrance fees are included to Nymphenburg Palace, which was the onetime summer residence of Bavarian rulers and has been finished in the style of an Italian palace. In addition, the Frauenkirche, the largest and most important church in the capital city of Bavaria. Late afternoon transfer to Freising and enjoy a farewell dinner at Restaurant Braustueble. Tonight stay at Hotel Marriott Airport Munich. (B, D)
After an unforgettable stay in Oberammergau, we board our motor coach and transfer to Munich for our Toronto bound flight home. (B) _____________________________ For more information, please contact us at 1.888.923.9183 or to book online, please complete our Reservation Form
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Price Per Person (CA$) (based on twin sharing)
You must have a valid passport to travel on this tour. Included Features for Probus Club:
OBERAMERGAU EXTENSION 6 DAYS - 5 NIGHTS May 24 - 29, 2010 Cost: $ 2,999 per person, two to a room Included
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