From the Shores of the Black Sea to Belgrade - A Cruise into the Heart of the Balkans (port to port)

Departure by coach with your guides to discover the Romanian capital of Bucharest. According to legend, the city was founded by a shepherd named Bucur (which means joy in Romanian). Bucharest has suffered greatly from its communist past but after the year 2000, due to the advent of significant economic growth, the city has modernized. You will start the visit with a panoramic tour of the city giving you an overview of the various monuments of the capital. Photo stop at The Palace of Parliament, a gigantic neo-classical style marble construction designed by Ceausescu and then you will visit the Stavropoleos Monastery or the Kretzulescu Church(1). You will leave the city by coach to reach the boat.

PLEASE NOTE

• Please wear comfortable shoes.
  
• The order of visits may be modified.
  
• The times are given for reference only.
  (1) The order and choice of visits may be adjusted on site depending on availability.
  

Optional excursion to Constanta. Departure by coach towards the Black Sea to reach Constanta. Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, it now has a population of over 560,000 inhabitants and is the second biggest port on the Black Sea after Istanbul. We will leave Ovidius Square to visit the Museum of History and Archaeology, which brings together items found during archaeological excavations. Across from there, a glass museum houses the vast Roman mosaic, a beautiful polychrome mosaic dating from the 3rd century. Then we will discover an architectural melting pot including the Roman mosque (outsides only) and the Orthodox Church (interior) as well as the Genoese Lighthouse. Don't miss the beautiful view over Old Constanta from the pier. We'll walk along the waterfront all the way to the majestic Casino (outsides only), built in the early 20th century in Austrian Art Nouveau style. It reminds us of Constanta in its heyday, when it used to be the favorite holiday destination of the idle rich. Moving on towards Murfatlar, which produces the best wines in Romania. This winery over 4000ha is the largest in Europe. There will be a wine tasting session in a cellar. Return on board in Cernavoda / Fetesti.

PLEASE NOTE

• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll set off by coach to visit the town of Ruse, one of the largest ports in Bulgaria. It was founded by the Romans under the orders of Emperor Augustus. During the Ottoman Empire, it was the most important town of the empire located on the Danube.
In the company of our guide, we'll discover the fascinating architectural heritage of the town, a rich mixture of Bulgarian and Romanian cultures. We'll get the chance to admire the Dohodno Zdanie (the Old Theatre), built in 1902 by architects Raul Brank, Georg Lang and Frank Scholz; the Monument of Liberty, a masterpiece by Florentine architect and sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi; the Catholic Church with its multi-colored stained-glass windows and so on. We'll end our visit with a tasting of a local pastry and wine. We'll have some free time to go shopping before our coaches take us back to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach to Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria but also the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, which was established at the heart of the country. The name "Veliko Tarnovo” first appeared at the end of the 12th century, when the city became the country's capital. The city remained known through time as the majestic and flourishing capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress of the Tsarevets Kings, is one of the oldest cities in the country and the regional administrative center.
We'll have lunch in a restaurant offering a wonderful view over the ruins of the fortress.
We'll move on towards Arbanassi in the afternoon. Located 4 km away from Veliko Tarnovo, this is one of the most visited villages in Bulgaria and is today listed as an "Architectural and Historical Reserve”. We'll visit the Church of Nativity, the oldest in Arbanassi. The naos, which is today strictly reserved for men, was originally an independent church whose murals date back to 1597. We'll continue with a visit of the Konstantzaliev family's house, an eye-catching structure with monumental architecture rich in details that was built in the 17th century. After our visit, we'll return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Lunch included.
• Full day excursion, good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.