The Black Sea to Budapest - The Lower Danube

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Chart a leisurely course along the romantic Danube River exploring rich cultural legacies. Cruise by medieval monasteries, citadels, and villages, and through the Iron Gate. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, dinner at a palace, and traditional cuisine at a private home. See performances of folkloric dancing and horsemanship skills. Examine fascinating museums of fine art, traditional homesteads, folk art, and paprika. See the island where Dracula is entombed, and put your feet in the Black Sea. This new cruise travels from Romania to Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary, with two nights on land in Bucharest and Budapest.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Westbound

• Indicates day of cruising

Day 1: Begin adventure in Bucharest
Tour starts at 6:00 p.m. in Bucharest, Romania. Transfers are included from Henri Coand International Airport to your hotel in the heart of the city. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors at the welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

Day 2: Dracula’s Transylvania
Choose an excursion to Transylvania, visiting the walled town of Brasov, then head to Sinaia to tour Peles Castle, one of the country’s finest. Or, stay in Bucharest to tour the Village Museum featuring old homesteads and windmills. Visit Snagov Monastery, located on a tiny island – it is the final resting place of Vlad Tepes (the historical Dracula).
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

• Day 3: Bucharest & the Black Sea
Visit Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world. See the Arch of Triumph, Revolution Square, and 17th-century Patriarchal Cathedral, centerpiece of the Romanian Orthodox faith. Travel to the resort town of Mamaia, set at the edge of the Black Sea, and walk along the beach. View archaeological sites dating to Roman times in Constanta. Board the riverboat to launch your Danube River cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Switzerland II or MS Swiss Diamond

• Day 4: Big day in Bulgaria
Cruise to Bulgaria, and admire amazing frescos at the 16th-century Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Then head to the medieval town of Veliko Turnovo, topping three hills. See the city’s ancient walled fortress and castle, and view artisans at work in local shops. Savor traditional cuisine at a private home. Aboard ship, enjoy a Bulgarian cultural performance.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Switzerland II or MS Swiss Diamond

• Day 5: Danube River cruising
Enjoy the views of fields and vineyards studded with medieval towns from the riverboat today, with a visit to the ancient town of Vidin, Bulgaria.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Switzerland II or MS Swiss Diamond

• Day 6: The Danube’s Iron Gate
Spend a relaxing day cruising, enjoying great views of the Transylvanian Alps. Pass through Romania’s Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate, a two-mile-long narrow gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Look for the remains of Roman Emperor Trajan’s Bridge, dating back to AD 105.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Switzerland II or MS Swiss Diamond

• Day 7: Serbian sights
Dock in cultured Novi Sad, Serbia. Take a walking tour on the cobblestone streets of Old Town, and walk the walls at Petrovaradin Fortress for commanding views over the Danube River. Travel to the village of Sremski Karlovci to see a church and a monastery, famous for honey and winemaking. Enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Switzerland II or MS Swiss Diamond

• Day 8: Nature & fortifications in Croatia
Visit the city of Vukovar, Croatia, once showcasing 18th-century mansions, but now symbolizing the devastation of the Serbian war. Continue to the fortified city of Osijek, which still has its Viennese-style mansions. Visit the ancient Tvrda Citadel, standing guard over the city, and the medieval Church of the Holy Cross. Take a boat trip through Kopacki Rit Nature Preserve, one Europe’s largest wetlands.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Switzerland II or MS Swiss Diamond

• Day 9: Folk dancing and folk art
Cruise to Kalocsa, Hungary, to visit the House of Folk Arts; the Paprika Museum; and the Archbishop’s Palace and Library, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe. In Solt, visit the Puszta Equestrian Center to see Puszta horsemen, folkloric dancers, and Hungarian craftsmen all demonstrating traditional skills. Ride a horse-drawn carriage back to the riverboat, and enjoy farewell cocktails and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Switzerland II or MS Swiss Diamond

Day 10: Budapest architectural landmarks
Disembark the ship in Budapest. On a landmarks tour, see the Parliament building, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece, and Heroes’ Square bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary. View Vajdahunyad Castle, built between 1896 and 1908, illustrating many different styles of Hungarian architecture.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, Hungary

Day 11: Explore Budapest
Tour Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see Matthias Church. View the opulent State Opera House opened in 1884, then choose between two museums in the afternoon: the Terror Museum or the Budapest Museum of Fine. Attend the farewell reception and dinner at the baroque Palace of Godollo.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, Hungary

Day 12: Homeward bound
Tour ends in Budapest, Hungary. Your transfer to Budapest Ferihegy Airport is included in the tour. Allow 2 1⁄2 hours for departure flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast

Experience the romance of the Lower Danube

on this new riverboat cruise – book today!

Prices
12 Days from $3,840 plus airfare

Cruise Price per Person aboard MS Swiss Diamond
Category 1 – Base Double, Emerald Deck Category 2 – Double, Emerald Deck Category 3 – Double, Ruby Deck Category 4 – Suite, Emerald Deck	Double $3840 Double $4040 Double $4440 Double $5040	Single $6470 Single $6870 Single $7670 Single $8870
The following dates sail on the MS Swiss Emerald: August 29 (eastbound); September 5, 19 (westbound); September 12, 26 (eastbound); October 3 (westbound)
Cruise Price per Person aboard MS Switzerland II
Category 1 – Base Double, Emerald Deck Category 2 – Double, Emerald Deck Category 3 – Double, Ruby Deck Category 4 – Mini-Suite, Emerald Deck Category 5 – Mini-Suite, Ruby Deck Category 6 – Suite, Ruby Deck	Double $3840 Double $4040 Double $4440 Double $4840 Double $5290 Double $5790	Single $6470 Single $6870 Single $7670 Single $8470 Single $9370 Single $10,370
The following dates sail on the MS Switzerland II: May 18 (eastbound); May 25 (westbound); June 1 (eastbound); June 8 (westbound)

Limited triple accommodations may be available; ask upon booking.

28 meals included.

8-day cruise-only option is available, with fares starting at $2990. Ask at time of booking for details.

Price includes cruise fare, port charges, wine with dinner aboard ship, shore excursions and gratuities to ship staff and Tauck Directors.

International Airfare is Additional. Tauck can book your international air for travel originating in the United States, subject to availability; inquire upon booking for special airfares that may be available.

Itinerary Changes – Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice.

Need to Know

Inclusive Prices

Cruise prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, motor coach and cruise ship transportation, sightseeing, admissions, shore excursions and services of Tauck Directors, ship crew and drivers are included.

Hotel Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
 
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, luggage handling, doormen, dining room servers, Tauck Director, local guides and cruise ship staff are included

Tauck Director – Each Budapest to the Black Sea cruise is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the cruise. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully-trained employee of Tauck.

No Options Sold – With the exception of select options detailed in the itinerary, Tauck’s price includes entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing and most activities. Tauck Directors may assist with information on other free-time activities, based on honest opinion, but will not sell you any “extras.” This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the cruise departure point and from the cruise ending point is not included.  Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.  

Hotel Rooms Before & After Cruises – Due to time schedules and the possibility of flight delays, many guests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the night preceding their Budapest to the Black Sea cruise. As a service, Tauck will make reservations before or after your Budapest to the Black Sea cruise. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis and must be booked through Tauck to qualify for Tauck’s special rates. These hotel room charges will be added to the cruise cost. Note: Airport transfers are not included for these bookings.  If you wish to spend additional nights in Bucharest or Budapest, please discuss this at the time of booking.

Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is included.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees, vaccinations, airport and departure taxes and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities.  U.S and Canadian residents: refer to Tauck’s Cruise Protection.

Additional Information

Itinerary Changes & Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Note: Although not expected, prices in this brochure may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Travel Document Requirements – U.S. citizens need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond completion of the cruise. Non-U.S. citizens should contact their booking agent or appropriate consulate for information on all necessary documents required.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by
improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents.  While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for download guidance for writing this letter.

Membership & Health – Membership will be granted to all persons. These are active tours that require considerable walking, frequently in warm weather. In addition, many sites have limited motor coach access and often involve stairs and inclines. Please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the operation of the tour.

Travelers Needing Special Assistance – We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for wheelchairs, walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your airline ticket and cruise reservation.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using TauckAir, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets will be mailed with final documents. Should you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations – Travelers must provide their social security or passport number and date of birth to Tauck at time of booking.  Tauck must provide this information to the cruise line before departure or you may be denied boarding.

Cruise Start & End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.  Allow 2 1⁄2 hours for departure flight check-in.  Eight-day cruise-only guests will be met at the airport and transferred to the first night’s hotel where they can store their luggage. A transfer will be arranged to the riverboat at 3:00 p.m.

Holidays & Museum Schedules – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or religious, state and local holidays.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your Budapest to the Black Sea cruise for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, cancellation penalties and or fees will apply. Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Cruise Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties waived.  Click here for more details.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Cruise Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

60 days or more before departure

$1100 per person

59-30 days before departure
50% of the cost of the cruise per person

29-1 days before departure
100% of the cost of the cruise per person