Tour Type:River Cruise Tour Duration:15 Days (14 Nights) From:Istanbul toVienna Tour Code:UNIICE Operator:Uniworld
from AU $5,460 pp
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River Cruise Description
From exotic Istanbul to regal Vienna, you will enjoy the imperial wonders of some of Europe's most majestic capitals. Explore Istanbul's striking mosques and opulent palaces. Discover the picturesque Bulgarian towns of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, home to the 17th-century Nativity Church - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy time in beautiful Budapest, and let the 'City of Waltzes,' Vienna, dazzle you with its distinctive imperial charm.
Take a grand journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders, and kings through Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. Step back in time to explore the history and legends living in the hillsides among antiquated ruins and still-magnificent palaces. Immerse yourself in the colourful folktales and musical traditions of these extraordinary people and places you visit. Taste what has been termed the 'Queen of Wines' while on your Epicurean Adventure excursion to Villany.
Included Features
11-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the newly remodeled, imperial River Duchess or the stunning River Princess
3 nights in Istanbul at the Crowne Plaza Old City Hotel* (or similar) with breakfast
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
14 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners
Captain’s Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinners
Complimentary fine wines, choice of beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner onboard; replenished bottled water in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar during your cruise
13 excursions, including 3 “Choice Is Yours” options, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides
An experienced Cruise Manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions during your cruise
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks throughout your cruise
Captivating onboard local entertainment
Signature Lecture: “What Are the Balkans?”
Exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program™
Scheduled air travel between Bucharest and Istanbul or Istanbul and Bucharest
Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport where you will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 2
Istanbul Featured Excursions: Istanbul city tour and Grand Bazaar.
Today’s panoramic tour takes you to the Hippodrome; the Blue Mosque, with its distinctive minarets and blue Iznik tile walls; spectacular Hagia Sophia, the “Church of Holy Wisdom,” which was built in 535 AD; and Topkapi Palace, a magnificent Ottoman residence. Then wind your way through the maze of interconnecting vaulted passages and more than 6,000 merchant stalls that make up the Grand Bazaar. (BB)
Note: Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) is a place of active worship. Religious ceremonies might restrict visitors from entering at times. At other 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 they are open. If Hagia Sophia is not available during your stay, we will offer the harem visit in Topkapi Palace instead. (BB)
Day 3
Istanbul
Spend today in leisurely exploration of Istanbul’s many charms. Stroll through the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum or take in the eerie Basilica Cistern, which features a veritable forest of marble columns. (BB)
Day 4
Istanbul, Fly to Bucharest, Giurgiu Featured Excursion: Bucharest city tour including lunch.
Leave Istanbul and fly to the Romanian capital of Bucharest, where you will be taken on a tour of this eclectic city, often called the “Paris of the East.” Afterward, enjoy lunch before your motorcoach takes you to Giurgiu, where you will board your Uniworld ship. (BB/L/D)
Day 5
Rousse (Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi) Featured Excursions: Choice of full-day Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi with authentic Bulgarian lunch OR half-day Ivanovo and Basarbovo monasteries and Rusensky Lom Nature Park with lunch onboard.
In Veliko Tarnovo, see the majestic ruins of Tzarevetz Castle. You’ll visit Arbanassi and the 14th-century Nativity Church, stopping for an authentic Bulgarian lunch with live folk music. Or opt for a tour of the countryside including the rock-hewn cave churches of Ivanovo and Basarbovo. (BB/L/Captain’s Welcome Gala)
Day 6
Cruising the scenic Iron Gates
Relax onboard as you cruise the spectacular Iron Gates, an 80-mile-long stretch of scenic gorges. (BB/L/D)
Day 7
Belgrade Featured Excursion: Belgrade city tour.
Enjoy a panoramic drive through Belgrade, and then be taken on a tour through Kalemegdan Fortress. (BB/L/D)
Day 8
Vukovar (Osijek) Featured Excursions: Tour of Osijek, school visit, and home-hosted lunch.
Upon arrival in Osijek, you will be taken to a local elementary school for a tour and musical performance by the children. Then it’s off to a tour of Osijek’s historical centre and a hearty home-hosted lunch. Note: School visit not available during school holidays. (BB/L/D)
Day 9
Mohacs (Pecs) Featured Excursions: Exclusive excursion to Pecs and wine tasting in Villány Hills.
Visit Pecs, a 2010 European Capital of Culture and home to the UNESCO-designated Necropolis of Sopianae. Then you'll indulge in an exclusive visit to the famed Villány Hills, where you’ll taste the local product dubbed the “Queen of Wines.” (BB/L/D)
Day 10
Budapest Featured Excursion: Choice of Budapest city tour OR Budapest walking discovery with Parliament tour.
Savor the beauty of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube with a panoramic coach tour that shows you all the city’s grand sights. Or enjoy the Budapest walking tour which includes a short city walk and visit to the Hungarian Parliament building.
Note: Parliament may be closed for official business without prior notice. If Parliament is closed, we will visit St. Stephen’s Basilica. (BB/L/D)
Day 11
Budapest Featured Excursion: Exclusive Hungarian reception at Szentendre Island’s Bodor Mayor Horse Farm.
You’ll take a motorcoach to Szentendre Island’s Bodor Mayor Horse Farm, where you will be treated to an exclusive horse show by Magyar cowboys. (BB/L/D)
Day 12
Bratislava Featured Excursion: Bratislava city tour.
Take a guided stroll through Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. (BB/L/D)
Day 13
Vienna Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour and National Library visit OR “Vienna, City of Arts” tour.
Get to know Vienna’s imperial history during a tour that takes you along the stately Ringstrasse to the beautiful Austrian National Library. Or opt to explore “Vienna, City of Arts,” where you’ll stand in awe at the Belvedere and enjoy an art historian-guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts. Note: On Mondays, Mozarthaus will be substituted for the National Library. (BB/L/D)
Day 14
Vienna
Spend today exploring the “City of Waltzes” on your own. (BB/L/Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
Day 15
Depart Vienna
Disembark from the ship and transfer to Vienna International Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Vienna. (CB or BB)
This itinerary is based on 2012 departures. Click on the icon if you would like to view an electronic version of the brochure online. There may be some amendments to this itinerary on 2013 departures. To view the preview 2013 brochure click here.
River Cruise Prices
Cruise prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012/13 Season Sale! Save up to $1,400 per couple. Exclusive to Global Journeys. Deposit this month only to qualify!
Subject to availability at the time of booking.
Note:
All departures above are guaranteed to depart. Single prices available, please request.
We will check the availability of your departure in your quote along with all applicable cruise specials.
Note:
All departures above are guaranteed to depart. Single prices available, please request.
We will check the availability of your departure in your quote along with all applicable cruise specials.
The prices on our site are land only prices. If you would like to include flights with your quote, then we have some amazing specials for you to take advantage of!
Flight specials only apply for clients booking this tour from Global Journeys. Terms & Conditions apply and full details will be provided in your quote.
General Information
The information below relates to this itinerary only.
Cruise Operator: Uniworld
Uniworld presents an unrivalled river cruise program with unique itineraries and superb five-star inclusions. Travel onboard intimate, luxurious ships with a maximum of 134 guests - fewer guests than any other river cruise company in Europe. With one highly trained staff member for every three guests and expert onboard hotel management, Uniworld are able to deliver a guest satisfaction rate of 98%.
We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on Uniworld including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well fleet information, deck plans, and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their cruises. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
It does not matter which direction you choose, as each direction contains the same included features. Timings of activities may, of course, vary a little due to cruising times up- or downstream, but you will not see or do more in one direction than in the other.
During the day, comfortable, casual attire is appropriate. The weather in Europe can be very changeable, so take a sweater or windproof jacket and an umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended for excursions. Evenings are a little dressier. Gentlemen may wish to wear a jacket to the Captain's dinner. You'll find average temperatures listed on each of the cruises on our website.
Our ships accommodate between 100 and 138 guests. They are generally 360 feet long (110 meters), and 37.5 feet wide (11.4 meters). The draft is approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters). There are typically 34 crew members aboard. We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information each ship. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience. The River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess offer guests the convenience of checking and sending e-mails. On the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess, each guest is provided with a terry cloth robe in their cabin. Our ships have one of the largest fitness centres aboard any river cruise ship. There is also a sauna and a steam room on the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess.
Sumptuous buffets at breakfast and lunch offer an extensive array of hot and cold selections. Breakfast features crispy Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and warm maple syrup, a dozen or more homemade breads and jams, an omelette station, and hand-cut seasonal fresh fruit.
Lunch offers a delectable feast with salads, soups, carved-to-order roasts, and more. Evenings provide exquisite ambience with relaxed open seating. Each dish is flawlessly prepared using the finest ingredients—local meats and seafood along with tasty side dishes. Always included with dinner onboard are European fine wines and a selection of beer and soft drinks served by an attentive, caring staff. Of course, every meal concludes with a wide range of freshly prepared, decadent desserts that look every bit as delicious as they taste.
Uniworld also provides a variety of dining experiences including: al fresco “under the stars” and light-lunch dining—both on the sun deck; Captain's Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinner; early-riser breakfast; and afternoon tea. Plus, Uniworld gives you the choice of dining on lighter cuisine with our Traveling Lite menu.
The ships are not handicapped or wheelchair accessible. There are elevators on the River Princess, River Queen, River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. On the River Queen, the elevator does not reach all decks. Additionally, most shore excursions involve some walking. Some excursions are walking cruises only, and several occur on cobblestone streets.
Tips & gratuities including the customary end-of-trip gratuity/tip for the cruise/tour manager, crew onboard and local guides for the included shore excursions are included in the price of your trip (excluding Optional Excursions). Europe & Russia cruises only.
Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience.
On other ships all purchases and paid services on board
are billed with a guest check and added to your shipboard account.
At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total, which can be paid
with cash or credit card. The ships do not accept payments made
by Diners Club cards. The onboard currency is the Euro. View individual ships here.
It depends; in many places you will dock within walking distance to the city center, but there are places where the river only touches the outskirts of a town (i.e. Bamberg or Nuremberg), and thus a motorcoach transfer is necessary.
Arrival & Departure Information
Transfers
Transfers to/from airports will be provided only for flights arriving/departing on the start/finish day of the cruise (and for extensions/extra nights). There may be a waiting period of up to 2 hours or more unless private car transfers have been purchased. The following time limits apply:
Arrival
Departure
Europe
7am - 3pm
7am - 5pm
Extensions
24 hours
24 hours
Extra Nights
24 hours
24 hours
Passenger flight details must be given to Global Journeys 45 days prior to departure. If your flight arrangements arrive/depart outside of the above you may purchase a private car transfer from Uniworld or make your own transfer arrangements. Uniworld will not be responsible for late arrivals or missed transfers due to delayed or cancelled flights, for missed cruise/trip days or for extra costs resulting from the foregoing.
Boarding Time
On turnaround day, the entire ship must be cleaned in preparation for your arrival. The facilities of the ship, including your cabin, will not be available before 4pm. We appreciate your understanding on this matter. Should you arrive early, you may leave your bags in the Reception area and take a walk into the city, or relax in the lounge.
Terms & Conditions:
Yep, all the boring small print! We still recommend you read it all though, as no one likes surprises. Click here to read them now - they will open in a new window, or print them off to read over later with a cup of coffee!