PASSAGE TO EASTERN EUROPE
Viking Longship Ullur
Bucharest to Budapest
November 8 -18, 2022
Hostess: Julie Beck
Julie Beck is planning this magical trip for those of you who have not yet explored this special part of Europe. After returning from Budapest this past December, Julie knew she would return and says they call Budapest "The Paris of The East" for a reason. She says it is her FAVORITE city in Europe, and it is inexpensive and safe. She is planning spa days for herself in Budapest.
This is an 11 day trip (with possible pre-trips in Bucharest & Transylvania and post-trips to Budapest or Prague). The journey begins in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and then the next day we will board the riverboat for a scenic cruise on the Danube River. We will then visit Bulgaria for two days and visit the towns of Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi. Tours include castles and local crafts. Onward through Serbia, we’ll visit the capital of Belgrade, and then visit Croatia and the town of Osijek. We will end the tour in beautiful Hungary and Julie’s favorite city Budapest. A special treat for the horse women among us in Hungary is an included tour to the famous Puszta Horseman show.
From Budapest, you can decide if you want to continue the Viking journey and head over to the Czech Republic and visit Prague, extend your stay in Budapest, or come on home.
Viking Riverboats include FREE daily tours (8 guided tours) on this trip.
An additional plus is free beer & wine that is served for lunch & dinner (another cost saving measure).
The pre-trip and post-trips are limited.....once the VIKING pre- and post- trips sell out, that is it.
Pricing starts at $3,074 for the 11 day hotel/cruise, and air is $799 to $999 (depending on your home airport).
Past guests receive an additional $100 off, and recent past guests (within a year of sailing) receive an additional $100 off the past guest discount. You also might want to pay a small amount extra on air and go into a different European capital for a few days? It's up to you!
For more information or to make a deposit please contact April Proffitt at 760-807-6733 or [email protected]
• 8-day cruise with river-view stateroom
• 2 nights at the Budapest Hilton Castle District and 1 night at the Sheraton Bucharest (or similar)
• Scenic cruising on the Danube River
• 8 guided tours with audio headset
• Visit 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Culture Curriculum: Enjoy Serbian & Hungarian folkloric performances; learn about icons & orthodox religion from a Bulgarian priest, attend lectures on Serbian current affairs, the myth of Dracula & the European Union; enjoy the authentic flavors of Eastern Europe, on shore & aboard.
• Wine/beer/soft drinks/ with lunch & dinner on board
ITINERARY
Day 1 Tuesday 11/8— Bucharest, Romania
Arrive in Bucharest and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city for a 1-night stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or do some exploring on your own.
Day 2 Wednesday 11/9 — Bucharest, Romania
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a tour of the city. See the city’s wide boulevards, the Romanian Athenaeum, the Arch of Triumph and the Palace of Parliament. Visit the outdoor Muzeul Satului, otherwise known as the Village Museum, where authentic dwellings from all regions of the country have been relocated and reassembled, including rural cottages, farmhouses and water mills. During lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a lively folkloric performance that recalls the simple pleasures of rural life. You then proceed to Giurgiu to board your ship and enjoy a welcome dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 Thursday 11/10 — Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria’s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. See Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Continue your venture to Arbanasi for lunch in a local restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church, with its intricate floor-to-ceiling murals and icons. Return to your ship for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 Friday 11/11 — Vidin, Bulgaria
Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin, and take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. See the fortress’s amazing construction, begun in Roman times and greatly extended by Bulgarian tsars and the Ottomans, and enjoy breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch on board your ship; then you have free time to explore Vidin’s city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city’s once-grand synagogue. We depart during dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Saturday 11/12 — Golubac, Serbia
This morning, enjoy scenic cruising as you travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europe’s most dramatic natural wonders—a spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Arrive in Donji Milanovac where you can choose to disembark and join an optional tour, or continue to enjoy scenic sailing. Arrive in Golubac and join an included tour of the Golubac Fortress where you will admire sweeping views over the Danube. Enjoy dinner on board before departing to Belgrade. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Sunday 11/13 — Belgrade, Serbia
Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a stately park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Enjoy lunch on board your ship before you have free time to explore Belgrade’s gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums. Enjoy dinner on board your ship. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Monday 11/14 — Osijek, Croatia
Cruise along the Danube, arriving at Vukovar around noon. Disembark for an afternoon excursion to the charming Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs; now, Vukovar is revered for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return on board for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Tuesday 11/15 — Kalocsa, Hungary
Sail into Hungary this morning, arriving in Kalocsa after lunch. Take a guided city tour followed by a short organ concert at St. Joseph Church. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return to the ship and enjoy a festive dinner on board as we depart for Budapest. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 Wednesday 11/16 — Budapest, Hungary
Disembark after breakfast and take a tour of Budapest. Begin in Pest, where you see the National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. Cross the Chain Bridge to Buda, where you walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church, and visit the Grand Market. Check in to your hotel for a 2-night stay, then take the rest of the day to sightsee on your own. Explore a museum, do some shopping or relax in one of the Art Nouveau spas. (Breakfast)
Day 10 Thursday 11/17 — Budapest, Hungary
Take a full day to explore Budapest on your own. Ride the city’s innovative, efficient metro; walk through the City Park or along the Pest embankment for views of the Buda Castle District; explore the Buda Castle Labyrinth; visit the Jewish Quarter and tour the beautifully restored Dohány Street Synagogue. Your Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Budapest. (Breakfast)
Day 11 Friday 11/8 — Budapest, Hungary
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Or extend your journey with 2 additional nights in bustling Budapest or 3 nights in Prague, the Czech Republic’s gracious capital. (Breakfast)
Pre and post trips to Transylvania, Bucharest, Budapest and Prague are available.
Viking Longship Ullur
Bucharest to Budapest
November 8 -18, 2022
Hostess: Julie Beck
Julie Beck is planning this magical trip for those of you who have not yet explored this special part of Europe. After returning from Budapest this past December, Julie knew she would return and says they call Budapest "The Paris of The East" for a reason. She says it is her FAVORITE city in Europe, and it is inexpensive and safe. She is planning spa days for herself in Budapest.
This is an 11 day trip (with possible pre-trips in Bucharest & Transylvania and post-trips to Budapest or Prague). The journey begins in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and then the next day we will board the riverboat for a scenic cruise on the Danube River. We will then visit Bulgaria for two days and visit the towns of Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi. Tours include castles and local crafts. Onward through Serbia, we’ll visit the capital of Belgrade, and then visit Croatia and the town of Osijek. We will end the tour in beautiful Hungary and Julie’s favorite city Budapest. A special treat for the horse women among us in Hungary is an included tour to the famous Puszta Horseman show.
From Budapest, you can decide if you want to continue the Viking journey and head over to the Czech Republic and visit Prague, extend your stay in Budapest, or come on home.
Viking Riverboats include FREE daily tours (8 guided tours) on this trip.
An additional plus is free beer & wine that is served for lunch & dinner (another cost saving measure).
The pre-trip and post-trips are limited.....once the VIKING pre- and post- trips sell out, that is it.
Pricing starts at $3,074 for the 11 day hotel/cruise, and air is $799 to $999 (depending on your home airport).
Past guests receive an additional $100 off, and recent past guests (within a year of sailing) receive an additional $100 off the past guest discount. You also might want to pay a small amount extra on air and go into a different European capital for a few days? It's up to you!
For more information or to make a deposit please contact April Proffitt at 760-807-6733 or [email protected]
• 8-day cruise with river-view stateroom
• 2 nights at the Budapest Hilton Castle District and 1 night at the Sheraton Bucharest (or similar)
• Scenic cruising on the Danube River
• 8 guided tours with audio headset
• Visit 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Culture Curriculum: Enjoy Serbian & Hungarian folkloric performances; learn about icons & orthodox religion from a Bulgarian priest, attend lectures on Serbian current affairs, the myth of Dracula & the European Union; enjoy the authentic flavors of Eastern Europe, on shore & aboard.
• Wine/beer/soft drinks/ with lunch & dinner on board
ITINERARY
Day 1 Tuesday 11/8— Bucharest, Romania
Arrive in Bucharest and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city for a 1-night stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or do some exploring on your own.
Day 2 Wednesday 11/9 — Bucharest, Romania
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a tour of the city. See the city’s wide boulevards, the Romanian Athenaeum, the Arch of Triumph and the Palace of Parliament. Visit the outdoor Muzeul Satului, otherwise known as the Village Museum, where authentic dwellings from all regions of the country have been relocated and reassembled, including rural cottages, farmhouses and water mills. During lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a lively folkloric performance that recalls the simple pleasures of rural life. You then proceed to Giurgiu to board your ship and enjoy a welcome dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 Thursday 11/10 — Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria’s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. See Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Continue your venture to Arbanasi for lunch in a local restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church, with its intricate floor-to-ceiling murals and icons. Return to your ship for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 Friday 11/11 — Vidin, Bulgaria
Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin, and take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. See the fortress’s amazing construction, begun in Roman times and greatly extended by Bulgarian tsars and the Ottomans, and enjoy breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch on board your ship; then you have free time to explore Vidin’s city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city’s once-grand synagogue. We depart during dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Saturday 11/12 — Golubac, Serbia
This morning, enjoy scenic cruising as you travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europe’s most dramatic natural wonders—a spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Arrive in Donji Milanovac where you can choose to disembark and join an optional tour, or continue to enjoy scenic sailing. Arrive in Golubac and join an included tour of the Golubac Fortress where you will admire sweeping views over the Danube. Enjoy dinner on board before departing to Belgrade. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Sunday 11/13 — Belgrade, Serbia
Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a stately park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Enjoy lunch on board your ship before you have free time to explore Belgrade’s gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums. Enjoy dinner on board your ship. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Monday 11/14 — Osijek, Croatia
Cruise along the Danube, arriving at Vukovar around noon. Disembark for an afternoon excursion to the charming Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs; now, Vukovar is revered for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return on board for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Tuesday 11/15 — Kalocsa, Hungary
Sail into Hungary this morning, arriving in Kalocsa after lunch. Take a guided city tour followed by a short organ concert at St. Joseph Church. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return to the ship and enjoy a festive dinner on board as we depart for Budapest. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 Wednesday 11/16 — Budapest, Hungary
Disembark after breakfast and take a tour of Budapest. Begin in Pest, where you see the National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. Cross the Chain Bridge to Buda, where you walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church, and visit the Grand Market. Check in to your hotel for a 2-night stay, then take the rest of the day to sightsee on your own. Explore a museum, do some shopping or relax in one of the Art Nouveau spas. (Breakfast)
Day 10 Thursday 11/17 — Budapest, Hungary
Take a full day to explore Budapest on your own. Ride the city’s innovative, efficient metro; walk through the City Park or along the Pest embankment for views of the Buda Castle District; explore the Buda Castle Labyrinth; visit the Jewish Quarter and tour the beautifully restored Dohány Street Synagogue. Your Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Budapest. (Breakfast)
Day 11 Friday 11/8 — Budapest, Hungary
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Or extend your journey with 2 additional nights in bustling Budapest or 3 nights in Prague, the Czech Republic’s gracious capital. (Breakfast)
Pre and post trips to Transylvania, Bucharest, Budapest and Prague are available.
