15 days Passau - Black Sea - Passau with MS Serenity
What a river! This 15-day cruise, entitled „Danube Melody“, through Central and Southern Europe offers so many highlights. Imperial and royal cities, full of important sites from various centuries, such as Vienna, Budapest or Bratislava, capital cities such as Belgradee and Bucharest, cultural gems and attractive landscapes, ranging from the Wachau Valley to the Iron Gate. Our excursions take you to other typical towns and cities, such as Krems in Austria, Pecs in Hungary, Novi Sad in Serbia and Rousse in Bulgaria. A coach tour from Cernavoda in Romania to Constanta provides a glimpse of the Black Sea and an interesting contrast to the riverside scenery.
short itinerary
Day
Arrival
Departure
Place
Excursions
1. day
-
-
Passau
Embark at 16.00 hrs. Cast off at 17.00 hrs.
2. day
-
-
Vienna-Nussdorf
City tour by coach
3. day
-
-
Kalocsa / Mohacs
At leisure on board or a choice of optional excursions
4. day
-
-
Belgrade
City tour by coach
5. day
-
-
Iron Gate
Cruise through the rapids
6. day
-
-
Rousse
At leisure on board or a choice of optional excursions
7. day
-
-
Cernavoda
Full day excursion to Constanta (included in the tour price)
8. day
-
-
Giurgiu / Turnu Magurele
City tour Bukarest with lunch by coach
9. day
-
-
Iron Gate
Cruise through the rapids
10. day
-
-
Novi Sad
City tour Novi Sad
11. day
-
-
Mohacs
At leisure on board or a choice of optional excursions
12. day
-
-
Budapest
City tour by coach
13. day
-
-
Bratislava
City tour by coach and on foot
14. day
-
-
Wachau Valley
Excursion through the wine growing region of the Wachau
15. day
-
-
Passau
Disembark by 09.00 hrs
Those excursions marked in bold print can be booked in advance for a discounted price or booked individually on board for a cash payment.
Alteration of itinerary
We reserve the right to alter the sailing and excursion schedule. Should exceptionally high or low river levels or a defect on board the vessel prevent us from cruising a particular stretch of the river, we reserve the right to transfer passengers by coach and accommodate them in hotels or to alter the cruise routing. Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to transfer to another vessel.
MS Serenity 15 days Passau-Black Sea-Passau Sailing Dates July-Oct 2011
Standard Cabin rates 1,599- 1,999 per person French Balcony Cabin rates from 2,399- 2,799 per person
Single occupanct add 700-800
All prices are in Euros
Call 800-640-4899 for detailed availability
Excursion Options
City tour in Vienna (Package) Today brings a full introduction to this historic city on the Danube. On leaving the ship we drive firstly through „New Vienna“ with the Uno-City and the Donauinsel. We then take the famous Ringstrasse past a series of major buildings – the State Opera, the Parliament, the Burgtheater, the Town Hall, the university and the Votiv Church - into the heart of the city to St. Stephan’s Cathedral. At Stephan’s Square (Stephansplatz) there is about half an hour’s free time, giving you the opportunity to see the cathedral from the inside. Following this we take around one hour to walk through the Old Town to the Michaeliplatz (Hofburg), and then past the Viennese Riding School, the Albertina and the Kärntnerstrasse. We rejoin our coach at the Schwedenplatz. (Passengers who find walking a problem are able to wait for the rest of the group at Stephan’s Square).
City tour in Budapest (Package) Budapest is known as the „Queen of the Danube“ and is one of Europe’s loveliest cities. The river flows through the heart of the city, dividing it into two - Buda and Pest. We start with a 30-minute drive through the city centre to Heroes’ Square to see the Millenium Monument and other monuments to Hungarian monarchs. We then drive for a further 30 minutes to the castle for a walk (1 hour) on Castle Hill. Here we pass St. Matthias Church (where Hungarian monarchs are crowned) to reach the Fisherman’s Bastion. Then follows a 15-minute drive to Gellert Hill for a short photo stop to admire the lovely view across the river, the buildings lining its banks and the many bridges, before returning to the ship. (Although this tour involves a fair amount of walking it is also possible to remain in the coach) .
Evening tour in Budapest (optional) We drive from the ship to a traditional evening entertainment. First up is a lively perfomance (abt 45 minutes) by a folk group with their passionate music. During the performance a goulash soup and a dessert are served. We are also able to taste the local wines. After a stay of some 90 minutes we drive for some 20 minutes through Budapest at night with its illuminated buildings and monuments. On our arrival at Castle Hill we view the lights of both parts of the the city, including the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Parliament and the city bridges (including the magnificent Chain Bridge). After a short stop we return to the ship. (Very little walking is involved in this tour).
Excursion into the Puszta (optional) We drive from the ship’s berth to the city of Kalocsa, which was founded in the 11th Century as an archbishopric by King Stephan I. Kalocsa is famous for its paprika and for its lively artistic traditions. We take a short walk to the cathedral passing the archbishop’s palace, which houses a Bible inscribed by Martin Luther. Once in the cathedral we enjoy a short organ recital, before driving on through the fields of paprika and the fine landscape of the Hungarian Plain or Puszta, to a Csarda. You visit the stud farm and then take a 25-minute carriage ride across the Puszta. You then are presented with a unique equine performance by the Csiskos (cowboys). The performance demonstrates Hungarian horse breeding and the life of the former Csikos and how, in earlier times, the horse was man’s best friend in the Puszta. A light snack of Hungarian specialities and wine is then served, before you have the chance to visit the shop, where typical souvenirs, salamis, paprikas, wine and schnaps are on sale. We then return directly to the ship in Budapest. (Very little walking is required)
A visit to the Swabian village of Hajos (optional) Hajós lies some 25 km south east of the paprika centre of Kalocsa. After a 30-minute drive through the vast Hungarian Plain, the Puszta, we arrive in the small village. After the Turkish withdrawal in the 18th Century Empress Maria Theresia invited German settlers from Swabia into this deserted region. These arrived by river in their traditional boats and settled in the fertile area between the Rivers Danube and Theiss. Descendents of these settlers still live here today. We pay a short visit to the small, beautifully kept local museum to see how these early settlers lived. Letters and documents show how the Swabian and Hungarian language and culture merged. There are still many people in the village who today still speak fluent German. In another settlement, some 3km from Hajós, we see a series of allotment gardens, where the folk from Hajós spent their weekends and planted vineyards. In order not to have to transport the grapes the people built wine cellars and gabled houses. A typical Swabian guide will take you round the settlement and show you the treasures of the cellar. Besides learning about the wines there is an opportunity to taste them.
City tour in Belgrade (Package) Our ship enters the River Save to disembark participants for this excursion. A brief coach ride takes us up to the huge fortress of Kalemegdan, which you will have seen from the ship. This fortress helped Prince Eugen defeat the Turks. Passing through the fortress we see some items of military history and we then have a splendid view across the confluence of Save and Danube and across New Belgrade. The walk through the complex takes about one hour and those who find walking difficult can sit on a bench in the park to await the group. We then travel to the massive Zarva Church, the largest Serbian Orthodox church, to learn something of its history. The tour then continues with a 10 minute ride to Republic Square, where we stop for some 45 minutes to explore the pedestrian zone. We take some refreshment in one of the hotels before starting on a 60-minute long drive through the city and past the royal palace back to the ship.
Evening tour in Belgrade (optional) Enjoy an evening in Belgrade! We take a short coach ride from the ship’s berth to the venue of an evening performance of traditional music and dance. One of Serbia’s best folk music groups offers a 90-minute programme of lively music, dance, traditional costumes and local wine. Serbian folklore has been influenced by Russia and Turkey and has made it so lively and tuneful. Even those who have no real love for folk music will be impressed! After the show we return through the lighted streets of the capital back to the ship. This tour involves very little walking.
Coach tour and guided walk in Rousse (optional) Rousse is Bulgaria’s fifth largest city and has a large inland port. It was founded by the Roman emperor Vespasianus and bore the Latin name of Sexaginta Prista, city of the sixty ships. You will see facades from different periods – including Baroque and Renaissance styles. We drive first to the former city centre and then past the station to the Pantheon, a monument to national heroes. Our next ports of call are the Alyosha Monument, the concert hall and the Central Square. Here we visit the Orthodox Trinity Church, before starting a short walk (30 minutes) through the city centre, to view the Freedom Monument, the Opera House and the Court of Justice. We then drive to the Ethnographic Museum, which gives an insight into local life in the 19th Century. In the museum we attend a short piano recital. Before returning to the ship we visit the nearby Cave Monastery, famous for its icons. Although this tour involves a fair amount of walking, there is always the alternative of sitting on a bench or waiting in the coach.
Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo (optional) If you want to see more of Bulgaria we offer a tour to Veliko Tarnovo as an alternative to Rousse.We arrive in the former capital after a 90 minute drive through splendid scenery. In the Middle Ages the city was home to a lively political and cultural culture. For over 200 years in the Middle Ages Veliko Tarnovo was the centre of a powerful Bulgarian nation, which was greatly respected in other European courts. The city, with its residential and artisan districts, its many churches and monasteries, has been built on terraces along the steep slopes of three hills. A 30-minute break gives the opportunity to walk through the artisan district and purchase some souvenirs of Bulgarian craftsmanship before we drive to the castle, once home to the Bulgarian Czars, on the top of one of the hills for a photo stop. We then drive for about 10 minutes to Arbanassi, a small village in the hills surrounding Veliko Tarnovo. We have an hour to stroll through the village and savour its special flair, along with its centrepiece the Church of the Ascension. The church houses a rich collection of frescoes, carvings and icons. The many 17th – 19th Century villas are an added attraction. In the „House of von Konstanzaliev“ and the „House of Hadschiiliev“ we see a fortified exterior and intricately carved inside rooms. The origial furnishings, pots, embroideries and metal items reflect 19th Century life. (This excursion is not suitable for passengers who find walking difficult).
Excursion to Constanta with Lunch (included in the tour price) After breakfast we take an hour-long coach ride to Constanta, a city which played a role in Greek legend Tomis. We alight on Ovid Square, a former Greek marketplace with its memorial to Ovid. Ovid spent his final years in Constanta, having been exiled from Rome. The Square also houses the Museum of History and the largest preserved Roman mosaic floor. After visiting the museum we continue past the mosque to visit the Romanian Orthodox church. Here we hear an account of religion in Romania and of the nearby archeological excavations. We then walk to the Casino, which is situated on the beach promenade. We have some free time here before the coach comes to collect us. For those who find walking difficult there is the opportunity to remain on the coach or to wait on the promenade. At lunch we are given a re-construction of a typical country wedding with music and served with local dishes. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the local wines! We then drive to the traditional resort of Mamaia on the Black Sea coast. Here we have one hour – either to take a swim or to go for a walk. Finally we begin the hour-long return journey to the ship.
For a supplement, we can arrange an alternative excursion to the Danube Delta. This tour begins with a 2-hour coach ride from Cernavoda aus to Tulcea, where we join a large launch for an excursion into the exotic world of the Danube Delta. Covering an area of some 4.340 km² the Danube Delta has a unique character with exotic flora and fauna. One can find here over 300 species of bird and 110 different types of fish. We travel in a series of motor boats along the waterways of the Delta to explore this natural paradise. A lunch of local delicacies is served during the tour. After a cruise of some four hours we return to the ship in Cernavoda, a journey of about 2 hours. The excursion does not involve much walking but we cannot guarantee to see the wild life in all its diversity.
City tour in Bucharest with Lunch (Package) After an early breakfast we leave Giurgiu for a 90 minute coach ride through rural Romania to Bucharest. With its wide boulevards and impressive buildings Bucharest has a certain „French flar“, which has led to the title of „Little Oriental Paris“. Our first stop is the huge People’s Palace, the world’s second largest building. After a short photo stop we drive for another 10 minutes to the Patriarchie. Here we stop for around 25 minutes giving an opportunity to visit a Romanian Orthodox church and to learn something of church history. We then continue to the Village Museum, which houses a collection of farmhouses from all over Romania. The walk through this museum park takes about 45 minutes. Those passengers who find walking difficult are welcome to sit on a bench at the museum entrance and wait for the rest of the group. Lunch is served during the tour in a lovely restaurant on the lakeside. At the end of the tour we have a 2.5 hour coach journey to Turnu Magurele, where we rejoin the ship.
Excursion to Novi Sad (Package) We drive first to the city’s landmark – the Fortress of Petrovaradin, one of Europe’s largest defensive complexes, built in the 18th Century by the French architect Vauban. From the fort we have a splendid view across the river to the city and its surrounding area. We spend roughly one hour in the fort before re-joing the coach for the 15 minute transfer to the city centre. Here we alight for a 30 minute stroll through the Old Town. The centre has been renovated with much colour. Enjoy the modern flair of the pedestrian precinct. This tour is not suitable for those who find walking difficult.
Excursion to Pecs (optional) In Mohacs, Hungary’s southernmost city, we start a one hour coach ride through the splendid scenery of the Hungarian Plain to Pecs, one of Hungary’s loveliest cities. The city lies on the slopes of the Mecsek Hills and has a mild climate, southern European flair and many impressive buildings and monuments as well as art treasures. Pecs has been nominated as European City of Culture for 2010. In the city centre is the beautiful Szechenyi Square with the Plague Column. A 90-minute walk takes us to the Basilica and the Szsami Mosque, which was skilfully rebuilt as a church, retaining some of original elements of the mosque. We visit the Zsolnay Fountain with its magnificent ceramic decorations, which withstand all weathers to remain on view all year round. We then take a short refreshment break in the Palatinus Hotel , before re-joining the coach for the 1- hour return journey to Mohacs. (For those who find walking difficult there is always the opportunity to sit on one of the many benches).
Excursion to Komarno and Bratislava with Lunch (Package) The tour begins after breakfast and crosses the border to reach the attractive small town of Komarno, the birthplace of the composer Franz Lehar. We taqke a 40 minute walk through the newly appointed pedestrian zone, past the 18th Century Baroque church of St. Andrew, the Town Hall and the Europa Complex. This latter building has been planned so that the facade of each house reflects the architectural style of one european country. We then re-join the coach for the 75 minute journey to Bratislava. The Slovak capital , Bratislava, lies in the fertile Danube Plain, to the south of the Carpathians and very close to the border with Austria and Hungary. „Small and nice“ is an apt description of the Slovak capital. The Old Town has been lovingly restored. Our coach takes us through the diplomatic quarter and up to the castle, which dominates the city. Here we have a photo stop and a magnificent view over the city and, with good weather, across into Austria. There follows an account of the castle’s lively history, which includes a period as the residence of Hungarian kings, before Empress Maria Theresia settled here and brought a time of great spledour. We then travel down to the Old Town, where we take our leave of the coach driver and where lunch is served. After lunch we start a 90-minute walk through the Old Town to see evidence of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy - the Redoute, the National Theatre, the Town Hall, several Baroque palaces and the city gates. You will also meet Bratislava’s most famous citizen – the „Gullimann“. There is then time for an individual stroll or a visit to a nearby cafe. We then go back to the ship – which has in the meantime arrived in Bratislava and anchored some 10 minutes walk away from the Old Town.
The beauty of the Wachau Valley (Package) This tour begins in Krems, one of Austria’s oldest cities. Krems lies at the entry to the Wachau Valley, the most attractive stretch of the Danube in Austria. After a short walk through the Old Town of Krems we join the coach for a 35 minute tour along the river bank through the Wachau Valley, passing Dürnstein, Weissenkirchen, Spitz, St. Michael and Willendorf to Melk Abbey. Built in the Baroque style, the huge abbey has always been a religious and cultural centre. A tour lasting about one hour through the abbey demonstrates its former importance. There is then a chance to sample the excellent local wines in an informal atmosphere in the Abbey Cellar, before the coach returns to the ship, at anchor in Melk. (This excursion is not suitable for those passengers who find walking difficult).
The excursion package 214 Euros for English includes the following: - City tour in Vienna - tour in Budapest - City tour in Belgrade - City tour in Bucharest with Lunch - Visit to Novi Sad - City tour and guided walk in Bratislava with Lunch - Excursion through the Wachau Valley.
The following optional excursions can be booked on board: - evening tour in Budapest - Excursion into the Puszta or to the Swabian village of Hajos - Evening tour in Belgrade - Guided walk in Rousse or in Veliko Tarnovo - Excursion to the Danube Delta with Lunch (for a supplement and as an alternative to the inclusive visit to Constanta) - City tour in Pecs
The Excursion Package can be booked in advance. However, excursions can also be booked on board either as a package or individually. The optional excursions are not included in the package and can be booked only on board. Please note that on-board bookings are subject to availability and that they must be paid for in cash (Euros).
Every excursion is subject to a minimum of 30 passengers. Bookings for excursions, which are paid for either in advance or locally and then not taken up, are not eligible for refunds – unless nicko tours are forced to cancel the tour due to river levels or where the minimum number of participants is not achieved.
We recommend you to attend the on-board briefings about the excursions and life on board. In order to ensure a prompt start to the excursions, we ask anyone who has booked but is now unable to take part to report this to the Cruise Team.
Please note that exceptional water levels or lengthy waiting times at locks can lead to alterations to the programme of excursions and to the points of embarkation / disembarkation.
We reserve the right to alter the printed itinerary and excursion schedule.
Our price includes
• cruise in the booked cabin-category (only outside cabins) • full board with three main meals (from dinner on Embarkation Day to breakfast on the last morning) • one bottle of water per cabin on the arrival day • coffee/tea after lunch and dinner • coffee/tea or midnight snack in line with the itinerary • Welcome and Farewell Cocktail with the Captain • Captain’s Dinner • nicko tours Cruise Director • participation in the on-board events programme • resident musician • detailed German cruise documents • all harbour dues • luggage transfer from the quayside to your cabin and v.v.
