Day Eleven - Bucharest Farewell

From the Viking Cruise website:

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in the Black Sea region. (B)

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.

Day Ten - Bucharest, Romania

From the online Viking Cruise description of Passage to Eastern Europe:

Disembark in Giurgiu and proceed to the superior first-class Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest (or similar) in the heart of the Bucharest for a 1-night stay. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of Romania’s lovely capital city. See the Patriarchal Church, the Palace of Parliament and the Arch of Triumph. Enjoy a final evening in Bucharest. (B, L)

Day Nine - Russe, Bulgaria

From the Viking Cruise descriptive tour info:

After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria’s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. There you will see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Proceed 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 and dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Day Eight - Vidin, Bulgaria

From the Viking Cruise tour description:

Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin during breakfast, then take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks, and enjoy breathtaking views. Lunch aboard is followed by free time to explore Vidin’s city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city’s once-grand synagogue. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)

Day Seven - Iron Gate, Danube

From the Viking Cruise description of Jan and Judy's adventure:

Today, 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. Your cruise director will provide commentary about the region and scenic points of interest as you sail toward Vidin. (B, L, D)

Day Six - Belgrade, Serbia

From the Viking Cruise online description of "Passage to Eastern Europe":

Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a beautiful park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Lunch aboard, then free time to explore Belgrade’s gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums, like the Nikola Tesla Museum. Dine aboard or experience some of Belgrade’s nightlife—we depart very late this evening. (B, L, D)

Day Five - Osijek, Croatia

From the Viking Cruise online brochure:

Wake up in Vukovar and have breakfast before your excursion to the Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited by humans since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Habsburgs; now it is a pleasant town popular for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return aboard for lunch and departure. International cuisine for dinner in the evening. (B, L, D)

Day Four - Kalocsa, Hungary

From the Viking Cruise online brochure:

Arrive in Kalocsa, Hungary this morning and take a guided city tour including a visit to the Archbishop’s Palace. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return aboard and enjoy your lunch during departure. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Day Three - Budapest

From the Viking Cruise online brochure:

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we will take you to embark your ship. Enjoy a final free day in Budapest—explore a museum, do some shopping, ride around the city on the wonderful subway system, peek inside one of the Art Nouveau spas or visit the Great Synagogue and Jewish Quarter. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Return to your ship for a welcome dinner aboard. (B, D)

Day Two - Budapest

From the Viking website introduction to Budapest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

This morning, take a tour of Hungary’s capital, exploring both the “Buda” and “Pest” sides. Begin in Pest, where you see the National Opera House and visit historic Heroes’ Square. Cross the Chain Bridge to Buda, where you stroll Fishermen’s Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. The rest of your day is free. (B)

Day One - Budapest

From the Viking website:

Arrive at the Budapest airport and transfer to the deluxe Hilton Budapest (or similar) in the heart of the city for a 2-night stay.* Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or begin doing a bit of exploring on your own.

Video of the Voyage

Today is Day Two of "Budapest to Bucharest". Let's see what it's all about:

Budapest to Bucharest

Our first trip on this blog is a Viking River Cruise called "Passage to Eastern Europe". We'll travel this journey with Jan and Judy, from Budapest to Bucharest. I can hardly wait! The trip begins on October 9th - take a look at where we're headed:

This One's for YOU!

Well, here I go again, creating another blog. What makes this one any different? This one's for YOU! If you travel, and you write, or take photos, or email friends - you can be a part of this blog, and make your trip be a part of our lives. How? I'll set the framework for the blog, and then send you an invitation. You can join the blog with a Google account, or you can just email postings to an address I'll send you. If you want, you can even arrange for postings from a smart phone - or even TALK online! SO, just let me know what you want, and I'll do my best to make it happen. Why? Because I love you! And - I love to travel. I love to learn. Above all, I love to help others share their stories and selves.

Ground Rules: This is a "private" blog, available ONLY to those who've been invited to read it. It is not indexed for the search engines, nor is it listed on Google's servers. However, nothing on the Web is ever truly private, so post appropriately. Invite your friends, and send your feedback. Make this YOUR "home away from home". Remember, "Mi Casa Es Su Casa!" Bon Voyage! Buona Fortuna! Que les vaya bien!!