Paris to Istanbul

Paris to Istanbul – Ms Amalegro

Cruise from beautiful Paris to remarkable Istanbul along some of Europe’s most amazing waterways.

Itinerary

Day 1, Thu ARRIVE PARIS,FRANCE
Time to rest or start exploring the city during the balance of the day.
Three Night Stay: Paris, Sofitel Bercy or similar.

Day 2, Fri PARIS.
Enjoy Paris’ famous sights during this morning’s guided tour: Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many museums, galleries and other attractions that the city has to offer.
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Day 3, Sat PARIS
Enjoy a full free day to explore the amazing “City of Light,â€? where romance fills the air. Stroll along the Champs Elysées, the boutique-lined boulevards, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World’s Fair of 1889. Paris at night offers unlimited possibilities for everybody’s taste.
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Day 4, Sun PARIS-LUXEMBOURG-TRIER, GERMANY (Embarkation)
This morning say “Au Revoir� to Paris as you drive through the scenic French countryside of Champagne to Luxembourg, one of the last of hundreds of independent duchies which once made up western and central Europe. Today the Grand Duchy owes its importance to its role in international politics and banking. There is free time for lunch and a guided city tour before continuing to Trier and embarkation on the ship. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Dinner.
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Day 5, Mon BERNKASTEL-ZELL
This morning arrive in the charming village of Bernkastel. Strategically located in the middle of the Moselle wine-producing region Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Take a guided walking tour through the old town center with its many medieval and Renaissance buildings, before continuing on to Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine “Zeller Schwarze Katz.�
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Day 6, Tue GONDORF/COCHEM-KOBLENZ-RHINE CASTLES-RUDESHEIM
This morning you decide, you can either disembark in Gondorf and take the included excursion to Cochem, where a guided tour of hilltop Reichsburg Castle offers fascinating views of the river valley. From here a motorcoach ride brings you to Koblenz situated at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. Or, you can continue cruising the Moselle to its confluence with the Rhine at Koblenz and enjoy a walking tour of this beautiful town. Together, this afternoon cruise along the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine. See castle after castle and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rüdesheim, the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants.
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Day 7, Wed MAINZ-HEIDELBERG-FRANKFURT
Today, again you decide, either disembark in Mainz and travel by motorcoach to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town of Student Prince fame. Where you will visit the red-walled Castle, seeing the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask and beautiful views of the Necker Valley and Heidelberg below. Then there is a walking tour of old Heidelberg and free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon drive to Frankfurt, the bustling metropolis on the River Main, where you rejoin your ship. Or, you can enjoy a leisurely walking tour of charming Mainz, hometown of the famous printer Gutenberg and the Roman ship museum. Then take a lunchtime cruise on the Main river to Frankfurt where you will have a guided walking tour of the historic city center “The Römerâ€?.
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Day 8, Thu MILTENBERG-WERTHEIM
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking tour of this old Franconian town, which reveals narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. Shop for souvenirs before your coach takes you to charming Wertheim where you can browse the market square before re-boarding the ship.
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Day 9, Fri WURZBURG
Würzburg, “the Pearl of the Romantic Road," is the capital of Lower Franconia, and a center of wine and trade. Visit the major sights including the magnificent Residence Palace. This afternoon why not join an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg. A walking tour helps you appreciate its ramparts and towers, cobbled lanes and 16th-century houses. Enjoy free time to explore before returning to Würzburg.
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Day 10, Sat BAMBERG
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising before you enter the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided tour of this medieval gem, with its uniquely intact townscape. Marvel at the breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. Late tonight arrive in Nuremberg.
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Day 11, Sun NUREMBERG
Today travel by train to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany’s largest cities, often given the nickname “Germany’s secret capitalâ€?. Your Cruise Director will escort your day, offer suggestions of what to do whilst you are there and take you to lunch in the world famous Hofbräuhaus. Tonight you will meet fellow travellers embarking from Prague.
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Day 12, Mon. NUREMBERG – CONTINENTAL DIVIDE – RIEDENBERG.
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. At lunchtime rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise – 1,332 feet above sea level – before descending through stair-step locks to stop in the Bavarian town of Riedenberg.
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Day 13, Tue. REGENSBURG.
This morning takes you through the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal. Arrive in magnificent Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will show you the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. In the evening enjoy folklore music on board.
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Day 14, Wed. PASSAU – LINZ, AUSTRIA.
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or, take an optional full day tour to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and location of the “Sound of Musicâ€?, and see the sights including a visit to Mozarts birthhouse. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town, Austria’s third largest city and a major river port
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Day 15, Thu. MELK – VIENNA.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey. At lunchtime, continue through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the “City of Music.â€? Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.
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Day 16, Fri. VIENNA
A tour of Vienna includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Then enjoy a free afternoon to shop, explore or visit one of the cities many museums or palaces. This afternoon continue cruising overnight to Hungary and Budapest.
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Day 17, Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
This morning is free for shopping, or sightseeing. In the afternoon your sightseeing tour includes Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and much more. Tonight enjoy a Gala Dinner.
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DAY 18, Sun. BUDAPEST
The Puszta is the region of Hungary most widely known throughout the world; the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain, stretching across to the east, where Hungarian cowboys still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Upon arrival you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. You can take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and will marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders and drivers during the horse show. There will be a light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest.
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DAY 19, Mon: MOHACS – PECS EXCURSION (HUNGARY) – CRUISE TO CROATIA
This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. Founded more than 2000 years ago by the Romans, Pecs became an important early Christian bishopric and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. The area around Pecs is made up of rolling hills, similar to Tuscany. The vine clad slopes and modest climate all combine to give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival there is a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue, visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica, all accompanied by the traditions and tales of old Pecs brought alive by the local guides. Mohacs is very close to the frontier of Hungary, as the ship exits Hungary the river makes up the boundary between Serbia on one side and Croatia on the other. You will be leaving the European Union and passing into two countries within the space of several miles. Tonight the ship will arrive in Vukovar, Croatia.
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DAY 20, Tue: VUKOVAR-NOVI SAD (CROATIA & SERBIA)
Situated in Eastern Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, Vukovar has a long and often troubled history, fought over by the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians the city today has a rich history. There will be a sightseeing tour by bus and foot during which you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and Churchs St.Philip and St.Roch. During lunch cruise to Novi Sad Serbia, where you will tour the Petrovaradinfortress. Novi Sad is dominated by its huge fortress of Petrovaradin, guarding the Danube, its commanding position faces the Fruska Gora Mountains on one side and Danube River below. The antiquity of Novi Sad can be traced back to the Romans and Byzantines, but it was the 13th C Tartar invasion that resulted in the building of the original fortress. Ruled by the Ottoman Turks for 160 years, from the early 16th century, the current fortress was improved and modified by the Hapsburg Austrians.
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DAY 21, Wed: BELGRADE (SERBIA)
This morning you arrive in the Capital of Serbia, Belgrade. The “white city – Bel Gradâ€? dates back more than 2500 years. Located at the strategic meeting point of the Danube and Sava Rivers, this truly cosmopolitan city has fortifications dating back to Celtic times, medieval tombs and Turkish baths. Belgrade is the cultural and religious center of Serbia. The Old Town streets are lined with 19th century buildings from the period of Serbian independence. The home of the Patriarch and St.Sava’s, the largest Orthodox Church in the country will all been seen during the city tour. You will see both old and new towns. Tito’s memorial, the Town Hall, Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Sq, Republic Sq. and Mihajlova street; as well as Belgrade Fort, “VaroÅ¡" Gate and visit the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress.
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DAY 22, Thu: CRUISING – IRON GATES
Today is a full cruising day through one of Europe’s most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrows gorges, as the river winds between the Carpathian Mountains on one side of the river and Balkan Mountains on the other. These natural borders today make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania.
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DAY 23, Fri: VIDIN (BULGARIA)
The “Bada Vida� fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle has thick walls and dark towers, which contrast with the natural surroundings of the park it sits within. You will also travel overland to see Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations.
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DAY 24, Sat: GIURGIU-BUCHAREST (ROMANIA)
Today enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, capital and largest city in Romania, this “Paris of the Eastâ€? is famed for it’s Belle Epoque era buildings dating from the 19th century. The French influence is paramount in many of the restored buildings of the former aristocracy and monarchy. The post war communist era of grandiose architecture is brought home by the world’s second largest building, the Parliament Palace. During the morning city tour you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, Athenaeum and Library, as well as visit the Parliament Palace – the world’s largest palace. Followed by lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon you can choose to have free time for shopping and exploration on your own or visit the open air museum, a museum dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania.
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DAY 25, Sun: ROUSE-VELIKO TURNAVO-NESSEBUR (BULGARIA) (disembark the ship)
This morning you will disembark in Rouse and continue your tour by coach to the Black Sea and Istanbul. First stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria Veliko Turnavo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church and Baldwin’s Tower. Those pax who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia, a traditional market street. You will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and the town of Nessebur.
Overnight: Nessebur
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DAY 26, Mon: NESSEBUR-ISTANBUL (TURKEY)
Situated on a small peninsula Nessebur is one of the oldest towns in Europe, it still exudes the spirit of different ages and peoples – Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Byzantines and Bulgarians. Nessebur’s greatest wealth are its many churches: the Old Bishop’s Residence in an early Byzantine style (4th-5th c.), the New Bishops Residence (St. Stephan’s), containing valuable 12-th century murals, the Christ Pantocrator and Aliturgetos churches (13-th -14th c.). Nessebur’s National Revival houses with stone foundations and broad wooden eaves, overhanging narrow cobbled lanes leading right into the sea, are also remarkably beautiful. During this morning’s walking tour you will visit St.Stephan’s, Pantocrator church and Nessebur’s oldest church the 5th-6th century Basilica on the Beach. After free time for lunch, you continue onto Istanbul, Turkey, arriving late this afternoon.
Three Night Stay: Istanbul, Ritz Carlton Hotel.
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DAY 27, Tue: ISTANBUL
Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the banks of the Bosphorus and natural harbour of the Golden Horn; the Black Sea to it’s north and Sea of Marmara, the entrance to the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea’s, to the south. Formerly Constantinople, capital of Byzantium and as Istanbul capital of the Ottoman Empire, the cities rich history goes back thousands of years. For centuries she was the world’s greatest city, filled with treasures from the many Empires and peoples who have ruled her. This morning’s comprehensive city tour will show you feature the old city of Istanbul, the many Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of her long past. You will see the mighty defensive walls, Roman aqueduct and hippodrome; the Suleymaniye Mosque and church of the Pantocrator; as well as the Galata Tower, then you will visit the Blue Mosque. Later you have the choice to see more of Byzantine Constantinople and visit one of Christendoms greatest church St.Sophia, or explore more of Ottoman Istanbul and visit the Grand Bazaar.
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DAY 28, Wed: ISTANBUL
Today you will visit the Ottoman Sultans Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every single Sultan from the time of the conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century till the end of the 19th century. The palace has many fine buildings, pavilions and courtyard. During your tour you will see the private chambers of the Sultans, the world famous Harem, treasury home to the Topkapi diamond, holy relics room, Hagia Eirene Church originally constructed by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reception rooms of the Imperial court.
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DAY 29, Thu: ISTANBUL – FLY HOME
Your tour ends after breakfast today with your flight home.

What’s Included

Inclusions

• Veliko Turnavo, visit Tsarevets Hill
• Bucharest excursion & city tour
• City tours of Vidin, Belgrade and Vukovar
• Visit Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad
• Excursion to Pecs
• Sightseeing tours of Vienna and Budapest
• Guided tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey
• Guided tours of Passau, Bamberg, Nuremberg,
• Regensburg and Würzburg
• Full day excursion to Munich
• Walking tour of Miltenberg and visit Wertheim
• Sightseeing tour of Heidelberg
• Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
• Walking tour Koblenz and Bernkastel
• Tour Reichsburg Castle, Cochem
• Sightseeing tours of Trier, Luxembourg and Paris

Finest Dining

• Daily breakfasts in Istanbul, Nessebur and Paris; one dinner in Istanbul
• All meals included whilst on board the ship
• Cocktail reception & quality wines with dinner
• Special highlights including folklore performances, wine tastings and on board music performances

Outstanding Places to Stay

• 21 night cruise on board the ms Amalegro in an outside cabin
• On board amenities including bicycles, elevator, fitness centre, massage & beauty salon and shop
• Non-smoking ship (smoking only on Sun Deck)

Additional Information

• Single supplement available on application
• Tour Notes. Port charges – add A$415 per person
• Arrival/Departure Transfers on first and last day of package – add A$140 per person
• All departures are guaranteed
• Cruise Upgrades available Contact Us for further details
• Cruise operated in conjunction with Amadeus Waterways
• Pre/Post Tour Accommodation. We offer accommodation before and/or after your tour Contact Us for further details

Earlybird Savings

• Ask about our Early Booking discounts on cruises and airfares

The APT Difference

• Services of a professional Cruise Manager
• All English language on board
• 6-star service and facilities
• APT Ownership

Air$aver Airfares

• Enquire about our great airfares to Europe

Additional Information

• Europe River Cruising pdf
• Europe – What to Bring pdf
• Europe – While on Tour pdf
• Europe Travel Documents pdf