Eastern Europe - Please critic this itinerary.
Jul 3rd, 2009, 01:28 PM
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Eastern Europe - Please critic this itinerary.
I am debating where to travel to next. As a solo traveller I am often penalized with the high cost of single supplements. I would like to explore a part of the world I haven't been to, one itinerary that has caught my eye is a river cruise offered by Viking River Cruises. Of the places on this itinerary I've only been to Vienna.
My cost as a solo traveller are US$250 per day.
I appreciate any feedback, possitive and negative about the cost and itinerary. Thanks.
Here's the itinerary:-
Day 1 Oltenita
We meet you at the Bucharest airport and transfer you to Oltenita to board your ship.* Depart late this evening. (D)
Day 2 Constanta
Today, sail along the Danube to Constanta, Romania on the Black Sea coast. The oldest living city in Romania, Constanta was founded around 600 B.C. by Greek settlers, and is now a fashionable resort town. Arrive midmorning for a city tour featuring the iconic seaside casino and Art Nouveau architecture, and a stroll along Mamaia Beach, the “Palm Beach” of the Black Sea. Return aboard for dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Russe
Sail into Russe, Bulgaria during breakfast, then embark on a full-day excursion to Bulgaria’s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo, where you 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. Rejoin your ship at Nikopol/Svishtov and dine aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Vidin & Belogradchik
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, Baba Vida fortress, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city’s once-grand synagogue. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Iron Gate & Kostolac
Cruise along one of the most scenic areas of the Lower Danube, flanked by enormous white chalk cliffs and spectacular scenery. The day’s journey is punctuated with an excursion to Kostolac, Serbia. See the archeological site at Viminacium, a former Roman capital with wide streets, luxurious baths and an amphitheater, recently opened to the public. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Belgrade
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 7 Osijek
Cruise along the Danube, arriving at Vukovar around noon. This afternoon’s excursion takes you 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 dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Kalocsa
Sail into Hungary this morning, arriving in Kalocsa after lunch. Visit the House of Folk Arts, showcasing the area’s time-honored farming traditions. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return to the ship and dine during departure. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Budapest
This morning’s city tour explores both sides of Hungary’s capital. Start in “Pest,” seeing Heroes’ Square, the Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica. Cross the river and tour the Castle District of older “Buda.” Walk to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Return to your ship for lunch; enjoy afternoon at leisure—as always your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dine aboard and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Bratislava
Cruise through the morning, arriving in Bratislava after lunch. Take a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital; see its medieval fortifications, Michael’s Tower, Trinity Church and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Pass several Habsburg-era palaces before returning aboard for dinner. You might like to take an evening stroll in Bratislava to see the castle lit up at night and the juxtaposition of medieval and modern structures. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Vienna
Today’s tour of Vienna takes you to the Opera House and Hofburg Palace. Have lunch aboard; your afternoon is free to explore the city’s gracious architecture and delightful cafés. Return to the ship for dinner followed by an optional evening concert of classical music. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Melk & Linz
Arrive in Melk during breakfast and tour the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey to see its collection of medieval manuscripts, ceiling paintings and frescoes. Return aboard for lunch and cruise through the famous Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this afternoon. After dinner, arrive in Linz; take a walk or sample local wines. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Budweis & Ceský Krumlov
Today we have a full-day excursion to two iconic Bohemian Czech cities: Budweis, with an impressive town square featuring Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings, and Ceský Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have free time to explore and get some lunch at a local café. Rejoin your ship in Linz for dinner and late departure. (B, D)
Day 14 Passau
Enjoy a morning walking tour of this Bavarian town’s Italianate Old City, featuring views of the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served as a bishop’s stronghold for several centuries. Stop in to St. Stephan’s Cathedral and enjoy a concert on Europe’s largest pipe organ there.† Relax on board before dinner. (B, L, D)
†Passau organ concert not available after November 1.
Day 15 Passau & Munich
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the Munich airport for your return flight.*
My cost as a solo traveller are US$250 per day.
I appreciate any feedback, possitive and negative about the cost and itinerary. Thanks.
Here's the itinerary:-
Day 1 Oltenita
We meet you at the Bucharest airport and transfer you to Oltenita to board your ship.* Depart late this evening. (D)
Day 2 Constanta
Today, sail along the Danube to Constanta, Romania on the Black Sea coast. The oldest living city in Romania, Constanta was founded around 600 B.C. by Greek settlers, and is now a fashionable resort town. Arrive midmorning for a city tour featuring the iconic seaside casino and Art Nouveau architecture, and a stroll along Mamaia Beach, the “Palm Beach” of the Black Sea. Return aboard for dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Russe
Sail into Russe, Bulgaria during breakfast, then embark on a full-day excursion to Bulgaria’s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo, where you 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. Rejoin your ship at Nikopol/Svishtov and dine aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Vidin & Belogradchik
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, Baba Vida fortress, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city’s once-grand synagogue. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Iron Gate & Kostolac
Cruise along one of the most scenic areas of the Lower Danube, flanked by enormous white chalk cliffs and spectacular scenery. The day’s journey is punctuated with an excursion to Kostolac, Serbia. See the archeological site at Viminacium, a former Roman capital with wide streets, luxurious baths and an amphitheater, recently opened to the public. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Belgrade
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 7 Osijek
Cruise along the Danube, arriving at Vukovar around noon. This afternoon’s excursion takes you 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 dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Kalocsa
Sail into Hungary this morning, arriving in Kalocsa after lunch. Visit the House of Folk Arts, showcasing the area’s time-honored farming traditions. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return to the ship and dine during departure. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Budapest
This morning’s city tour explores both sides of Hungary’s capital. Start in “Pest,” seeing Heroes’ Square, the Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica. Cross the river and tour the Castle District of older “Buda.” Walk to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Return to your ship for lunch; enjoy afternoon at leisure—as always your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dine aboard and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Bratislava
Cruise through the morning, arriving in Bratislava after lunch. Take a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital; see its medieval fortifications, Michael’s Tower, Trinity Church and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Pass several Habsburg-era palaces before returning aboard for dinner. You might like to take an evening stroll in Bratislava to see the castle lit up at night and the juxtaposition of medieval and modern structures. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Vienna
Today’s tour of Vienna takes you to the Opera House and Hofburg Palace. Have lunch aboard; your afternoon is free to explore the city’s gracious architecture and delightful cafés. Return to the ship for dinner followed by an optional evening concert of classical music. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Melk & Linz
Arrive in Melk during breakfast and tour the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey to see its collection of medieval manuscripts, ceiling paintings and frescoes. Return aboard for lunch and cruise through the famous Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this afternoon. After dinner, arrive in Linz; take a walk or sample local wines. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Budweis & Ceský Krumlov
Today we have a full-day excursion to two iconic Bohemian Czech cities: Budweis, with an impressive town square featuring Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings, and Ceský Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have free time to explore and get some lunch at a local café. Rejoin your ship in Linz for dinner and late departure. (B, D)
Day 14 Passau
Enjoy a morning walking tour of this Bavarian town’s Italianate Old City, featuring views of the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served as a bishop’s stronghold for several centuries. Stop in to St. Stephan’s Cathedral and enjoy a concert on Europe’s largest pipe organ there.† Relax on board before dinner. (B, L, D)
†Passau organ concert not available after November 1.
Day 15 Passau & Munich
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the Munich airport for your return flight.*
Jul 4th, 2009, 07:28 AM
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Check out Grand Circle Tours. They offer a similar cruise and the price may be better. Everyone that I know that have used Grand Circle Tours has been happy with their cruise.
http://www.gct.com/gcc/general/
They have last minute deals and sometimes are looking for a person to share a cabin. http://www.gct.com/gcc/general/default.aspx?oid=170069
http://www.gct.com/gcc/general/
They have last minute deals and sometimes are looking for a person to share a cabin. http://www.gct.com/gcc/general/default.aspx?oid=170069
Jul 4th, 2009, 07:40 AM
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http://www.gct.com/gcc/general/defau..._announcements
Just saw this on Grand Circle Tours. Some tours are offering free or half-price single supplements.
Just saw this on Grand Circle Tours. Some tours are offering free or half-price single supplements.
Jul 4th, 2009, 10:31 AM
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Thanks for the feedback.
I did look at the GCT trips, the specials are for travel in 2009, I am looking at travelling in 2010.
Adrienne, here's the link, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/us...itinerary.aspx
I did look at the GCT trips, the specials are for travel in 2009, I am looking at travelling in 2010.
Adrienne, here's the link, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/us...itinerary.aspx
Jul 4th, 2009, 04:30 PM
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Regarding the pricing, it looks like you'll pay half of the heavily discounted price (for booking by July 31) plus the single supplement? If this is the pricing then the trip looks like a very good deal. If you're sure that the single supplement is $250 (and I would verify that) then that is a good price as well. I glanced at a Grand Circle trip that is similar and it appears that they are asking for $795 for a single supplement.
The itinerary - you'll get a taste for each place which would not be enough for me, especially in Vienna and Budapest. I'm not familiar with the other towns you're stopping at.
I noticed that when you're docked for an entire day that lunch is provided on the boat. I wouldn't waste your free time returning to the boat for the included lunch. Bring some baggies and take something from the breakfast buffet to eat during the day or stop and have something quick in town to maximize your sightseeing time.
It looks like an interesting trip. If you do go please post a trip report afterwards. Thanks!
The itinerary - you'll get a taste for each place which would not be enough for me, especially in Vienna and Budapest. I'm not familiar with the other towns you're stopping at.
I noticed that when you're docked for an entire day that lunch is provided on the boat. I wouldn't waste your free time returning to the boat for the included lunch. Bring some baggies and take something from the breakfast buffet to eat during the day or stop and have something quick in town to maximize your sightseeing time.
It looks like an interesting trip. If you do go please post a trip report afterwards. Thanks!
Jul 4th, 2009, 05:12 PM
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adrienne, thank you for your feedback.
I need to clarify, the cost of a single supplement is not $250, the cost per day (which is based on single supplement prices) is $250 per day.
The reason why I'm asking about costs and the itinerary is because I generally travel by myself. I have looked at some train schedules, etc, for this region and I'm not sure how feasible it is to travel on a similar itinerary independently and visit so many places in such a short time. I really haven't looked at tours/river cruises, etc. so this is all new to me.
I have been to Vienna before, and remember it very well, so the limited time there isn't much of a concern.
I need to clarify, the cost of a single supplement is not $250, the cost per day (which is based on single supplement prices) is $250 per day.
The reason why I'm asking about costs and the itinerary is because I generally travel by myself. I have looked at some train schedules, etc, for this region and I'm not sure how feasible it is to travel on a similar itinerary independently and visit so many places in such a short time. I really haven't looked at tours/river cruises, etc. so this is all new to me.
I have been to Vienna before, and remember it very well, so the limited time there isn't much of a concern.
Jul 4th, 2009, 06:31 PM
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I would pleased to help research, organize and lead this as a Fodorites' trip in 2010 - - but maybe with less ping-ponging around. How about just three countries - - omitting the _central_ Europe countries of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary?
For what it's worth, it would be virtually all new to me. I have never been in Romania or Bulgaria; when I was 15 years old, in 1969, I was on a student trip that whizzed through Nis, Belgrade and Ljubljana (one night each) - - just about doesn't count as "experience". I would be particularly interested in Slovenia (though it is part of _central_ Europe also).
I think it could be a pretty cool trip with 5-8 people, and still retain most of the elements of "independent travel".
Best wishes,
Rex
For what it's worth, it would be virtually all new to me. I have never been in Romania or Bulgaria; when I was 15 years old, in 1969, I was on a student trip that whizzed through Nis, Belgrade and Ljubljana (one night each) - - just about doesn't count as "experience". I would be particularly interested in Slovenia (though it is part of _central_ Europe also).
I think it could be a pretty cool trip with 5-8 people, and still retain most of the elements of "independent travel".
Best wishes,
Rex
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