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Black Sea Explorer With Turkey
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ITINERARY Dates & Pricing

Black Sea Explorer With Turkey

18 days & 17 nights, Private Journey

Budapest, Kalocsa, Osijek, Belgrade, Russe, Silistra, Bucharest, Nessebar, Canakkale & Istanbul

For much of the 20th century the wonders of Eastern Europe were concealed behind a thick veil of secrecy. Fortunately, those once mystery-laden lands are now open to all. If you have a lingering sense of curiosity and wonder, you're free to explore them in unabashed luxury. Cruise on board a Scenic Space-Ship down the Danube, and from there you can journey all the way to the picturesque Black Sea. Begin your adventure in Budapest, held by many to be the most fetching city in Europe, then journey through a handful of unspoiled lands, where lush landscapes are punctuated periodically by towns and cities that still look as they might have over a hundred years ago. Beyond them, pristine stretches of the Black Sea beckon, and beyond that, Gallipoli, and the magnificent, history-rich Istanbul.

  • Day 1
    Welcome to Budapest

    Your journey into wonder begins here, with a two night stay at the majestic Marriott Hotel.

    Marriott Hotel - 2 Nights (D)
  • Day 2
    Budapest

    Join a guided tour through the city often considered the most beautiful in Europe.

    Marriott Hotel (B, D)
  • Day 3
    Budapest

    This afternoon you'll board your Scenic Space-Ship. At this evening's welcome reception, raise your glass to the wonderful cruise ahead of you.

    Scenic Space-Ship - 7 Nights (B, D)
  • Day 4
    Kalocsa

    Today you'll get to witness a traditional Hungarian horse show.

    Scenic Space-Ship (B, L, D)
  • Day 5
    Osijek

    Freechoice: Explore Osijek on a guided city tour or try your hand at fishing in a local village stream. Or, if you're the more active type, you could opt to take a blissful guided bike ride through Osijek's countryside.

    Enrich:
    As a special Scenic guest, you'll be invited into the home of a local family for a traditional home-cooked meal and the chance to discover what everyday life is really like in Croatia. With great food and wonderful company, this will be both a magnificent meal, and a rare opportunity to meet people who understand the local way of life intimately.

    Scenic Space-Ship (B, L, D)
  • Day 6
    Belgrade

    Freechoice: Enjoy a guided city tour of Belgrade. Alternatively, choose a guided bicycle ride along the Danube, or taste your way around the local market on our Shop with a Chef offering. Alternatively, for some true insight into local life take a walk through the city with a local.

    Sundowners:
    Raise a toast to the end of a wonderful day. It's a moment to savor, and a chance to reflect on all you've experienced.

    Scenic Space-Ship (B, L, D)
  • Day 7
    Iron Gates

    Relax on board and admire the scenery as you cruise the spectacular Iron Gates, a narrow gorge that the Danube has carved out between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Not only is it a spectacular setting for a cruise, it's also the natural border between Serbia and Romania.

    Scenic Space-Ship (B, L, D)
  • Day 8
    Svistov - Russe

    Freechoice: Discover the Byzantine gem of Veliko Tarnovo and the World Heritage-listed village of Arbanassi. Alternatively stay on board and enjoy the trip towards the Bulgarian town of Russe, where you'll be treated to a guided sightseeing tour.

    Scenic Space-Ship (B, L, D)
  • Day 9
    Silistra

    Freechoice: Take a walking tour of the Silistra Fort, or take an excursion to Varna on the Black Sea coast. Alternatively, visit a local village and a primary school to learn about life in Bulgaria.

    Scenic Space-Ship (B, L, D)
  • Day 10
    Giurgiu - Bucharest

    Disembark your ship and travel to Bucharest.

    Freechoice: Enjoy a guided visit to the impressive Palace of the Parliament. Or tour the Village Open Air Museum and discover ethnography exhibits depicting Romanian heritage and culture.
    Afterwards, check-in for your overnight stay at the Athenee Palace Hilton hotel.

    Athenee Palace Hilton (B, L, D)
  • Day 11
    Bucharest - Nessebar

    Travel to the stunning Black Sea coast for a two-night stay at the opulent Royal Castle Elenite Hotel.

    Royal Castle Elenite Hotel - 2 Nights (B, D)
  • Day 12
    Nessebar

    Enjoy a guided tour of Nessebar, followed by leisure time. Tonight, delight in delicious local cuisine and take in a folklore show.

    Royal Castle Elenite Hotel (B, D)
  • Day 13
    Nessebar - Canakkale

    Journey from Bulgaria to Canakkale, Turkey and stay two nights at the Parion Hotel.

    Parion Hotel - 2 Nights (B, D)
  • Day 14
    Canakkale - Gallipoli

    Today travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula, the site of WWII landings by the Allied Forces. There are over 31 cemeteries on the peninsula, and you'll have the chance to gain a unique perspective on this moving and historically poignant location.

    Parion Hotel (B, L, D)
  • Day 15
    Istanbul

    After breakfast enjoy a fascinating tour of Homer's Troy - the legendary site of the Trojan Wars. Afterwards, travel to Istanbul, where you can look forward to a three night stay at the Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel.

    Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel - 3 Nights (B, D)
  • Day 16
    Istanbul

    Freechoice: Try your hand at a cooking class or join a calligraphy course and master the ancient art of writing. Or, relax and rejuvenate during your visit to a traditional Turkish Bath.

    Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel (B)
  • Day 17
    Istanbul

    This morning visit Hagia Sophia and spend some time wandering the evocative Grand Bazaar before an afternoon at leisure.

    Enrich
    Tonight, a special treat awaits you as you partake in your farewell dinner at the stunning Hamdi Restaurant.

    Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel (B, D)
  • Day 18
    Istanbul

    After breakfast, prepare to head home. It may be the end of your journey, but it's the beginning of a lifetime of fond memories.

    (B)
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Road Travel

At Cox & Kings we believe that a good travel experience is not luck but judgment. We have compiled the following advice to outline the nature of travel in Europe and to help you prepare for your trip. Even with the most meticulous planning, however, minor problems can occur and, while our local representatives are always on hand to rectify such occurrences, we do request that you have a patient and broadminded approach to traveling in Europe.

Cruises & Train Tours

The river cruises and train tours in this brochure are offered subject to the conditions of carriage of the individual Train Company. PLEASE NOTE that in exceptional circumstances they may vary their itineraries with little or no notice, if water levels become unsafe, train lines become blocked or to avoid areas of dense traffic. Such changes are rare, but you should check the final itinerary at reception when you embark.

Early Starts

A number of flights within Europe arrive / depart early in the morning, and while we will endeavour to schedule your tour with a flight which arrives / departs at a reasonable time, sometimes there is little or no alternative and early check-in / check-out times may be required.

Accommodation

Accommodation standards vary dramatically throughout Europe, and hotels in Eastern Europe, Albania, Macedonia and regional Turkey, should not generally be compared to Western European standards. For our tours we have chosen hotels primarily for their location and the facilities available. We will endeavour to supply any extra information that you may require on these hotels. The hotels listed in the tour itineraries may occasionally be unavailable for the required dates. In this event, we will advise you of alternative hotels, which will, where possible, be of the same or of a higher standard than those featured in the itineraries. There are many new hotels being built in Europe and we may upgrade those featured in the brochure if better options in the same category become available. Please note all rooms reserved on your tour are standard; however, if you wish to upgrade your room (e.g. to a lake view or suite etc.), please speak to your tour consultant, who will be able to advise you about the options and the applicable supplements.

Check-in & Check-out Times: For all group and individual tours, hotel check-in/out time is normally 12 noon, but this does vary between hotels. Early check-ins and late check-outs cannot be pre-booked, but can sometimes be negotiated on site.

Walking

Many of the sites in Europe are quite spread out, and our tours consequently involve a reasonable amount of walking. Whilst the walking is normally easy going, a full-day’s sightseeing can be quite tiring and sometimes strenuous.

Dress

Although tourism is not a new concept in most parts of Europe, many of the areas visited are still extremely traditional. Therefore kindly respect local customs and dress codes.

Visas

Many countries require passports, visas to be presented before entry is permitted. Please ensure that all traveling members, including infants and children, are in possession of a passport, valid for at least 6 months, prior to departure. It is convenient and safe to have the visa process facilitated by Cox & Kings Limited from the concerned Consulates / Authorities on your behalf. Please note that it is totally at the discretion of the concerned Consulates / Authorities to grant / reject your visas. The consulate may require further documentation and / or personal appearance.