This brand new 2016 itinerary is a tantalizing hybrid of our “European Jewels” and “Highlights of Eastern Europe & Istanbul” voyages. Discover the full spectrum of European culture and history on this in-depth exploration of 10 countries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers.
From Amsterdam, your luxurious ship will transport you to some of Central and Eastern Europe’s most legendary locales. Visit alluring German locale such as Cologne, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and gaze in wonder at the spectacular scenery of the Rhine River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site lined with fairytale castles. In Vienna, we offer an exclusive “Vienna, City of Arts” tour, a must for anyone who loves art, music, and architecture. Get up close and personal on our exclusive “Village Day” excursions, savor the regional delicacies and postcard-perfect landscapes found along Austria’s UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley, and explore the enchanting city of Budapest, a compelling mix of east and west.
Sail onward to Croatia, where you’ll visit a local farm and enjoy a home-hosted lunch. In Belgrade, a city tour will introduce you to must-see sites such as the Royal Grounds of the Karadjordevic Dynasty Palace; if you prefer, opt for a guided “Go Active” “I Bike Belgrade” tour of the city, a Uniworld exclusive. Cruise through the sheer-faced stone cliffs known as the Iron Gates, and head ashore to explore rock-hewn monasteries, otherworldly rock formations, and lavishly decorated churches. A wide array of other memorable experiences await, such as a city tour of Bucharest that includes the gargantuan People’s Palace, Romania’s most famous building. Your adventure culminates in exotic Istanbul, where you’ll have a tour of the city and visit the colorful and aptly named Grand Bazaar.
Information is subject to change.
Highlights
TRUE ALL-INCLUSIVE BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISING™ All gratuities for all onboard and onshore services; unlimited fine wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages; shore excursions with local experts as your guide; free Internet and Wi-Fi; and all arrival and departure day transfers.
YOUR CRUISE PACKAGE INCLUDES:
TRAVEL
21-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the imperial River Duchess
All transfers on arrival and departure days
TASTE
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
Unlimited beverages onboard, including
fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
EXPLORE
10 countries
Shore excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
UNESCO World Heritage sites
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio- headset system on all shore excursions
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
EXPERIENCE
Captivating onboard local entertainment
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
Information subject to change.
You will visit the following 20 places:
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it serves as the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2010, Budapest had 1,721,556 inhabitants, down from its 1980 peak of 2.06 million. The Budapest Commuter Area is home to 3,271,110 people. The city covers an area of 525 square kilometres (202.7 sq mi) within the city limits. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification on 17 November 1873 of right (west)-bank Buda and Óbuda with left (east)-bank Pest. Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities. Due to its scenic setting and its architecture it is nicknamed "Paris of the East".
București
Bucharest is the capital city, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania and was first mentioned in documents as early as 1459. Since then it has gone through a variety of changes, becoming the state capital of Romania in 1862 and steadily consolidating its position as the centre of the Romanian mass media, culture and arts. Its eclectic architecture is a mix of historical, interbellum, Communist-era and modern. In the period between the two World Wars, the city's elegant architecture and the sophistication of its elite earned Bucharest the nickname of the "Little Paris of the East".
The Convent Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and seven of the world's 500 largest companies, including Philips and ING, are based in the city. In 2012, Amsterdam was ranked the second best city in which to live by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and 12th globally on quality of living for environment and infrastructure by Mercer. Amsterdam derives its name from the city’s origin as “Dam” of river “Amstel”. In the past, the name was "Amstelredamme" which later changed as “Amsterdam”. The city is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, attracting over 7 million international travellers annually. The city is colloquially known as ''Venice of the North'' because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveller's taste here; whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city!
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. The city lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. It has an urban population of 1.2 million, while the metropolitan area has more than 1.7 million people, making it one of the largest cities of Southeastern Europe. Its name translates to white city. Belgrade's wider city area was the birthplace of the largest prehistoric culture of Europe, the Vinča culture, as early as the 6th millennium BC. In antiquity, the area of Belgrade was inhabited by a Thraco-Dacian tribe Singi, while after 279 BC a Celtic tribe inhabited the city, naming it "Singidun".
Cologne
Cologne is the largest city in the German federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth-largest city in Germany. In medieval times it was the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire. It is one of the nation's media, tourism and business hotspots. Cologne is known to be one of the most liberal cities in Germany. Cologne is a traditionally Ripuarian-speaking city, though this has mostly been replaced by German, which is now the main language of the city. English-speaking guides and information are available for many of the landmarks of the city. Cologne's citizens are also very friendly and jovial people, welcoming tourists of all types and with all interests.
Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt am Main, commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2009 population of 672,000. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,295,000 in 2010. The city is at the centre of the larger Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region which has a population of 5,600,000 and is Germany's second largest metropolitan area. In English, this city's name translates to Frankfurt on the Main (pronounced like English mine or German mein). The city is located on an ancient ford on the river Main, the German word for which is "Furt". A part of early Franconia, the inhabitants were the early Franks. Thus the city's name reveals its legacy as being the "ford of the Franks".
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.7 million (2.4 million within the metropolitan area, more than 25% of Austria's population), and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. It is the 10th-largest city by population in the European Union. Vienna is host to many major international organizations, such as the United Nations and OPEC. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. Apart from being regarded as the City of Music because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psycho-analyst – Sigmund Freud.
Nuremberg
Nuremberg is a city on the river Pegnitz and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. When people think of Nuremberg, they usually think of gingerbread, toys, Christmas, the Reich Party Rally Grounds, or the Nuremberg Trials. But the old town of Nuremberg is much more than this and indeed Nuremberg probably comes closest to many tourists' expectations of a typical German city: On the one hand one can find half-timbered houses, gothic churches within a medival city wall in the shadow of the towering imperial castle, which was one of the most important residences of the emporers of the Holy Roman Empire.
Danube
Wurzburg
Passau
Rothenburg upon Tauber
Regensburg
Bamberg
Wertheim am Main
Rüdesheim am Rhein
Golubac
Vidin
Ivanovo
