) "Route map nicko cruises english river cruises ship MAXIMA 2024 19days PDP-MAX")
Embarkation 15:00 to 16:00.
Today the tradition-rich Danube metropolis Vienna is on the program. From the pier you will pass the "New Vienna" with the Uno-City and the Danube Island. See imposing magnificent buildings such as the State Opera, the Burgtheater, the Hofburg, the Parliament, the City Hall and the Votivkirche during the trip along the famous Ringstrasse. During a guided tour afterwards, you will experience this charming city and its world-famous "Viennese Schmäh" at first hand. After a short free time, you will pass the Praterstern and return to your ship.
Passage of the Danube cataracts with the famous "Iron Gate".
By bus we will go to the archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, the scene of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries. The complex house layouts of the rediscovered settlement allow interesting conclusions to be drawn about the significant technical knowledge and skills of its inhabitants. It is believed that the Lepenski Vir culture is even older than those in Mesopotamia. See in the museum sculptures and tools dating back to the period between 6500 and 5500 BC, testifying to a highly developed civilization. Immerse yourself in the life of prehistoric cultures with the help of virtual tours on the computer and a tour of the excavation site.
Vidin is one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria and has its origin in a Celtic settlement. During the city tour you will make a photo stop at the second largest Orthodox cathedral in the country, in the so-called "Triangle of Tolerance". Continue past what was once the largest synagogue in the Balkans. After an extensive visit to the fortress "Baba Vida", once built by the Romans, you will walk through the cozy pedestrian zone back to the ship.
After a panoramic drive through the beautiful Bulgarian countryside you will reach the famous and unique rock formations of Belogradchik. The red sandstone rocks surround the city from the west, south and southeast and impress visitors from afar with their bizarre appearance. Over millions of years, nature formed the rock; today, the fantastic figures, which bear names such as "Adam and Eve", "the Horseman", "Madonna" and the like, transport the viewer into a fairy-tale world. In the midst of these rock formations you will visit the Byzantine fortress Belogradchik, from where you will be enchanted by the rock formations and the magnificent panoramic view. A small tour of Vidin will round off this excursion.
Possibility to visit a beach on the Black Sea.
You will go by bus to Konstanza, which was known as Tomis in Greek mythology. There you will get off at the Wolf Monument and walk to the nearby ethnological museum. After a short visit, head to Ovid Square. Ovid, who was once exiled from Rome and spent the last years of his life in Constanta, has a monument built in the former Greek market square. In this square there is also the Historical Museum and the largest preserved Roman floor mosaic. We continue, passing the mosque, to the Romanian Orthodox Church. After a detailed explanation of the Romanian Orthodox religion and the history of the excavations next door, walk on to the casino, located right on the seafront. Here you will have some free time before continuing your walk along the seafront to the marina, where your bus will be waiting for you. Afterwards you will drive to the Black Sea coast to the old seaside resort Mamaia. There you will have time for a walk or a swim before returning to the ship.
Inclusive excursion into the fascinating flora and fauna of the unique natural paradise of the Romanian Danube Delta in the St. George arm.
The fifth largest city in Bulgaria with the largest port on the Danube, once bore the Roman name Sexaginta Prista, the city of sixty ships. The house facades are a mix of Baroque, Renaissance and other eras. You will start your tour in the old city center. Passing the railroad station, you will go to the Pantheon, a Christian memorial to Bulgarian heroes. The tour will continue to the Alyosha Monument, the concert hall and then to the Central Square, where you will visit the Bulgarian Orthodox Trinity Church before a short walk through the city center where you will see the Freedom Monument, the Opera House and the Court.
Discover the picturesque old town of Vukovar at the mouth of the Vuka into the Danube. The baroque buildings were lovingly restored after the war and shine in full splendor. Particularly worth seeing here are the Franciscan monastery and Eltz Castle. A memorial to recent history, on the other hand, is the water tower, which still shows the traces of the war.
Budapest is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and bears the nickname "Queen of the Danube" not without reason. The Danube divides the Hungarian metropolis into the districts of Buda and Pest. You will first drive through the city center and enjoy the flair of the city. Enjoy a beautiful view of the Buda Castle, Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church, which still remind of the glory of past times. Also a small visit to the famous Budapest market hall may not be missing, of course.
Bratislava is located in the fertile Danube plain south of the Small Carpathians in the immediate vicinity of the borders with Austria and Hungary. The Slovakian capital could be aptly described as "small but nice". The old town has been magnificently renovated with great attention to detail. During your sightseeing tour of Bratislava, you will first drive through the embassy district to the castle (Hrad), which towers high above the city and is considered the city's landmark. There you will make a photo stop and enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Here you will also get more detailed information about the eventful history of the castle, which was the residence of numerous Hungarian kings for a long time before Maria Theresa settled there and the castle experienced its heyday. Afterwards, you will continue to the Old Town and begin the walking tour. Walking together through the Old Town of Bratislava, you will see the Redoubt, the National Theater, the City Hall and some Baroque palaces and the city gates that testify to the k.u.k. Monarchy. Among other things, you will also meet the most famous man of Bratislava, Gullimann Cumil.
Cruising through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau.
Disembarkation until 09:00.
Comfort, style and modern furnishings, plus panoramic views await you on board our sister ships BOLERO, MAXIMA and VIKTORIA. Enjoy unique views in the best of company from our spacious sun deck or from the privacy of your own cabin. A spa with sauna and whirlpool are also available for even more relaxing moments. Our chef conjures up gourmet food in the galley on a daily basis, and our attentive crew cater to your every whim around the clock.
