Passage to Eastern Europe featuring Transylvania - 2024

PACING:

• This trip is moderately paced
• Travelers on the base program visit nine cities and ports of call in 12 days, spending nine nights aboard a Vantage Deluxe river boat; and two nights in a Deluxe hotel in Bucharest
• This itinerary features overnight and full-day stays in many ports. The ship often departs in the evening, traveling while you sleep. But there is some daytime cruising when you can relax on deck and watch the world go by, in particular when we pass through the scenic Iron Gates
• Travelers on the Transylvania extension will spend nine nights aboard a Vantage Deluxe river ship; and two nights in Bucharest, as part of the base program, plus three additional nights in Brasov as part of the extension

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• You should be in relatively good health to fully enjoy this tour
• Your cruise includes several walking tours that will be offered at different levels: join a group that moves at an easy, leisurely pace; or one that goes at a faster clip, depending upon your abilities and preferences. Either way, you won't miss any highlights, and on some tours you'll have free time to walk on your own
• Our walking tours do not require that you walk for great distances, but you may be on your feet for an hour or two at a time
• Some of our destinations feature uneven terrain, cobblestone walkways, and flagstone paths. Coaches are used whenever possible to bring you as close to pedestrian centers as the historic preservation of these older towns and cities can allow. You will be visiting several sites where there are multiple flights of stairs and no elevators
• You can expect a few drives of one and half hours, as some of the sites visited are at some distance from the ports along the Danube

TRANSPORTATION:

• Your ship is your main means of transportation between destinations
• All land transportation is conducted on board air-conditioned motorcoaches. While all motor coaches are air-conditioned, the quality standards can differ from those in western Europe
• In Pécs, if you do not wish to walk through the Sopianae Necropolis, which features stairways and uneven ground, as an alternative you may sign up in advance to enjoy an hour-long panoramic city tour by mini-train

CLIMATE:

• Our season runs from May through October, the most pleasant time to travel here, weather-wise. There is some variation in temperatures between cities, insofar as it will be cooler in more mountainous locations. But in general, you can expect moderate temperatures (ranging from the 50s to the upper 70s) and moderate humidity
• There is always the possibility of rain, so please bring a small umbrella and light rain gear
• The sun can be strong, especially in summer, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats are musts
• There can be temperature variances throughout the day, so it is advisable to dress in layers. In summer, stay cool by wearing lightweight fabrics (such as cotton or linen)
• It can occasionally be windy on the rivers, and in some of our more mountainous locations. Be sure to pack a windbreaker, sweater, and light jacket