11-Days Passage to Eastern Europe Danube River Hosted Group Gay Men & Women Cruise Tour from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania
9 nights from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania
August 8 – 18, 2017
Viking River Cruises Viking Longship Aegir
Join Aquafest gay group for 5th annual river cruise in Europe during the delightful summer months as we sail from spectacular Budapest in Hungary along the Danube into Romania/Transylvania and end in amazing Bucharest!
Sail to lands rich in traditions, Witness the cities, towns and natural wonders of Eastern Europe where so many fairy tales began. Experience two nights in bustling Budapest, the cosmopolitan capital of Hungary. You'll sail past dramatic natural wonders like the soaring white cliffs of the Iron Gate region; visit the Serbian capital of Belgrade; discover the historical treasures of Bulgaria; and admire the charms of Bucharest, Romania's capital.
Passage to Eastern Europe
Let us take you to the cities, towns and natural wonders of Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria.
Day 1 - Budapest, Hungary - Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Arrive at the Budapest airport and transfer to the deluxe Hilton Budapest (or similar) in the heart of the city for a 2-night stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or do some exploring on your own.
This enchanting and exotic capital of Hungary straddles the banks of the Danube and is divided into two distinct parts, traditional Buda and more modern Pest. Budapest is aptly called "Paris of the East," for its beautiful evening illumination and reflected lights in the Danube's waters. The old city features amazing examples of architecture such as Buda Castle, the baroque Parliament building, Chain Bridge and Matthias church, where the coronation ceremonies of Hungarian Kings were held. Gellert Hill, high above the city, offers not-to-be missed views.
Day 2 - Budapest, Hungary - Wednesday, August 9, 2017
This morning, take a tour of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Situated along the Danube, it combines the once separate towns of hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest into a city rich with history. Begin in Pest, where you see the National Opera House and visit historic Heroes' Square. Cross the Chain Bridge to Buda, where you walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. The rest of the day is yours to explore.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 - Budapest, Hungary - Thursday, August 10, 2017 Arrive in Kalocsa, Hungary this morning and take a guided city tour including a visit to the Archbishop's Palace. Then you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return aboard and enjoy your lunch during departure. Dine aboard.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Kalocsa, Hungary - Friday, August 11, 2017 This morning join a walking tour of Viviers' Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Once a 5th-century Roman settlement, today the cobbled streets are dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral. Set sail to Tournon during lunch, docking just after dinner. Enjoy a stroll under the plane trees lining the riverbanks before retiring for the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Osijek, Croatia - Saturday, August 12, 2017 Wake up in Vukovar and have breakfast before your excursion to the Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs; now Vukovar is revered for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return aboard for lunch and enjoy free time before an early evening departure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Belgrade, Serbia - Sunday, August 13, 2017 Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a stately park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship before you have free time to explore Belgrade's gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums, like the Nikola Tesla Museum. Dine aboard your ship or experience some of Belgrade's nightlife. We depart very late this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Iron Gate, Serbia/Romania - Monday, August 14, 2017 Today, enjoy scenic cruising as you travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europe's most dramatic natural wonders, a spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Your Cruise Director will provide commentary about the region and scenic points of interest as you sail toward the next port.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Vidin & Belogradchik, Bulgaria - Tuesday, August 15, 2017 Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin, and take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. See the fortress's amazing construction, begun in Roman times and greatly extended by Bulgarian tsars and the Ottomans, and enjoy breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship; then you have free time to explore Vidin's city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city's once-grand synagogue. We depart during dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi, Bulgaria - Wednesday, August 16, 2017 After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria's former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. There you will see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Continue your venture 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. Return to your ship for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Bucharest, Romania - Thursday, August 17, 2017 Disembark in Giurgiu and proceed to the superior first-class Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest (or similar) in the heart of Bucharest for a 1-night stay. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of Romania's glorious capital city. See the Patriarchal Church, the Palace of Parliament and the Arch of Triumph. Enjoy a final evening in Bucharest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11 - Bucharest, Romania - Ftiday, August 18, 2017 After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in the Black Sea region.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Passage to Eastern Europe Cruise Extensions
More days means more time to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Maximize the value of your overseas flight and enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.
Each pre- or post-cruise extension package includes a Viking representative to meet you at the airport and a Viking host to assist with your special requests. For your convenience, costs such as hotel stays, transfers between hotel and ship, select meals and city tours are included.
Discover the Czech Republic's vibrant capital, the "City of a Hundred Spires." Tour Hradcany Castle and its palaces, churches and museums; visit Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral; and stroll along Charles Bridge. Explore Prague's Jewish heritage in the Jewish Quarter and encounter local culture in Wenceslas Square. Three nights in the First-Class Hilton Prague Hotel (or similar), daily breakfasts, guided city tour and all transfers between your hotel and ship are included, along with the services of a Viking host.
Day 1 - Prague, Czech Republic - Saturday, August 5, 2017 Arrive in Prague and transfer to the First-Class Hilton Prague Hotel (or similar), overlooking the Vltava River near the historic Old Town and the shopping district.* The rest of the day is free to explore on your own and sample some of the hearty local cuisine. A Viking host is available to help you plan your time in Prague so you can make the most of your visit.
Day 2 - Prague, Czech Republic - Sunday, August 6, 2017 Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Prague, including a guided walk through Prague Castle. Few cities embody the past as authentically as Prague, the Czech Republic's atmospheric capital on the Vltava River that clings to its history with unwavering passion. Prague's medieval architecture is its most prominent, but the city is also a rich repository of Romanesque, baroque and Art Nouveau buildings that stir the imagination. After your tour, enjoy a free afternoon and evening to visit some of the city's landmarks or museums.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 - Prague, Czech Republic - Monday, August 7, 2017 You have a full day to further explore Prague. See more of the Old Town or check out some of Prague's more modern sights like the Frank Gehry–designed Dancing House, an unusual office building inspired by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Walk across the Charles Bridge, see the mesmerizing Astronomical Clock and the poignant Lennon Wall, and stand in historic Wenceslas Square. Wander past the colorful cottages in Golden Lane, where Franz Kafka lived and worked. Or in the Jewish Quarter, see the 13th-century Altneuschul, Europe's oldest, active synagogue.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Prague to Budapest - Tuesday, August 8, 2017 After breakfast, check out of your hotel. We will take you to your Budapest hotel to begin your itinerary.
Meals Included: Breakfast
2-Nights Budapest, Hungary Pre-Cruise Extension
Explore this legendary Hungarian capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its elegant boulevards, Parisian atmosphere and outstanding museums. Take a stroll in the parks of Margaret Island, discover the hidden medieval courtyards of the Castle District and eat your fill of savory Hungarian cuisine. Two nights in the First-Class Budapest Marriott Hotel (or similar), daily breakfasts and all transfers between your hotel and ship are included, along with the services of a Viking host.
Day 1 - Budapest, Hungary - Sunday, August 6, 2017 Transfer to the First-Class Budapest Marriott Hotel (or similar) in Buda's Castle District.* Take the rest of the day to relax and sample some Hungarian cuisine. A Viking host is available to help you plan your time in Budapest so you can make the most of your visit.
Day 2 - Budapest, Hungary - Monday, August 7, 2017 You have a full day to enjoy some of the sights and attractions of this beautiful city. Walk through Pest and do some shopping along the Váci Street. Cross the Danube via the famous Chain Bridge to enjoy the hillier Buda neighborhoods. Tour the Hungarian National Gallery, the Bartók Museum or one of the thermal spas.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 - Budapest, Hungary - Tuesday, August 8, 2017 Today you have free time to further explore Budapest. You might visit Heroes' Square or go shopping at the lively covered market for traditional souvenirs or peasant embroidery. This afternoon and evening other cruise guests will be arriving; you will join your group in the morning for a Budapest city tour.
Encounter Romania's mysterious Transylvania region and explore a number of castles, cathedrals and fascinating towns. Visit Peles Castle, plus tour the famed Dracula's Castle. Two nights in the First-Class Radisson Blu Hotel, Bucharest and one night in the First-Class Ramada Hotel, Brasov (or similar); daily breakfasts; Bucharest city tour and castle tours; and all transfers between your hotel and ship are included, along with the services of a Viking Tour Director. An optional visit to the Black Sea port of Constanta is also available.
Day 1 - Bucharest & Brasov - Ftiday, August 18, 2017
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a motor-coach drive through the Transylvania countryside. Stop for a tour of Peles Castle, a 19th-century fortification in Sinaia that melds numerous European architectural styles and materials into a harmonious and romantic structure. Continue to Brasov, where you have a panoramic city tour featuring the city's Gothic-style Black Church. Check in to the First-Class Ramada Hotel, Brasov (or similar). You have a free evening to enjoy the town square, with its Council House (complete with the ancient Trumpets Tower) and lovely fountain. A Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Bucharest so you can make the most of your visit.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 2 - Transylvania & Bucharest - Saturday, August 19, 2017
This morning, check out of your Brasov hotel. Take a short ride to Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula's Castle. This landmark citadel, built in the 14th century and used by Saxon and Walachian kings, is the best-known of several locations linked to the Dracula legend; it was used by Vlad Tepes, or "Vlad the Impaler," as his headquarters for his incursions into Transylvania. The castle has Gothic and baroque furnishings and decorative arts on display. After your tour, return to the First-Class Radisson Blu Hotel, Bucharest (or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 - Bucharest, Romania - Sunday, August 20, 2017 You have the day at leisure in Romania's gracious capital city, which offers many churches and monasteries, palaces and Palace of Parliament, museums, parks, gardens and interesting neighborhoods.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Bucharest, Romania - Monday, August 21, 2017 After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the Bucharest airport for your return flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Passage to Eastern Europe Cruise Tour Itinerary
Date
Port
Meals
08 Aug
Budapest, Hungary
09 Aug
Budapest, Hungary
B
10 Aug
Budapest, Hungary
B, D
11 Aug
Kalocsa, Hungary
B, L, D
12 Aug
Osijek, Croatia
B, L, D
13 Aug
Belgrade, Serbia
B, L, D
14 Aug
Iron Gate, Serbia/Romania
B, L, D
15 Aug
Vidin & Belogradchik, Bulgaria
B, L, D
16 Aug
Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi, Bulgaria
B, L, D
17 Aug
Bucharest, Romania
B, L
18 Aug
Bucharest, Romania
B
Viking Longship Aegir
Viking Longships integrate a patented corridor design* and cutting-edge technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends. These new features include a revolutionary all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace that reinvents the onboard lounge experience by bringing the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors, allowing guests to enjoy the views and dine al fresco.
Accommodating 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, Viking Longships have a patented layout that allows for two Explorer Suites - the largest river cruise suites in Europe - as well as seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom; 39 Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas; and 22 French Balcony Staterooms. Additionally, all Longships have sustainability upgrades, such as onboard solar panels and organic herb gardens, and energy-efficient hybrid engines that also reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.
Ship Features
• 95 comfortable outside staterooms (2 Explorer Suites, 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, 25 Standard Staterooms)
• All suites feature two rooms with a veranda off the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom
• Sun deck with 360-degree views and shaded sitting area; organic herb garden and solar panels; putting green, and walking track
• Aquavit Terrace with a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship and grills for al fresco dining
• The Lounge and bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
• Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views
• Library corner and onboard boutique
• Elevator from Middle to Upper Deck only; no elevator access for categories F and E
• Free shipwide wireless Internet service
• Laundry service
• Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
• 40" flat-panel Sony TV with infotainment system featuring movies on demand plus CNBC, CNN, National Geographic and more
Ship Highlights
Aquavit Terrace Revolutionary in concept and design, this spacious outdoor seating area at the bow of the ship is perfect for having a casual meal al fresco, meeting friends for drinks or reading a book, all while enjoying breathtaking views and basking in the fresh air.
Atrium Light and airy, the ship's soaring atrium-style lobby rivals those of the finest hotels.
Explorer Suite Exceptional accommodations aboard the newest, most deluxe river cruise fleet include our spacious Explorer Suites - featuring separate sleeping and sitting quarters, a wraparound veranda with 270° views, a French balcony and modern amenities.
The Restaurant Gaze at breathtaking scenery through the Restaurant's panoramic windows as you dine on regional specialties and contemporary cuisine. The atmosphere is casual yet elegant, with high-quality table linens, china, cutlery and glassware at every meal.
Veranda Stateroom Boasting sweeping river views, our Veranda Staterooms are comfortable and airy, with hotel-style beds, a private bathroom, roomy closets and storage space, and amenities like flat-panel TVs and premium bath products.
Passage to Eastern Europe Danube River Gay Cruise Rates
Category
Description
Availability
A - Verandah Stateroom
150 sq.ft. Two hotel-style twin beds that may convert to a double bed, half-height picture window, private bathroom with shower and premium bath products, telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair-dryer, individual climate control, 40-inch flat-panel TV, roomy wardrobe and bottled water replenished daily.
$ 4,731
B - Verandah Stateroom
150 sq.ft. Two hotel-style twin beds that may convert to a double bed, half-height picture window, private bathroom with shower and premium bath products, telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair-dryer, individual climate control, 40-inch flat-panel TV, roomy wardrobe and bottled water replenished daily.
$ 4,431
C - French Balcony Stateroom
150 sq.ft. Two hotel-style twin beds that may convert to a double bed, half-height picture window, private bathroom with shower and premium bath products, telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair-dryer, individual climate control, 40-inch flat-panel TV, roomy wardrobe and bottled water replenished daily.
$ 4,231
D - French Balcony Stateroom
150 sq.ft. Two hotel-style twin beds that may convert to a double bed, half-height picture window, private bathroom with shower and premium bath products, telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair-dryer, individual climate control, 40-inch flat-panel TV, roomy wardrobe and bottled water replenished daily.
$ 3,931
F - Standard Stateroom
150 sq.ft. Two hotel-style twin beds that may convert to a double bed, half-height picture window, private bathroom with shower and premium bath products, telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair-dryer, individual climate control, 40-inch flat-panel TV, roomy wardrobe and bottled water replenished daily.
All rates are cruise only in $USD and per person, based on double occupancy subject to availability at time of booking. .
3-Nights Prague Pre-Cruise Extension - From $749 Per Person
3-Nights Budapest Pre-Cruise Extension - From $399 Per Person
3-Nights Transylvania & Bucharest Post-Cruise Extension - $699 Per Person
Port charges, taxes and fees: of $350.00 per person are additional.
Deposit: $850 per person, due at the time of booking.
Final Payment is due on May 1, 2017
All advertised events are exclusive to guests who book through us only. Aquafest Cruises are group events and not chartered vessels.
Non-discountable fees and taxes, airfare, air taxes and transfers are additional.
A $30 processing fee is addition and subject to change without notice.
Events based on a minimum of 50 group passengers.
Pricing and other information may change without notice
All cancellations are subject to a $50 per booking cancellation fee from Aquafest in addition to any vendor cancellation penalties.
Trip Cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended for all reservations.
More information will be provided to you at the time of booking confirmation. Please contact us for a more detailed description of restrictions, cancellations, and penalties.
This departure requires 40 participants to guarantee a hosted departure.
Please contact us for a more detailed description of restrictions, cancellations, and penalties.
Join Aquafest gay group for 5th annual river cruise in Europe during the delightful summer months as we sail from spectacular Budapest in Hungary along the Danube into Romania/Transylvania and end in amazing Bucharest!
Arrive at the Budapest airport and transfer to the deluxe 
This morning, take a tour of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Situated along the Danube, it combines the once separate towns of hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest into a city rich with history. Begin in Pest, where you see the National Opera House and visit historic Heroes' Square. Cross the Chain Bridge to Buda, where you walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. The rest of the day is yours to explore.
Arrive in Kalocsa, Hungary this morning and take a guided city tour including a visit to the Archbishop's Palace. Then you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return aboard and enjoy your lunch during departure. Dine aboard.
This morning join a walking tour of Viviers' Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Once a 5th-century Roman settlement, today the cobbled streets are dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral. Set sail to Tournon during lunch, docking just after dinner. Enjoy a stroll under the plane trees lining the riverbanks before retiring for the evening.
Wake up in Vukovar and have breakfast before your excursion to the Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs; now Vukovar is revered for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return aboard for lunch and enjoy free time before an early evening departure. 
Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a stately park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship before you have free time to explore Belgrade's gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums, like the Nikola Tesla Museum. Dine aboard your ship or experience some of Belgrade's nightlife. We depart very late this evening.
Today, enjoy scenic cruising as you travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europe's most dramatic natural wonders, a spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Your Cruise Director will provide commentary about the region and scenic points of interest as you sail toward the next port.
Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin, and take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. See the fortress's amazing construction, begun in Roman times and greatly extended by Bulgarian tsars and the Ottomans, and enjoy breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship; then you have free time to explore Vidin's city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city's once-grand synagogue. We depart during dinner.
After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria's former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. There you will see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Continue your venture 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. Return to your ship for dinner. 
Disembark in Giurgiu and proceed to the superior first-class 
Discover the Czech Republic's vibrant capital, the "City of a Hundred Spires." Tour Hradcany Castle and its palaces, churches and museums; visit Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral; and stroll along Charles Bridge. Explore Prague's Jewish heritage in the Jewish Quarter and encounter local culture in Wenceslas Square. Three nights in the First-Class Hilton Prague Hotel (or similar), daily breakfasts, guided city tour and all transfers between your hotel and ship are included, along with the services of a Viking host.
Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Prague, including a guided walk through Prague Castle. Few cities embody the past as authentically as Prague, the Czech Republic's atmospheric capital on the Vltava River that clings to its history with unwavering passion. Prague's medieval architecture is its most prominent, but the city is also a rich repository of Romanesque, baroque and Art Nouveau buildings that stir the imagination. After your tour, enjoy a free afternoon and evening to visit some of the city's landmarks or museums.
Explore this legendary Hungarian capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its elegant boulevards, Parisian atmosphere and outstanding museums. Take a stroll in the parks of Margaret Island, discover the hidden medieval courtyards of the Castle District and eat your fill of savory Hungarian cuisine. Two nights in the First-Class Budapest Marriott Hotel (or similar), daily breakfasts and all transfers between your hotel and ship are included, along with the services of a Viking host.
You have a full day to enjoy some of the sights and attractions of this beautiful city. Walk through Pest and do some shopping along the Váci Street. Cross the Danube via the famous Chain Bridge to enjoy the hillier Buda neighborhoods. Tour the Hungarian National Gallery, the Bartók Museum or one of the thermal spas.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a motor-coach drive through the Transylvania countryside. Stop for a tour of Peles Castle, a 19th-century fortification in Sinaia that melds numerous European architectural styles and materials into a harmonious and romantic structure. Continue to Brasov, where you have a panoramic city tour featuring the city's Gothic-style Black Church. Check in to the First-Class 
This morning, check out of your Brasov hotel. Take a short ride to Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula's Castle. This landmark citadel, built in the 14th century and used by Saxon and Walachian kings, is the best-known of several locations linked to the Dracula legend; it was used by Vlad Tepes, or "Vlad the Impaler," as his headquarters for his incursions into Transylvania. The castle has Gothic and baroque furnishings and decorative arts on display. After your tour, return to the First-Class 
