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Passage To Eastern Europe Itinerary
MON JUL 15, 2024 Depart Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
TUE JUL 16, 2024 Arrive Bucharest, Romania (OTP)
Check In, Bucharest Hotel?
WED JUL 17, 2024 Transfer from Bucharest Hotel to VIKING ULLUR
WED JUL 17, 2024 Embark In Bucharest on Viking Ullur
THU JUL 18, 2024 Ruse , Veliko Tranovo & Arbanasi. Bulgaria
FRI JUL 19, 2024 Vidin, Bulgaria
SAT JUL 20, 2024 Scenic Sailing: The Iron Gates
SAT JUL 20, 2024 Golubac, Serbia
SUN JUL 21, 2024 Belgrade, Serbia
MON JUL 22, 2024 Osijek, Croatia
TUE JUL 23, 2024 Kalocsa, Hungary
WED JUL 24, 2024 Disembark In Budapest
WED JUL 24, 2024 Transfer from VIKING ULLUR to Budapest Hotel
WED JUL 24, 2024 Check In, Budapest Hotel
FRI JUL 26, 2024 Transfer from Budapest Hotel to Budapest, Hungary Airport (BUD)
FRI JUL 26, 2024 Depart Budapest, Hungary (BUD) – Business Class
FRI JUL 26, 2024 Arrive Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Monday July 15 2024
We left Phoenix for Houston on United Airlines at 835am. We were anxious to board the Lufthansa 747 in Houston, to continue our journey. Looking forward to the Business Class seating. We changed flights in Frankfort 10 hours later. Arriving Bucharest around noon on the 16th.
Tuesday July 16, 2024
After locating our Viking reps at the Bucharest airport (OTP), we loaded the bus to our hotel for the evening. JW Mariott.
It was nice to lay back and rest after 15 hours in the air plus transfer time, and a full day to look ahead to Wednesday. So enjoyed a Romanian beer and some snacks before bed.
Wednesday July 17
Viking had us place our luggage outside our room and saw to it that it was transferred to our stateroom on our ship (River boat). After breakfast, we loaded back on a bus, hosted by Roxanne, our fantastic guide for the day.
Roxanne pointed out many interesting highlights of Bucharest, not the least of which is the incredible Parliament building, the second largest administrative building in the world. It was ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu (1918–1989), the president of Communist Romania. It has eight underground levels, which includes a nuclear bunker. We found the history of Romania and the four other former communist countries we visited to be a reminder of the freedoms we have in the USA.
Typical Romanian home from 17th century.
Roxanne took us to the Muzeul Satului Museum. Basically a park with many Romanian structures/homes from past history that were relocated and reassembled to help keep Romanian history alive. We were told the blue window casing help ward off mosquitoes. Huh?
After touring a bit more around Bucharest, we embarked the Ullur at the port at Giurgiu to get settled in our stateroom for the first time. Afterward we were welcomed and had a safety drill in the lounge, followed by dinner in the restaurant dining room. That evening, the Ullur sailed up the Danube to Port at Ruse, Bulgaria.
Thursday July 18, 2024
The Ullur stopped at Ruse, Bulgaria for an two included excursions to disembark, one to Ruse (Rousse), and the all day adventure we chose to Veliko Tranovo, which also include Arbanasi. The drive through the country side enabled us to see a lot of Bulgarian. Like many of our other bus trips, we saw may fields of sunflowers.
For lunch, we stopped at a local restaurant and enjoyed lively folkloric performance that recalls the simple rural life in Romania. They even got Connie up to dance a bit (not in picture).
We also visited Arbanasi, a village rich in history and Greek influence, and the intricate frescoes of the Nativity Church.
Friday July 19, 2024
Friday was pretty much a laid back day, again. The staterooms have large screen TVs so we were able to stay abreast of the Republican Convention, as well as other items around the world. The paid excursion we were on took place in private homes, so there were morning and afternoon times to go. We were scheduled for the afternoon. It was one of the highlights of our cruise. Going to a residential home and learning about making their nation’s beloved banitsa, and how the diet here helps some locals live to 100. We were welcomed by our gracious hosts that spoke English pretty well. They encouraged our group to join in making one of these cheese pies. Connie will endeavor to make one when we get home. We’ll see.
Saturday July 20, 2024
Saturday was a big day of sailing up to Serbia following the Danube thru the Iron Gates passage (actually on eastern border of Romania). Because the passage is so narrow, we had to wait while a couple ships was coming down (we were traveling up river). Waited in full view of the the Statue of Decebalus a colossal sculpture carved from a rock located along the suggestive banks of the Danube, on the border between Romania and Serbia.
Some brave souls signed up for an excursion to hike up for a panoramic view of the statue and the passage. We passed to stay on board and see the Poppy Seed Strudel cooking demonstration in the lounge by Chef Siyami (Uncle Sammy). All this followed later with a nice dinner in the restaurant. Sometime after dinner we continued up river in route to Belgrade, Serbia.
We had passed thru some locks during the night, but we got a first hand observation that morning. Quite incredible how it all works. One could reach out and touch the lock side as we passed thru.
Connie and I would always try to give thanks before each meal. We were very discrete as we didn’t want to act disrespectful, but our new friends from South Korea, Daniel and Jennie, noticed and shared with us that they also give thanks. They were encouraged that others were too. A good reminder of all the Blessings we receive, especially forgiveness through Jesus on the cross.
We enjoyed meeting new folks. Here we are joined by Daniel and Jennie from Seattle, along with Mike and Mary from San Diego.
Sunday July 21, 2024
Our visit to Belgrade was incredible. It is the Serbian capital and former capital of the state of Yugoslavia, Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its location at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers has long made it a contested region. Throughout its history, the “White City,” as its Serbian name translates, has been destroyed and rebuilt 20 times. Fortunately, the wide-reaching citadel remains, housing the Kalemegdan Fortress.
Our guide, Srdjan Ristic, was a
fantastic guide with a wealth of knowledge. He also gave a presentation later this evening on board the Ullur. He shared a lot of Serbian history with us. Amazing how the five countries we visited ended their Communist leadership in the late 1980s. Srdjan is an author and shared a lot that is in his book, Yugoslavia: Utopia or Inspiration? Available thru Amazon.
We learned much about the fortress’s centuries of occupation by Turks, Ottomans, Romans to name a few. A fantastic history.
After our visit to the fortress and a little free time around town, we went to the Serbian Orthodox Church, one of the largest in the world. One of many churches we were able to visit on our cruise excursions. Most are Orthodox.
Monday July 22, 2024
Our next port was in Croatia to visit Vukovar and Osijek. Osijek is the fourth-largest city located near the confluence of the Drava and Danube Rivers. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural capital of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia.
Viking often has presentations from the local country. We enjoyed this Croatian band one afternoon. Got a kick out of the tiny mandolin type instrument.
We bused to a nearby village to be welcomed into the home of a local family. The woman standing in the blue dress is the owner of the home. She didn’t speak English, but her neighbor joined us and explained a lot about the area and the past. Bombing they experienced and their church that survived. A most enjoyable adventure.
We saw stork nest in nearly all the places we visited. We learned they mate for life, leave for the winter, then return to the same nest. Didn’t see any of them carry a baby, however.
Tuesday July 23, 2024
Today, we had a relaxing morning. After breakfast, David, the Program Director presented everyone with disembarkation information. Good to know so we could be prepared to leave the ship and move to our hotel Wednesday.
Assumption Cathedral in Kalocsa. Beautiful church. Eva told has they have services every day as well as a school (her daughter goes there) The magnificent pipe organ
Pustza, Hungray
After our wonderful experience in Kalocsa, we went to the Hungarian Horse Show on a nearby ranch.
Magyar cowboys demonstrate their equestrian skills in the show as well as show off their horses.
Wednesday July 24, 2024
Wow. The two full days we spent in Budapest had to be the highlight of our trip. After debarking the Ullur, our guide Agnes, had our bus driver show us around Budapest. Although it appears as one city, it consists of two: Buda and one side of the Danube, and Pest on the other.
One major attraction is the Budapest
Matthias Church and Trinity Square
Because our Hilton hotel is next door to the church and Trinity Square, we centered our visits from the area. Shopping and walking down to get a burger at the Spiler Brewery Biergarten. Certainly had to stop when we saw the sidewalk Gelato wagon.
On our last day in Budapest and with a little help from the Hilton concierge, we got on a local bus to downtown, then transferred to an underground subway to make it to the House of Terror.
House of Terror Museum commemorates two tragic eras in Hungarian history. From 1944 to 1990. Hungary lost its independence and freedom – first by Arrow Cross thugs supported by German Nazis, and then by communists backed by the Soviet Union. They have since recovered both their independence and freedom, and are now free citizens of an independent Hungary.
The building once housed the headquarters of the notorious Nazi and Arrow Cross Party during World War II. After the war, Hungary fell under the Soviet Union, and the building became the base for the equally oppressive communist secret police—the AVH (similar to KGB).
The wall covered with portraits of former detainees serves as a memorial to those who suffered within the building. They were interrogated, tortured and executed those considered an enemy of the state.
Budapest at Night
Budapest by night leader Danny (with beard and lolly pot sign) was full of knowledge and humor. This had to be a highlight of our entire trip…on our last night in Budapest.