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The logo for UNICA 2012.
the festival where nations compete from 25th August - 1st September 2012

Luxury Cruise Ship to UNICA 2012

Ruse is on the Danube, one of Europe's greatest waterways and trade routes. Our colleagues in VÖFA (the Austrian equivalent of the IAC) are planning a cruise from Vienna to the Black Sea and thence to Ruse. The trip visits some of the most famous cities of Europe. The details are shown below - but naturally they have chosen a ship where German is the language used.

Do remember that you must add the cost of getting to Vienna and back from Ruse!

If you don't speak German, there are many other cruises available over part of the route - often with packages including flights from the UK - for example at www.cruisingholidays.co.uk


THE DANUBE CRUISE: Vienna to the Black  Sea
10 days  / 9 Nights on a 4-star cruise ship

Join UNICA 2012 by cruising the great Danube river. The four-star ship "Nestroy" sails from Vienna to the Black Sea. You can visit historic cities, mighty fortresses and see stunning nature paradises on your way from Vienna to the Danube's estuary delta.

We start on 15th August 2012 at 4pm from Vienna's Nussdorf suburb and reach Tulcea at the end of the river on 24th August, whence we travel by  bus to Ruse. UNICA begins the next day. During the ten day voyage there is a programme of excursions to places of interest along the way.

The cruise takes in the capital cities of Austria (Vienna), Slovakia (Bratislava), (Hungary) Budapest, and Serbia (Belgrade.)

1. Day: Vienna

In the afternoon we embark on the MS Nestroy at Vienna-Nußdorf and then sail off down river towards Budapest.

2. Day: Budapest

We reach Budapest in the early morning. From the deck you can start to see the splendid buildings of the Hungarian capital on both banks. It is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. You get to know the Hungarian metropolis in more detail on a round-trip through the city. (*Part of the trip package.)

The Fishermans Bastion in Budapest.There are many outstanding sights. On Castle Hill there is the royal palace, the Matthias Church and the Fisherman's Bastion; the city park, the millennium monument, St. Stephen's Basilica and the magnificent Parliament. In the afternoon, MS Nestroy sets course south and we sail through the famous Puszta seeing for example grass steppes and savanna south of Budapest...

During the night, we cross the Hungarian-Serbian border.

3. Day: Belgrade

At noon the Nestroy comes into the Serbian capital, Belgrade. A city round-trip (* part of the trip package) takes us past the National Museum, over the central square to the Parliament and to the former residenve of Prince Milo. OOther attractions include the cathedral, St. Mark's Church, the former royal palace and the Bajrak Konak Mosque, the Palace of Princess Ljubica, and the Coffee house "Zum Fragezeichen".

Aerial view of the Kalemegdan Fortress remains.Belgrade is also famed for the fortress Kalemegdan: built over the centuries by Celt and Romans, Bulgarians and Byzantine, Hungary and Serb, Turks and Austrians. Since it was stormed by Prince Eugen there remain the bastions and gates we see today.

At night the Nestroy leaves Belgrade to go further downstream.

4. Day: The Iron gate

The Iron Gate gorge.Enjoy a quiet and comfortable day on board today. From Belgrade, the river widens to as much as one-and-a-half kilometers, but soon narrows again, because it begins the pass through the Derdap, the 100 km long valley of the Danube between the Carpathian and the Balkan mountains. Eventually it reaches the third and last narrowing, known as "The Iron Gate". After the first corner, "the small eddy", the Danube becomes two kilometers wide, but soon the shores come closer again as we enter the most impressive section of the Danube through the Veliki Derdap (the major constriction). For 9 kilometres the river runs 165 metres wise and 70 m deep between the 600 metre heights of the Kazan high rock shores. Finally, we reach the famous "iron gate." The iron gate is not only the last big obstacle for the Danube, it s hydro-electric power stations make electricity available to the boundless expanse of southern Walachia.

5. Day: Rousse

During the night the MS Nestroy Bulgaria reaches Bulgarua and morning finds us in Rousse.

The fortress at Veliko Tarnovo.After breakfast we depart for a day trip. We start with a visit to the former capital Veliko Tarnovo (*part of the trip package), which is considered one of the most picturesque Bulgarian towns and offers many historical and cultural impressions. Not for nothing was it once called "Queen of Cities" or "Second Constantinople." There are two proud hills, like islands encircled by the Yantra river - one of which has the remains of the medieval coronation city.

We pass through a narrow alley to the fortress gate at the foot of the "Zaravez Hill," residence of the Tsars. Deep down, on both sides of the river, the towers of the historic churches rise up. (Lunch)

In the afternoon we make an excursion to the ancient village of Arbanassi (*part of the trip package) , renowned for its painted churches and the artists' market. Worth seeing also is  the location for its two monasteries, churches, and especially the five Bulgarian dwellings from the 16th and 17th century with  their thick stone walls, barred windows, wooden shutters and iron-studded doors.

Then we return to Rousse.


6. Day: Oltenita

The Nestroy leaves the southern Danube shore to go further downstream. After breakfast on board we take another day trip by coach from Oltenita to Bucharest. We pass a lonely wilderness with hidden waterways, where "Nothing grows. Nothing besides thistles" said a local poet born in the Bargan. Where however, unending steppes once glowed under the sun, unending wheat fields stretch today, because innumerable canals bring the water of the Danube to its most distant corners.

Near Bucharest we visit the village museum, in which Romanian farmhouses of past decades are collected and lovingly restored. (*part of the trip package)

The Palace of the Patriarchy in Bucharest.After lunch a city tour through Bucharest shows us amongst other things the Patriarchie, the palace of the people and the freedom monument as well as the former royal Residence. Then it is back to the ship with by bus.

7. Day: Cernavoda

During the night, Nestroy reaches its next  Danube harbour. At Cernavoda there is a surprising range of towering hills known as Dobrogea. Here the Danube is less than 50 kilometers east of the Black Sea, but the hard hills of Dobrogea, force it in a huge arc around the mountains before the current can spread into the delta at the reiver's mouth.

The casino at Constanta.We take a day trip to the Black Sea city of Constanta (* part of the trip package). (Packed lunch). With its mild climate and the largest trade port of the land, Constanta is one of the most important cities of Romania.

After returning to the ship, the journey continues towards the Danube Delta.

8. Day: Izmail. Vilkovo

The actual "root" of the Danube delta comes quite unexpectedly. Suddenly, for no obvious reason, the river divides into three main channels, that are interconnected through canals, tributaries and countless lakes. The gigantic river delta is 4.340 km² big and its landscape is simply unique in Europe. While the scenery continually shifts from water, reed walls, bushes and trees, you can spot hundreds of types of birds and the nesting sites of innumerable migratory bird types. Even at its delta the Danube remains true to itself and reveals to its friends its infinity.

Vilkova life.The Nestroy runs in the most northern of the three Danube channels, Chilia-Arm. We glide through the Ukrainian Danube delta as far as the Ukrainian city of Vilkovo, which we reach after breakfast.

We take a tour of the Danube delta with a smaller trip boat (*part of the trip package) and take part in a tour through Vilkovo (*part of the trip package) , the last city before the estuary in the black sea. In the evening, we leave the Ukrainian part of the Danube and glide back to the main city of the Romanian Danube delta.

9. Day: Danube delta - Tulcea

Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority's Head Office in TulceaAfter breakfast the MS Nestroy goes to Mila in Roumania, whence we take a second boat trip (*part of the trip package) into the arms of the Danube Delta, in order to now take another look at the new landscape of the Danube Delta.

In the afternoon, the MS Nestroy travels through the Sulina branch to the river "kilometer zero", where, after a "greetings to the Black Sea" again turns up the river - about midnight reaching the Danube delta city of Tulcea.

10. Day: Tulcea. Debarkation

Early in the morning we leave the MS Nestroy.

NOTES

The Trip Package

  • City round-trip Budapest
  • City round-trip Belgrade
  • Trip Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi (including. lunches))
  • Trip to Bucharest / city round-trip including. visit of the village museum (including. lunches))
  • Trip Constanta (at noon Packed lunch) + 1. boat trip Danube delta
  • 2. boat trip Danube delta

All sight-seeing tours have German-speaking local guides working with groups of approximately 40 people.  All sight-seeing tours include admission fees but not any photography or videography charges.

The shipping company reserves the right to make alterations to the travel course and trip programme. Please be aware that unusually high or low water may cause unforeseen delays at the locks and weather conditions may also cause delays and therefore alterations of the trip programme. The shipping company also reserves the right to use other forms of transport and accommodation for its guests if high or low water conditions of problems with the ship itself. (For example using buses and hotels, changing the route or possibly even transferring to another ship.

PRICES at 1st July 2010

The following are included:

  • 10 days cruising on board the 4-star MS Nestroy as shown above
  • All embarkation, debarkation, lock and port tolls
  • Overnight stays in the cabin category booked
  • Full board, starting with dinner on day one and finishing with breakfast on the last day.
  • Free participation in the programme of events on board
  • German-language cruise management

not included:

  • Beverages and personal expenditure, tips, recommended: approximately € 7 - per person per travel day
  • Travel insurance
  • The Trip Package which is € 229
  • Bus trip from Tulcea to Ruse (Rousse)
  • Return trip home from Ruse

*Season surcharge: Dates 15.08.-24.08. = € 100 per person.

category accommodation price
A two bed cabin on Grillparzerdeck, aft € 1.044,-
B two bed cabin on Grillparzerdeck € 1.139,-
C two bed cabin on Schiller deck € 1.471,-
D two bed cabin on Goethe deck € 1.519,-
E double cabin Suite on Schiller deck € 1.756,-
F double cabin Suite on Goethe deck € 1.804,-
R roulette cabin* € 1.234,-

* Take a chance of getting a better cabin at a cheaper price. There is a limited number available and you take pot-luck.

Some two bed cabins can be booked for single occupancy at an additional 80 percent of the respective two bed category.

All standard cabins are 12m². Those on the Grillparzer deck only have a single window that starts at about shoulder height, the others have a full-height sliding window. The cabins make optimal use of space and include a small writing / dressing table, and a bathroom with shower. During the day there are couches and at night beds fold down over them.

There is a sundeck complete with adequate shade, a bar which doubles as a lecture room and restuarants.

The TRIP PACKAGE € 229,-

  • City round-trip Budapest
  • City round-trip Belgrade
  • Trip from Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi
  • Trip to Bucharest / city round-trip  including visit to the village museum
  • Trip Constanta
  • 1. boat trip Danube delta
  • Tour Vilkovo
  • 2. boat trip Danube delta

The travel company reserves the right to amend prices. A minimum of 220 passengers is required for the ship to sail. A down payment of 10% is required at the soonest 11 months before the proposed end of the trip. Final payment is required from two weeks before the trip.

All prices are in Euro and per person.

There are hefty cancellation charges, so better make sure your travel insurance covers such eventualities.

This is a loose translation and extension of the documentation. The definitive form may be seen in the German language on the VÖFA website www.filmautoren.at - click on VÖFA News > Erste Info zur UNICA 2012. Please double-check for yourself before committing to this trip.

If you are interested contact the VÖFA President:

Alois Urbanek
Schottengasse 3a/5/33
1010 Wien
Österreich

ural-film@aon.at  /   Tel.: ++43-1-5358313 oder ++ 43-1-298473  / Handy: 0664-73816094


Pictures from Wikipedia:
Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion by Sprok.
Belgrade - Kalemegdan Fortress by Igor Jeremic.
Veliko Tarnovo - fortress by Nikola Gruev

Bucharest - Palace of the Patriarchy - by Denis Barthel
Constanta - Casino - by Laurap
Vilkova - river scene - by Fetisov
Tulcea - Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority's Head Office - by Trygve W Nodeland

Previous UNICAs ||  UNICA 2012: official websiteintroduction | hotels | travel from UK |British films


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