Nights 1 & 2: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest Bucharest, Romania The city center, with its museums and shops, is the site of the historic Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest. First built in 1914, and still retaining much of its original charm, the hotel was totally renovated and returned to its original glory by Hilton Hotels in 1997. The spacious guestrooms, which feature marble baths, are nicely decorated, well appointed and most comfortable. Fitness and recreational facilities include a Fitness Room and a pool. The popular English Bar offers a wide range of whiskies and the Brasserie is a classic among Bucharest’s restaurants.
Nights 3 – 9: Aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire Cruising Europe's inland waterways exclusively for Tauck, the new-for-2008 MS Swiss Sapphire and the MS Swiss Emerald (launched in 2006) represent the epitome of luxurious river cruising. At cocktail time, the gracious Lido Bar in the stern has a 180° glass wall that opens for an indoor / outdoor cocktail hour. The spacious Panorama Lounge in the bow, with its bar, dance floor and entertainment, is a delightful gathering spot in the evenings. The Restaurant offers both an elegant dining venue and a fine dining experience. The cabins, which range from 150 to 183 sq. ft., provide plush accommodations with plasma TV, terry bathrobes, fine L'Occitane toiletries, large windows and much more. In addition to their spacious, well-appointed cabins, both ships offer 14 beautiful 300 sq. ft. suites equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble baths, flat-screen televisions and walk-in closets. Crews of 29 attentively serve just 118 guests. The Swiss Emerald and Swiss Sapphire are definitely “top-of-the-line.”
Nights 10 & 11: Le Méridien Budapest Budapest, Hungary Le Méridien Budapest is ideally located in the heart of Budapest, close to the city’s major sights. Lushly decorated guest rooms offer many amenities including coffee makers, mini-bars and televisions with cable and satellite channels. In the Health Club, guests can take advantage of the tranquility of the indoor swimming pool crowned by a glass roof, as well as exercise equipment and a whirlpool. The hotel’s staff enjoys an excellent reputation for their friendliness and enthusiastic efficiency.