BELOGRADCHIK
CONSTANTA
From here, we drive into this rugged wilderness and suddenly the horizon is dotted with huge sandstone cliffs, in a spectrum of orange-reds and yellows, eroded into huge, bizarre shapes. These are the Belogradchik Rocks; unique and dramatic, they cover an area of 90 square kilometres, some reaching as high as 200 metres. Many of these gigantic natural sculptures are named after people
Call
or objects they are thought to resemble, whilst others are associated with colourful legends. We return to the ship for another excellent dinner. Later on, why not catch up with your fellow companions? Perhaps have a drink or two in the lounge, whilst the resident pianist plays a soothing melody.
0800 810 8220
or visit
DAY 11 – IRON GATES & LEPENSKI VIR This morning’s cruising brings us once again to the natural dramatic splendour of the Iron Gates Gorge, at the heart of Serbia’s Djerdap National Park. The gorge was cut out of the Carpathian mountain range over millions of years as the Danube drained the Pannonian Sea. Amongst the park’s thick forests of ancient oak, hazel and beech lies a rich preserve of game, deer and wild boar. Mountain goats roam the rocky cliffs of Djerdap Kazan, whilst bears, wolves, foxes and wild cats wander the dense woodland. Keep an eye out for eagles and falcons, too. Enjoy the splendour of this magnificent stretch of the river from a sun lounger on deck, or watch the seamless scene changes of this river spectacle unfold through the panoramic windows in the ship’s elegant lounge. This afternoon we moor in Donji Milanovac and take the short drive to visit Lepenski Vir, one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe, dating as far back as 9500 BC. The site consists of a series of Mesolithic villages located on a high terrace overlooking the Danube. The wooden houses were laid out in a fan shape and used one of the first types of concrete as their foundations! The floors were made of sandstone, often covered with limestone plaster and even decorated with red and white pigments. Our guided tour will reveal more about this fascinating place and how these ancient people lived. DAY 12 – NOVI SAD The numerous fortresses along the banks of the Danube are reminders that the area has been fought over for centuries and this morning, we pass one of the most impressive – the medieval Smederevo Fortress, spectacularly located at the water’s edge. After a lazy day we moor in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second largest city, in the shadow of the Fruska Gora mountain, its gentle fertile slopes terraced with lush vineyards. The climate and the proximity to the Danube make this region ideal for wine production, particularly Italian Riesling, but there are many others produced here including the only original dessert wine, Bermet, an Italian vermouthlike wine with a unique aromatic sweetness. Enjoy a guided tour of this vibrant city, which flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming known as the ‘Athens of Serbia’. See its Old Town hall on the impressive main square, flanked by lovely 19th-century architecture, its ancient castle and synagogue. Towering over it all is the mighty Petrovaradin Fortress with its complex system of underground tunnels. The minute and hour hands of its iconic clock face are reversed, supposedly so that fishermen could still tell the time at a distance! You can learn more about the fortress and its turbulent history at the museum on site. We are moored here this evening, so why not enjoy an after-dinner stroll and take in the relaxed ambience of this lovely city?
www.rivercruising.co.uk
71