We docked in Russe (or Rousse), Bulgaria which was just across the Danube River from Giurgiu, Romania where we embarked on our first day of the river cruise. It was still cold when we left at 9:00 am to go on a tour. Again, our tour guide, a Bulgarian lady apologetically informed us that they have never seen snow at the end of March! Global Warming changes????
We did a little drive through to the coastal city of Russe which used to be an outpost of the Roman Empire. Here too, the Ottoman Empire’s railway was inaugurated and considered the longest span over the river and the only link between Bulgaria and Romania.
It took us two hours to reach Veliko Tarnovo, a fascinating medieval town built around the Tsaravets Hills. We had a magnificent view of the surroundings from the bridge with a backdrop of the monument of the Assenev Brothers considered the heroes of the town for defying the Greeks.
The next stop was the restaurant where we had a quick coffee break and to use the bathrooms getting ready for another drive to the mountains.
We went to see the medieval fortress that reminded me of the Great Wall of China.
After strolling the fortress grounds the most awaited hour for the day – lunch! We all went to this rustic restaurant and hotel where we were entertained while tasting the Bulgarian cuisine. Yours truly joined the dancers and they taught me Bulgarian dances. I asked for the local beer and I was served Tuborg (a beer from Denmark)!
Now rested, we proceeded to Arbanasi, rich in history and Greek influence. We entered a medieval Orthodox Church with no windows with lots of icons painted on the walls and ceilings. Sort of stories from the bible for those practitioners who could not read.
After the church we went to see what the house of a rich local merchant looked like.
Exhausted after the long drive and tours, we all ended napping on the way back to our boat.
The Lif ship is a very little cruise ship meant to coast along rivers, hence, its name Viking River Cruise. Ours has a crew of about 50 with cruisers no more than 200. Yes, what a big difference with that of those enormous cruise ships with thousands of passengers! Trini and I decided to be Viking cruisers from now on….
The Senior Travelers' Blog Site 