Ruse (Rousse-Russe, Bulgaria)

Ruse (aka Russe or Rousse), is a Danube River cruise port, a major river port, and Bulgaria's 5th largest city (population around 150,000). It is located on the river's right bank, opposite to Giurgiu Romania, approx 75 km (47 mi) south of Bucharest (Romania's capital), 200 km (124 mi) east of the Black Sea, and 300 km (186 mi) north from Sofia (Bulgaria's capital city). Rousse is a cruise port for Veliko Tarnovo (city) and Arbanasi (village) visited on bus tours organized by the cruise company/ship operator.

Rousse is Bulgaria's most important river port, serving the country's European shipping trade. The city is famous for the plenty of well preserved 19th-century buildings. There are a total of 272 cultural monuments. Most of the tourist sights are at the city center (theater, opera, museums, architectural landmarks, hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops).

The city's main street (Aleksandrovska) is an interesting architectural ensemble of buildings in Neo-Rococo, Neo-Baroque, and other architectural styles. The Monument of Liberty was created in early-20th-century by Arnoldo Zocchi (Italian sculptor). As time went by, it gained significance as one of the symbols of Ruse, and now forms part of the town's coat of arms. Dohodno Zdanie is a Neoclassical edifice (in downtown) built 1898-1902 to accommodate the local theatrical performances. Girdap was Bulgaria's first privately-owned bank. It was established in 1881 and became one of the six largest Bulgarian banks. Today the main building is a favorite meeting point and houses the administration of the Chamber of Commerce. Rousse Historical Museum is on the town square and houses the regional library "Lyuben Karavelov". The building is decorated with baroque ornaments. 

Ruse is famous for its unique 19th-20th-century architecture (Neo-Rococo and Neo-Baroque styles) and is often called "Little Vienna". The Ruse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge was the only one in the Bulgarian-Romanian section of Danube until June 14, 2013, when was inaugurated the New Europe Bridge (fka Danube Bridge 2, aka Calafat-Vidin Bridge).

Cruise tours to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi

Veliko Tarnovo (Turnovo) is a town in north-central Bulgaria, with total area approx 30 km2 (12 mi2) and population around 70,000. By cruise tourists, the town is visited via bus shuttles from Port Rouse.

The city is also famous for the nearby Arbanasi (traditional Bulgarian village), located at approx 4 km (2,5 mi) to the northeast. Arbanasi is also famous for the St Nicholas Monastery (17th-century), several churches (built 15th-18th centuries) and the Arbanasi Palace (former holiday residence of Todor Zhivkov / 1911-1998) which is currently operated as a hotel).

Often called "The City of the Tsars", Veliko Turnovo lies on Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the 2nd Bulgarian Empire. The city attracts many tourists with unique architecture. The old part of Veliko Turnovo is situated on the 3 hills Sveta Gora, Tsarevets and Trapezitsa, rising amidst the meanders of Yantra River. The palaces of the Bulgarian emperors, the Patriarchal Cathedral, the Patriarchate, and also a number of residential and administrative edifices surrounded by thick walls are on Tsarevets.

Trapezitsa is famous for its many churches and as nobility's former main residence. During the Middle Ages, Veliko Turnovo was among the main centres of culture in Europe and gave its name to the architecture of Turnovo Artistic School, painting of Turnovo Artistic School, and to literature. The city of Veliko Turnovo is a major educational, cultural, administrative and economic centre of Northern Bulgaria.

450,000 tourists visited the city in 2013. A number of other sites, except the historic hill Tsarevets, also attract tourists, including the Samovodskata Charshiya, numerous Bulgarian Renaissance and medieval churches, as well as the ancient Roman fortress of Nicopolis ad Istrum.