Begin your vacation in Vienna (or opt for Budapest), one of the world’s most celebrated cities, renowned for its music, architecture and dance. Transfer to Budapest to begin your Danube voyage. You will soon traverse the narrow gorges of the Iron Gates, a stunning passage that divides Europe’s Balkan and Carpathian mountains. Later, cruise along the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Visit Vidin, Belogradchik and Bucharest, the capital and largest city in Romania. Disembark and take the optional air transfer to Istanbul or continue over land to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, before arriving in Plovdiv. Your sojourn concludes in exotic Istanbul.
Start your vacation with two nights in Romania's capital city of Bucharest. Embark your cruise and sail along the Romanian-Bulgarian border, visiting cities like Vidin and Belogradchik. You will traverse the narrow gorges of the Iron Gates, a stunning passage that divides Europe’s Balkan and Carpathian mountains. End your vacation in Vienna (or opt for Budapest), one of the world’s most celebrated cities, renowned for its music, architecture and dance.
From Istanbul to Vienna, and countless treasures in between, touch history in Turkey, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, as you journey along the exotic lower Danube. Celtic fortifications, medieval towns and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates, showcase the best of eastern Europe. Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends; or to bike through Belgrade’s sprawling Kalemegdan Park. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Ilok, a royal and vinous town. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. And the active adventurers will appreciate hiking to the UNESCO-designated Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches and biking through Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Park and Vidin’s Baba Vida castle. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent.
Gems of Southeast Europe
At A Glance
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Embark your ship in Rousse. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 2 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Rousse Highlights & Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches hike |
|
Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” Begin your day with a city tour that features a visit to the Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditional architecture of rural Romania. After lunch, guests will have a choice between free time in the newly renovated Lipscani district, the historical city center of Bucharest, or a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik hike |
|
| | OR Dos Alamos Wine Tasting |
|
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. Visit Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle dating back to the Dark Ages, located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations. Continue on to the Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country. Standing guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin, this massive medieval castle has thick walls and four imposing towers, a stark contrast to the peaceful park that surrounds it. Inside, you’ll be treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Iron Gates | Full-day scenic cruising |
|
Today is a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern Balkan Mountains. This natural border between Serbia and Romania will be an unforgettable highlight of your Black Sea adventure. (B,L,D)
| | OR Podrum Panajotovic Wine Tasting |
|
| | OR Quburich Brandy tasting |
|
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of some of the city’s 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. You will also see the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava as part of your tour. You will have free time in the city center after your tour to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the city’s main pedestrian and shopping area.(B,L,D)
Day 6 | Novi Sad | Walking tour |
|
| | OR Petrovaradin Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Serbian Specialties Tasting |
|
| Ilok | Croatian wine tasting |
|
Arrive in Novi Sad in the morning and enjoy a walking tour from Danube Park to the old town center. After your tour, the ship continues on to Ilok, Croatia. Choose between an excursion to Ilok with a wine tasting or a city tour of Vukovar. Vukovar’s rich history bears the influence of the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians. See Vukovar’s Baroque town center, the Franciscan Monastery, the Castle of the former ruling Eltz family, and the monumental cross that is a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion |
|
| | OR Bike Ride along the Danube |
|
This morning the ship arrives in Mohács, where you depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pécs became an important early Christian diocese and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. The area around Pécs is made up of rolling hills, vine clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, you will take a city tour that includes UNESCO underground excavations, St. Peter’s Basilica, the main Catholic Cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue. You will return to the ship in Mohács. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark your cruise in Budapest. (B)
Embark your ship in Rousse. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 2 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Rousse Highlights & Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches hike |
|
Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” Begin your day with a city tour that features a visit to the Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditional architecture of rural Romania. After lunch, guests will have a choice between free time in the newly renovated Lipscani district, the historical city center of Bucharest, or a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik hike |
|
| | OR Dos Alamos Wine Tasting |
|
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. Visit Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle dating back to the Dark Ages, located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations. Continue on to the Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country. Standing guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin, this massive medieval castle has thick walls and four imposing towers, a stark contrast to the peaceful park that surrounds it. Inside, you’ll be treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Iron Gates | Full-day scenic cruising |
|
Today is a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern Balkan Mountains. This natural border between Serbia and Romania will be an unforgettable highlight of your Black Sea adventure. (B,L,D)
| | OR Podrum Panajotovic Wine Tasting |
|
| | OR Quburich Brandy tasting |
|
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of some of the city’s 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. You will also see the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava as part of your tour. You will have free time in the city center after your tour to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the city’s main pedestrian and shopping area.(B,L,D)
Day 6 | Novi Sad | Walking tour |
|
| | OR Petrovaradin Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Serbian Specialties Tasting |
|
| Ilok | Croatian wine tasting |
|
Arrive in Novi Sad in the morning and enjoy a walking tour from Danube Park to the old town center. After your tour, the ship continues on to Ilok, Croatia. Choose between an excursion to Ilok with a wine tasting or a city tour of Vukovar. Vukovar’s rich history bears the influence of the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians. See Vukovar’s Baroque town center, the Franciscan Monastery, the Castle of the former ruling Eltz family, and the monumental cross that is a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion |
|
| | OR Bike Ride along the Danube |
|
This morning the ship arrives in Mohács, where you depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pécs became an important early Christian diocese and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. The area around Pécs is made up of rolling hills, vine clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, you will take a city tour that includes UNESCO underground excavations, St. Peter’s Basilica, the main Catholic Cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue. You will return to the ship in Mohács. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark your cruise in Budapest. (B)
Embark your ship in Rousse. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 2 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Rousse Highlights & Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches hike |
|
Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” Begin your day with a city tour that features a visit to the Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditional architecture of rural Romania. After lunch, guests will have a choice between free time in the newly renovated Lipscani district, the historical city center of Bucharest, or a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik hike |
|
| | OR Dos Alamos Wine Tasting |
|
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. Visit Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle dating back to the Dark Ages, located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations. Continue on to the Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country. Standing guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin, this massive medieval castle has thick walls and four imposing towers, a stark contrast to the peaceful park that surrounds it. Inside, you’ll be treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Iron Gates | Full-day scenic cruising |
|
Today is a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern Balkan Mountains. This natural border between Serbia and Romania will be an unforgettable highlight of your Black Sea adventure. (B,L,D)
| | OR Podrum Panajotovic Wine Tasting |
|
| | OR Quburich Brandy tasting |
|
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of some of the city’s 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. You will also see the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava as part of your tour. You will have free time in the city center after your tour to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the city’s main pedestrian and shopping area.(B,L,D)
Day 6 | Novi Sad | Walking tour |
|
| | OR Petrovaradin Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Serbian Specialties Tasting |
|
| Ilok | Croatian wine tasting |
|
Arrive in Novi Sad in the morning and enjoy a walking tour from Danube Park to the old town center. After your tour, the ship continues on to Ilok, Croatia. Choose between an excursion to Ilok with a wine tasting or a city tour of Vukovar. Vukovar’s rich history bears the influence of the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians. See Vukovar’s Baroque town center, the Franciscan Monastery, the Castle of the former ruling Eltz family, and the monumental cross that is a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion |
|
| | OR Bike Ride along the Danube |
|
This morning the ship arrives in Mohács, where you depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pécs became an important early Christian diocese and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. The area around Pécs is made up of rolling hills, vine clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, you will take a city tour that includes UNESCO underground excavations, St. Peter’s Basilica, the main Catholic Cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue. You will return to the ship in Mohács. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark your cruise in Budapest. (B)