Sail through Eastern Europe on this fascinating 8-day river cruise. History comes alive in the cities of Budapest and Belgrade and culture is abundant as you sail for the port towns of Mohacs and Turnu Severin.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Board the Vivaldi in Budapest and settle into your cabin before attending a welcome cocktail party. Meet the crew and begin sailing for Mohacs. Eat dinner on board and continue cruising through the night.
Day 2: Mohacs / Osijek / Belgrade
Arrive in Mohacs early in the morning and pass through customs before continuing towards Osijek. As you sail, participate in a low-impact fitness session or other activities after breakfast in the lounge. Enjoy lunch on board and arrive in Osijek around 3:00 PM. Join an optional guided visit of the Upper Town, then visit the old town (Tvarda), beginning with a visit of the 18th century fortress and the main square. Return to the ship and attend dinner as you sail towards Belgrade.
Day 3: Belgrade / Turnu Severin
Arrive in Belgrade around 8:00 AM and set off on an optional excursion to visit the town. Located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, the town has created its own cultural identity based on a mix of Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Slavic cultures. Return to the ship for lunch, then enjoy an afternoon of independent exploration of the Serbian capital. An optional coach transfer (book and pay on board) will be available to and from the town center from our mooring point. After dinner, attend a Serbian folk evening on board.
Day 4: Turnu Severin / Orsova (Romania) / The Iron Gates
Enjoy breakfast as you cruise and arrive in Turnu Severin around 8 AM. Join an optional excursion to the spa towns of Baile Herculani (Hercules Baths) and Orsova. Depart by coach to the spa town of Baile Herculane, taking the scenic route through the valley of the River Cerna, passing the imposing statue of Hercules and some fine Baroque buildings. Explore Baile Herculane, one of the oldest thermal spas in Europe, built by the Romans in the 2nd century B.C. Its mineral and spa waters were discovered and operated by soldiers of the Roman Legions, and the waters' high temperatures (between 100 - 155°F) have therapeutic benefits. According to legend, the mighty Hercules, after bathing in the thermal spring waters, saw his powers increase. Another legend has it that Hercules defeated Medusa here after he had bathed in the miraculous waters. The excursion then continues to Orsova, with a visit to the Roman Catholic cathedral, built in an unusual, non-conformist style, whose interior was painted in watercolors by the artist Gabriel Popa.
Day 5: Novi Sad / Ilok / Vukovar / Mohacs
Arrive early in the morning in Novi Sad and set off for an optional excursion to the Orthodox monastery at Krusedol, built in the 16th century and decorated with some wonderfully elaborate paintings. Continue to Sremski Karlovci, a peaceful little town of some 9,000 inhabitants on the banks of the Danube and finish the journey to Novi Sad by coach. Novi Sad is located in the southern part of the great plain in the Baga region. Visit the town center on foot before returning on board for lunch, then continue to cruise towards Ilok. Spend the afternoon on an optional excursion to the medieval cities of Ilok and Vukovar before returning to the ship in time for dinner.
Day 6: Mohacs / Kalocsa
Arrive in Mohacs and pass through customs, then set off on an optional excursion to Pecs. Pecs is situated at the foot of the Mecsek Mountains and is over 2,000 years old, featuring a Mediterranean climate and ambiance. Return to the ship and cruise through the afternoon to Kalocsa. Arrive around 4:30 PM and take an optional excursion to the Puszta. This enormous flat prairie, also known as the 'great Hungarian plain,' was the Hungarian Wild West during the 19th century.
Day 7: Budapest
Arrive in Budapest early in the morning and set off for an optional discovery tour of Budapest. The course of the Danube cuts the town in two, dividing it into two entirely separate entities: Buda, with its hills and valleys, and Pest, which lies on the flat terrain of the Great Plain. View the banks of the Danube and return to the ship for lunch, then explore the city on foot.
Day 8: Budapest
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 AM.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Select a Date
Main Deck-Cat A
26 cabins (18 twins, 8 double cabins) equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Main Deck- Cat B
equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Main Deck- Cat C
equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Middle Deck-Cat A
21 cabins (12 twins, 8 double cabins, 1 cabin equipped for disabled with double bed). All cabins are equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Middle Deck-Cat B
All cabins are equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Middle Deck-Cat C
All cabins are equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Upper Deck-Cat A
41 cabins (39 twins, 2 double cabins) equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Upper Deck-Cat B
equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Upper Deck-Cat C
equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe. Cabin size: 140 sq. ft.
Notes
20% discount on children between 2-10 years
30% discount for 3rd person in triple cabin
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.