Begin your vacation in Vienna, one of the world’s most celebrated cities, renowned for its music, architecture and dance. Transfer to Budapest and embark upon your Danube river cruise with stops in Mohács and Vukovar on the way to Belgrade. Traverse the dramatic narrow gorge known as the Iron Gates, then cruise along the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Visit Vidin, Belogradchik and Veliko Tarnovo. Disembark and continue by land to Bucharest where you will conclude your journey with a two-night stay.
Highlights
Explore Vienna's historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Enjoy a special Illuminations Cruise along Budapest's riverfront
Take a wine-tasting excursion from the vineyards of Villány
Cruise through the Iron Gates, a natural wonder of the narrowing Danube
Visit Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle, in Transylvania
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure to explore this culturally rich city.
Day 2: Vienna
1 Breakfast
This morning, savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna. First, a panoramic tour of Vienna guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the world famous Spanish Riding School. The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
After checking out of your hotel in Vienna, travel to Budapest where you have free time for lunch followed by a sightseeing tour of Buda and Pest. See famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and spectacular views of the Danube. After a Welcome Dinner, the ship sails a special Illuminations Cruise past the glittering riverfront of Budapest.
Arrive in Mohacs around breakfast time and depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, the city was an important cultural base during many centuries of Ottoman rule. See St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral, as well as either a mosque that has been converted to a church or the restored synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács. After lunch, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion to sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Villány.
This morning, enjoy a Yugoslav Civil War tour of Vukovar that shows you the Ovcara Memorial and Cemetery, the monumental cross that serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. Alternatively, choose to take a wine tasting excursion to Ilok instead. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, one of Europe’s greatest historical treasures. After a walking tour of the city, later in the evening see the Petrovaradin fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached and that is now home to a hotel, museum and artists’ studios.
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, that includes visits to Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. This afternoon you have your choice of one of three excursions. Your first option is a visit to the mausoleum of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, a beloved figure who was the leader of the Yugoslav Partisans during the Second World War and became the first President of Yugoslavia. Your second option is a tasting of Serbian plum brandy and local snacks at the Quburich Distillery. Your third option is a guided bike tour through Belgrade around Ada Ciganlija Island.
Today, take 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 series of magnificent gorges between Serbia and Romania. The banks of the river along this natural border are lined with sheer-faced rocks that stretch high overhead, a sight that is an unforgettable highlight of your adventure.
Your time in Vidin begins with a visit to Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations, as well as Vidin Castle. Afterwards, visit Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country, where you are treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. You may also opt instead for a Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting, or a guided bike tour on which you can see sights like the Ottoman post office and visit the synagogue. Afterwards, you have your choice of one of three excursions. The ship departs early afternoon.
Day 9: Giurgiu | Bucharest, Romania | Rousse, Bulgaria
Today, enjoy a visit to the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo. Here you can tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. See the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin’s Tower. Or, you may choose to hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries built into the side of a mountain. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening.
Day 10: Rousse | Disembarkation | Bucharest, Romania
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Disembark the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motor coach. Today explore Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” Begin with a city tour that features a visit to the Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditional architecture of rural Romania. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. Later this afternoon check in to your hotel. The evening is free for you to explore the city on your own if you wish.
Day 11: Bucharest | Transylvania
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion today to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history and comfortable nestled between the Carpathian Mountains. Take a scenic country drive to Sinaia, where you have an opportunity to see the exquisite Peles Castles, a former summer palace for Romanian royalty. Continue on to Bran for where you have lunch before visiting the infamous Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle.
Day 12: Depart Bucharest
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Bucharest as you prepare for your homeward flight.
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Cat. E
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat. D
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat. C
Violin & Cello Deck. French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat. BB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft
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Cat BA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat AB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft
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Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Cat. AA+
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 250 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
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.