Framed by rolling hillsides, well-tended vineyards and medieval castles, the Danube has been an inspiration for generations of Europeans. Experience its magic yourself: savor Wachau Valley wine, embrace the elegance and history of Vienna and Budapest, and traverse the legendary passage known as the Iron Gates. Disembark your ship and conclude your journey in Rousse, Bulgaria.
Highlights
Visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey
Hike up to Bratislava Castle, including visits to the Castle Upper Terrace
Cruise through the awe-inspiring Iron Gates as the Danube River narrows
Tour the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Enjoy a guided tour through Nuremberg’s beautiful medieval city, showcasing theImperial Castle, famous town wall and the legendary fountain of the Market Square. Or turn the pages of a darkerhistory with a guided tour of the city’s most significant WWII sites, including the Documentation Center NaziParty Rally Grounds. Visit the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam and Courtroom 600, if the courtroom is not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional Franconian specialties including Nuremburger bratwurst, rotbier (red beer)and lebkuchen (gingerbread). En route to Regensburg, cruise through the man-made Main-Danube Canal.
Explore one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, Regensburg, on a guidedwalking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Alternatively, sample Bavarian specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels, or join a bike tour to Walhalla where you will see the neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.
Enjoy a walking tour along Passau’s cobblestone streets admiring the Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. If you’re looking for a more active morning, choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress. Later in the day, set sail for Linz.
Cruise to Melk, known for itsmagnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour thattakes you through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley;or go on a walking tour along Dürnstein’s cobblestonestreets to the famed Baroque church tower, Stiftskirche.Later in the day, set sail through the vineyard-richWachau Valley.
The “City of Waltzes” is a treasuretrove and your city tour showcases its regal splendors,including the majestic Opera House and the formerImperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tourin the UNESCO-designated historic city center and visitSt. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration,take a guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery.During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring thisiconic city even more.
You cannot help but fall in love with Budapest, known as the “Queen of the Danube.” Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Alternatively, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city. Cap the day off with an illumination cruise.
Tradition will be on full display in Puszta, the Great Hungarian Plain. Tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by world-champion carriage-drivers. Afterwards, be treated to an unforgettable performance of horsemanship and then experience the Hungarians’ warm hospitality, along with a traditional lunch complete with authentic goulash.
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács and then visit Pécs, founded more than2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You can also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. For wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go instead to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago.
Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Palace. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you’ll sample its famous Grasevina,Traminac and Frankovka wines. Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the “Serbian Athens.”Discover Novi Sad on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking or hiking tour. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress.
Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour that includes the Kalemegdan Fortressand the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Later, choose from three intriguing excursions. Visit the RoyalPalace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family; and then tour the House of Flowers, the mausoleumof Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Or enjoy a taste of the region by samplingSerbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. For those wishing amore active adventure, join a guided bike tour.
The Iron Gates is one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains.
Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Continue on toBelogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations.Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry youwill also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle.
Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-centuryNeo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-HewnChurches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings.
Day 15: Giurgiu | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home.
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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.6 | 108 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 108 reviews on
1 day ago
Personal knowledge of the trip I was considering. Patience with our figuring out which dates we could travel.
Brian
2 days ago
Clara and Rhenee were gracious and available. Phone contact is so important to answer questions and discuss all aspects of trip. If not immediately available they scheduled a time to speak.
They were knowledgeable, honest, realistic and very friendly. They are both very professional and take their role seriously.
Happy Camper
2 days ago
Jason has been wonderful. He is full of information and was very willing to listen to what was of interest to us.
Lee
4 days ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
4 days ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.