Enjoy an exceptional cruise through the heart of the Balkans and discover the cultural and architectural treasures of Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. Board the MS Victor Hugo and experience a unique adventure along the Sava and Danube, making daily land excursions to folkloric towns, nature parks, green hillsides, medieval cities, and much more!
Highlights
Visit Lake Balaton, a favorite short break destination for Hungarians
Observe the harmonious combination of architecture and green space of Zagreb
Cruise toward Jasenovac and join an excursion to Lonjsko Polje Nature Park
Stop in Stara Kapela and try the local specialties, accompanied by tamburica
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Begin your adventure with a transfer by coach to Lake Balaton, a favorite short break destination for Hungarians. Enjoy some free time for lunch and join a guided visit of Tihany, a peninsula with a beautiful setting and a baroque Benedictine abbey. Visit Balatonfüred, one of the oldest health resorts and taste a delightful dinner followed by a night in your hotel.
Today transfer by coach to Varazdin, in the Zagorje province. Visit the historic town of Varazdin, a real baroque gem. Then head to Sisak and board the MS Victor Hugo in the end of the afternoon. Settle in your cabin and attend to the crew introduction over a welcome cocktail, followed by a delightful dinner on board.
This morning join an excursion to Zagreb. The harmonious combination of architecture and green space makes Zagreb a perfect model for a town. Even the cemetery, cultivated like an English landscaped garden, is an oddly comforting place for a pleasant walk. Take a walk along the steep streets of Gradec and Kaptol, the historic center of Zagreb, and return on board.
Today cruise toward Jasenovac and join an excursion to Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, a land much favored by migratory birds when the Lonja floods. Sample some regional produce in an authentic Slavonian farm. Return to the boat for an evening of entertainment.
Cruise towards Slavonski Brod and discover the Brod Citadel, an imposing construction in Vauban style, built in the 18th century to protect the Austro-Hungarian Empire from Turkish invasions. Join an excursion to the “Fertile Plains of Slavonia”, and enjoy some free time around its green hillsides dominating the Sava plains to Pozega, a charming little Baroque town. Next stop is the small village Stara Kapela, where you are greeted by the local villagers and invited to try their specialties, accompanied by tamburica. Return on board and spend the night in your charming floating hotel.
Today cruise towards Brcko in Bosnia, arriving in the afternoon. Take a walk through Brcko. The pedestrian main street is lined with buildings in the traditional Austro-Hungarian architectural style crossed with Ottoman influences. It contrasts with the adjacent streets where the ruins of the recent conflicts live side by side with modern constructions. Return on board for a unique folklore evening - a chance to appreciate the musical and folk traditions of Bosnia.
Cruise towards Sremska Mitrovica and join an excursion across the Vojvodina. Around the hamlet of Iriski Venac there are more than 16 Orthodox monasteries. Have the opportunity to discover Serbian art - a mix of Byzantine style and Baroque architecture. In the evening, walk through Sremska Mitrovica.
This morning sail towards Belgrade and enjoy a guided visit of the city. 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. Get back on the ship for a folklore evening on board and discover the very heart of traditional folklore in the former Yugoslavia, admire the shimmering costumes, and marvel at the wide variety of songs and dances. Then cruise towards Novi Sad.
Day 9: Novi Sad (Serbia) - Ilok (Croatia) - Vukovar (Croatia)
Today enjoy a tour of Novi Sad. Located in the southern part of the Great Plain in the Baga region, Novi Sad is the multi-ethnic capital of Vojvodina. Return to the boat and cruise towards Ilok for an excursion to this medieval city, and then visit the Djakovo Stud Farms. Return on board and cruise to Osijek, arriving in the night.
Day 10: Osijek (Croatia) - Batina (Croatia) - Mohacs (Hungary)
Set off on an excursion to Osijek and the Kopacki Rit Nature Park, one of the largest and most attractive preserved wetlands in Europe. Transfer to Mohács and cruise to Budapest. Enjoy your gala evening on board and cruise to Budapest during the night.
Day 11: Budapest (Hungary) | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board and arrive in Budapest in the morning before disembarking.
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.
$2,913
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Main Deck-Cat A
28 Cabins with high windows (27 twins, 1 double cabin) Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Main Deck- Cat B
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Main Deck- Cat C
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat A
17 cabins with picture windows with sliding top section (16 twins, 1 double cabin) Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat B
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat C
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
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.
