Enchantment of Eastern Europe

Welcome to Budapest. Upon arrival at the airport, expect a warm greeting and a seamless transfer directly to the Emerald Star-Ship, where a friendly captain and dedicated crew eagerly await your arrival. This afternoon, enjoy free time to independently explore Eastern Europe’s liveliest destination. The "Pearl of the Danube" offers a truly breathtaking sight as dozens of brilliant lights illuminate the stone bridges crossing the mighty river, beautifully connecting both halves of the city. As evening approaches, experience an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a delicious traditional dinner. The vessel remains securely docked until late into the night, providing an excellent opportunity to step ashore and discover Budapest’s legendary nightlife.

To ensure a perfectly smooth embarkation process, please arrange for an inbound flight arriving in Budapest prior to 5:00 PM.

EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner, then a Hungarian folk dancing and music performance on board.

This morning, arrive in the charming village of Ordas as the ship docks along the left bank of the magnificent Danube River. Nestled deep within one of Hungary’s most fertile agricultural landscapes, this tiny destination invites your exploration through a lush region widely celebrated for producing world-famous paprika.

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Puszta Equestrian Heritage
Travel to the Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, for a traditional performance showcasing the exceptional equestrian skills of the Magyar cowboys. Relax as you watch their spectacular horse parade and witness their exercise drills, most of which were practiced in preparation for wartime. 

The second-largest city in Serbia, Novi Sad has a relaxed atmosphere and lively spirit that sets it apart from other major cities in the region. You can find the locals relaxing in leafy parks, swimming in the river and sharing drinks in busy laneway bars. It’s compact and easily walkable, dotted with grand public buildings, excellent museums and the striking Petrovaradin Fortress. 

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Novi Sad
Set out on an easy walking tour of the city with a local guide. See the market, Orthodox Cathedral, City Hall, Catholic Cathedral, and enjoy a visit to the Synagogue. 

EmeraldPLUS
Home-hosted lunch with a Serbian family
Visit the home of a local Serbian family and join them for a traditional lunch. During the meal, you can have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss Serbian traditions and the daily life of the people.

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided e-bike tour in Novi Sad
Discover Novi Sad on two wheels with this guided e-bike tour. Ride along the Danube promenade and pass iconic landmarks. Learn about the city’s history, culture and local life from your guide while enjoying a leisurely cycling pace.

The Serbian capital, Belgrade, is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Europe and has lived a multitude of lives over the last 2,000 years. It has been shaped by conflict and still bears the scars of bombings from World War II through to the 1990s. At the same time, this gritty center is filled with beautiful architecture, engaging street art and a legendary cafe culture that can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire. 

Included Excursion
Highlights of Belgrade
This city tour introduces you to the highlights of one of Europe’s oldest cities. Relax as your coach takes you through the center of this peaceful city to see the symmetrical façade of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest church buildings, the Parliament Building, Republic Square, City Hall and more. Finish with a drive through Belgrade’s wealthiest neighborhoods and past Tito’s Mausoleum. 

EmeraldPLUS
Serbian folklore evening show on board  Watch local musicians and dancers perform traditional dances from around Serbia while wearing authentic, colorful costumes. 

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided e-bike tour in Belgrade
Cycle through Belgrade with a local guide to experience the city’s landmarks and natural beauty along the Danube. Learn about the diversity of the local area as well as the history of the city and its people, including the former country of Yugoslavia. Highlights include the Belgrade Waterfront, Staro Sajmiste (former concentration camp), and Ada Island.

In eastern Serbia, within the Majdanpek municipality, the town of Donji Milanovac sits on the right bank of the Danube. Surrounded by spectacular landscapes and with a rich heritage, it’s the gateway to one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites.

As the day ends, relax on board as you cruise through the Iron Gates, a picturesque narrow gorge that meanders between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps. Look out for the huge rock carving of Decebalus, the last King of Dacia.

Included Excursion
Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum
Visit the Palaeolithic site of Lepenski Vir, the oldest urban settlement in Europe. Enjoy learning about the importance of this archaeological site, which changed modern understandings of the early Stone Age, and its illustrious history spanning over eight millennia. 

Viticulture is at the heart of the most western town in Bulgaria, where sweeping vineyards pepper the banks of the Danube and winemaking has prospered for generations. Vidin is one of Bulgaria’s oldest riverside towns, beginning life as a Thracian settlement more than 2,000 years ago, and is home to Baba Vida, the only preserved medieval fortress in the country. 

Included Excursion
Visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting & a visit to Baba Vida Fortress 
Get an introduction to the best of Vidin’s viticulture as you stroll through a local vineyard and enjoy a tasting session of their local wines, like gamza, the region’s signature pale red varietal. Later, visit Baba Vida, a medieval fortress whose name can be translated to mean ‘Granny Vida’. 

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress
Transfer to Belogradchick Rock Fortress Park for a guided hike to its ancient mountaintop fortress. First built when the region was part of the Roman Empire, it has been used and extended in the 14th century and by the Ottomans in the 19th century, right up until the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885.

Today, your Emerald Star-Ship will cruise into Rousse, Bulgaria’s most elegant city. This important port on the Danube is often called ‘Little Vienna’ thanks to its elegant Belle Epoque and Neo Baroque architecture, leafy squares and wide boulevards. 

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Rousse
Be immersed in history as you wander through Bulgari’s ‘Little Vienna’. Admire the Court House, City Hall, Opera Building, the main shopping street Alexandrovska and St. Trinity Church, then enjoy coffee and cake at a local restaurant. 

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Ivanovo Church
Transfer to the River Lom Nature Park for an active hike to the World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo. Dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, these remarkable structures are lined with exquisite frescoes representing biblical scenes.

Disembark your Emerald Star-Ship in Giurgiu this morning, then relax on board your comfortable coach and enjoy the passing scenery as you drive towards Bucharest. You first pass the Romanian city of Giurgiu, set amongst the mud flats and marshes of the Danube. 

Included Excursion
Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace
Learn about Bucharest’s vibrant history on a guided coach tour, passing by the Palace of Parliament. Visit the Spring Palace and the private residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, before enjoying free time to explore the city at leisure.  

This evening, settle into the stylish surrounds of your hotel before perhaps taking a stroll down one of the wide avenues or leafy boulevards that give Bucharest a distinctly French feel. 

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and transfer to the airport, taking memories of the Great Hungarian Plain, grand palaces and medieval fortresses with you.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to the terms and conditions for further information.