Capital Cities of the Danube

Upon arrival at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, you’ll be met by a Uniworld representative—provided your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or you’ve arranged a private transfer—and escorted to your ship.

Belgrade, Serbia’s dynamic capital, is among Europe’s oldest cities, with a history stretching back around 7,000 years. Its storied past is evident throughout the city, standing in striking contrast to its energetic and contemporary atmosphere.

A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

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Belgrade City Tour with Royal Palace & Church of Saint Sava - As a motorcoach carries you through the city, you’ll see a mix of architectural styles that reveal the city’s past, ranging from Gothic, Ottoman, baroque, and art nouveau to utilitarian Communist apartment blocks and modern high-rises. You’ll come to a stop at the Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace, where you’ll sip a glass of sparkling Serbian wine as you tour a compound of palaces built in the 1920s and 1930s. Serbia’s royal family, which is related to most of Europe’s royalty, has a strictly honorary position in modern-day democratic Serbia, but Crown Prince Alexander and his family still live in these palaces. A local expert will show you the public rooms of the Royal Palace, the White Palace, the adjacent chapel, and the spacious grounds.
After touring the palace, it’s time to visit the showstopping Church of Saint Sava. One of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, this impressive building was modeled after Hagia Sophia—evident in the massive copper dome that sits perched above the striking white marble façade.

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Let's Go: "I Bike Belgrade" Tour - Mount a bike and spend a leisurely half-day getting an up-close look at Belgrade. Ride towards the island of Ada Ciganlija, an island in the middle of the Sava river with picturesque bike paths that wind through a beautiful park and beach. You’ll circle through the park, just as the locals do when they are looking for an active day out, and take a break with a refreshment before heading back to the ship.

Though not a national capital, Novi Sad is the capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina, an ethnically diverse region with no less than 6 different official languages. Novi Sad is known for its easygoing atmosphere and thriving urban arts scene.

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Traditional Serbia - Follow a local guide around the city of Novi Sad, a town that seems designed for the perfect leisurely stroll. Flat, walkable streets and charming squares offer something beautiful to look at everywhere you go—whether it’s the surprising pastel hues of Neo-Gothic structures or street art.
The city is a treasure trove of culture and history, and also an excellent jumping-off point for more niche experiences. Today, you’ll visit a local monastery led entirely by women. Here, in addition to participating in personal prayer and liturgical life, the sisters create many works of art, such as painted icons, mosaics, sewn and embroidered gifts, ceramics, rosaries, crosses, and more. All proceeds from their art goes back into the community and the church.
You’ll also visit a traditional Serbian establishment known as a Salas. A salas—pronounced “sha-lahs”—is a countryside estate where visitors can experience the rural Serbian lifestyle and appreciate the rustic cuisine of the region. Enjoy a tasting of delicious Serbian fare during your stop here today.
This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 5: Gender Equality; Global Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

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Fruška Gora & Novi Sad - The Fruška Gora mountain—affectionately known as the Jewel of Serbia—rises just outside the city of Novi Sad. Begin your tour today with a visit to a wonderful winery run by a local family that aims to reinvent the Serbian wine industry. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided tasting of their wines, from rich reds and crisp whites to unique local blends.
Next, explore the peaceful Hopovo Monastery, a stunning 16th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery nestled in the Fruška Gora National Park. Admire its beautiful frescoes and learn about its rich spiritual and cultural history.
Finally, conclude your tour with a walk with a local guide through the streets of Novi Sad, Serbia’s charming cultural capital.

Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country, which has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, is noted for its beautiful countryside and thriving folk traditions, as well as simple, deliciously rustic food.

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Osijek Walking Tour, Home-Hosted Lunch, and Vučedol Museum - Visit the Vučedol Culture Museum. The concept behind this unique museum is integration into the terrain—the entire structure is designed to be mostly buried in the ground and only the façade is open to the landscape. On the building’s green roof, you can reach the archaeological sites over the museum. Along the serpentine path, you’ll encounter archaeological findings that have been discovered to date, which showcase the daily life and customs during a turbulent time of the immigration of the first Indo-Europeans and their relationship with the native population, the blending of material cultures and religions.
Following your time at the museum, you’ll be welcomed into a local family’s home for a traditional meal before embarking on a sightseeing tour of Osijek with a local guide. As you walk through cultural heart of Croatia’s Slavonia region, you’ll note the city’s attractive ambience, nostalgic charm, and plentiful green spaces.

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Syrmia Flora & Fauna with Farm Lunch - Explore the bounties of nature in Croatia’s Syrmia region today, starting with a drive from Batina to village of Nijemci, where a welcome drink and a local biologist or ornithologist are waiting for you. Set out on a scenic sailing down the Bosut River with your specialist guide, who will point out the various flora and fauna you’ll see along your tour. Disembark the boat to take a leisurely nature walk through the lush Spačva Forest.
Next, you’ll drive to a local farm, where you’ll indulge in an authentic lunch of regional specialties, all produced on-site.
Following your lunch, you’ll continue on to explore the city of Vukovar, with stops at the iconic Vukovar Water Tower, the historic Eltz Manor, and the city center, where Vukovar’s rich heritage and modern life are on display.​

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have a distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on a walking tour or cover more ground with a panoramic tour.

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Budapest Panoramic Highlights with Castle Hill - This panoramic tour is a wonderful way to get an overview of the city if you have never been here before. It will carry you from Heroes’ Square, created in 1896 to honor the thousand-year anniversary of Hungary’s founding and its greatest historical figures, past some of the city’s most striking architectural sights—Dohány Street Synagogue, the Hungarian National Museum, the state opera house, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the truly stunning Parliament Building—to Castle Hill, which has been called the heart of the nation. The city of Buda began here, when King Béla built a strong keep in 1243 as a defense against Mongol invaders; a castle replaced the simple fortress, and over the centuries other castles replaced that one. The current castle is primarily 18th century; a museum dedicated to Budapest’s archaeological finds is housed there, and the Castle Hill district has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll go inside the magnificent 700-year-old Matthias Church, named for one of Hungary’s greatest kings, and then wend your way on foot to the picturesque Fisherman’s Bastion, whose seven fairytale-like towers represent the seven tribes that originally settled the region. It offers a glorious view of the city and the Danube below.
Note: Visits to the interior of Matthias Church may not be possible on some weekends and Catholic holidays.

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Andrassy Avenue & Szabó Ervin Library - Inaugurated in 1876, Andrassy Avenue was the masterpiece of 19th-century Hungary’s most renowned architects. In one long stretch from Elizabeth Square to Heroes’ Square, this grand boulevard was lined with palatial Neo-Renaissance buildings and accented with plentiful trees. Today, its streets are filled with high-end boutiques, restaurants, and cafés, all interspersed with historic buildings in a stunning blend of old and new.
People-watch and learn the history behind some of the most iconic buildings on this strip—including the beautiful Hungarian State Opera House—as you take a walk with a local guide. After, you’ll visit the Szabó Ervin Library, a gorgeous, old-fashioned library tucked into a 19th-century aristocrat’s mansion.

Once hidden from the world behind the “Iron Curtain,” Slovakia retains an air of mystery and intrigue, and its small capital city has an unexpectedly colorful history. The heart and soul of Slovakia, Bratislava is full of surprises. The city straddles the mighty Danube and has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries.

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Coronation Walking Tour with Cathedral Concert - Don’t let Bratislava’s small size fool you—this charming capital once held outstanding significance to the Hungarian monarchy. In 1563, it was named the capital of Hungary and hosted no less than 18 royal coronations by 1830, including those of Maria Theresa and Maximillian I. Follow the path these monarchs took on their coronation processions as you explore Bratislava with a local guide, arriving at the site where they were each crowned: St. Martin’s Cathedral. In these historic halls, you will be treated to a small concert arranged privately for you.

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Let's Go: Hike to Bratislava Castle - This brilliantly white, enormous square building takes over the skyline of Bratislava, and from its grounds you’ll find incredible views of the city below.
After your hike to the castle, you’ll stroll through the most beautiful part of Bratislava with the local guide. You will be introduced to the Capital of Slovakia, seeing sites like the Presidential Palace and the unique bridge colloquially known as UFO Bridge (you’ll understand when you see it).
Passing through the historic Old Town, you’ll see the charming House of the Good Shepherd, the pastel tower of the Old Town Hall, and statues like Čumil, the sewage worker leaning out of a manhole in the street to smile at passersby.

The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections, and inviting cafés—and today it is yours to explore.

In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Featured Excursion

Nights Out: Klimt at the Belvedere - The Belvedere is a Baroque palatial complex commissioned during an immensely productive Habsburg building spree. Originally the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the complex was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa after his death and turned into an exhibition venue for imperial art collections. In this way, the Belvedere become one of the first public museums in the world. Today it is one of the finest art collections anywhere, making it an incredibly popular destination for Vienna tourism. Take a private evening tour of select exhibits, including the world’s largest collection of works by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. His most famous work, “The Kiss,” is on display here.

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Imperial City Highlights with Hofburg Palace Visit - Ring Street, the great horseshoe-shaped boulevard lined with many of the city’s major landmarks—Parliament, City Hall, the Vienna State Opera, glorious palaces, and museums—is a mere 150 years old, practically an infant for a city of Vienna’s age. It replaced the walls and fortifications that had protected the city for centuries. Its construction was a testament to confidence, forward-thinking, and grand urban planning, and it resulted in a 50-year building spree. You’ll pass most of these opulent landmarks on your way to the older section of the city, the area the walls once enclosed.
Later, you’ll walk along Kärntner Street, the celebrated pedestrian boulevard that links the State Opera with St. Stephen’s Cathedral, past the elegant shops on the Graben and the Kohlmarkt. The neighborhood offers a lively combination of historic architecture, street performances, shoppers’ delights, and true Viennese atmosphere.
Today's excursion also includes a visit to Hofburg Palace.

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Mythos Mozart & Imperial City Highlights - Start your tour by following a local guide through Vienna, taking in the city’s most significant sites as you go. You’ll arrive at Mythos Mozart, a multimedia experience that transforms Mozart’s compositions into an immersive piece of art. Make your way through five different rooms, each with a different story to tell in honor of Vienna’s most famous composer.

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Vienna International Airport for your flight.