Central Europe and the Balkans - Lake Balaton, the Sava and the Danube

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board and arrive in Budapest in the morning before disembarking.