Journey through Central Europe and the Balkans

Arrive in Budapest and board the MS Victor Hugo at 6:00 p.m. Spend some time getting settled into your cabin and familiarizing yourself with the ship, then attend a welcome cocktail party and dinner.

In the morning, cross the border into Croatia at Mohacs. Cruise by Batina and the nature park of Kopacki Rit before arriving in Osijek around 1:00 p.m. Enjoy lunch on board before joining an optional excursion to the Kopacki Rit Nature Park and Osijek. The nature park is located northwest of the confluence of the Drava and the Danube and is close to the Serbian border. One of the largest and most attractive preserved wetlands in Europe, it features over 56,834 acres and 141 different species of birds. Take a boat trip around the park and continue to Osijek. Enjoy a guided visit of the Upper Town and view the church of St. Peter and St. Paul, a Neo-Gothic brick structure that is so tall and majestic that it is fondly referred to as the 'cathedral.' Continue on to the old town (Tvrdja) and visit the 18th-century fortress. Head for the main square to view the monument to the Holy Trinity before returning to the ship for dinner.

Arrive in Vukovar around 8:00 a.m. Vukovar was once one of the prettiest towns in the Danube Valley, but today it is largely in ruins. Set off for an optional excursion to the Djakovo Stud Farms and the medieval city of Ilok. Leave for Djakovo by coach and admire the 'white pearls of Djakovo' at the national Lipizzaner stud farm, one of the oldest of its kind. Visit the stud farm and watch a dressage performance before continuing on to the small medieval city of Ilok. Visit the historic center, the Sanctuary, and the Odescalchi Castle before returning to the ship for lunch. Continue to cruise to Novi Sad and arrive around 3:00 p.m. Partake in an optional 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.

Enjoy breakfast on board and disembark for a guided visit to Belgrade. Located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, Belgrade has created its cultural identity based on a mix of Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Slavic cultures. Belgrade is a well-laid out town with a modern feel. Return to the Victor Hugo for lunch, then head to Sremska Mitrovica. Travel on the Sava River and cross the plain of Vojvodina.

In the morning, join an optional excursion across Vojvodina. There are more than 16 Orthodox monasteries around the hamlet of Iriski Venac, and many fine examples of Serbian art - a mix of Byzantine style and Baroque architecture. Visit the Orthodox monastery at Krusedol, which was founded in the 16th century and is decorated with lavish paintings. Continue to Sremski Karlovci, a peaceful town of 9,000 inhabitants on the banks of the Danube. In the 17th century, the town became the cultural center for the Serbs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the seat of the Orthodox Patriarchate. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail, arriving in Brcko early in the evening. After dinner, enjoy a Folklore Evening on board.

Begin the morning with a walk in 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 and cruise towards Slavonski Brod. The Sava River marks the border between Bosnia and Croatia, and the ship will pass through Slavonia, the fertile plain of Croatia. Arrive in Slavonski Brod around midnight.

Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking to take a guided walking tour of Slavonski Brod. Discover the town center and its main square, the Franciscan church, and the Brod Citadel, an imposing construction in Vauban style which was built in the 18th century to protect the Austro-Hungarian Empire from Turkish invasions. Return to the ship and cruise to Jasenovac.

In the morning, set off on an excursion to Lonjsko Polje Nature Park to discover a land much favored by migratory birds when the Lonja floods. Charming villages with traditional wooden dwellings makes the area look as if time has stopped. In Krapje, watch a short film to better understand the region. In Cigoc, stop to see the storks which are the pride of the village. Each house in the village proudly hosts a nest with a winged tenant in residence.

After breakfast, join a full day optional excursion to Zagreb. The harmonious combination of architecture and greenery makes Zagreb a perfect model for a town. Visit the art galleries and museums, the University Library, and the cemetery, which was cultivated to look like an English landscaped garden. The city offers much that is reminiscent of Austria, particularly the colored buildings and culinary specialties. Take a walk along the steep streets of Gradec and Kaptol, the historic center of Zagreb.

Disembark and transfer by coach to Varazdin, a historical Baroque town. Varazdin features pleasant squares, pastel-painted palaces, and the graceful silhouette of the château, which form a harmonious and captivating whole. Continue towards Lake Balaton and travel along the lakeside to Balatonfured, one of the oldest health resorts on the Northern shores of the lake. Spend the night in a hotel.

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before leaving on a guided visit of Tihany. The Tihany peninsula is captivating and beautiful. Explore the area on your own before departing for Budapest. Arrive in Budapest around 2:00 pm and transfer to the airport.