Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll arrive in Bucharest and have the afternoon and evening to yourself. Take time to wander through the city's trendy neighborhoods, poking into local shops and cafés. If you're interested in history, there are several museums worth checking out, and Victory Avenue has some beautiful architecture with historic churches and homes lining the street.
Optional Activities
- Explore Bucharest on your own: trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue
Landmarks Victory Avenue - Day 2
Bucharest to Oltenita (Embarkation)
This morning starts with a guided tour covering Bucharest's tree-lined boulevards and the Arc de Triomphe, which commemorates WWI soldiers. You'll see Royal Palace Square, where significant events unfolded during the 1989 revolution. In the afternoon, head to Oltenita where you'll board your ship. Spend the evening getting familiar with the vessel and enjoy your first dinner on board as your river journey begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bucharest: tree-lined boulevards, Arc de Triomphe, Royal Palace Square
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Royal Palace Square - Day 3
Rousse
Rousse offers multiple ways to spend your day. You can join a bike tour with your Adventure Host, take a guided visit to Holy Trinity Church and the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo (a UNESCO site), or do a full-day excursion to Veliko Tarnovo with its ancient stone houses built above the Yantra River. The ship sails for Svistov this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour in Rousse with Adventure Host
- Guided sightseeing tour of Rousse and Holy Trinity Church
- Scenic drive to rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Full-day guided tour to Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi
Landmarks Holy Trinity Church Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo Veliko Târnovo Arbanassi Yantra River - Day 4
Vidin
In Vidin, you have options. Bike with your Adventure Host, explore on your own, or join a guided tour to Belogradchik to see unusual rock formations and the impressive Baba Vida Fortress. Back on board this evening, there's live Bulgarian folklore entertainment to enjoy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride with Adventure Host or independent exploration of Vidin
- Guided tour to Belogradchik: rock formations and Baba Vida Fortress
Landmarks Belogradchik Rock Formations Baba Vida Fortress Balkan Mountains - Day 5
Donji Milanovac
You'll cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge, a narrow passage that forms the natural border between Serbia and Romania. A guided tour takes you to Lepenski Vir, an important archaeological site with Mesolithic settlements and artifacts, plus views of the Danube Gorge. From there, continue to the Golubacki Fortress, one of Europe's well-preserved medieval fortresses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour to Lepenski Vir archaeological site
- Visit Fortress of Golubački
- Sailing through Iron Gates Gorge
Landmarks Iron Gates Gorge Lepenski Vir Fortress of Golubački Danube Gorge - Day 6
Belgrade
Belgrade gives you choices for the day. Walk the central pedestrian area with your Adventure Host, or take a guided tour to see where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet and visit Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches. Afterward, spend time freely on Knez Mihailova Street, Belgrade's main walkway full of cafés, shops, and cultural venues. Later, attend an onboard lecture about Balkan history and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Adventure Host-led exploration of Belgrade's central walkway
- Guided sightseeing tour of Belgrade (Danube/Sava Rivers convergence and Saint Sava Church)
- Onboard lecture about Balkan states history and culture
Optional Activities
- Explore Knez Mihailova Street: cafés, shops, and cultural spots
Landmarks Saint Sava Knez Mihailova Street Danube River Sava River - Day 7
Novi Sad
Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city, can be experienced several ways. Take a guided tour of the old town with its baroque buildings and fortifications, or walk up narrow streets to Petrovaradin Fortress for hilltop views. If you prefer something different, visit the Museum of Beekeeping and a local wine cellar in nearby Sremski Karlovci for tastings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Novi Sad: Austro-Hungarian old town, baroque buildings, ancient fortifications
- Walking tour to Petrovaradin Fortress
- Visit and tasting at Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci
Landmarks Petrovaradin Fortress Museum of Beekeeping Živanović Wine Cellar Sremski Karlovci - Day 8
Ilok to Vukovar
Start with a walking tour of Ilok, where you'll visit a local wine cellar and learn about Croatian winemaking traditions. Around lunchtime, the ship sails to Vukovar. Take an afternoon walking tour of this important river port to see the town's sites and learn about its history. There's live entertainment on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Ilok with wine tasting in local cellar
- Walking tour of Vukovar
Landmarks Ilok Vukovar - Day 9
Mohács
Mohács offers two main options. You can take a guided tour of this quiet harbor town with its memorial parks, statues, and churches, then visit the St. Nicholas Watermill, one of few remaining stone-ground grain mills. Alternatively, go on a guided tour to nearby Pécs to see 4th-century Christian underground tombs with murals (a UNESCO site) and hear an organ concert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Mohács: memorial parks, statues, distinctive churches
- Tour of medieval St. Nicholas Watermill
- Guided tour to Pécs: 4th-century Christian underground tombs (UNESCO World Heritage) with organ concert
Landmarks St. Nicholas Watermill Pécs Christian Underground Tombs - Day 10
Budapest
This morning includes a guided tour of Budapest highlighting Heroes' Square. Then you have free time to explore at your own pace. Walk across the Chain Bridge, visit charming cafés and pubs throughout the city, or hike through the hills above the Danube. Move through Budapest at whatever speed suits you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city sightseeing tour of Budapest: Heroes' Square
Optional Activities
- Explore Chain Bridge
- Visit cafés and pubs
- Hiking in the hills above the Danube
Landmarks Heroes' Square Chain Bridge - Day 11
Budapest
You can hike to a viewpoint with your Adventure Host this morning, or take a free day entirely to yourself. Consider touring the Royal Palace grounds and its historical buildings, trying one of Budapest's famous thermal baths, or dining at a rooftop eatery. Later this evening, the ship heads to Bratislava.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to magnificent Budapest viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Photograph Royal Palace grounds
- Visit thermal bath spas
- Dine in garden or rooftop eatery
Landmarks Royal Palace - Day 12
Bratislava
Bratislava has options for your day. Hike up to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host, or take a guided walk through Old Town's narrow streets, visiting the Town Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral, a site of royal coronations. Spend the afternoon freely exploring the city's historic center and the forests and parks nearby. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Guided city walk: Old Town, Town Hall, St. Martin's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Explore Bratislava on your own
Landmarks Bratislava Castle Old Town Town Hall St. Martin's Cathedral - Day 13
Vienna
You can bike along the Danube Island with your Adventure Host, or join a guided city tour of Vienna's landmarks including the Imperial Palace (the winter residence), the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Walk Kärntnerstrasse, Vienna's main shopping street, or visit Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer home. If interested, attend an optional Royal Waltz Concert this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Vienna: Imperial Palace complex, Vienna Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Bike tour of Vienna's Danube Island with Adventure Host
Optional Activities
- Stroll Kärntnerstrasse shopping avenue
- Guided optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace
- Bike ride to local café for Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel
- Optional excursion to Royal Waltz Concert in elegant hall
Landmarks Imperial Palace Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Schönbrunn Palace Kärntnerstrasse Danube Island - Day 14
Dürnstein to Ybbs (Melk Excursion)
Several activities await today. Hike to castle ruins overlooking Dürnstein village and the Danube, learning about King Richard the Lionheart's imprisonment here, or relax on the Sky Deck as you sail through Wachau Valley past vineyards and villages. You can visit a pastry workshop and bee farm with tastings, tour Artstetten Castle in Ybbs, or explore the Benedictine Abbey in Melk with its frescoed ceilings and ornate organ. Biking along the river is also an option.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to castle ruins with valley views
- Guided walk with legend of King Richard the Lionheart
- Sailing through Wachau Valley: vineyards, castles, villages
- Visit and tasting at pastry-baking workshop
- Visit and tasting at Austrian bee farm
- Guided tour of Artstetten Castle
- Guided tour of Melk Benedictine Abbey: frescoed ceilings, statues, library, pipe organ
- Bike tour along the river with Adventure Host
Landmarks Dürnstein Castle Wachau Valley Artstetten Castle Melk Abbey - Day 15
Linz
Take a guided walk through Linz's waterfront sites, including Hauptplatz, Austria's largest medieval square, and the white-marble Trinity Column. You can also bike the Danube cycle path with your Adventure Host. If you want a larger excursion, consider the optional full-day tour to Salzburg (Mozart's birthplace) or the charming Bohemian town of Ceský Krumlov.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Linz: historic Danube waterfront, Hauptplatz, Trinity Column
- Bike ride along Danube cycle path with Adventure Host
Optional Activities
- Full-day guided optional excursion to Salzburg
- Full-day guided optional excursion to Ceský Krumlov
Landmarks Hauptplatz Trinity Column Salzburg Ceský Krumlov - Day 16
Passau to Vilshofen
This morning you'll cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe bend of the river. Hike down from Oberhaus along a trail toward the valley and Ilz River with your Adventure Host, or take a guided walk into Passau, known as the City of Three Rivers. Explore the cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley freely, perhaps stopping by St. Stephen's Cathedral. The ship sails for Vilshofen in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Oberhaus through valley along Ilz River
- Guided city walk of Passau: 'City of Three Rivers'
Optional Activities
- Explore Passau's cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley galleries
- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral for concert rehearsal
Landmarks Schlögen Oxbow Oberhaus Ilz River St. Stephen's Cathedral Artists' Alley - Day 17
Vilshofen (Disembarkation)
Your journey ends this morning after breakfast. Disembark from the ship and head to Munich airport for your onward travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
