Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll get picked up at Bucharest airport and taken to your hotel in the city centre. Once you settle in, the rest of the day is yours to wander around the 'Paris of the East' with its wide avenues and tree-lined boulevards at your own pace.
- Day 2
Bucharest to Giurgiu
After breakfast, join a guided drive through Bucharest to see the Spring Palace and other key attractions. You'll have some free time to walk around the leafy boulevards before heading to Giurgiu on the Danube, where you'll board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace
Landmarks/POIs Spring Palace - Day 3
Rousse
The ship docks in Rousse, often called 'The Little Vienna'. Choose between a relaxed walk along the promenade to take in the Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, or go for a guided hike to the UNESCO-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo and their 14th-century frescoes. Tonight there's a welcome reception and dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome reception and dinner)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse
- Guided hike to Ivanovo Church
Optional Activities
- Choir concert
- Full day tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo - Day 4
Vidin
You'll reach Vidin, Bulgaria's westernmost town where wine production lines the Danube. Tour a local vineyard, learn about winemaking, and do a wine tasting. Then visit Baba Vida Fortress, a well-preserved 10th-century castle. If you prefer something more physical, opt for the guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting
- Visit to Baba Vida Fortress
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress
- Traditional Bulgarian pastry making (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik Fortress - Day 5
Donji Milanovac
The ship sails to Donji Milanovac where you'll visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum. This Palaeolithic location on the riverbanks is one of Europe's most significant finds, showing over eight millennia of Stone Age history and early cultures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum
Optional Activities
- Golubac Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site Golubac Castle - Day 6
Belgrade
In Belgrade, choose between a coach tour seeing the ornate Church of Saint Sava (one of Europe's largest religious buildings) and the Museum of Yugoslavia, or a guided bike tour to explore the city's history at a different pace. This evening, head to the Horizon Lounge for a traditional Serbian folklore show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlights of Belgrade
- Serbian folklore evening show on board
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Belgrade
- Routes of Nikola Tesla (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Church of Saint Sava Museum of Yugoslavia - Day 7
Vukovar
This is a special one. You'll have lunch with a local Croatian family in their home, experiencing how they actually live. After that, continue sailing up the Danube toward Hungary. Later, gather with the other passengers for a farewell dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family), Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family
Optional Activities
- Vucedol Culture Museum (extra expense)
- Day 8
Kalocsa
You'll arrive in Kalocsa, famous for paprika production and colourful festivals. Spend time learning about traditional Hungarian folk art and customs in the area. Later head out to a horse farm on the Puszta (Great Hungarian Plain) to watch Magyar cowboys do equestrian performances and exercises. An authentic Hungarian folklore show and traditional dinner happen on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional dinner)
Included Activities
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Day 9
Budapest
Leave the ship and transfer to your hotel in central Budapest for two nights. Once you arrive, join a guided coach tour to see the Chain Bridge connecting Buda and Pest, and the Parliament building, Budapest's most recognizable landmark.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
Landmarks/POIs Chain Bridge Parliament Building 
- Day 10
Budapest
The whole day is open. Walk across the Chain Bridge to see how Buda and Pest differ from each other, grab some Hungarian pastries or other local treats, or just wander around and get to know the city however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 11
Budapest to Airport
After breakfast, say goodbye to the group and check out of your hotel. You'll be driven to the airport, heading home with memories of that Croatian family lunch and the beautiful Buda Castle district still fresh in your mind.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Buda Castle
