Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll meet your driver at Bucharest airport and head into the city center where your hotel is located. Check in and settle in for the night. This is a good time to walk around a bit and get oriented to the area, which people often call the 'Paris of the East' because of its architecture and layout.
- Day 2
Bucharest to Giurgiu
A guided drive takes you through Bucharest this morning, stopping at the Spring Palace. After that, you have free time to wander the city's tree-lined boulevards on your own or visit whatever interests you. By afternoon, you'll travel to Giurgiu on the Danube and board your Emerald Cruises ship, where you'll spend the next several nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace
Landmarks/POIs Spring Palace 
- Day 3
Rousse
The ship stops at Rousse, a city known for its fine Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo buildings and nice waterfront promenade. You can explore on your own or join a guided hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Later this evening, there's a welcome reception and dinner to meet other passengers.
- 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 visit Bulgaria's wine region with an included tour that stops at a local vineyard for tasting and includes Baba Vida Fortress from the 10th century. If you prefer something more active, there's a guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress, or you could learn to make traditional Bulgarian pastries instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting & a 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 continues sailing along the Danube toward Donji Milanovac. You can visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum, which is one of Europe's most important Paleolithic locations with history spanning over eight thousand years. Golubac Castle is another option available for an additional fee.
- 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 Golubac Castle - Day 6
Belgrade
In Belgrade, you'll take a coach tour of Serbia's capital seeing landmarks like the ornate Church of Saint Sava and the Museum of Yugoslavia. If you'd rather do something different, there's a guided bike tour available. Later tonight, you'll watch a traditional Serbian folklore show with live music and dancing.
- 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
Croatian Family Lunch & Sailing to Hungary
This is a special day where a local Croatian family invites you into their home for a traditional lunch, so you'll get an authentic glimpse of how people actually live and eat in the region. After lunch, the ship sails further up the Danube toward Hungary. This evening brings a farewell dinner with your fellow passengers 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 & Puszta
You'll dock at Kalocsa, which is famous for its paprika and folk traditions. Later you travel to the Puszta or Great Hungarian Plain to visit a traditional horse farm where you can see skilled Magyar cowboys perform impressive equestrian feats. Tonight there's an authentic Hungarian folklore show followed by a traditional dinner served on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Hungarian dinner)
Included Activities
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Day 9
Departure
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the other passengers and transfer to the airport. You head home carrying memories of the Puszta horse performances and the Danube's wine regions from your week on the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast
