Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul airport where a driver meets you and takes you to your hotel in the city center. The hotel is centrally located, so you're well-positioned for exploring over the next three nights. Check in, get settled, and spend the rest of the day getting oriented to the area around your accommodation.
- Day 2
Istanbul
After breakfast, head out on a city tour covering Istanbul's main historical sites. You'll see Hippodrome Square first, then move on to the Blue Mosque with its distinctive turquoise tiles and six minarets. From there, you'll visit the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the city's most recognizable structures. The full tour takes most of your morning and early afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Istanbul
- Visit Hippodrome Square
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Basilica of Saint Sophia
Optional Activities
- Topkapi & Harem section (extra expense)
- Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Hippodrome Square Blue Mosque Basilica of Saint Sophia 
- Day 3
Istanbul
Start the morning at the Underground Cistern, walking through the underground reservoirs and columns. After that, head to the Spice Market in the 17th century bazaar area where locals buy fresh ingredients and spices. Later in the afternoon, board a private boat for a Bosphorus cruise. Your guide shares stories about the strait's history while you take in the skyline filled with Byzantine and Ottoman domes and minarets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of Underground Cistern
- Spice Market tour
- Bosphorus cruise
Optional Activities
- Turkish Bath at Roxelana (extra expense)
- Street Food tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Underground Cistern Spice Market Bosphorus Strait - Day 4
Istanbul to Bucharest
You'll have breakfast at your hotel, then travel to the airport for your flight to Bucharest. Once you land, a driver takes you to your centrally-located hotel for one night. You'll get settled and have the evening to rest before your Danube cruise begins tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Bucharest to Giurgiu
After breakfast, a guide drives you through Bucharest pointing out key attractions including the Spring Palace. You'll have time afterward to walk around the leafy boulevards on your own and grab lunch if needed. Later, you'll transfer to Giurgiu on the Danube riverbanks where the crew welcomes you aboard the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship and you'll settle into your cabin.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest
- Visit to Spring Palace
- Transfer to Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
Landmarks/POIs Spring Palace - Day 6
Rousse
The ship sails to Rousse, Bulgaria, a city known for its Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture. You can choose between a leisurely walking tour of the city or a guided hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, which are UNESCO-listed and contain 14th-century frescoes. In the evening, return to the ship for a welcome reception and dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse
- Guided hike to Ivanovo Church
- Choir concert
- Welcome reception and dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day Tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo - Day 7
Vidin
You'll dock in Vidin, Bulgaria's westernmost town, where vineyards sit along the Danube. Visit a local vineyard for a tasting session where they explain their winemaking methods. Then tour Baba Vida Fortress, a well-preserved 10th-century castle. You can also choose between a guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress or try making traditional Bulgarian pastries with a local instructor.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to local vineyard with wine tasting
- Visit to Baba Vida Fortress
- Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress
Optional Activities
- Traditional Bulgarian pastry making (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik Fortress - Day 8
Donji Milanovac
The ship sails to Donji Milanovac where you'll visit Lepenski Vir, an archaeological site on the riverbanks. This Paleolithic settlement reveals over eight millennia of history, showing how Stone Age cultures lived and moved across Europe. You'll explore the site with a guide explaining what archaeologists have uncovered there.
- 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 9
Belgrade
You arrive in Belgrade, Serbia's capital. A coach tour takes you through the city center showing landmarks and historical sites. You'll visit the ornate Church of Saint Sava, one of Europe's largest religious buildings, and tour the Museum of Yugoslavia. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike tour instead. That evening, enjoy a traditional Serbian folklore show in the ship's Horizon Lounge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlights of Belgrade coach tour
- Visit Church of Saint Sava
- Museum of Yugoslavia tour
- Serbian folklore evening show on board
- Guided bike tour in Belgrade
Optional Activities
- Routes of Nikola Tesla (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Church of Saint Sava Museum of Yugoslavia - Day 10
Danube to Croatia
This is an EmeraldPLUS experience where you're invited to a local Croatian family's home for a traditional lunch. Spend the afternoon sailing further up the Danube toward Hungary. Return to the ship for a farewell dinner with fellow passengers, reflecting on the week's travels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional 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 11
Kalocsa
You'll sail to Kalocsa, Hungary's paprika hub, known for colorful festivals and traditional folk art throughout the town. Visit a Puszta horse farm on the Great Hungarian Plain where you'll watch Magyar cowboys demonstrate their equestrian skills. Back on the ship that evening, catch an authentic Hungarian folklore show followed by a traditional dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Hungarian dinner)
Included Activities
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage experience
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Landmarks/POIs Puszta 
- Day 12
Departure
After breakfast, say goodbye to the other guests and transfer to the airport for your departure. You're heading home with memories from the Puszta horse performances and the viticulture experiences along the Danube's banks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
