Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and board your river cruise ship by 5:00 PM. This is your chance to settle into your suite and get oriented before heading out tomorrow. The capital sits beautifully along the Danube, so take an evening stroll if you arrive early and grab dinner onboard or explore the nearby riverfront.
- Day 2
Mohács
The ship pulls into Mohács, a small town with deep historical roots along the Danube. You've got three solid options here: head to Pécs for city exploration, venture into the Villány wine region for tastings and local vineyards, or check out the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum if you're into pottery and decorative arts. Most of the day is yours to choose, so pick what appeals to you most.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pécs including the first telephone exchange (opened 1885) and Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi
- Visit to Villány wine village with wine cellar tours and local wine sampling
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - view collection of hand-painted ceramics in former factory
Landmarks/POIs Battle of Mohács Site - Day 3
Osijek
You'll dock in Osijek, a Croatian town known for its Baroque buildings that tell the story of the region's complicated past. Choose between a guided walking tour of the Old Town and fortress, exploring the Baranja wine region with tastings, or visiting a local Croatian family's home where they'll serve lunch with fresh vegetables from their garden. The family option gives you something really personal and local.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with local Croatian family at their home featuring fresh vegetables from their garden)
Included Activities
- Lunch with local Croatian family at their home featuring fresh vegetables from their garden
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek including Baroque Old Town and fortress with traditional and classical music performances
- Baranja wine region excursion with wine tasting blending local culture and scenic vineyards
Landmarks/POIs Osijek Old Town - Day 4
Belgrade
Belgrade comes into view at the meeting point of the Sava and Danube rivers. In the morning, select from a guided walking tour of major sites, a panoramic tour that includes Tito's Memorial, or a cycling trip along the river. The afternoon is free to wander Skardalija Street with its bohemian vibe, or you could attend an exclusive event at St. Sava Temple if that interests you.
Included Activities
- Visit to St. Sava Temple with church choir hymn performance in the crypt
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Belgrade exploring cobbled streets of Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress with free exploration time
- Panoramic tour of Belgrade with visit to Tito's Memorial and Ottoman heritage Old Town
- Cycling tour along the Danube banks
Landmarks/POIs Kalemegdan Fortress St. Sava Temple Skardalija Street - Day 5
Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates)
Today you'll cruise through the Djerdap Gorge system, which forms the border between Serbia and Romania. The scenery here is dramatic with four narrow gorges, high cliffs, and you'll see the rock carving of King Decebalus. Spend the day relaxing in your suite and taking in the views, or mix with other guests and share stories about what you've seen so far.
Landmarks/POIs Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates) Rock Carving of King Decebalus - Day 6
Svishtov or Rousse
You'll arrive in Svishtov, Bulgaria. Your choice is between a full day trip to Veliko Tarnovo with the nearby village of Arbanassi to see how people live there, or stay onboard and cruise to Rousse instead. In Rousse there's a guided tour of the town plus an exclusive piano recital. Both options give you something different, so it depends if you want the travel or prefer to stay closer to the ship.
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Veliko Tarnovo with panoramic views of old town, Asenevtsi Brothers Monument, and visit to village of Arbanassi
- Walking tour of Rousse with local guide and exclusive piano recital
Landmarks/POIs Veliko Tarnovo Asenevtsi Brothers Monument Arbanassi Village Rousse - Day 7
Silistra
Early in the morning the ship reaches Silistra, a Bulgarian town that's been through centuries of history as a Turkish fortress and trading hub. Pick between a guided tour of Silistra Fort, an excursion to Alfatar Village with its ethnographic museum and a local school choir performance, or travel to the ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari. Each option shows a different layer of Bulgarian culture and history.
Optional Activities
- Active guided walking tour of Silistra Fort learning about its history as best preserved of six Turkish fortification points
- Excursion to Alfatar Village with ethnographic museum, traditional attire viewing, local school visit with choir performance
- Sveshtari Thracian Secrets guided tour exploring ancient Thracian Tomb and Bulgarian heritage
Landmarks/POIs Silistra Fort Alfatar Village Sveshtari Thracian Tomb - Day 8
Bucharest
You'll leave the ship and transfer to Bucharest, Romania's capital. There's a coach tour through the city's main squares and boulevards to get oriented. Then you'll choose either Ceausescu's Spring Palace with its lavish 1960s design or the Village Open Air Museum that shows traditional Romanian life and heritage. Dinner with your travel group is included, so you'll eat together and hear everyone's stories from the day.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow guests)
Included Activities
- Coach orientation tour of Bucharest from south of city through squares including Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square, and Charles de Gaulle Square to Primaverii Palace
- Dinner with fellow guests
Optional Activities
- Ceausescu's Spring Palace in wealthy district featuring 80 rooms with silk wallpaper, wood panels, famous Romanian paintings, mosaics, marble, and Murano glass chandeliers
- Village Open Air Museum with ethnographic exhibits, authentic houses, barns, and churches rebuilt using traditional techniques
Landmarks/POIs Union Square University Square Charles de Gaulle Square Primaverii Palace Village Open Air Museum - Day 9
Budapest to Brasov
You're heading into Transylvania today. First you'll see Peles Castle, a Neo-Classical palace with beautifully decorated rooms, paintings, carved wood, and stained glass throughout. After that, check out Sinaia Monastery nearby, one of the region's oldest with churches dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries. By evening you'll arrive in Brasov for dinner, so there's quite a bit of travel today.
- Meals
- Dinner (Delicious dinner in one of Brasov's finest restaurants)
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Peles Castle with interior viewing of decorated rooms
- Visit to Sinaia Monastery with two churches (17th and 19th century)
Landmarks/POIs Peles Castle Sinaia Monastery - Day 10
Brasov
A local guide shows you around Brasov, pointing out the Gothic church spires, medieval watchtowers, and big open squares that make the town distinctive. In the afternoon you'll head to Bran Castle, a dramatic fortress sitting on a cliff from the 14th century. Inside you'll find narrow corridors, hidden rooms, and courtyards with good light. This is one of the region's most iconic stops.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Brasov highlighting Gothic spires, medieval watchtowers, and town squares
- Visit to Bran Castle with exploration of narrow passageways, hidden rooms, and courtyards
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle - Day 11
Sibiu
You're traveling to Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings that haven't changed much since the 12th century. Choose a guided walking tour of the World Heritage-listed walled city or hike up to the 14th century Church on the Hill for panoramic views across the landscape. From there you'll continue on to Sibiu for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Delicious dinner in one of the best restaurants in Sibiu)
Optional Activities
- Guided exploration of Sighisoara walled city built by Saxons between 12th-17th centuries
- Hike up covered stairway to 14th century Church on the Hill with Gothic Transylvanian architecture and panoramic city views
Landmarks/POIs Sighisoara Walled City Church on the Hill - Day 12
Sibiu to Bucharest
A local guide takes you through Sibiu's main attractions in the morning. After that you'll cross the Southern Carpathian Mountains and head back toward Bucharest. This is a long travel day with good scenery along the way, so settle in and watch the mountains pass by.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sibiu highlights
- Day 13
Bucharest Departure
You'll have one last breakfast in Bucharest before departing for the airport or home. This is your moment to think back on the medieval villages you've seen, the dramatic landscapes, and all the castle visits. It's been a solid Eastern European journey with plenty of history and local culture woven in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
