Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and get picked up from the airport, then head to your hotel in the city center for a two-night stay. It's a straightforward arrival day, so you can settle in and explore the immediate area around your accommodation if you have energy after traveling.
- Day 2
Budapest
A guided coach tour takes you through Budapest's main sights. You'll cross the Chain Bridge that links Buda and Pest, and see the Parliament building which really defines the city's look from any angle. This gives you a solid overview of what makes the city tick before you head out on the river.
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
Landmarks/POIs Chain Bridge Parliament 
- Day 3
Budapest to Ship
After leaving your hotel, you're transferred to the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship where you'll stay for the next week. Get settled into your cabin, meet the other passengers, and then dinner happens on board this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 4
Kalocsa
The ship reaches Kalocsa, known for paprika festivals and traditions. You'll head out to the Puszta to watch a traditional performance with Magyar cowboys showing off their horsemanship through a horse parade and various exercises. After that, there's a welcome dinner and reception back on the ship.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner & reception)
Included Activities
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage performance
Landmarks/POIs Puszta (Great Hungarian Plain) 
- Day 5
Croatia
An EmeraldPLUS excursion takes you to a local Croatian family's home where you'll have a typical regional meal and learn about how people live here. It's a chance to get a real feel for Croatian customs and daily life rather than just seeing tourist spots.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family)
Included Activities
- Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family
Optional Activities
- Vucedol Culture Museum (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Vucedol Culture Museum - Day 6
Belgrade
Belgrade is next, and you'll take a coach tour of the historic center to see the Church of Saint Sava, which is one of the world's largest churches. You can either visit the Museum of Yugoslavia or go on a guided bike tour depending on what interests you. Later, a traditional Serbian folklore show happens on board.
Included Activities
- Highlights of Belgrade city tour
- Serbian folklore evening show on board
Optional Activities
- Museum of Yugoslavia visit
- Guided bike tour in Belgrade
- Routes of Nikola Tesla (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Church of Saint Sava Museum of Yugoslavia 
- Day 7
Donji Milanovac - Iron Gates
The ship stops at Donji Milanovac where you'll tour the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, an 8,000 year old location with serious historical significance. After that, you sail through the Iron Gates, a narrow gorge between the Carpathian Mountains and European Alps where the scenery really changes.
Included Activities
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum
Optional Activities
- Golubac Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lepenski Vir Iron Gates Golubac Castle 
- Day 8
Vidin
Vidin comes up next, and this is Bulgaria's wine region. You can tour a local vineyard, taste their wines, and visit Baba Vida Fortress, or alternatively hike to Belogradchik Fortress which sits against some dramatic rock formations and is well-preserved.
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 9
Rousse
You'll cruise into Rousse, a charming city with elegant architecture that earned it the nickname 'The Little Vienna'. There's an option to hike to the UNESCO World Heritage Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo which has churches, chapels, and monasteries carved into the rocks. This evening is the farewell dinner on board.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse
- Choir concert
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Ivanovo Church
- Full day tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo - Day 10
Giurgiu to Bucharest
After the ship docks, you drive through Giurgiu toward Bucharest. Stop at Spring Palace and Ceausescu's private residence, then take a coach tour through Bucharest past the Palace of Parliament. You'll notice the city has wide avenues and lots of green space that give it a French feel, and you get free time to wander around.
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace
Landmarks/POIs Spring Palace Palace of Parliament 
- Day 11
Bucharest to Istanbul
Breakfast happens, then you're driven to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Once you land, someone meets you and transfers you to a centrally-located hotel for a three-night stay in this historically important city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Istanbul
Istanbul's highlights are on the agenda today. Start at the Hippodrome Square, which used to be Constantinople's center for sports and social gatherings back when they held chariot races. Visit the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and distinctive turquoise dome decoration made from quartz tiles, then move on to the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest churches ever built.
Included Activities
- City tour of Istanbul
Optional Activities
- Topkapi & Harem section (extra expense)
- Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Hippodrome Square Blue Mosque Basilica of Saint Sophia Topkapi Palace - Day 13
Istanbul
Begin by exploring the Underground Cistern, then walk through the Spice Market from the 17th century where locals shop for ingredients. Later, board a private boat for a Bosphorus cruise between two continents. Your guide talks about the history and myths of the strait while you see impressive mansions, palaces, and the skyline filled with domes from Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
Included Activities
- Bosphorus cruise
- Spice Market tour
Optional Activities
- Turkish Bath at Roxelana (extra expense)
- Street Food tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Underground Cistern (Sunken Cistern) Spice Market Bosphorus - Day 14
Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the other travelers and get transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
