Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll meet your driver at Istanbul airport and head to your hotel in the city center. The place is centrally located so you're well positioned for the next few days exploring this historically layered city. Get settled in and take the evening to walk around your neighborhood.
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start the day with a guided tour hitting Istanbul's main landmarks. You'll see Hippodrome Square first, then head to the Blue Mosque with its famous turquoise tiles and six minarets. After that, walk through the Basilica of Saint Sophia. The guide covers the history and architecture of each place, so you'll get real context for what you're looking at.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Istanbul
- Visit to Hippodrome Square
- Visit to Blue Mosque
- Visit to 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
This morning explores the Underground Cistern before heading to the Spice Market, which has been buzzing since the 17th century. Grab lunch in the market area or nearby. In the afternoon, you'll board a private boat for your Bosphorus cruise, sailing past waterfront mansions, palaces, and taking in Istanbul's skyline with all its domes and minarets from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of Underground Cistern
- Visit to Spice Market
- Private boat cruise on the Bosphorus
Optional Activities
- Turkish Bath at Roxelana (extra expense)
- Street Food tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Underground Cistern Spice Market Bosphorus - Day 4
Istanbul to Bucharest
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll fly to Bucharest and transfer to a central hotel for one night. Use the evening to rest up before starting your river cruise tomorrow. The hotel is centrally situated if you want to do a quick walk around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Bucharest
Following breakfast, you'll take a guided drive through Bucharest and see the Spring Palace. Then you'll transfer to your cruise ship, the Star-Ship, and board for a 7-night Danube river cruise. Get your cabin situated and join other passengers for the first evening on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest
- Visit to Spring Palace
Landmarks/POIs Spring Palace - Day 6
Rousse, Bulgaria
The ship docks in Rousse, known as 'The Little Vienna' for its Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo buildings. You can either take a walking tour through the charming promenade or join a guided hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO site with 14th-century frescoes. Back on ship, there's a welcome reception and dinner for everyone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse
- Welcome reception and dinner on board
- 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 7
Vidin, Bulgaria
Explore Vidin's wine scene with a tour of a local vineyard and tasting session, then visit Baba Vida Fortress, one of Bulgaria's well-preserved castles from the 10th century. Optional activities include a guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress or trying your hand at making traditional Bulgarian pastries. Evening back on the ship.
- 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 8
Donji Milanovac, Serbia
You'll sail to Donji Milanovac to visit Lepenski Vir, one of Europe's best-preserved Paleolithic archaeological sites sitting right on the Danube riverbanks. The site shows over eight millennia of Stone Age history and prehistoric settlements. There's an optional visit to Golubac Castle if you want more time exploring the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site
- Visit to Lepenski Vir museum
Optional Activities
- Golubac Castle Visit (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lepenski Vir Golubac Castle - Day 9
Belgrade, Serbia
The ship reaches Belgrade, Serbia's capital. Take a coach tour that highlights the city's landmarks and history, or opt for a guided bike tour if you're more active. You can visit the Church of Saint Sava and the Museum of Yugoslavia. Later, a traditional Serbian folklore show performs on board with live entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlights of Belgrade coach tour
- Visit to Church of Saint Sava
- Visit to Museum of Yugoslavia
- 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
Vukovar, Croatia
This is an EmeraldPLUS day with a home-hosted lunch at a local Croatian family's house, giving you a real sense of how people live there. Afterward, the ship continues sailing up the Danube toward Hungary. Everyone gathers on board for the farewell dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional 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)
Landmarks/POIs Vucedol Culture Museum - Day 11
Kalocsa, Hungary
You'll dock in Kalocsa, famous for paprika production and colorful festivals where folk art and traditions are part of everyday life. Head to a traditional Puszta horse farm on the Great Hungarian Plain to watch Magyar cowboys show off their equestrian skills. That evening there's an authentic Hungarian folklore show and dinner on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Visit to Kalocsa
- Visit to traditional Puszta horse farm
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage experience
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Landmarks/POIs Puszta 
- Day 12
Budapest, Hungary
Transfer off the ship to your hotel in Budapest's city center for a 2-night stay. Later in the day, take a guided coach tour through the capital. You'll see the Chain Bridge that connects Buda and Pest, and catch a view of the Parliament building from the coach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- View of Chain Bridge
- View of Parliament
Landmarks/POIs Chain Bridge Parliament 
- Day 13
Budapest
Budapest is yours to explore at your own pace today. Consider crossing the Chain Bridge to experience the differences between the Buda and Pest sides of the city. Stop for local Hungarian food and check out whatever attractions catch your interest. Come back to your hotel whenever you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 14
Budapest to Airport
After breakfast, say goodbye to your fellow travelers and transfer to the airport to head home. You'll be taking memories of the home-hosted lunch experience and the ornate architecture of the Buda Castle district with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Buda Castle
