Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and head straight to your hotel in the city center for a two-night stay. After getting settled, the rest of the day is yours to rest up or take a first look around Hungary's capital.
- Day 2
Budapest
A guided coach tour takes you through Budapest's main sights. You'll see the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest, then continue to the Parliament Building with its distinctive architecture along the Danube. The tour covers the key landmarks that define the city.
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
Landmarks Chain Bridge Parliament Building - Day 3
Budapest to Danube River
After breakfast, the hotel transfers you to the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. By evening, you're on board for dinner with other guests as the river cruise officially begins heading down the Danube.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
- Day 4
Kalocsa - Puszta
The ship reaches Kalocsa in the morning. From there, you head to the Puszta, Hungary's Great Plain, for a traditional horseback show featuring Magyar cowboys displaying their skills. Later on the ship, there's a welcome dinner and reception so you can meet fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner and reception on board)
Included Activities
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage performance
Landmarks Puszta - Day 5
Danube River - Croatia
Today brings a cultural experience as you visit a local Croatian family's home for a traditional lunch. You'll learn about daily life and customs in Croatia directly from the people who live there. An optional museum visit is available if you want to explore more Croatian culture.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional meal with Croatian family)
Included Activities
- Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family
Optional Activities
- Vucedol Culture Museum visit (extra expense)
- Day 6
Belgrade
A guided coach tour shows you Belgrade, one of Europe's oldest cities. You'll check out the Church of Saint Sava and walk through the city center. Later, settle in for a traditional Serbian folklore show on board. Optional activities include a bike tour or visits to the Museum of Yugoslavia.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Serbian folklore show with dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Highlights of Belgrade guided coach tour
- Serbian folklore evening show on board
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour of Belgrade
- Museum of Yugoslavia tour (extra expense)
- Routes of Nikola Tesla tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Church of Saint Sava Museum of Yugoslavia 
- Day 7
Donji Milanovac - Iron Gates
Near Donji Milanovac, you'll visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, an 8,000-year-old settlement that's remarkably preserved. After that, the ship sails through the Iron Gates gorge, where the Danube cuts between the Carpathian and Alpine mountain ranges.
Included Activities
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum
Optional Activities
- Golubac Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Lepenski Vir Iron Gates Golubac Castle - Day 8
Vidin
You'll arrive in Vidin, Bulgaria's wine region. The day includes a vineyard tour and wine tasting to sample local production. For activities, choose between visiting the medieval Baba Vida fortress or hiking to the Belogradchik Fortress, which sits dramatically against distinctive rock formations.
Included Activities
- Visit to local vineyard with wine tasting
- Visit to Baba Vida Fortress
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress
- Traditional Bulgarian pastry making (extra expense)
Landmarks Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik Fortress - Day 9
Rousse
Rousse comes into view next, a city known as 'The Little Vienna' for its refined architecture. Walk through the city on foot or hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo if you prefer something more active and want to see this UNESCO site. The farewell dinner with the crew wraps up the evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse
- Choir performance
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo
- Full day tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi (extra expense)
Landmarks Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo - Day 10
Bucharest
After leaving the ship at Giurgiu, you drive toward Bucharest. Along the way, visit the Spring Palace and Nicolae Ceausescu's former private residence. Once in the city, a guided coach tour passes the Palace of Parliament, then you have free time to wander the French-influenced avenues and tree-lined boulevards.
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest with Spring Palace visit
Landmarks Spring Palace Palace of Parliament - Day 11
Bucharest to Brasov
Following breakfast, a coach takes you north toward Brasov through Transylvania. During the drive, you'll stop at Bran Castle, the famous fortress linked to Dracula mythology where Vlad the Impaler reportedly held power in the 15th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit of Bran Castle en route to Brasov
Landmarks Bran Castle 
- Day 12
Brasov
Brasov gets a thorough exploration with a panoramic city tour. You'll visit the First Romanian School Museum and St. Nicholas Church, then walk through the medieval Old Town. The Black Church, Eastern Europe's largest Gothic structure, shows off the city's German heritage and architectural significance.
Included Activities
- City tour of Brasov
- First Romanian School Museum visit
- St. Nicholas Church visit
- Black Church visit
Optional Activities
- UNESCO fortified Church Prejmer visit (extra expense)
Landmarks First Romanian School Museum St. Nicholas Church Black Church Church Prejmer - Day 13
Brasov
This day is open for you to explore Brasov on your own schedule. Walk around Old Town Square, wander the narrow colored streets, or hike Mount Tampa for views. If you want a structured activity, there's an optional day trip to Sighisoara and Viscri Village available at extra cost.
Optional Activities
- Sighisoara and Viscri Village tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Old Town Square Mount Tampa - Day 14
Brasov to Bucharest
After breakfast, you'll head south through the Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia, called the 'Pearl of the Carpathians.' The Peles Castle tour shows you the former summer residence of Romania's first king, Carol I, with 160 rooms filled with valuable art and furnishings. Lunch is included in your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Peles Castle visit with lunch
Landmarks Peles Castle - Day 15
Bucharest to Airport
After one final breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the other guests and head to the airport, taking with you memories of the Hungarian plains, Danube castles, and medieval Transylvanian towns from the past two weeks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
