Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll arrive in Bucharest and check into your hotel. Romania's capital offers quite a bit to see, mixing Cold War-era landmarks with modern cafes, Belle Epoque buildings, and solid museums. Spend the evening getting settled and perhaps walk around your neighborhood to get a feel for the city.
- Day 2
Bucharest to Sibiu
Today you're heading north from Bucharest into Transylvania, reaching the medieval town of Sibiu. After checking in at your hotel, you'll have dinner with the group at a local restaurant, so this is a good chance to meet your fellow travelers and hear what everyone's excited about seeing.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Day 3
Sibiu - Sighisoara - Brasov
In Sighisoara you can pick your own path: either take a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed walled town with someone local who knows the 12th to 17th century Saxon history, or hike up the covered stairway to the Church on the Hill for Gothic views. Later you'll head to Brasov for a two-night hotel stay in this colorful town with its Gothic church spires and medieval watchtowers.
Included Activities
- Explore the walled city of Sighisoara with local guide
- Hike to Church on the Hill in Sighisoara
Landmarks Sighisoara Walled City Church on the Hill 
- Day 4
Brasov
Your guide takes you around Brasov's highlights this morning, then in the afternoon you're off to Bran Castle, a 14th century white stone fortress sitting on a clifftop with narrow passageways, hidden rooms, and sunny courtyards to explore. Back in town by evening, you'll have dinner at one of Brasov's better restaurants.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at one of Brasov's finest restaurants)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Brasov sights
- Visit Bran Castle
Landmarks Bran Castle - Day 5
Brasov to Bucharest
After breakfast, a local guide brings you to Peles Castle, a Neo-Classical place from the 1870s with rooms full of paintings, carved wood, and stained glass. Then you'll stop at Sinaia Monastery nearby, the region's oldest monastery with churches from the 17th and 19th centuries. You head back to Bucharest this afternoon, check into your hotel, and grab dinner there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Peles Castle
- Visit Sinaia Monastery
Landmarks Peles Castle Sinaia Monastery - Day 6
Bucharest to Giurgiu
Bucharest has freechoice options for you: visit Ceausescu's Spring Palace with its 80 rooms done up in silk wallpaper and marble, or the Village Open Air Museum showing traditional Romanian houses and churches. After that, a coach tour takes you through major squares like Union Square and Roman Square. Later you'll transfer to Giurgiu to board your river cruise ship.
Included Activities
- Panoramic coach tour of Bucharest
- Visit Ceausescu's Spring Palace
- Explore Village Open Air Museum
Landmarks Ceausescu's Spring Palace Village Open Air Museum Union Square University Square Roman Square - Day 7
Silistra
You're arriving in Silistra, Bulgaria, a town with layers of history from Roman times through the Ottoman period. Pick from three freechoice activities: a walking tour of Silistra Fort, a trip to Alfatar Village with its ethnographic museum and school, or visit the ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari to learn about Bulgarian heritage.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Silistra Fort
- Visit Alfatar Village with ethnographic museum
- Explore Sveshtari Thracian Tomb
Landmarks Silistra Fort Alfatar Village Sveshtari Thracian Tomb - Day 8
Rouse
Rousse is your next stop, called 'Little Vienna' because of all its Belle Epoque architecture. You can choose a full day trip to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi village, or spend time on a walking tour of Rousse's grand squares and architecture with an exclusive piano recital included.
Included Activities
- Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi
- Walking tour of Rousse with piano recital
Landmarks Veliko Tarnovo Arbanassi Asenevtsi Brothers Monument - Day 9
Danube Cruise
Today the ship takes you through the Djerdap Gorge, a dramatic stretch where Serbia and Romania meet. Soaring cliffs, narrow gorges, and the rock carving of Decebalus, the former Romanian king, line the route. You can relax in your suite, enjoy the sun deck, or mingle with other passengers in the lounge.
Landmarks Djerdap Gorge Iron Gates Decebalus Rock Carving - Day 10
Belgrade
You're arriving in Belgrade at the meeting point of the Sava and Danube rivers. This capital blends Brutalist and Art Nouveau buildings with bohemian energy. Pick from guided tours of the Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress, a panoramic tour with Tito's Memorial, or a cycling tour along the Danube. Free time in the afternoon lets you explore Skardalija Street or just wander. Tonight you'll visit St. Sava Temple for a choir performance in the marble crypt.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Belgrade
- Panoramic tour of Belgrade with Tito's Memorial
- Cycling tour along the Danube
- Visit St. Sava Temple with choir performance
Landmarks Kalemegdan Fortress Bohemian Quarter Skardalija Street St. Sava Temple Tito's Memorial 
- Day 11
Osijek
Osijek is a small Croatian city with turbulent history showing in its Baroque buildings still marked by war. The paprika cuisine here is worth trying. Freechoice options include a walking tour of the Old Town and fortress, or exploring the Baranja wine region and vineyards. After touring, you'll visit a local Croatian family's home for lunch featuring fresh vegetables from their garden.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with local Croatian family featuring fresh vegetables from their garden)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek
- Explore Baranja wine region
- Lunch with local Croatian family
Landmarks Osijek Old Town Osijek Fortress Baranja Wine Region - Day 12
Mohacs to Budapest
You're reaching Mohacs, a small Hungarian town where the Battle of Mohacs happened in the 16th century. Pick your freechoice: a guided tour of Pecs with its historic phone exchange and Turkish Bath, a visit to Villanyi wine village for bold red wines and historic cellars, or the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum with hand-painted pieces from the company founded in 1853.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pecs
- Visit Villány wine village
- Visit Zsolnay Ceramics Museum
Landmarks Pecs Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi Villány Wine Village Zsolnay Ceramics Museum 
- Day 13
Budapest
Budapest awaits, split into Buda and Pest by the Danube and connected by bridge since 1873. You'll check in to your hotel for two nights. The afternoon is free for you to explore, maybe visit famous coffee houses like the New York Cafe or Ruszwurm Cukraszda where locals gather, the interiors are opulent, and there's often live music.
Optional Activities
- Visit New York Café
- Visit Ruszwurm Cukrászda coffee house
Landmarks New York Café Ruszwurm Cukrászda - Day 14
Budapest
After breakfast you get freechoice activities around Budapest. Visit Brunszvik Castle in Martonvasasr, an 18th-century neo-Gothic place where Beethoven used to visit, now a Beethoven museum. Or explore the Etyek region, Budapest's vineyard area, for crisp white and sparkling wines at smaller wineries. The afternoon is free, so you could hike Buda Hill for views. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Brunszvik Castle
- Explore Etyek region wineries
Optional Activities
- Hike Buda Hill
Landmarks Brunszvik Castle Beethoven Memorial Museum Etyek Region Buda Hill - Day 15
Budapest
After breakfast you'll head to Budapest airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
