Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll arrive in Bucharest and settle into your luxury hotel. The capital has this interesting mix of Art Nouveau architecture alongside Brutalist structures, wide tree-lined streets, and a lively cultural scene. After checking in, you'll have time to rest before dinner.
- Day 2
Bucharest to Giurgiu
Today you can choose between visiting Ceausescu's Spring Palace with its ornate rooms or the Village Open Air Museum to see Romanian heritage. After your activity, a coach tour takes you through Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square and Charles de Gaulle Square. Later in the afternoon you'll head to Giurgiu to board your river cruise ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panoramic coach tour of Bucharest including Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square and Charles de Gaulle Square
Optional Activities
- Ceausescu's Spring Palace visit - 1960s residence with 80 elegant rooms decorated with silk wallpaper, wood panels, paintings by famous Romanian painters, mosaics, marble, and Murano glass chandeliers and mirrors
- Village Open Air Museum - ethnography exhibits depicting Romanian heritage and culture with authentic houses, barns and churches rebuilt using traditional techniques
Landmarks/POIs Union Square University Square Roman Square Victory Square Charles de Gaulle Square Ceausescu's Spring Palace Village Open Air Museum - Day 3
Silistra
Early arrival in Silistra, a Bulgarian town with a complex history as a Turkish fortress and trading hub. You'll choose between a guided walking tour of Silistra Fort, a cultural visit to Alfatar Village where you'll meet local school children, or exploring the ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari. The town's many historic sites span from late Roman times to more recent periods.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Silistra Fort - guided walking tour of the best preserved of the six points of the Turkish fortification system
- Visit Alfatar Village - excursion to village just outside Silistra featuring ethnographic museum with typical country house, customary attire, visit to local school for choir performance and learning about daily life for young Bulgarians
- Sveshtari Thracian Secrets - guided tour exploring the ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari and discovery of Bulgaria's rich heritage and flavours
Landmarks/POIs Silistra Fort Alfatar Village Sveshtari Thracian Tomb - Day 4
Rousse
You'll reach Rousse, known for its Belle Epoque architecture and well-maintained squares. Pick between a full day trip to Veliko Tarnovo (one of Bulgaria's oldest towns with the Asenevtsi Brothers Monument and the leafy village of Arbanassi nearby) or a walking tour of Rousse with a local guide followed by an exclusive piano recital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi - full day excursion to one of Bulgaria's oldest towns with panoramic views of the old town, Asenevtsi Brothers Monument, and nearby leafy village of Arbanassi
- Walking tour of Rousse - sightseeing tour with local guide exploring Belle Epoque architecture and manicured squares, including exclusive piano recital
Landmarks/POIs Veliko Tarnovo Asenevtsi Brothers Monument Arbanassi - Day 5
Djerdap Gorge
Cruising through the Djerdap Gorge system (the Iron Gates) between Serbia and Romania gives you views of four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs, and the rock carving of King Decebalus. You can relax on deck in your suite or in the Panorama Lounge & Bar, many rooms having a Scenic Sun Lounge with unobstructed river views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Djerdap Gorge system (Iron Gates) with views of four gorges, soaring cliffs and rock carving of Decebalus
Landmarks/POIs Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates) Rock carving of Decebalus - Day 6
Belgrade
You'll arrive in Belgrade at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This capital blends Brutalist and Art Nouveau styles with bohemian character. Choose a guided tour of Kalemegdan Fortress and the cobbled Bohemian Quarter, a tour featuring Tito's Memorial and the Ottoman Old Town, or a guided cycling tour along the Danube. After that, you'll have free time, and there's a Scenic Enrich event visiting St. Sava Temple (the largest orthodox temple in the Balkans) with a special choir performance in the white marble crypt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich: Visit St. Sava Temple with choir performance in the crypt
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Belgrade - explore iconic sites including cobbled streets of Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress with free time to explore
- Panoramic tour of Belgrade with Tito's Memorial - guided tour of major city sites including Ottoman heritage of Old Town and memorial to former Yugoslavia ruler Tito
- Cycling tour along the Danube - guided tour tracing the banks of the Danube
- Self-guided exploration of Skardalija Street - bohemian district with traditional restaurants, local stores and galleries
Landmarks/POIs Kalemegdan Fortress Bohemian Quarter Tito's Memorial Old Town St. Sava Temple Skardalija Street - Day 7
Osijek
Arriving in Osijek, a small Croatian town with Baroque buildings that reflect its turbulent past. The food scene here centers on paprika, locally-made sausages and river fish. You'll pick between a walking tour of the preserved Baroque Old Town and fortress with traditional music or exploring the Baranja wine region with vineyard visits and tastings. Then you'll visit a local Croatian family home for lunch with fresh vegetables from their garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic meal with local Croatian family prepared with fresh vegetables from their garden), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch with local Croatian family with fresh vegetables from their garden
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek - guided tour of town highlights including well-preserved Baroque Old Town and fortress with traditional and classical music
- Baranja wine region - exploration of picturesque region straddling Croatia and Hungary with wine-making tradition, scenic vineyards and tasting experience
Landmarks/POIs Osijek Baroque Old Town Osijek Fortress Baranja wine region - Day 8
Mohács
You'll reach Mohacs, a small Hungarian town on the Danube with significant 16th century history. Select a guided tour of Pecs with the 1885 telephone exchange and Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi, a visit to Villany wine village with historic wine cellars and red wine sampling, or the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum featuring hand-painted ceramics from the company founded in 1853.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pécs - tour of city's highlights including first telephone exchange opened in 1885, Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi unearthed in 1970s and more
- Villány wine village - visit to charming village known for big, bold red wines with rows of historic wine cellars for sampling local wines
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - collection of hand-painted ceramics housed in company's former factory, founded in 1853
Landmarks/POIs Pécs Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi Villány wine village Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - Day 9
Budapest
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Budapest airport for your onward journey. You'll leave with memories of traveling through Eastern Europe along the Danube River.
- Meals
- Breakfast
