Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
Arrival in Bucharest sets the tone for your trip through Romania. The city has plenty to see, from Belle Epoque buildings scattered throughout to active café culture and solid museums. You'll find this capital mixes its complex history with modern vitality, so there's real depth here beyond just the usual tourist stops.
- Day 2
Bucharest to Brasov
Early start heading into Transylvania with your guide. First up is Peles Castle, a Neo-Classical stunner from the 1870s with ornate rooms filled with decorative details that'll keep you occupied for hours. After that, you stop at Sinaia Monastery to check out its historic churches. By evening you'll be in Brasov where dinner waits at a fine restaurant, so you can rest after all that sightseeing.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in one of Brasov's finest restaurants)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Peles Castle
- Visit to Sinaia Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Peles Castle Sinaia Monastery - Day 3
Brasov
Your local guide walks you through Brasov's medieval character, pointing out Gothic spires, watchtowers, sprawling squares, and Soviet-era architecture that tells the story of the city. Later in the afternoon, head to Bran Castle perched dramatically on a clifftop. The fortress inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula, and you'll wander through its maze of passages and hidden rooms that make the legend come alive.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Brasov
- Visit to Bran Castle
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle - Day 4
Brasov to Sighisoara to Sibiu
Travel to Sighisoara, a medieval town that's been largely unchanged since the 12th century with cobblestone lanes and colorful buildings. You can either explore the Saxon walled city with a local guide or hike to the 14th-century Church on the Hill, depending on your preference. After that, continue to Sibiu and settle in for dinner at one of the city's top restaurants.
- Meals
- Dinner (Delicious dinner in one of the best restaurants in Sibiu)
Included Activities
- Explore the walled city of Sighisoara (guided tour option)
Optional Activities
- Hike the hill to 14th-century Church on the Hill in Sighisoara
Landmarks/POIs Sighisoara Walled City Church on the Hill - Day 5
Sibiu to Bucharest
Your guide takes you through Sibiu's main highlights on a morning tour. From there, you head back over the Southern Carpathian Mountains toward Bucharest, retracing your route through some of the region's most scenic mountain passes on your return journey.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sibiu highlights
- Day 6
Bucharest to Constanta
This morning includes a guided tour of Bucharest before transferring to Constanta on the Black Sea coast. Once there, you board the Scenic Space-Ship and get settled into your cabin. A welcome reception starts your Danube cruise experience right.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bucharest
- Day 7
Constanta
Constanta is one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities, dating back to 600BC. Your guided tour takes in Ovid Square, the Orthodox Cathedral, the scenic promenade, and the historic Genovese Lighthouse. After lunch onboard, the ship departs heading toward Bulgaria as you settle into cruise life.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Constanta including Ovid Square
- Visit to Orthodox Cathedral
- Visit to Genovese Lighthouse
Landmarks/POIs Ovid Square Constanta Orthodox Cathedral Genovese Lighthouse - Day 8
Silistra
Arriving in Silistra after lunch, you encounter a Bulgarian town with layers of history. It was a major Turkish fortress, played a role in the Russo-Turkish wars, and has sites from late Roman times. You can explore the preserved 19th-century fort, visit Alfatar Village with its ethnographic museum and holy temple, or wander on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Silistra Fort - guided walking tour of 19th-century fort and Russo-Turkish wars history
- Visit Alfatar Village - ethnographic museum, Holy Trinity temple, and local school visit
Landmarks/POIs Silistra Fort Alfatar Village Holy Trinity Temple - Day 9
Rousse
Rousse earned the nickname 'Little Vienna' for its opulent Belle Epoque buildings and manicured squares. Your local guide gives you a sightseeing tour covering traditional Bulgarian handicrafts, and you'll sample local wine plus catch a short piano recital. The rest of the day is yours to relax onboard with the gym, wellness center, or massage available.
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Rousse
- Traditional Bulgarian handicrafts learning
- Local wine tasting
- Piano recital
Optional Activities
- Gym workout
- Spa massage treatment
Landmarks/POIs Rousse - Day 10
Vidin
Early docking in Vidin, a historic Bulgarian town with a well-preserved medieval fortress situated in a fertile wine region between Bulgaria and Romania. Four options await: hike to the dramatic Belogradchik Castle ruins, visit a local winery for tours and tastings, learn traditional Banitsa pie making from a local family, or walk the Triangle of Tolerance tour exploring the town's diverse religious heritage.
Optional Activities
- Hiking to Belogradchik Castle Ruins - active tour featuring unique rock formations and ancient Roman stronghold
- Visit to a local winery - tour and tasting at Dos Alamos Winery in Negovanovtsi village
- Ancestry of the Kitchen - Banitsa cooking demonstration with local family secrets
- Triangle of Tolerance walking tour - explore Vidin's religious diversity including Orthodox churches, mosque, and synagogue
Landmarks/POIs Belogradchik Fortress Dos Alamos Winery Metropolis Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral of St. Dimitar Osman Mosque Synagogue - Day 11
Golubac
Your ship cruises through the spectacular Iron Gates, a natural border between Serbia and Romania featuring four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs, and a dramatic rock carving of Decebalus. After docking in Golubac, explore one of Europe's best-preserved medieval fortresses through a guided tour, check out the significant archaeological site at Lepenski Vir, or hike through Djerdap National Park.
Included Activities
- Cruise through Iron Gates scenic area
Optional Activities
- Golubac Fortress - guided tour of 14th-century fortress with nine towers and ramparts
- Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site - tour of 12,000-year-old settlement with 136 building ruins
- Hike through Djerdap National Park with local ranger and guide
Landmarks/POIs Iron Gates Decebalus Rock Carving Golubac Fortress Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site Djerdap National Park - Day 12
Belgrade
Belgrade welcomes you as Serbia's capital, known as the 'Door to Central Europe'. This eclectic city layers Neolithic ruins, Roman fortresses, Brutalist buildings, and Art Nouveau architecture with genuine bohemian character. Choose a guided city tour focusing on Kalemegdan Fortress views, a panoramic tour including Tito's Memorial, a cycling tour along the Danube, or a cultural visit meeting the Roma community. Tonight features an exclusive classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - exclusive classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour - coach and walking tour including Kalemegdan Fortress and Bohemian Quarter
- Panoramic city tour including Tito's Memorial - highlights of city with Ottoman old town and Republic Square
- Cycling tour along the Danube - scenic bank tour with local guide
- Education with the Roma community - visit Bread of Life project and meet local children
Landmarks/POIs Kalemegdan Fortress St. Sava Cathedral Tito's Memorial Republic Square Bohemian Quarter - Day 13
Novi Sad
Arriving early in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city and cultural hub known for music, art, and liberal freedoms. Large-scale public murals cover the city, and vibrant festivals happen regularly while the town maintains its 500-year history through its diverse ethnic makeup. Pick a guided tour of the city and Petrovaradin Fortress, hike up for Danube views, take a day trip to charming Sremski Karlovci with a winery, or explore Fruska Gora National Park with monasteries and vineyards.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Novi Sad - discover 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress and Dunavska Street
- Hike to Petrovaradin Fortress - climb to 'Gibraltar on the Danube' for Danube River and city views
- Excursion to Sremski Karlovci - guided tour of Baroque town, free exploration, winery and honey museum visit
- Fruska Gora National Park - explore oak and beech forests, 16 monasteries, family vineyards, and oldest 16th-century monastery with tasting
Landmarks/POIs Petrovaradin Fortress Dunavska Street Sremski Karlovci Fruska Gora National Park - Day 14
Osijek
Crossing into Croatia, you dock in Osijek, a small city shaped by Ottoman, Habsburg, Austro-Hungarian rule, and the 1990s conflict. Options include a guided walking tour of the Baroque Old Town and fortress, cycling through Kopacki Rit Nature Park to see abundant wildlife, or wine tasting in the Baranja region. After touring, visit a local Croatian family home for authentic lunch featuring fresh vegetables from their garden.
- Meals
- Lunch (Authentic meal at local Croatian family home with fresh garden vegetables)
Included Activities
- Lunch at local Croatian family home with fresh garden vegetables
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek - guided tour of Baroque Old Town and fortress
- Cycling tour - explore Kopacki Rit Nature Park with 293 bird species and white-tailed eagles
- Baranja wine region tour - family-owned wineries with local wine tastings
Landmarks/POIs Osijek Old Town Kopacki Rit Nature Park Baranja Wine Region - Day 15
Mohacs
Arrival in Mohacs, a small Hungarian town on the Danube near the site of the 16th century Battle of Mohacs. From here explore surrounding regions by choosing a guided tour of nearby Pecs with Roman ruins and Turkish baths, a visit to the Villány wine region known for bold reds, or the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum displaying historic porcelain artistry.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pecs - Roman ruins, Turkish baths, Baroque buildings, and decorative porcelain arts
- Villány wine village - charming wine town with historic cellars, local wine sampling, and old mill visit
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - historic hand-painted decorative and architectural porcelain collection in former factory
Landmarks/POIs Pecs Villány Wine Region Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - Day 16
Kalocsa
Kalocsa appears as one of Hungary's oldest towns, recognized for intricate folk art and detailed embroidery throughout the region. This area keeps its rural character while celebrating rich cultural traditions. Choose between learning traditional handicrafts like needlework and embroidery, or attending a traditional horse show with local horsemen demonstrations and local delicacy tasting.
Optional Activities
- Hungarian Traditions - learn about traditional handicrafts, needlework, and embroidery origins
- Hungarian Horse Show - traditional equestrian skills demonstration with local horsemen and local delicacies tasting
Landmarks/POIs Kalocsa - Day 17
Budapest
Waking in Budapest, you're in a city split by the Danube where Buda and Pest unified in 1873 via bridges. Architecture spans Gothic to Art Nouveau styles, and thermal baths plus vibrant nightlife draw visitors constantly. Choose a guided Buda hike through landscaped gardens, a walking tour exploring communist history and the 1956 revolution, visit Beethoven's favorite Brunszvik Castle, wine tasting in the Etyek region, or a Jewish Heritage tour. Tonight brings an exclusive classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - exclusive classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace
Optional Activities
- Guided hike of Buda - walking tour through district with Varkert Bazaar, gardens, and Danube views
- Budapest's past and present - walking and coach tour covering communist past, 1956 revolution, and Jewish history
- Beethoven's favourite getaway - visit Brunszvik Castle Neo Gothic architecture and Memorial Museum
- Etyek region wineries and vineyards - 'vineyard of Budapest' wine region with white wine and sparkling wine tasting
- Jewish Heritage Tour - visit Jewish Museum and impressive Synagogue with historical event learning
Landmarks/POIs Varkert Bazaar Danube River Brunszvik Castle Gödöllő Royal Palace Jewish Museum Budapest Great Synagogue - Day 18
Budapest to Bratislava
Your morning cruises through Hungary into Slovakia at a relaxing pace. Request coffee from your butler and take in Danube views from the Sun Lounge, or use the Vitality Pool, gym, spa, or Salt Therapy Lounge. By afternoon you're in Bratislava, Slovakia's modern multicultural capital since 1993. Medieval and Gothic Old Town architecture sits near a hilltop 9th-century castle and brutalist socialist buildings. Pick a communist-era history tour, Old Town walking tour, or coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family.
Optional Activities
- Communist tour of Bratislava - learn about communist regime impact on daily Slovak life and city identity
- Walking tour of Bratislava - highlights including Hlavne Namestie (main square) and Old Town Hall
- Coffee and cake with a Slovakian family - authentic family home visit with local lifestyle insights
Landmarks/POIs Bratislava Castle Bratislava Old Town Hlavne Namestie Old Town Hall - Day 19
Budapest
Your ship returns to Budapest, docking after lunch and giving you free time this afternoon. Consider relaxing in one of Budapest's famous thermal baths like Szechenyi with 15 indoor baths and three outdoor pools, or discover the Jewish Quarter's trendy ruin bars housed in abandoned WWII-era buildings.
Optional Activities
- Szechenyi Baths - relax in 15 indoor baths and three vast outdoor pools
- Jewish Quarter ruin bars - explore nightlife in old abandoned buildings left in decay after WWII
Landmarks/POIs Szechenyi Thermal Bath Jewish Quarter - Day 20
Budapest to Vienna
Disembarking your ship, you transfer to Vienna, Austria's grand capital filled with magnificent Baroque buildings, green spaces from parks to vineyards, vibrant coffee-house culture, and galleries holding masterpieces. Known as the City of Music for nurturing Mozart and Beethoven and hosting Sigmund Freud, Vienna offers two nights in a luxurious hotel. You'll explore the world's most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, a Habsburg legacy.
Landmarks/POIs Ringstrasse - Day 21
Vienna
Your Viennese adventure starts with a morning coach tour of the iconic Ringstrasse and historic architecture, followed by a walking tour through the city center. You'll visit the majestic Opera House with its world-class performances since 1869, the elegant St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the beautiful Belvedere Palace. The afternoon leaves you free to explore Vienna's history, art, and architecture further, or relax in a traditional Viennese café.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach tour of Ringstrasse and historic city architecture
- Walking tour of city center
- Visit to Opera House
- Visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Visit to Belvedere Palace
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Vienna at own pace
- Traditional Viennese café experience
Landmarks/POIs Ringstrasse Vienna State Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Belvedere Palace - Day 22
Vienna
After breakfast, you depart Vienna with memories from your journey through Eastern Europe and along the Danube. This trip took you through multiple countries and centuries of history, from medieval fortresses to modern cities and river cruise luxury.
- Meals
- Breakfast
