Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and get settled into your suite on the all-inclusive 5-star Scenic Space-Ship. Your balcony converts into a sun lounge where you can relax, and there's a welcome reception this evening to meet fellow travelers.
- Day 2
Bratislava
Bratislava's Old Town is your focus today, where medieval and Gothic architecture sits alongside the hilltop castle from the ninth century. The contrast between historic buildings and brutalist socialist architecture is striking. You'll choose between a communist era tour, a walking tour of Old Town, or coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Communist tour of Bratislava - learn about the communist regime and its impact on Slovak life and city identity
- Walking tour of Bratislava - guided tour of Old Town including Hlavné Námestie (main square) and Old Town Hall
- Coffee and cake with a Slovakian family - visit a local family home for authentic insight into everyday Slovak life
Landmarks/POIs Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall Bratislava Castle - Day 3
Vác
Today you're cruising along the Danube through Slovakia and Hungary. Spend time in your sun lounge with butler service, hit the gym, visit the spa, or try the salt therapy lounge. By evening you'll arrive in Vác and attend an exclusive classical concert inside Gödöllő Royal Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert inside Gödöllő Royal Palace - exclusive evening performance in the 18th-century Baroque palace, favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary
Landmarks/POIs Gödöllő Royal Palace - Day 4
Budapest
Wake in Budapest, a city split by the Danube with Buda and Pest on either side. You can choose a guided hiking tour, explore communist history, visit Brunszvik Castle, tour the Etyek wine region, or see Jewish heritage sites. The afternoon is yours to relax on the ship or explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided hike of Buda - walking tour through Buda district including Varkert Bazár and landscaped gardens with views over Danube River and city architecture
- Budapest's past and present - walking and coach tour covering communist past, 1956 Hungarian revolution, and Jewish heritage that shaped modern culture
- Beethoven's favourite getaway - visit to Brunszvik Castle with Neo Gothic architecture and grand gardens, plus dedicated Memorial Museum about Beethoven's life
- Etyek region wineries and vineyards - tour of the 'vineyard of Budapest' known for crisp, aromatic white wines and sparkling wines with tasting of local vintages
- Jewish Heritage Tour - guided tour of significant Jewish events in history including Jewish Museum and impressive Synagogue
Landmarks/POIs Varkert Bazár Danube River Brunszvik Castle Jewish Museum Budapest Great Synagogue - Day 5
Kalocsa
You'll dock in Kalocsa, one of Hungary's oldest towns known for intricate folk art and detailed embroidery. Learn about traditional handicrafts or watch a traditional horse show on the Great Hungarian Plain with local equestrian demonstrations and regional food tastings. Later you'll cruise toward Mohacs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hungarian Traditions - learn about traditional handicrafts including needlework and embroidery, and the origins of these beautiful designs
- Hungarian Horse Show - watch traditional horse show featuring local horsemen demonstrating impressive equestrian skills and enjoy tasting of local delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Great Hungarian Plain - Day 6
Mohacs
In the small Hungarian town of Mohacs, you can choose a guided tour of nearby Pecs with its Roman ruins, Turkish baths, and Baroque architecture, visit the Villery wine region, or tour the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum. The afternoon has you relaxing on board as you cruise toward the Croatian border.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pecs - explore a melange of cultures including Roman ruins, Turkish baths, Baroque buildings, and decorative arts and crafts such as porcelain
- Villery wine village - visit charming town in the Villery wine region known for exceptional red wines, see historic wine cellars, sample local wines and visit an old mill
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - view splendid historic collection of hand-painted decorative, ornamental, and architectural porcelains from the company founded in 1853, housed in the former factory in Pecs
Landmarks/POIs Pecs Zsolnay Ceramics Museum Villery Wine Region - Day 7
Osijek
Osijek, a Croatian city with grand Baroque buildings marked by the 1990s War of Independence, offers several options. Take a guided walking tour, cycle through Kopacki Rit Nature Park to spot 293 bird species including white-tailed eagles, or visit Baranja wine region family wineries. After lunch at a local Croatian family home, you'll cruise toward Serbia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic meal at local Croatian family home prepared with fresh vegetables from host's garden), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch at local Croatian family home - authentic meal prepared with fresh vegetables from the host's garden featuring North-Eastern Croatian cuisine
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek - guided tour of charming city visiting well-preserved Baroque Old Town and fortress
- Cycling tour - explore Kopacki Rit Nature Park on two wheels, home to 293 kinds of birds, 46 species of freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles, wild boars, red deer, and possibly the white-tailed eagle
- Baranja wine region - tour family-owned wineries to taste locally produced exceptional white wines in rustic cellars or outdoor terraces with sweeping vineyard views
Landmarks/POIs Kopacki Rit Nature Park Baranja Wine Region - Day 8
Novi Sad
Novi Sad is Serbia's lively second largest city, known for music, art, and contemporary murals. You can do a guided city tour featuring the 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress and Dunavska Street, hike to the fortress for Danube views, tour Sremski Karlovci with its Baroque charm and wineries, or explore Fruska Gora National Park. The ship stays late, so there's time to explore after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Novi Sad - discover the city from 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress to charming Dunavska Street lined with colourful buildings
- Hike to Petrovaradin Fortress - symbol of the city often referred to as 'Gibraltar on the Danube', learn about its powerful medieval history and enjoy magnificent Danube River and city views
- Excursion to Sremski Karlovci - guided tour of charming Baroque town once hub of Serbian cultural and political life, with free time to explore, followed by visit to local winery and honey museum
- Fruska Gora National Park - explore Serbia's oldest national park with oak and beech forests, more than 60 family vineyards, and 16 monasteries including 16th-century oldest monastery, with winery tasting
Landmarks/POIs Petrovaradin Fortress Dunavska Street Sremski Karlovci Fruska Gora National Park - Day 9
Belgrade
Belgrade sits at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Choose between guided city tours covering Kalemegdan Fortress and the Bohemian Quarter, cycling along the Danube, or visiting the Bread of Life Roma community project. You'll see St. Sava, the largest orthodox temple in the Balkans, for an exclusive church choir performance in the crypt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- St. Sava Orthodox Temple visit - explore frescos-lined walls of the crypt where the church choir performs beautiful hymns in an exclusive performance, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity due to the acoustic properties
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour - tour major sites by coach and foot with local guide including cobbled streets of Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress with panoramic river views, plus free time to explore
- Panoramic city tour including Tito's Memorial - tour city highlights including Ottoman old town, Kalemegdan Fortress and Republic Square, with free time, plus visit to memorial of former Yugoslavia ruler Tito
- Cycling tour along the Danube - trace the Danube banks on two wheels, admire beautiful scenery and learn about Belgrade's fascinating history from local guide
- Education with the Roma community - visit Bread of Life project working to reduce prejudices against Roma people, meet Roma children and hear about challenges they face
Landmarks/POIs Kalemegdan Fortress St. Sava Orthodox Temple Bohemian Quarter Republic Square Danube River - Day 10
Golubac
Golubac has one of Europe's best preserved medieval fortresses where the Danube narrows into the Iron Gate gorge. Pick a guided fortress tour, explore the Lepenski Vir archaeological site from 12,000 years ago, or hike through Djerdap National Park. Later you'll cruise through the spectacular Iron Gates scenery with four narrow gorges and soaring cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Golubac Fortress - guided tour of 14th-century fortress built on steep Danube embankment in Djerdap National Park, featuring nine towers connected by ramparts
- Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site - tour the most significant archaeological site in region first inhabited 12,000 years ago, exploring 136 building ruins, central square, fireplaces and stone idols
- Hike through Djerdap National Park - join local park ranger and guide for hike through national park with spectacular sights including Golubac Fortress and incredible Danube River views
Landmarks/POIs Golubac Fortress Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site Djerdap National Park Iron Gates Gorge Decebalus Rock Carving - Day 11
Vidin
You'll arrive early in Vidin, Bulgaria, a historic town with a well-preserved medieval fortress between Bulgaria and Romania. The region has fertile land where wine has been grown for nearly a century. Choose active hiking to Belogradchik Fortress with unique rock formations, visit a local winery, learn banitsa pie cooking, or explore Vidin's 'Triangle of Tolerance' with its churches, cathedral, mosque, and synagogue.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hiking to Belogradchik Castle Ruins - active hiking tour to Belogradchik Fortress with unique rock formations and ancient stronghold ruins from Roman Empire period
- Visit to local winery - travel to Negovanovtsi village and Dos Alamos Winery established in 2013 for tour and tasting of Bulgarian Rubin, sauvignon blanc and semillon grapes
- Ancestry of the Kitchen – Banitsa cooking demonstration - meet local who shares family recipe of traditional banitsa cheese-filled filo pastry pie and tells about life in region
- Triangle of Tolerance walking tour - walking tour of Vidin learning its history and legacy of tolerance among residents, visiting Metropolis Orthodox church of St. Nicholas, Orthodox Cathedral of St. Dimitar, Osman Mosque, and Synagogue
Landmarks/POIs Belogradchik Fortress Metropolis Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral of St. Dimitar Osman Mosque Vidin Synagogue - Day 12
Rousse
Rousse has Belle Epoque architecture and leafy manicured squares, often called 'Little Vienna'. A local guide will take you on a sightseeing tour covering traditional Bulgarian handicrafts while you sample local wine and hear a short piano recital. Then you'll have free time to wander before returning to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Rousse - explore Belle Epoque architecture and manicured squares
- Traditional Bulgarian handicrafts demonstration
- Local wine tasting
- Piano recital performance
Landmarks/POIs Rousse - Day 13
Silistra
Silistra is a Bulgarian town with a complex history spanning from late Roman times through Turkish fortress, the Russo-Turkish wars, and a brief Romanian period before returning to Bulgaria in 1940. Take an active walking tour of the 19th-century fort or visit Alfatar Village to explore traditions, the ethnographic museum, Holy Trinity temple, and a local school. The afternoon has you cruising through unspoiled lands.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Silistra Fort - guided walking tour of best preserved 19th-century fort of six Turkish fortification system that played important role in Russo-Turkish wars
- Visit Alfatar Village - explore small village traditions in ethnographic museum, see beautifully restored Holy Trinity temple symbol of Bulgarian Orthodox religion, and visit school to meet local children
Landmarks/POIs Silistra Fort Alfatar Village Holy Trinity Temple - Day 14
Constanta
After spending the night docked in Cernavoda, you'll cruise toward Constanta on the Black Sea Coast. This city has been continuously inhabited since 600 BC. A guided tour covers Ovid Square, the Orthodox Cathedral, the scenic promenade and Genovese Lighthouse, with free time to explore before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Constanta - explore one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities dating back to 600 BC, visiting Ovid Square, Orthodox Cathedral, scenic promenade and Genovese Lighthouse
Landmarks/POIs Ovid Square Orthodox Cathedral Genovese Lighthouse - Day 15
Constanta to Bucharest
You'll leave the Scenic Space-Ship and transfer to Bucharest, stopping for lunch along the way. Bucharest blends Art Nouveau remnants with Brutalist architecture along tree-lined boulevards. A guided coach tour takes you through south Bucharest to Primaverii Palace and grand squares. Check in at your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Bucharest - tour from south of Bucharest to Primaverii Palace, visiting grandest squares including Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square and Charles de Gaulle Square
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Parliament Primaverii Palace Union Square University Square Roman Square Victory Square Charles de Gaulle Square - Day 16
Bucharest to Istanbul
An included flight takes you from Bucharest to Istanbul, a city of over 15 million people. Istanbul blends cultures, cuisines, architecture, and history in ways that engage all your senses with its exhilarating style.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 17
Istanbul
Settlements in Istanbul have existed for thousands of years, with the modern city beginning as Constantinople in the 4th century before becoming Istanbul in 1930. You'll see two of the city's most famous landmarks on either side of Sultanahmet Park: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, plus tour Topkapi Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Topkapi Palace
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Sultanahmet Park - Day 18
Istanbul to Çanakkale
You'll leave Istanbul and travel to Çanakkale, sitting on the edge of the Dardanelle Strait. This town has been historically significant for centuries as the gateway to the World War One Gallipoli battlefield and ancient Troy. The evening is free to explore the waterfront promenade and experience modern Turkish culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Dardanelle Strait - Day 19
Gallipoli
Gallipoli is a special place significant to Australians and New Zealanders. You'll walk the most significant sites including ANZAC Cove where soldiers came ashore on 25 April 1915, Lone Pine, the Nek, and 31 cemeteries dotting the peninsula in this moving experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Gallipoli guided tour - visit significant WWI campaign sites including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, the Nek, and 31 cemeteries across the Gallipoli peninsula
Landmarks/POIs ANZAC Cove Lone Pine The Nek Gallipoli Peninsula - Day 20
Troy
Ancient Troy is shrouded in mystery and legend. For over 3,000 years, tales of the Trojan War were thought mythical until late 19th-century discovery revealed the actual ruins and rewrote history. You'll tour the 4,000-year-old ruins, see a giant replica of the famous Trojan Horse, and learn the true story before returning to Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of ancient Troy ruins - explore 4,000-year-old ruins, view giant replica of famous Trojan Horse, and learn the true story of this illustrious city
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Troy Trojan Horse - Day 21
Istanbul
You'll choose between a Turkish cooking class learning traditional dishes that blend Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Eastern European flavors, or exploring the Grand Bazaar's thousands of shops with a local guide for traditional Turkish coffee. This evening you'll cruise the Bosphorus Strait between ferries and fishing boats, passing monuments and historic minarets, then enjoy a farewell dinner at Hamdi Restaurant with views over the Golden Horn.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at Hamdi Restaurant with views over Golden Horn)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus strait cruise - cruise along the strategic waterway between ferries and fishing boats, passing famous monuments and historic minarets
- Farewell dinner at Hamdi Restaurant - dine with outstanding views over the Golden Horn inlet with exceptional Turkish cuisine
Optional Activities
- The tastes of Turkey - Turkish cooking class learning to make delicious traditional dishes blending Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Eastern European flavors
- Grand Bazaar - visit colourful and chaotic Grand Bazaar vast undercover market with thousands of shops, wide plazas and tiny laneways, followed by traditional Turkish coffee from local vendor
Landmarks/POIs Bosphorus Strait Golden Horn Grand Bazaar - Day 22
Istanbul
This morning listen for the traditional Muslim call to prayer ringing out over Istanbul five times daily, a reminder of the nation's strong faith ties and particularly moving in the calm before sunrise. Enjoy breakfast before your final airport transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
