Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll arrive in Bucharest and check into your luxury hotel. The city has quite a history as the former 'Paris of the East', and you'll notice the mix of Art Nouveau buildings alongside Brutalist structures, wide leafy boulevards, and an active nightlife scene. After settling in, the evening is yours to relax and get oriented.
- Day 2
Bucharest
This morning you'll pick your freechoice activity: either visit Ceausescu's Spring Palace with its 80 ornate rooms featuring silk and Murano glass, or head to the Village Open Air Museum to see ethnographic collections. Later, a scenic coach tour takes you through the city's main squares including Union Square and University Square. From there, you'll transfer to Giurgiu and board your Scenic Space-Ship for the start of your river cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Bucharest by coach visiting Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square, Charles de Gaulle Square, and Primaverii Palace
Optional Activities
- Ceausescu's Spring Palace - 1960s residence with 80 decorated rooms featuring silk wallpaper, wood panels, paintings, mosaics, marble and Murano glass chandeliers
- Village Open Air Museum - ethnography exhibits with authentic houses, barns, and churches rebuilt using traditional techniques
Landmarks Union Square University Square Roman Square Victory Square Charles de Gaulle Square Primaverii Palace - Day 3
Silistra
You'll arrive early in Silistra, a Bulgarian town with centuries behind it. During its history, it served as a major Turkish fortress and trade hub in the 15th century. Pick one freechoice: a guided walking tour of Silistra Fort with its well-preserved structures, a trip to Alfatar Village to see its ethnographic museum and local school choir, or explore the ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari. Each option gives you different insight into the region's past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Silistra Fort - guided walking tour learning about the best preserved of six Turkish fortification points
- Visit Alfatar Village - excursion featuring ethnographic museum with typical country house, customary attire, Alfatar school visit, local children's choir performance and daily life insights
- Sveshtari Thracian Secrets - guided tour of ancient Thracian Tomb exploring Bulgarian heritage and flavours
Landmarks Silistra Fort Alfatar Village Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari - Day 4
Rousse
Rousse comes into view, nicknamed 'Little Vienna' for its Belle Epoque style. Your freechoice lets you spend the full day on an excursion to Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria's oldest towns with panoramic views and the Asenevtsi Brothers Monument plus the nearby village of Arbanassi. Alternatively, take a local walking tour of Rousse's grand architecture and manicured squares, which includes an exclusive piano recital. Either way, you'll experience the city's 19th-century charm.
- 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, Asenevtsi Brothers Monument, and nearby leafy village of Arbanassi
- Walking tour of Rousse - local guide sightseeing tour of Belle Epoque architecture and manicured squares with exclusive piano recital
Landmarks Veliko Tarnovo Asenevtsi Brothers Monument Arbanassi - Day 5
Djerdap Gorge
The ship navigates through the Djerdap Gorge system, also called the Iron Gates, which marks the border between Serbia and Romania. You'll pass through four narrow gorges with soaring cliffs and spot the massive rock carving of Decebalus, the former Romanian king. Spend your day on deck or in your suite, maybe relaxing in the Sun Lounge, spending time at the Sun Deck, or chatting with other guests in the Panorama Lounge and Bar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Djerdap Gorge system (Iron Gates) featuring four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs and rock carving of Decebalus
Landmarks Djerdap Gorge Iron Gates Rock Carving of Decebalus - Day 6
Belgrade
You'll explore Belgrade, Serbia's capital known as the 'Door to Central Europe', where the Sava and Danube rivers meet. Select your freechoice: a guided tour of key sites like the Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress, a panoramic tour that includes Tito's Memorial, or a cycling tour along the Danube. You'll have free time afterward to wander on your own, perhaps checking out thermal baths, the Central Market Hall, or bohemian Skardalija Street. This evening, attend an exclusive Scenic Enrich event at St. Sava Temple featuring a choir performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit St. Sava Temple - largest orthodox temple in the Balkans with fresco-lined crypt walls featuring church choir performance and white marble adorned ceilings with remarkable acoustics
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Belgrade - explore iconic sites including cobbled streets of Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress with free exploration time
- Panoramic tour of Belgrade with Tito's Memorial - local guide tour of major city sites including Ottoman heritage of Old Town and Tito memorial
- Cycling tour along the Danube - guided cycling tour tracing the Danube banks
Landmarks Kalemegdan Fortress Bohemian Quarter St. Sava Temple Tito Memorial Skardalija Street Central Market Hall - Day 7
Osijek
Arriving in Osijek, a small Croatian city with a complicated history where grand Baroque buildings still show war damage. Your freechoice offers either a guided walking tour of the well-preserved Baroque Old Town and fortress with traditional and classical music, or explore the Baranja wine region (which straddles Croatia and Hungary) with vineyard tastings. After that, you'll visit a local Croatian family home for authentic lunch featuring fresh vegetables from their garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic meal with local Croatian family prepared with fresh vegetables from host's garden), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch with local Croatian family - authentic meal prepared with fresh vegetables from host's garden
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek - guided tour of highlights including well-preserved Baroque Old Town and fortress with traditional and classical music
- Baranja wine region - guided experience in picturesque region straddling Croatia and Hungary exploring wine-making tradition, vineyards and tasting local wines
Landmarks Osijek Old Town Osijek Fortress Baranja Wine Region - Day 8
Mohács
You'll dock in Mohacs, a small Hungarian town on the Danube that was the site of the 16th century Battle of Mohacs. Pick your freechoice activity: a guided tour of Pecs with its 1885 telephone exchange and Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi, explore Villany wine village with its rows of historic wine cellars, or visit the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum showing hand-painted ceramics from the company founded in 1853. Each option gives you different perspective on the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pécs - tour to city's 1885 telephone exchange and unearthed Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi from late 19th century
- Villány wine village - visit charming village with rows of historic wine cellars and local wine sampling
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - view splendid collection of hand-painted ceramics in former factory of company founded in 1853
Landmarks Pécs Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi Villány Wine Village Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - Day 9
Budapest
You have the entire day at leisure in Budapest, often considered one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Spend your time however you like, exploring at your own pace and seeing what draws your interest most.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10
Budapest
Hungary's capital lies split by the Danube into Buda and Pest, connected by a bridge from 1873. The city has Roman ruins, Gothic architecture, historic coffee houses, opera performances, a notable Jewish quarter, and famous hot springs and thermal baths. In the morning, choose your freechoice: a coach tour of Buda's Varkert Bazaar and Pest's Szechenyi Square with piano recital, a guided hike through Buda with Danube views, a Jewish heritage tour visiting a museum and synagogue, or an excursion to Szentendre to see the riverside town. Afterward, you'll have free time to explore, visit thermal baths, or check out the Central Market Hall before departing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in depth - coach tour starting in Buda at Várkert Bazaar, crossing Margaret Bridge to Pest for Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square, ending with piano recital at Institute for the Blind
- Guided hike of Buda - walking tour through Buda district seeing Varket Bazar and landscaped gardens with Danube River and city architecture views
- Jewish heritage tour - tour learning about significant Jewish historical events, visiting Jewish Museum and impressive Synagogue
- Excursion to Szentendre - journey to riverside town known for museums, galleries and artists with Mediterranean atmosphere and guided city tour
Landmarks Várkert Bazaar Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Institute for the Blind Jewish Museum Szentendre Central Market Hall - Day 11
Bratislava
You'll arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital since 1993, a modern multicultural city with an interesting past. The medieval and Gothic Old Town with its ninth-century hilltop castle contrasts with brutalist socialist buildings throughout. Select your freechoice: a local guided walking tour covering Hlavne Namestie main square and Old Town Hall with stories about life behind the Iron Curtain, or a wine tasting journey through Slovakia's young Danube wine regions in local cellars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava - guided tour of city highlights including Hlavné Námestie main square and Old Town Hall with insights into life behind the Iron Curtain
- Wines of Slovakia - wine tasting journey through different regions of Slovakia in local cellars featuring new wine region from post-Communist era
Landmarks Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall Bratislava Castle - Day 12
Vienna
Vienna comes into view, Austria's capital and the heart of art, music and culture. The city was home to Mozart and Beethoven, and you'll find magnificent Baroque buildings, green spaces, vibrant coffee-house culture, and galleries filled with masterpieces. Choose your freechoice: explore Schonbrunn Palace's ornate rooms and gardens, take an e-bike tour to Danube Island for local recreation, visit Belvedere Museum's Baroque landmark featuring Austrian art plus works by Monet and Van Gogh, or take a guided Central Vienna tour with expert stories. This evening, attend an exclusive Scenic Enrich classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Strauss and Mozart performed by an orchestra with ballet dancers and vocalists in Vienna's largest secular Baroque hall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein - exclusive evening concert featuring Strauss and Mozart performed by renowned orchestra with ballet dancers and vocalists in Vienna's largest secular Baroque hall, including glass of Austrian Sekt
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace - explore former Habsburg family summer residence with ornate rooms, royal family stories and impressive gardens
- Cycle to Danube Island - guided e-bike tour to recreational playground with bathing, boating, cycling and beaches
- Belvedere Museum - visit stunning Baroque landmark with greatest collection of Austrian art from Middle Ages to present plus international artists
- Central Vienna - expert guide tour of history, elegance and diverse architecture with free exploration time
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island Belvedere Museum Palais Liechtenstein - Day 13
Melk
You'll dock in Durnstein, a quaint town surrounded by vineyards with 12th-century buildings and hilltop castle ruins. Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner there from 1192 to 1193. Enjoy free time to wander around. During lunch, you'll cruise the Wachau Valley viewing sloping vineyards and charming villages before reaching Melk, dominated by its dramatic World Heritage-listed Benedictine Abbey. Select your afternoon freechoice: a guided tour of the 18th-century Abbey exploring the decorated Marble Hall, library with 80,000 books and Abbey Church with frescoes; an e-bike ride from Durnstein to Melk passing villages and vineyards; or visit 13th-century Artstetten Castle with current owners, family crypt, museum and royal family stories. Later, join an onboard talk about schnapps production with local varieties to taste.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Wachau Valley with lunch - cruise viewing sloping vineyards and charming villages
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey - explore 18th-century abbey halls, decorated Marble Hall, library with 80,000 books and Abbey Church adorned in frescoes and statues
- E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk - guided e-bike ride along Danube passing small villages and rolling vineyards with river view stops
- Artstetten Castle - meet current owners of 13th-century castle with Archduke Franz Ferdinand history, see family crypt and museum, hear royal dynasty stories
Landmarks Dürnstein Castle Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Artstetten Castle - Day 14
Passau
After a brief stop in Brandstatt, you'll arrive in Passau, located where three rivers meet near Austria. For centuries it served as an important trading point and significant Holy Roman Empire town. The charming Old Town features Italianate-style buildings built by powerful prince-bishops. Your freechoice offers: a full day excursion to Salzburg, Austria, the storybook city surrounded by alpine peaks and birthplace of Mozart and The Sound of Music (guided tour, Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, lunch and free time); a full day to Cesky Krumlov, a Czech World Heritage site with guided exploration of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and lunch; or a highlights walking tour of Passau admiring colorful waterfront buildings and St Stephens Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - guided tour of art and music scene, Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, lunch at local restaurant and free time
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov - guided exploration of World Heritage Czech town with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and lunch in local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau - walking tour with local guide admiring brightly coloured waterfront buildings and St Stephens Cathedral originally built in 450 AD and rebuilt in Baroque style after 1662 fire
Landmarks St Stephens Cathedral Salzburg Hohensalzburg Fortress Český Krumlov - Day 15
Regensburg
You'll explore Regensburg, a city with 2,000 years of history and one of Germany's best-preserved Medieval town centers featuring over 900 Romanesque and Gothic World Heritage buildings. The narrow streets hold the country's highest concentration of bars. Pick your freechoice: a walking tour with local guide seeing the old stone bridge, Church of St James and Porta Praetoria; a ferry through Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey, Bavaria's oldest monastery from approximately 600 AD with abbey and cloister church exploration plus award-winning on-site beer tasting from 1050; or a Bavarian beer tasting experience learning about 1,000+ years of brewing heritage at a traditional brewery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg - local guide tour of Medieval city on three rivers confluence seeing old stone bridge, Church of St James and Porta Praetoria
- Weltenburg Abbey - ferry through Danube Gorge to oldest Bavarian monastery founded approximately 600 AD, explore Abbey and Cloister Church, sample award-winning on-site beer brewed since 1050
- Bavarian beer tasting - learn beer making intricacies and 1,000+ year regional brewing heritage at traditional brewery with distinctive Bavarian brews sampling
Landmarks Church of St James Porta Praetoria Weltenburg Abbey Danube Gorge - Day 16
Depart Munich
Your journey concludes this morning with one last breakfast on board the ship. You'll depart with memories of your river cruise through Central Europe, having seen cities, castles, vineyards, and met people along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
