Gems of Southeast Europe (Festive Delights)

EMBARKATION – GIURGIU, ROMANIA. Embark your ship in Giurgiu. Tonight gather on board and meet your fellow passengers. (B,L,D)

GIURGIU – ROUSSE, BULGARIA. Experience the best of Bucharest, Romania’s capital, known as the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Then visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B,L,D)

Ruse is a major Bulgarian port city on the Danube River near the Romanian border, known as "Little Vienna" for its 19th-century Neo-Baroque architecture, Freedom Square, and the Sexaginta Prista fortress. It serves as a key cultural hub featuring the "March Music Days" festival, a 19th-century history, and close proximity to the Rusenski Lom Nature Park.

VIDIN, BULGARIA.. Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. Wine-lovers can instead enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, situated just outside of Vidin in the village of Negovanovtsi. Located on the vine-growing and wine-producing Danubian Plain, we will tour this boutique winery and end in the cellar for a tasting that includes traditional Bulgarian wines. (B,L,D)

The Bulgarian city of Vidin is located in the northwest of the country on the Danube River. It is considered one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria and you can find many influences of both Celts and Romans and Ottomans in the city. Worth seeing is especially the medieval fortress from the 13th century called "Baba Vida". Also a visit to the cathedral "Sveti Dimitir" or the mosque "Mustafa-Pasha" are recommended..

SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES. The Iron Gates are some of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. After your scenic cruise, you will arrive at Golubac Fortress – one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe – for a tour. (B,L,D)

BELGRADE, SERBIA. Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Šlivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO’s list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage.” For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on “The Athens of Serbia” walking tour. Stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. You will also have the option to visit the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)

The "white city", so the translation of the Serbian name Beograd, is anything but colorless. Its troubled pastshapes the Balkan metropolis. The scars of this time belong as much a part of the cityscape as the spirit of optimism that can be felt and seen. Belgrade is home to about 1.7 million inhabitantsner - and with the monumental Cathedral of St. Sava one of the largest Orthodox places of worship in the world. A stroll across the shopping street Knez Mihailova with its stores, cafés and an exciting mix of architecture leads straight to the fortress of Belgrade. Here you can not only enjoy the unique Enjoy the view down to the mouth of the Sava River, but also the quietness in the spacious Kalemegdan Park.

VUKOVAR, CROATIA. Enjoy an afternoon in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you will visit Eltz Manor House and the Vucedol Museum. Wine connoisseurs can enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Alternatively, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. (B,L,D)

The Croatian city of Vukovar is located in the east of the country and is characterized by the Baroque era. The historical center of the city is therefore worth a visit. Very famous is also the Grand Hotel "Radnicki dom". You should not miss the baroque castle Eltz and the oldest and most famous water tower in Croatia. Also a stop at the church of St. Philip with the attached Franciscan monastery is recommended..

MOHÁCS - PÉCS, HUNGARY. Visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or for wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)

Mohács is a historic town in southern Hungary, situated on the right bank of the Danube River near the border with Croatia. It is most famous globally for the Battle of Mohács (1526), a pivotal event that led to 150 years of Ottoman rule in Hungary. Today, it is a peaceful river port known for its vibrant cultural traditions and memorial sites.

BUDAPEST – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark your cruise in Budapest. (B)

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find.