Begin your vacation in Budapest, and then traverse the dramatic narrow gorge known as the Iron Gates, then cruise along the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Visit Vidin, Belogradchik and Veliko Tarnovo before disembarking your cruise in Romania.
Begin your vacation in Vienna, one of the world’s most celebrated cities, renowned for its music, architecture and dance. Transfer to Budapest and embark upon your Danube river cruise. Traverse the dramatic narrow gorge known as the Iron Gates, then cruise along the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Visit Vidin, Belogradchik and Veliko Tarnovo. Disembark and continue by land to Transylvania, where you'll spend one night in the town of Brasov. Conclude your journey with a two-night stay in Bucharest, Romania's capital.
From Vienna to Istanbul, and countless treasures in between, touch history in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia,
Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey as you sail along the exotic lower Danube. Celtic fortifications, medieval towns
and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates,
showcase the best of eastern Europe. Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder,
Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends; or to bike through
Belgrade’s sprawling Kalemegdan Park. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuriesold
wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Ilok, a royal and vinous town. Be treated to the flavors,
sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. And the active adventurers will appreciate hiking
to the UNESCO-designated Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches and biking through Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Park and
Vidin’s Baba Vida castle. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the
continent.
Gems of Southeast Europe (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Limited Edition tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Embark upon your river cruise ship, docked in the city center. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises past Budapest’s illuminated riverfront. (D)
Day 2 | Mohacs | Pecs excursion |
|
Arrive in Mohacs around breakfast time and depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, the city was an important cultural base during many centuries of Ottoman rule. You will see St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral, as well as either a mosque that has been converted to a church or the restored synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács. After lunch, enjoy some free time. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vukovar | City Tour with Eltz Castle ends in Ilok |
|
| | OR VUKOVAR – Croatian Wine Tasting ends in Ilok |
|
| | Visit Petrovaradin Fortress |
|
This morning, enjoy a Yugoslav Civil War tour of Vukovar that will show you the Ovcara Memorial and Cemetery, the monumental cross that serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. Alternatively, choose to take a wine tasting excursion in Ilok, Croatia. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, one of Europe’s greatest historical treasures. After a walking tour of the city, you will later in the evening see the Petrovaradin fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached and that is now home to a hotel, museum and artists’ studios. (B,L,D)
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Quburich Brandy tasting |
|
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, that includes visits to Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. This afternoon you will have your choice of one of three excursions. Your first option is a visit to the mausoleum of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, a beloved figure who was the leader of the Yugoslav Partisans during the Second World War and became the first President of Yugoslavia. Your second option is a tasting of Serbian plum brandy and local snacks at the Quburich Distillery. Your third option is a guided bike tour through Belgrade around Ada Ciganlija Island. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Iron Gates | Full day cruising |
|
| | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Today, take a full day of cruising through one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between Serbia and Romania. The banks of the river along this natural border are lined with sheer-faced rocks that stretch high overhead, a sight that will be an unforgettable highlight of your adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vidin | Belogradchik excursion and Baba Vida Fortress |
|
| | OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
|
Your time in Vidin begins with a visit to Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations, as well as Vidin Castle. Afterwards, you will visit Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country, where you will be treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. You may also opt instead for a Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting, or a guided bike tour on which you will see sights like the Ottoman post office and visit the synagogue. The ship departs early afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Veliko Tarnovo & Wine Tasting excursion |
|
Today, enjoy a visit to the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin’s Tower. Alternatively, you may choose to take a walking tour of Rousse, an important economic, financial and cultural hub of Bulgaria. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Giurgiu | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu. (B)
Embark upon your river cruise ship, docked in the city center. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises past Budapest’s illuminated riverfront. (D)
Day 2 | Mohacs | Pecs excursion |
|
Arrive in Mohacs around breakfast time and depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, the city was an important cultural base during many centuries of Ottoman rule. You will see St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral, as well as either a mosque that has been converted to a church or the restored synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács. After lunch, enjoy some free time. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vukovar | City Tour with Eltz Castle ends in Ilok |
|
| | OR VUKOVAR – Croatian Wine Tasting ends in Ilok |
|
| | Visit Petrovaradin Fortress |
|
This morning, enjoy a Yugoslav Civil War tour of Vukovar that will show you the Ovcara Memorial and Cemetery, the monumental cross that serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. Alternatively, choose to take a wine tasting excursion in Ilok, Croatia. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, one of Europe’s greatest historical treasures. After a walking tour of the city, you will later in the evening see the Petrovaradin fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached and that is now home to a hotel, museum and artists’ studios. (B,L,D)
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Quburich Brandy tasting |
|
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, that includes visits to Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. This afternoon you will have your choice of one of three excursions. Your first option is a visit to the mausoleum of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, a beloved figure who was the leader of the Yugoslav Partisans during the Second World War and became the first President of Yugoslavia. Your second option is a tasting of Serbian plum brandy and local snacks at the Quburich Distillery. Your third option is a guided bike tour through Belgrade around Ada Ciganlija Island. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Iron Gates | Full day cruising |
|
| | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Today, take a full day of cruising through one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between Serbia and Romania. The banks of the river along this natural border are lined with sheer-faced rocks that stretch high overhead, a sight that will be an unforgettable highlight of your adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vidin | Belogradchik excursion and Baba Vida Fortress |
|
| | OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
|
Your time in Vidin begins with a visit to Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations, as well as Vidin Castle. Afterwards, you will visit Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country, where you will be treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. You may also opt instead for a Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting, or a guided bike tour on which you will see sights like the Ottoman post office and visit the synagogue. The ship departs early afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Veliko Tarnovo & Wine Tasting excursion |
|
Today, enjoy a visit to the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin’s Tower. Alternatively, you may choose to take a walking tour of Rousse, an important economic, financial and cultural hub of Bulgaria. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Giurgiu | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu. (B)
Embark upon your river cruise ship, docked in the city center. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises past Budapest’s illuminated riverfront. (D)
Day 2 | Mohacs | Pecs excursion |
|
Arrive in Mohacs around breakfast time and depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, the city was an important cultural base during many centuries of Ottoman rule. You will see St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral, as well as either a mosque that has been converted to a church or the restored synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács. After lunch, enjoy some free time. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vukovar | City Tour with Eltz Castle ends in Ilok |
|
| | OR VUKOVAR – Croatian Wine Tasting ends in Ilok |
|
| | Visit Petrovaradin Fortress |
|
This morning, enjoy a Yugoslav Civil War tour of Vukovar that will show you the Ovcara Memorial and Cemetery, the monumental cross that serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. Alternatively, choose to take a wine tasting excursion in Ilok, Croatia. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, one of Europe’s greatest historical treasures. After a walking tour of the city, you will later in the evening see the Petrovaradin fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached and that is now home to a hotel, museum and artists’ studios. (B,L,D)
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Quburich Brandy tasting |
|
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, that includes visits to Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. This afternoon you will have your choice of one of three excursions. Your first option is a visit to the mausoleum of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, a beloved figure who was the leader of the Yugoslav Partisans during the Second World War and became the first President of Yugoslavia. Your second option is a tasting of Serbian plum brandy and local snacks at the Quburich Distillery. Your third option is a guided bike tour through Belgrade around Ada Ciganlija Island. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Iron Gates | Full day cruising |
|
| | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Today, take a full day of cruising through one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between Serbia and Romania. The banks of the river along this natural border are lined with sheer-faced rocks that stretch high overhead, a sight that will be an unforgettable highlight of your adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vidin | Belogradchik excursion and Baba Vida Fortress |
|
| | OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
|
Your time in Vidin begins with a visit to Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations, as well as Vidin Castle. Afterwards, you will visit Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country, where you will be treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. You may also opt instead for a Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting, or a guided bike tour on which you will see sights like the Ottoman post office and visit the synagogue. The ship departs early afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Veliko Tarnovo & Wine Tasting excursion |
|
Today, enjoy a visit to the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin’s Tower. Alternatively, you may choose to take a walking tour of Rousse, an important economic, financial and cultural hub of Bulgaria. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Giurgiu | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu. (B)