Beautiful Blue Danube & Danube Delta

This afternoon, embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially prepared Welcome Dinner.

Departure 6:00 pm

Arrive in Vienna this afternoon where the sights of Imperial Vienna await. Spend time exploring this majestic city with its dynamic history before reboarding the vessel for dinner and setting off for Hungary.

Optional Excursions:

City tour of Vienna

Spend a relaxing day cruising the beautiful blue Danube or opt to join an excursion to Esztergom, the former residence of the Hungarian kings and seat of the Archbishop, and Szentendre, an artists’ colony with numerous contemporary galleries and museums reflecting the artistic history of Hungary. Just before lunch, the vessel stops for our guests on the optional shore excursion to rejoin.

Optional Excursions:

Excursion to Esztergom and Szentendre

During lunch, arrive in Belgrade, one of the oldest European cities and the capital of Serbia. The “White City“ is one of the most historically rich and important in all of Serbia and boasts a large number of monuments from different times and cultures.

Travel to the Kalemegdan fortress for a panoramic view over the Danube and the Sava Rivers. Take a stroll on the lively pedestrian area for shopping. Alternatively join an excursion into the Serbian countryside to Kovačica‘s colorful naïve artist‘s village. Dinner this evening is on board as the vessel continues cruising.

Optional Excursions:

City tour of Belgrade OR Kovačica – Rural Serbia

Reach Bulgaria this afternoon and visit Vidin, a town renowned for its centuries of history. Join a walking tour through the streets and view the many churches and Renaissance buildings decorating the town. Or join an excursion to Belogradchik, located a short distance away, and visit the Baba Vida fortress for a concert. Located on the banks of the Danube, Baba Vida is the only fully-preserved medieval fortress in Bulgaria. Back on board for dinner, the vessel continues.

Optional Excursions:

Excursion to Vidin and Belogradchik OR Excursion to the Baba Vida fortress with concert

Voilà: Do you feel French? That‘s because of our trip to the ”Paris of the East.“ An optional excursion to Bucharest is offered for those wishing to explore this capital city, with dinner at a local restaurant, rejoining the vessel in Feteşti. For those remaining on board, enjoy a relaxing day cruising the Danube River.

Optional Excursion:

City tour of Bucharest including dinner

Let everyday thoughts fade away and join us on an unforgettable journey into the Danube Delta. We’ll travel by bus from Hârşova to Tulcea, where we’ll embark on boats for our Delta safari through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In the evening, an onboard folklore program awaits you, promising to enchant and entertain as we immerse ourselves in the rich cultural traditions of the region.

Folklore program on board

Optional Excursion:

Full-day excursion to the Danube Delta

The morning offers an opportunity to see Constanța, the oldest city on the Black Sea coast. This ancient metropolis by the sea is Romania’s longest continually inhabited city. In the afternoon, relaxation is on the schedule today as the vessel plies the waters of the Danube.

Optional Excursions:

Constanța archaeology and Black Sea coast

For a little more adventure today, opt to join the guided tour to Veliko Tarnovo, the oldest town in Bulgaria. This pretty town is located on the steep banks of the river Yantra. Alternatively, visit the city of Rousse and the only active cave monastery in Bulgaria, the rock-hewn Basarbovo Monastery, built in the 16th century approximately 115 feet above the river. Both excursions rejoin the vessel in Svishtov in time for lunch

Optional Excursions:

Veliko Tarnovo and the Tsarevets Fortress OR Rousse with Basarbovo Monastery

On deck there is much natural beauty to take in as your vessel makes its way through the river’s narrowest points, known as the ‘Iron Gates’. Watch from the Sun Deck as the vessel passes through the steep gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains which form the natural border between Serbia and Romania. Admire the largest sculpture on a riverbank: the face of Decebalus. The waterflow is controlled by two hydroelectric dams, jointly operated by Romania and Serbia, which create the largest reservoir system along the entire Danube.

While approaching Novi Sad late this morning, view the symbol of the city on the right bank of the Danube, the famed Petrovaradin fortress. Join the guided tour to take a closer look at this fortress that no enemy has ever taken and see the main sights of the 2022 European Capital of Culture.

Continue to Sremski Karlovci, a multiethnic town associated with wine, spirituality and poetry. This evening, the vessel stops in Vukovar, in Croatia, located on an important trade route at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers. Opt for an evening tour to explore this bustling city, before the vessel departs for the next port of call.

Optional Excursions:

City tour of Novi Sad and excursion to Sremski Karlovci

Evening excursion Vukovar

The tiny harbor town of Mohács is a melting pot of nations. Join us on a morning visit to an over 700 years old watermill, one of the few where grinding is still performed by stones. Its collection of tools shows the evolution of grain processing from prehistoric to modern times. Taste a typical oven pie before returning to the ship. This afternoon, relax on board or join the optional excursion to the “Puszta“ where you will visit a horse ranch for a traditional equestrian show. Rejoin your vessel in Kalocsa in time for dinner.

Optional Excursions:

Visit to a 700 years old mill with oven pie tasting

Traditions of the Hungarian Puszta

Early morning the vessel arrives in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. This morning, explore the sites of the town, on a city tour. In the afternoon, food lovers can enjoy the excursion “An Authentic Taste of Budapest“ which starts at the market hall. Admire Budapest’s famous geothermal baths and, finally, make a stop for delicious cakes and pastry. Alternatively, visit the Baroque Royal Palace of Gödöllő, one of the most important Hungarian palaces.

After an exciting day of discovery, a special Hungarian evening is planned with traditional music topped with an evening cruise down the Danube.

Evening cruise with folklore show on board

Optional Excursions:

Budapest – Castle Hill & Historic Wonders OR Visit to the Royal Palace of Gödöllő OR An Authentic Taste of Budapest

New day, new capital — and just as worth discovering. On our tour you will follow the historical traces of the Habsburg monarchy. Afterwards we stroll through Bratislava‘s small, but very beautiful old town with its historical center.

Optional Excursions:

Bratislava – Beauty on the Danube

This morning, arrive in Dürnstein, a tiny village surrounded by vineyards, which serves as a starting point for an optional excursion to Melk and its magnificent Benedictine abbey. For those wishing to explore the artistry of Austrian winemaking a little more in depth, join the excursion to a Winzer Krems vineyard and winery.

This afternoon, with all travelers safely back on board, the vessel cruises toward the port where this magnificent voyage began. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Dinner

Optional Excursions:

Visit to Melk Abbey and walking tour in Melk OR Winzer Krems vineyard and winery

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you again soon!

Arrive at 8.30am