The Danube From The Black Sea To Germany

Sail from the Danube Delta of the Black Sea to Hungary’s capital of Budapest through the Balkans, Hungary, and Austria on your European river cruise. Begin with an overnight stay in Bucharest for a guided sightseeing tour, including the Royal Palace Square. Travel to Oltenita to embark on your Danube River cruise. Sail through the striking landscapes of the Balkans-Rousse, Bulgaria, Veliko Trnovo, and Arbanassi, one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria.

Guided sightseeing in Vidin is followed by a guided tour of Belogradchik, with its ancient fortress and tremendous rock formations on the Balkan Mountains. After cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge, visit Lepenski Vir for a guided tour with ancient archaeological finds. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, including one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, and see the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek. You’ll also attend a stirring performance by young students of the Franjo Kuhac music school. Tour the historic town of Pécs before sightseeing in the Hungarian capital of Budapest-the “Pearl of the Danube.” You’ll take a guided walk through Bratislava, Slovakia before cruising to Vienna-the “City of Music.”

Enjoy guided sightseeing in Vienna’s historic Habsburg Empire-including the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit delightful Dürnstein and Melk-charming towns in the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley. Take a guided tour and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart in Dürnstein, and tour the magnificent Benedictine Abbey high above Melk. Visit Austria’s lovely city of Linz with a tour of the city’s historic sites, then pass through the horseshoe bend of the Danube-the beautiful Schlögen Oxbow-on your way to Passau. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Germany’s “City of Three Rivers before cruising to Vilshofen, Germany, for the conclusion of your Danube River cruise.

Included Features:

Day 1 Bucharest: Welcome to Bucharest

Day 2 Bucharest–Oltenita (Embarkation): Guided sightseeing in Bucharest; onboard welcome reception

Day 3 Cernavoda. Excursion to Constanta: Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological Museum in Constanta; wine tasting

Day 4 Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Trnovo & Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Trnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or walk in the park with your Adventure Host

Day 5 Vidin–Belogradchik: Choice of guided sightseeing to Vidin’s fortress and see the rock formations in Belogradchik or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 6 Iron Gates–Donji Milanovac–Golubac: Cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubac fortress

Day 7 Belgrade: Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Day 8 Novi Sad: Choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of honey and wine tasting or hike to the Petrovaradin Fortress

Day 9 Ilok-Vukovar: Ilok guided tour with wine tasting; Vukovar guided tour

Day 10 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: Guided tour and organ concert in Pécs or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill

Day 11 Budapest: Choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 12 Budapest: Day at leisure

Day 13 Bratislava: Choice of guided sightseeing in Bratislava, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral or hike up to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host

Day 14 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 15 Dürnstein–Wachau Valley–Ybbs. Excursion to Melk: Choice of guided walk or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Ybbs city sightseeing with Artstetten Castle visit

Day 16 Linz: Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column

Day 17 Passau: Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising; choice of guided tour or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 18 Vilshofen (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning