Balkan Gems with Transylvania and Bucharest

Includes return flights from the UK. Board your luxury river ship in Budapest. Cruise the Danube for seven nights, stopping to explore riverside towns in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. Finish with a discovery of Transylvania.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Budapest, Embark Ship

Fly from the UK and arrive in Budapest, the historic Hungarian capital. Once you’ve arrived at the airport, we’ll whisk you away to your luxury river ship, docked on the Danube River. 

Day 2: Budapest

Enjoy a morning city tour of Budapest taking in its historic monuments, including Fisherman’s Bastion and Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore.

Day 3: Mohacs

You have the choice as to how you spend your day.

Day 4: Vukovar

Bearing battle scars from the Croatian War of Independence, Vukovar has risen strong and offers a rich history to discover. Enjoy a Signature Experience here.

Day 5: Belgrade

In Serbia’s capital, choose your activity.

Day 6: Iron Gates

Cruise through the Iron Gates and experience one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders you will encounter on this cruise. Your ship will ribbon its way through the series of gorges between Serbia and Romania.

Day 7: Rousse

Choose how to spend your day in and around charming Rousse today.

Day 8: Disembark Ship, Giurgiu, Brasov

Disembark your ship and travel to the Slanic mine, Europe’s largest salt mine. Descend 208 metres underground to discover some of the 14 rooms, as well as the Salt Museum. The pure air inside the mine is known for its respiratory healing effects. Later, continue to your hotel in Poiana Brasov, an alpine resort nestled in the Postavaru Mountains.

Day 9: Brasov, Bran

This morning will be spent exploring Bran Castle, also known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’. Perched atop a rocky hill overlooking the town of Bran, the castle’s striking orange turrets tower above a thick forest of trees in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. Wander through its many rooms and admire the 19th-century antiques before continuing to Brașov for lunch. This afternoon, delve deeper into Brașov’s history on a walking tour. 

Day 10: Brasov, Sinaia, Bucharest

A visit to Peles Castle awaits today, nestled at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the town of Sinaia. This neo-Renaissance masterpiece was commissioned by Romania’s first king, Carol I, and took 40 years to build. Enjoy free time for lunch in Sinaia then travel to Bucharest.

Day 11: Bucharest

Set out on a guided exploration of Bucharest’s Old City this morning. The area has recently undergone a decade of refurbishments, transforming the city’s historic core into a vibrant, walkable quarter. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before a visit to the Palace of the Parliament. Started in 1984, and still unfinished, this enormous building was constructed under the command of former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and has over 3,000 rooms.

Day 12: Depart Bucharest

Your journey comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.