Grand Danube Cruise

Journey along routes forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings through Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. Step back in time to explore the history and mystery of the region while cruising the Danube and through the Iron Gates.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Prague

Be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Prague

Discover Prague and its magical church spires on a city tour or a hike to Prague Castle. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive and vibrant cities, with a historic city centre that’s recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 3: Prague

Enjoy a Czech beer tasting followed by time at leisure to further explore.

Day 4: Prague, Regensburg, Vilshofen, Embark Ship

Travel to Vilshofen via Regensburg, where you will enjoy a local highlights tour. Then board your river ship.

Day 5: Vilshofen, Passau

Explore Vilshofen at leisure this morning. Then, cruise to Passau and enjoy a guided walking tour. Alternatively, embark on a hike to Veste Oberhaus fortress, or enjoy a bike ride along the Inn River.

Day 6: Linz

Choose between a full-day excursion to Salzburg, a walking tour in Linz, or embarking on a guided bike ride. Later, enjoy a visit to the historic Czech town of Cesky Krumlov.

Day 7: Weissenkirchen, Durnstein

Take a walking tour of Durnstein, then visit Melk Abbey. Alternatively, hike up to a fortress, join a guided bike ride through the Wachau Valley, or enjoy an apricots and sweets tasting. Later, enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner.

Day 8: Vienna

The ‘City of Waltzes’ offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city centre. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more.

Day 9: Bratislava

In Bratislava, either enjoy a walking tour, sample delicious Slovakian specialties during a tasting, or take a hike up to Bratislava Castle.

Day 10: Budapest

Enjoy a city tour which includes a visit to the Great Market Hall and takes you to both the Buda and the Pest sides of the river. Alternatively, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city.

Day 11: Budapest, Puszta

Tradition will be on full display in Puszta, the Great Hungarian Plain. Tour a genuine Hungarian farm run by world-champion carriage-drivers. Afterwards, be treated to an unforgettable performance of horsemanship and then experience the Hungarians’ warm hospitality, along with a traditional lunch complete with authentic goulash.

Day 12: Mohacs, Pecs

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohacs. You’ll then visit Pecs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the World Heritage-listed Christian Necropolis, St Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs, and Szechenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pecs. 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 Szekszard wine region, one of the oldest red wine production areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohacs.

Day 13: Vukovar, Novi Sad

Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovcara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a centre of wine production since Roman times, where you’ll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the “Serbian Athens”. Discover the city on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town centre. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike through Fruska Gora National Park. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached.

Day 14: Belgrade

Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St Sava. Later visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family, and then tour the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Alternatively, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, slivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour or hike to well-preserved Belgrade Fortress with its conical towers.

Day 15: Iron Gates Cruising

See Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one 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 travellers.

Day 16: Vidin

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. Continue to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of the production 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.

Day 17: Rousse, Veliko Tarnovo

Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, with frescos revealing the exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings.

Day 18: Giurgiu, Disembark Ship, Brasov

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. Your first stop will be the quaint mountain town of Sinaia, to visit Peles Castle, considered to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of German New-Renaissance architecture. Its 160 rooms are filled with priceless European art. After your tour of Peles Castle, depart for Brasov.

Day 19: Brasov, Sighisoara

Enjoy a walking tour around Brasov. Afterwards, Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighisoara, birthplace to Transylvania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It’s hard to believe this perfectly preserved World Heritage-listed town, filled with resplendent pastel-coloured buildings, stone lanes and medieval towers, and boasting a pedestrian-friendly Old Town, was Vlad’s place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard, however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called ‘Casa Dracula’.

Day 20: Bran, Bucharest

Today visit Transylvania’s legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Later in the day, transfer to Bucharest and check into your hotel.

Day 21: Bucharest

Enjoy a visit to the Bucharest’s most impressive sites, including the historic city centre and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world. Alternatively, you can choose a walking tour of the historic old town.

Day 22: Depart Bucharest

Bid farewell to Bucharest as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.