Best of the Balkans

Includes return flights from the UK. Discover the beauty of the Balkans on this immersive 14-night cruise. From exciting cities like Belgrade and Bucharest, to small towns in Hungary and Bulgaria, enjoy the best the region has to offer.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Budapest, Embark Ship

Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s capital. Arrive at the airport and be transferred to your river ship, docked on the Danube River.

Day 2: Budapest

After breakfast, join a local guide to explore the city. Admire Budapest’s grand landmarks and architectural highlights as you discover the city’s rich history.

Day 3: Mohács, Pécs

From the quiet port town of Mohács, history enthusiasts may wish to travel to the ancient city of Pécs. Hungary’s fifth-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, it offers a wealth of historic sights, including the copper-domed Downtown Candlemas Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the 11th-century Pécs Cathedral. This afternoon is at leisure, or you may choose to join an optional excursion to Hungary’s renowned Villány wine region for a tasting.

Enhance Your Journey – Villány Wine Tasting

Travel to Hungary’s celebrated Villány wine region, known for its red and rosé varieties. Visit a local winery for a guided tour and tasting.

Day 4: Osijek

Begin a captivating exploration of Osijek, a vibrant city rich in history. Wander its cobblestone streets, where well-preserved 18th-century architecture reveals glimpses of the past, and visit landmarks such as Holy Trinity Square and the Church of Saint Michael. Later, continue to Vukovar for a tasting of regional delicacies before rejoining your ship for a leisurely afternoon cruise towards Serbia.

Day 5: Belgrade

In Serbia’s capital, embark on a guided tour of Belgrade. Visit the historic Belgrade Fortress, offering sweeping views over the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, and the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Later, gain insight into local life and traditions during a special Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Village Farm and Slivovitz Tour

Visit a local family’s village home, touring the house and barn to meet the resident farm animals. Stroll through the orchards to learn about the distillation of slivovitz — Serbia’s traditional plum brandy — and its place in everyday culture.

Day 6: Iron Gates

Today, witness nature at its finest as your ship cruises through the Iron Gates, a dramatic landscape of lush forests, towering cliffs and rugged gorges. Forming part of the border between Serbia and Romania, this remarkable stretch of the Danube offers one of the river’s most spectacular cruising experiences.

Day 7: Ruse

Go ashore in Ruse, one of Bulgaria’s most elegant cities. Join a walking tour to admire its Belle Époque architecture and manicured garden squares, often compared to the charm of Vienna. Along the way, pass the Monument of Liberty, the courthouse, and Battenberg Square. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure — perhaps visit the Rousse Regional Historical Museum the National Transport Museum or the ancient ruins of the Sexaginta Prista fortress.

Day 8: Giurgiu, Bucharest

Spend the entire day in Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital. Begin with a guided tour through the city’s broad, tree-lined boulevards and grand Belle Époque buildings, which lend the city its unique charm. Continue with a stroll through the Old Town, where you’ll visit the historic Royal Court, the exquisite Stavropoleos Church, and the lively Lipscani district. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, or perhaps you’d like to explore the open-air Village Museum, where you can immerse yourself in traditional Romanian life and discover the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Day 9: Ruse, Veliko Târnovo, Arbanasi 

Today, discover the fortified walls and cobblestone lanes of Veliko Târnovo, once the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and a city steeped in medieval history. Join a local guide for a tour of its historic centre, including the restored Tsarevets fortress, the former citadel of the empire. Afterwards, continue to the hilltop village of Arbanasi, renowned for its heritage and well-preserved architecture, where you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch before returning to your ship.

Day 10: Vidin, Belogradchik

Explore Baba Vida, a medieval stronghold dating back to the 10th century, and admire its imposing walls and towers while learning about its storied past. Continue to Belogradchik to visit the ancient Belogradchik Fortress, dramatically set on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. While here, take time to admire the town’s remarkable rock formations, which give Belogradchik its distinctive and striking landscape.

Day 11: Scenic Cruising

The day is yours to spend on board. Take it easy and relax, taking in postcard-perfect views from the Sun Deck.

Day 12: Novi Sad

Step ashore to explore Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city and often regarded as its cultural capital. Join a guided tour through its charming streets and lively cultural precincts, followed by free time to relax and soak up the atmosphere. You may also wish to visit Petrovaradin Fortress, an imposing complex overlooking the Danube, where the intriguing catacombs reveal glimpses of the fortress’s storied past.

Day 13: Kalocsa, Puszta

Dock in Kalocsa, a charming Hungarian town steeped in history on the banks of the Danube. From here, travel to the Puszta for your Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Traditional Horse Show

In the Puszta, enjoy a traditional horse show showcasing the remarkable riding skills of the Hungarian cavalry. You may also choose to take an optional carriage ride, visit the stables and meet the riders.

Day 14: Budapest

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Budapest. You may wish to join an optional tour to the city’s Great Market Hall, a must-visit housed in a beautiful 19th-century building and a paradise for food lovers and shoppers. Alternatively, visit the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum, a wartime hospital built within the caverns beneath Buda Castle and later used as a nuclear bunker during the Cold War. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Enhance Your Journey – Great Market Hall Tour

Join a culinary tour through the market, discovering a variety of Hungarian sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables.

Enhance Your Journey – Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum

Explore the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum, once a World War II hospital and later a Cold War bunker, located within the caves beneath Buda Castle.

Day 15: Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest

Disembark your ship this morning and be transferred to the airport.