Touch history and learn about winemaking traditions while sailing along the lower Danube River through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old winegrowing hills dating back to the Romans. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. Taste Bulgarian wine in Vidin and visit one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Szekszárd. With a dedicated wine expert to guide you, indulge in wine tastings and a specially curated food and wine pairing dinner on board. Venture off the beaten path and enjoy an epicurean adventure that includes brandy and local wines in five distinctive countries.
From Vienna to Bucharest, and countless treasures in between, touch history and learn about winemaking traditions while sailing along the lower Danube River through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old winegrowing hills dating back to the Romans. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. Taste Bulgarian wine in Vidin, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Szekszárd. With a dedicated wine expert to guide you, indulge in wine tastings and a specially curated food and wine pairing dinner on board. Venture off the beaten path and enjoy an epicurean adventure that includes brandy, and local wines in five distinctive countries.
From Vienna to Istanbul, and countless treasures in between, touch history and learn about winemaking traditions while sailing along the lower Danube River through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old winegrowing hills dating back to the Romans. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. Visit local wineries in the Calafat wine region, and in Szekszárd, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary. With a dedicated wine expert to guide you, indulge in wine tastings and a specially curated food and wine pairing dinner on board. Venture off the beaten path and enjoy an epicurean adventure that includes brandy, and local wines in five distinctive countries.
Gems of Southeast Europe (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Mohacs | Pecs Excursion |
|
| | OR Guided Bike Ride Along the Danube |
|
| | OR Szekszárd wine tasting |
|
Enjoy an excursion to Pécs and see Szechenyi Square, the Christian Necropolis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and St. Peter's Basilica with its underground burial chambers. For a more active adventure, delight in a guided bike ride along the Danube River. For wine connoisseurs, you’ll visit the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vukovar | Vukovar city tour |
|
| | OR Vukovar guided bike tour |
|
Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
|
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | Kalemegdanska Terasa wine tasting |
|
Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. For those wishing for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour or hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a taste of the region by sampling wine and snacks at Kalemegdanska Terasa, where old traditions and excellent wine thrive in the heart of Belgrade. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Iron Gates | Golubac Fortress visit |
|
| | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Visit Golubac Fortress – one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe – before cruising through the Iron Gates – 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 travelers. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour |
|
| | OR Banitsa Pastry and Yogurt making |
|
| | OR Dos Alamos wine tasting |
|
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. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration 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. Or enjoy a wine tasting at a local boutique winery just outside of Vidin. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Rousse | Full-day Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Veliko Tarnovo & Wine Tasting excursion |
|
| | OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Bucharest excursion |
|
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 UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Alternatively, travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East,” for a full day tour. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. In the afternoon, journey to a Rousse Wine House and the Leventa complex set in a unique fortification structure dating back almost 200 years and be treated to a tasting of three wines while learning about the wine making process. (B,L,D)
*Not available with full-day excursions
Day 8 | Giurgiu | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
*Not available with full-day excursions
Day 1 | Vienna | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour |
|
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 center. (B)
Day 3 | Budapest | Transfer to Budapest |
|
Transfer from Vienna via motorcoach to
Budapest where you’ll be taken on a city tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge. (B,D)
Day 4 | Mohacs | Pecs Excursion |
|
| | OR Guided Bike Ride Along the Danube |
|
| | OR Szekszárd wine tasting |
|
Enjoy an excursion to Pécs and see Szechenyi Square, the Christian Necropolis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and St. Peter's Basilica with its underground burial chambers. For a more active adventure, delight in a guided bike ride along the Danube River. For wine connoisseurs, you’ll visit the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Vukovar | Vukovar city tour |
|
| | OR Vukovar guided bike tour |
|
Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
|
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | Kalemegdanska Terasa wine tasting |
|
Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. For those wishing for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour or hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a taste of the region by sampling wine and snacks at Kalemegdanska Terasa, where old traditions and excellent wine thrive in the heart of Belgrade. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Iron Gates | Golubac Fortress visit |
|
| | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Visit Golubac Fortress – one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe – before cruising through the Iron Gates – 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 travelers. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour |
|
| | OR Banitsa Pastry and Yogurt making |
|
| | OR Dos Alamos wine tasting |
|
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. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration 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. Or enjoy a wine tasting at a local boutique winery just outside of Vidin. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Rousse | Full-day Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Veliko Tarnovo & Wine Tasting excursion |
|
| | OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Bucharest excursion |
|
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 UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Alternatively, travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East,” for a full day tour. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. In the afternoon, journey to a Rousse Wine House and the Leventa complex set in a unique fortification structure dating back almost 200 years and be treated to a tasting of three wines while learning about the wine making process. (B,L,D)
*Not available with full-day excursions
Day 10 | Giurgiu | DISEMBARKATION |
|
| Bran | Dracula’s Castle visit |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. Arrive in the quaint mountain town of Bran where you will have lunch and visit the famous Bran castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle. After your tour of Bran Castle, you will continue to Braşov. Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Braşov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. (B)
Day 11 | Brasov | “Dracula’s Birthplace,” Sighișoara excursion |
|
Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighişoara, birthplace to Transylvania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It’s hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and 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.” Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Brasov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. After returning from your excursion to Sighisoara you will enjoy a walk through history as you take a tour of Braşov’s Old town before ending at your hotel. (B)
Day 12 | Brasov | Peleş Royal Castle tour |
|
En route to Bucharest, you’ll visit the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia you will visit Peles Castle. Peles Castle is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance with 160 rooms filled with priceless European art. After your tour of Peles Castle you will depart for Romania’s capital city of Bucharest. (B)
Day 13 | Bucharest | Old Town walking tour |
|
Bucharest, Romania’s capital, has earned its nickname, the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. This morning, enjoy a walking tour through the historic old town of Bucharest. You will observe the many changes this capital city has experienced through a mixture of architectural styles and cultural influences. Bucharest’s eclectic architecture is a mix of historical, neo-classical, communist-era and modern buildings. Your guided tour will take you through the old town and show you the most popular places in Bucharest while hearing stories of its history and getting local insights for shopping and dining opportunities. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 14 | Bucharest | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Bucharest as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Vienna | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour |
|
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 center. (B)
Day 3 | Budapest | Transfer to Budapest |
|
Transfer from Vienna via motorcoach to Budapest where you’ll be taken on a city tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge. (B,D)
Day 4 | Mohacs | Pecs Excursion |
|
| | OR Guided Bike Ride Along the Danube |
|
| | OR Szekszárd wine tasting |
|
Enjoy an excursion to Pécs and see Szechenyi Square, the Christian Necropolis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and St. Peter's Basilica with its underground burial chambers. For a more active adventure, delight in a guided bike ride along the Danube River. For wine connoisseurs, you’ll visit the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Vukovar | Vukovar city tour |
|
| | OR Vukovar guided bike tour |
|
Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
|
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | Kalemegdanska Terasa wine tasting |
|
Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. For those wishing for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour or hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a taste of the region by sampling wine and snacks at Kalemegdanska Terasa, where old traditions and excellent wine thrive in the heart of Belgrade. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Iron Gates | Golubac Fortress visit |
|
| | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Visit Golubac Fortress – one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe – before cruising through the Iron Gates – 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 travelers. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour |
|
| | OR Banitsa Pastry and Yogurt making |
|
| | OR Dos Alamos wine tasting |
|
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. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration 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. Or enjoy a wine tasting at a local boutique winery just outside of Vidin. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Rousse | Full-day Veliko Tarnovo excursion |
|
| | OR Veliko Tarnovo & Wine Tasting excursion |
|
| | OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Bucharest excursion |
|
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 UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Alternatively, travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East,” for a full day tour. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. In the afternoon, journey to a Rousse Wine House and the Leventa complex set in a unique fortification structure dating back almost 200 years and be treated to a tasting of three wines while learning about the wine making process. (B,L,D)
*Not available with full-day excursions
Day 10 | Giurgiu | Disembarkation |
|
| Bucharest | Flight to Istanbul |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and board a motorcoach to journey through the Romanian countryside to Bucharest. Later, board your flight to Istanbul, where you’ll check into your hotel. (B)
Day 11 | Istanbul | Topkapi Palace & Harem |
|
Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans’ Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th-19th centuries. During your tour, marvel at the private chambers of the Sultans, the Harem (women’s quarters) and the Imperial Treasury’s vast collection, including the jewel-encrusted Topkapi Dagger and the stunning 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond. (B)
Day 12 | Istanbul | Istanbul Walking Tour |
|
Depart your hotel for an enriching guided walking tour, during which you will explore the Hagia Sophia, formerly a church before becoming a mosque and finally a museum. A beautiful example of Old-World architecture, this museum showcases lovely Christian murals and Islamic symbols throughout. After the Hagia Sophia, visit Istanbul’s similarly beautiful Blue Mosque, named for the Blue İznik tiles that cover its interior. For those who are interested, be guided to the lively Grand Bazaar and venture through the market before returning to your hotel. (B)
Day 13 | Istanbul | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Istanbul as you prepare for your flight home. (B)