Tripology

Commercial Flight

Today is your overnight flight from the USA to Europe.

Welcome to Austria! Upon arrival to Vienna airport, transfer to the port for check-in.

River or Barge Cruise

Prior to dinner, meet your fellow passengers and Cruise Staff for an information meeting.

Food and Dining

Then enjoy your first dinner on board, followed by a well deserved rest. (D)

Sightseeing

Your morning city sightseeing tour will introduce you to the most attractive sights of this “Imperial” capital. Starting with Hundertwasserhaus, you will continue on to Belvedere Palace for a tour of the grounds and gardens.

Sightseeing

Then it’s on to the city center via the Vienna Ringstrasse to view famous architectural gems such as the State Opera, the Parliament, the Burgtheatre, the Votiv-Church and others.

Sightseeing

The next stop will be in the old center of Vienna to view St. Stephan’s Cathedral and take a walk through the pedestrian zone from Graben and Kohlmarkt to Michaela Square ending at the entrance of the Hofburg (Imperial Palace). From this point, continue past the Spanish Riding School to Albertina Square, where you will see the State Opera and the famous Hotel Sacher.

Sightseeing

Then it’s back on board the bus for a drive past the famous "Prater" with its Giant Ferry Wheel.

River or Barge Cruise

Return to the ship in time for lunch. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Sightseeing

You may choose to explore Vienna on your own or purchase an optional tour available on board.

River or Barge Cruise

Set sail for Bratislava, Slovakia around midnight. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Welcome to Slovakia! Enjoy a morning panoramic city sightseeing tour, including St. Martin's Cathedral, the Castle and Primate's Palace. The sightseeing will end with a walk through the Old Town – Michael's Gate, Michael's Tower, Main Square, Old Town Hall and Slovak National Theatre.

Shopping

Have some free time for shopping and strolling.

River or Barge Cruise

Return to the ship to set sail. Lunch on board.

Wine

In the afternoon enjoy a wine tasting party featuring a selection of high quality but lesser known wines from Hungary, Serbia and Romania, accompanied with live music from our on board Gypsy Band!

Food and Dining

Dinner on board and an evening free to waltz the night away! (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Welcome to Hungary! After breakfast a morning city sightseeing tour of Budapest will include the most popular sights: The Parliament Building, St. Stefan Cathedral, the Opera, the Square of Heroes and the town park with the Vajdahunyad Castle, etc. There will be stops at the Square of Heroes, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Gellert Hill.

River or Barge Cruise

Return to the ship for lunch.

Sightseeing

The balance of the afternoon is free to explore on your own or participate in one of our optional excursions. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

After breakfast depart on your excursion to St. Andrej (Szentendre) a small picturesque village (17th century), 25 km away from Budapest. Renowned as a sanctuary for artists, painters and hand crafted arts, the tour will include the Main Square with the memorial cross, the first teaching school in Hungary, Preobrazenska Church, and the Church of the Hill, etc.

River or Barge Cruise

Return to the ship in time for lunch.

Sightseeing

The balance of the day is at leisure to visit one of the many museums, people watch in an open air café. OR

Performing Arts

Take the optional equestrian show. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

From the port of Mohac, a 45 minute bus ride will take you to visit the town of Pecs, a gem of old world architecture, often referred to as the “city for art lovers”. Here you will tour Szecheni Square, Kaptalan Street and the Palace of Lorant including a visit to the catacombs.

Wine

Afterwards, you can enjoy a wine tasting party at a local wine cellar.

River or Barge Cruise

Lunch is on board as you set sail to Serbia.

River or Barge Cruise

In the afternoon enjoy lectures on the Balkans held by our Cruise Managers and end the day with a delightful concert of Gypsy music performed by our on board Gypsy band! (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Welcome to Serbia! Your first stop in this “newly” minted country will be in Novi Sad, Serbia’s third largest city after Belgrade and Nis. You will be delighted with this pedestrian friendly town as you join your local guide for a walking tour through the town center.

Sightseeing

After the tour you will have free time to explore the many nooks and crannies of the town or enjoy a cappuccino and some people watching from the terrace of one of the many open air cafés.

River or Barge Cruise

Weather permitting, a buffet barbecue lunch will be held on the Sun Deck enabling you to marvel at the gorgeous views of the passing country side as you continue sailing towards the “White City” – Belgrade, Serbia’s vibrant capital!

Performing Arts

On arrival to Belgrade, the day will end with another special treat! After dinner, you will enjoy a private folklore show performed by members of Belgrade’s renown “Talia” ensemble. In between the dances, a special fashion show will introduce you to the wonderful hand made sweaters of “Sirogojno” – made with special wool and local motifs. These sweaters are sold in some of the most fashionable boutiques worldwide for hundreds of dollars as each one is an individual work of art. If you live in cold climates, one of these sweaters would be a wonderful gift for a family member – or yourself! (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

After breakfast on board, your morning sightseeing tour of this lively and vibrant city will include all of the major attractions: Kalemegdan Fortress, looming over the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers; St. Sava’s Orthodox Cathedral, perched on a hill which can be seen from every part of the city; the Parliament Building; Princess Ljubica's Manor; Mark's Church; and others. The tour will end with a stroll through Knez Mihajlova Street, the main pedestrian zone full of boutiques, open air cafés and galleries.

River or Barge Cruise

Return to the ship in time for a light lunch.

Sightseeing

The balance of the day is free to explore the city on your own including the bohemian quarter of Skadarlia, only a 15 minute walk from the port. Reminiscent of Montmartre, its cobblestone streets come alive in the evening with artists, street performers, open air cafés and some of the best live bands and restaurants in the city.

River or Barge Cruise

Dinner will be served on board. Set sail for Romania this evening! (B, L, D)

River or Barge Cruise

In the morning hours, you will enjoy viewing a great natural attraction, as the ship passes through the highest natural gorge on the Danube, aptly named the "The Iron Gates". Over 100 km long, this canyon (gorge), was a gigantic obstacle to navigation because of its pointed rocks and cliffs, surrounded with very wild, yet attractive nature. This danger was finally overcome in 1972, with the building of the “Djerdap” Hydroelectric and Navigation System, the largest of its kind in Europe. The Romanian/Yugoslav builders carried out this gigantic construction project by building a huge concrete dam which raised the level of the water by 30 to 80 meters. On both sides of the dam, two locks and two hydroelectric stations were built which today produce an average annual output of 10 billion kWh and enable safe passage for passenger and cargo ships all the way to the Black Sea. A lecture on local history will complement an unforgettable morning.

Sightseeing

Lunch on board. In the afternoon, you will arrive to the Romanian port city of Turnu Severin renowned for its Museum of Ancient History and as the site of archaeological excavations from Roman times, including the remains of the ancient Emperor Trajan’s bridge.

Performing Arts

Tonight enjoy our festive Captain’s Gala dinner accompanied by the “wailing” sounds of our Gypsy violins! (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Welcome to Bulgaria! After breakfast, embark on a walking tour of this delightful Bulgarian river port highlighted by a visit to the 13th century fortress named “Baba Vida” (“Grandma Vida”) the best preserved medieval fortress in the country.

Shopping

Then enjoy some free time for strolling and shopping before returning to the ship for lunch and continued sailing.

Sailing

Enjoy an afternoon sailing the Danube.

Performing Arts

Tonight, after dinner, our Gypsy Band will hold a final farewell concert for you as you dance the night away! (B, L, D)

River or Barge Cruise

As all good things must come to an end – so does your wonderful cruise adventure!

Sightseeing

Disembark after breakfast, and depending on water levels, transfer from either Giurgiu or Turnu Magurele to the “Paris of the East” – Bucharest, Romania’s lovely capital! (2 hrs). Upon reaching the city, a panorama tour will highlight the major attractions including; Revolution Square, Arch de Triumph, the National Theatre, the Romanian Athenaeum and others. Stop for photographs at President Ceausescu’s humongous "People's House" (today’s Parliament) the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.

Then it’s on to the airport for flights home or on to Brasov if taking our optional 3 day Dracula extension! (B)