Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. The afternoon is yours to wander around the city on your own, checking out whatever catches your interest. Back on the ship by evening, you'll settle in for an authentic Hungarian folklore show and a traditional dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks Danube River 
- Day 2
Kalocsa
The ship docks in Kalocsa, and you'll head out to the Puszta (Great Hungarian Plain) for a traditional equestrian performance. The Magyar cowboys put on quite a show with their horse parade and exercise drills, demonstrating skills passed down through generations. Later that evening, there's a welcome dinner and reception on board where you can meet other guests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome dinner and reception)
Included Activities
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage performance
- Welcome dinner and reception
Landmarks Puszta (Great Hungarian Plain) 
- Day 3
Vukovar (Croatia)
Today involves visiting a local Croatian family's home for lunch, which gives you real insight into how people live and eat in this region. You'll try authentic regional cuisine and have genuine conversations with locals about area customs and how life works here day to day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Typical meal with a Croatian family), Dinner
Included Activities
- Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family
Optional Activities
- Vucedol Culture Museum (extra expense)
Landmarks Vucedol Culture Museum - Day 4
Belgrade
Belgrade's city tour covers highlights from one of Europe's oldest cities. You'll see the Church of Saint Sava and drive through the city centre, getting a feel for the layout and architecture. Choose either a museum tour focused on Yugoslavia's history or a guided bike tour. By evening, head to the Horizon Lounge to relax before catching a traditional Serbian folklore show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with Serbian folklore show)
Included Activities
- Highlights of Belgrade city tour
- Serbian folklore evening show on board
Optional Activities
- Museum of Yugoslavia tour
- Guided bike tour in Belgrade
- Routes of Nikola Tesla (extra expense)
Landmarks Church of Saint Sava Museum of Yugoslavia 
- Day 5
Donji Milanovac
You'll visit Lepenski Vir, a significant archaeological site in eastern Serbia that spans more than 8 millennia of history. After exploring, the ship sails through the Iron Gates, a narrow gorge carved between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps, with views that change as you pass through.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum
Optional Activities
- Golubac Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Lepenski Vir Iron Gates Golubac Castle - Day 6
Vidin
Arriving in Vidin, Bulgaria's main wine production town, you'll walk through a local vineyard and participate in a tasting session. Later, choose between visiting the medieval fortress Baba Vida or hiking to Belogradchik Fortress, which sits against impressive rock formations and is well-preserved from centuries past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting
- Visit to Baba Vida Fortress
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress
- Traditional Bulgarian pastry making (extra expense)
Landmarks Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik Fortress 
- Day 7
Rousse
In Rousse, known as 'The Little Vienna,' you'll find elegant architecture and cultural heritage worth exploring. Alternatively, hike to the UNESCO-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, where churches, chapels, and monasteries are carved into the rock face. The day ends with a farewell dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse
- Choir performance
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Ivanovo Church
- Full day tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi (extra expense)
Landmarks Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo - Day 8
Giurgiu to Bucharest
You'll disembark and travel by coach toward Bucharest, passing through Giurgiu in Romania. The itinerary includes visits to the Spring Palace and Nicolae Ceausescu's private residence. After a guided coach tour past the Palace of Parliament, you'll have free time to walk around Bucharest on your own, maybe strolling the wide avenues and tree-lined boulevards before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace
Landmarks Spring Palace Palace of Parliament - Day 9
Bucharest to Brasov
After breakfast, coaches take you to Brasov for your Transylvanian adventure. Along the way, you'll stop at Bran Castle, historically linked to Dracula's legend, though Vlad the Impaler's actual connection remains unclear. The castle holds significant historical weight from his 15th-century rule in this region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit of Bran Castle
Landmarks Bran Castle 
- Day 10
Brasov
A panoramic city tour of Brasov includes the First Romanian School Museum and St. Nicholas Church, both important learning centers for Romanian communities for centuries. You'll see the oldest Romanian bible printed on goats' skin and walk through medieval downtown, learning about German heritage and the Black Church, the largest Gothic church east of Vienna.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Brasov
- Visit of the First Romanian School Museum
- Visit of St. Nicholas Church
- Guided walk through medieval downtown
Optional Activities
- The UNESCO fortified Church Prejmer (extra expense)
Landmarks First Romanian School Museum St. Nicholas Church Black Church Church Prejmer - Day 11
Brasov
This day is yours to spend as you like in Brasov. Visit the Old Town Square, wander through narrow colorful streets at your own pace, or hike up Mount Tampa for scenic views across Transylvania from above.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sighisoara & Viscri Village (extra expense)
Landmarks Old Town Square Mount Tampa - Day 12
Brasov to Sinaia
After breakfast you'll check out and board coaches for the scenic drive back to Bucharest, heading south through the Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia. You'll tour Peles Castle, the 'Pearl of the Carpathians,' built by Romania's first king and opened in 1883. The 160 rooms inside are elaborately decorated, filled with valuable art and furniture collections, followed by lunch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Peles Castle), Dinner
Included Activities
- Peles Castle visit with lunch
Landmarks Peles Castle Sinaia - Day 13
Bucharest
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to fellow guests and transfer to the airport, taking with you memories of the Great Hungarian Plain, medieval fortresses, and the Carpathian region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
