Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll board your luxury river cruise in Budapest this afternoon and head to your suite on the Scenic Space-Ship. Tonight there's a welcome reception where you can relax and toast to the journey ahead.
Landmarks Budapest 
- Day 2
Bratislava
The ship docks in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. You can pick from a guided city tour, a communist history walk, or spend time with a local Slovak family learning about their traditions over coffee and cake. The Old Town has medieval and Gothic buildings, plus a ninth-century castle on the hilltop.
Optional Activities
- Communist tour of Bratislava - learn about the communist regime and its impact on daily Slovak life
- Walking tour of Bratislava - guided tour of Hlavné Námestie (main square) and Old Town Hall with city history
- Coffee and cake with a Slovakian family - visit a local family home for an authentic cultural experience
Landmarks Bratislava Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall - Day 3
Danube Cruise to Vác
Today's a relaxing day on the water cruising through Slovakia toward Hungary. You can grab coffee in the sun lounge, use the gym, book a spa treatment, or try the salt therapy room while watching the Danube scenery pass by. Later you'll arrive in Vác and attend a classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace.
Included Activities
- Classical concert inside Gödöllő Royal Palace - exclusive evening performance at one of Europe's largest Baroque palaces, favoured by Queen Elisabeth of Hungary
Landmarks Gödöllő Royal Palace - Day 4
Budapest
You wake in Budapest, where the Danube splits the city between Buda and Pest. Choose a morning activity like a Buda hiking tour, exploring communist history, visiting Brunszvik Castle, touring the Etyek wine region, or taking a Jewish Heritage Tour. The afternoon is yours to wander around at your own pace since the ship stays late.
Optional Activities
- Guided hike of Buda - walk through the Buda district seeing Vár Kert Bázár and landscaped gardens with views over the Danube River and city architecture
- Budapest's past and present - walking and coach tour covering communist history, the 1956 Hungarian revolution, and Jewish heritage shaping modern culture
- Beethoven's favourite getaway - visit Brunszvik Castle, a favorite retreat of the famed composer, featuring Neo Gothic architecture, grand gardens, and a Memorial Museum
- Etyek region wineries and vineyards - explore the 'vineyard of Budapest', known for crisp white wines and sparkling wines, learning about winemaking traditions
- Jewish Heritage Tour - learn about significant Jewish events and history while visiting the Jewish Museum and impressive Synagogue
Landmarks Budapest Danube River Brunszvik Castle Jewish Museum - Day 5
Kalocsa
You arrive in Kalocsa, one of Hungary's oldest towns known for its folk art and traditional embroidery. Choose between learning about Hungarian crafts or watching a traditional horse show with local food tastings. Later you'll cruise toward Mohacs, arriving there this evening.
Optional Activities
- Hungarian Traditions - learn about traditional handicrafts such as needlework and embroidery and the origins of these beautiful designs
- Hungarian Horse Show - watch a traditional horse show, meet horsemen demonstrating equestrian skills, and enjoy a tasting of local delicacies
Landmarks Kalocsa - Day 6
Mohacs
Morning in Mohacs gives you options: explore Pécs with its Roman ruins and Turkish baths, visit the Villány wine region for bold red wines, or see the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum with hand-painted historic pieces. Spend the afternoon cruising toward the Croatian border.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pécs - see Roman ruins, Turkish baths, Baroque buildings, decorative arts, and porcelain from this melange of cultures near the Croatian border
- Villány wine village - visit a charming town in the wine region known for exceptional red wines, see historic wine cellars, sample local wines, and visit an old mill
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - view a splendid historic collection of hand-painted decorative, ornamental, and architectural porcelains at the company's former factory in Pécs
Landmarks Pécs Villány wine region Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - Day 7
Osijek
Osijek is a small Croatian city with 500 years of history and scars from the 1990s conflict. Pick a walking tour of the Old Town and fortress, a cycling trip through Kopacki Rit Nature Park with 293 bird species, or explore the Baranja wine region. After your activity, you'll have lunch at a local Croatian family home, then cruise toward Serbia.
Included Activities
- Lunch at a local Croatian family home - authentic meal prepared with fresh vegetables from the host's garden in north-eastern Croatia's 'breadbasket' region
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek - guided tour of the well-preserved Baroque Old Town and fortress
- Cycling tour - explore Kopacki Rit Nature Park with 293 kinds of birds, 46 freshwater fish species, and the white-tailed eagle
- Baranja wine region - tour family-owned wineries to sample locally produced white wines in rustic cellars or outdoor terraces with vineyard views
Landmarks Osijek Kopacki Rit Nature Park Baranja wine region - Day 8
Novi Sad
You arrive in Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city with a thriving art scene and 500-year history. Choose from touring the 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress, hiking for Danube views, visiting charming Sremski Karlovci with its winery, or exploring Fruska Gora National Park with 16 monasteries. The ship stays late so you can soak up the evening atmosphere.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Novi Sad - discover the 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress and charming Dunavska Street lined with colorful buildings
- Hike to Petrovaradin Fortress - hike to this 'Gibraltar on the Danube' symbol dating to the Middle Ages for magnificent Danube River and city views
- Excursion to Sremski Karlovci - guided tour of this charming Baroque town, a former hub of Serbian cultural and political life, with free exploration time, local winery visit, and honey museum
- Fruska Gora National Park - explore Serbia's oldest national park with oak and beech forests, 60+ family vineyards, and 16 monasteries, visit the oldest 16th-century monastery, and stop at a winery for tasting
Landmarks Novi Sad Petrovaradin Fortress Dunavska Street Sremski Karlovci Fruska Gora National Park - Day 9
Belgrade
Belgrade awaits with tours covering Kalemegdan Fortress, Tito's Memorial, cycling along the Danube, or visiting community projects. This evening you'll visit St. Sava, the Balkans' largest Orthodox temple, and experience a unique choir performance in the cathedral crypt with perfect acoustics.
Included Activities
- Visit St. Sava, the largest Orthodox temple in the Balkans - explore the fresco-lined walls of the cathedral's crypt where the church choir performs exclusive hymns
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour - coach and foot tour of major sites including the cobbled streets of the Bohemian Quarter, Kalemegdan Fortress with panoramic river views, with free exploration time
- Panoramic city tour including Tito's Memorial - tour the Ottoman old town, Kalemegdan Fortress, Republic Square, and visit the memorial to the former Yugoslav ruler
- Cycling tour along the Danube - trace the Danube banks by bike while learning about Belgrade's fascinating history from a local guide
- Education with the Roma community - visit the Bread of Life project, learn about their work reducing prejudices against Roma people and supporting Roma children's education, and meet local children
Landmarks Belgrade Kalemegdan Fortress St. Sava Bohemian Quarter Republic Square 
- Day 10
Golubac
You dock at Golubac and can tour the well-preserved 14th-century fortress with nine towers, visit the Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site with 12,000-year-old ruins, or hike through Djerdap National Park. After your morning activity, cruise to Donji Milanovac then traverse the spectacular Iron Gates gorge with soaring cliffs.
Optional Activities
- Golubac Fortress - guided tour of the 14th-century fortress built on a steep Danube embankment in Djerdap National Park with nine tower-connected ramparts
- Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site - tour the excavation site of 136 building ruins, a central square, fireplaces and stone idols dating 12,000 years old, learning about Europe's early stone age
- Hike through Djerdap National Park - join a park ranger and local guide for a hike featuring Golubac Fortress and incredible Danube River views
Landmarks Golubac Fortress Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site Djerdap National Park Iron Gates - Day 11
Vidin
Vidin is a historic Bulgarian town at the border with a well-preserved medieval fortress. You can hike to Belogradchik Fortress with unique rock formations, visit a boutique winery in Negovanovtsi, learn to make banitsa from family recipes, or take a walking tour of historic religious sites.
Optional Activities
- Hiking to Belogradchik Castle Ruins - active hiking tour to this fortress featuring unique rock formations and ancient Roman Empire stronghold ruins
- Visit to a local winery - travel to Negovanovtsi village and Dos Alamos Winery for a tour and tasting of Bulgarian Rubin, sauvignon blanc, and semillon wines
- Ancestry of the Kitchen – Banitsa cooking demonstration - learn about regional life and a family-secret recipe for traditional cheese-filled banitsa pie from a local
- Triangle of Tolerance walking tour - learn Vidin's history and legacy of tolerance while visiting the Metropolis Orthodox church of St. Nicholas, Orthodox Cathedral of St. Dimitar, Osman Mosque, and Synagogue
Landmarks Vidin Belogradchik Fortress Dos Alamos Winery Metropolis Orthodox church of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral of St. Dimitar Osman Mosque Synagogue - Day 12
Rousse
You dock in Rousse, often called 'Little Vienna' for its Belle Époque architecture and leafy squares. A local guide will show you around to see Bulgarian handicrafts and sample local wine, plus there's a short piano recital. After that, you have free time to explore before heading back to the ship.
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Rousse - guided tour of Belle Époque architecture, manicured squares, traditional Bulgarian handicrafts, local wine sampling, and a short piano recital
Landmarks Rousse - Day 13
Silistra
Silistra is a Bulgarian town with layers of history from Roman times through Turkish rule to modern day. Choose an active walk to the 19th-century Silistra Fort learning about the Russo-Turkish wars, or visit Alfatar Village to see how its people kept traditions alive through museums and temples. Then cruise back through unspoiled lands.
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Silistra Fort - guided walking tour of the 19th-century fort, the best preserved of six Turkish fortification system points crucial to Russo-Turkish wars
- Visit Alfatar Village - learn how residents preserved traditions through the ethnographic museum, see the restored Holy Trinity temple, and meet local school children to hear about daily Bulgarian life
Landmarks Silistra Silistra Fort Alfatar Village - Day 14
Constanța
After a night docked in Cernavoda, you cruise toward Constanța on Romania's Black Sea coast. This city has been continuously inhabited since 600 BC. Your guided tour covers Ovid Square, the Orthodox Cathedral, the scenic promenade, and the Genovese Lighthouse, then you have free time before returning to the ship.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Constanța - discover Ovid Square, Orthodox Cathedral, scenic promenade, and Genovese Lighthouse in this ancient Black Sea city
Landmarks Constanța Ovid Square Orthodox Cathedral Genovese Lighthouse - Day 15
Bucharest
You leave the ship this morning and transfer to Bucharest with a lunch stop along the way. Bucharest, once called 'Paris of the East', blends Art Nouveau buildings with Brutalist architecture along tree-lined boulevards. A guided coach tour takes you through grand squares including Union, University, and Charles de Gaulle. Check into your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bucharest - coach tour from south Bucharest to Primaverii Palace visiting Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square, and Charles de Gaulle Square
Landmarks Bucharest Primaverii Palace Union Square University Square Roman Square Victory Square Charles de Gaulle Square - Day 16
Sibiu
You travel from Bucharest to Sibiu, a medieval town in Transylvania. Check into your hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant with other travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Landmarks Sibiu - Day 17
Sighișoara to Brașov
Choose between exploring Sighișoara, a World Heritage walled city built by Saxons between the 12th and 17th centuries, or hiking to the 14th-century Church on the Hill for Gothic architecture and city views. Then head to Brașov, a colorful town with Gothic spires and medieval watchtowers. Check in for a two-night stay.
Optional Activities
- Explore the walled city - guided tour of the World Heritage-listed walled city at Sighișoara's center, built by Saxons between the 12th and 17th centuries
- Hike the hill - hike up the covered stairway to the 14th-century Church on the Hill featuring spectacular Gothic Transylvanian architecture with superb city views
Landmarks Sighișoara Church on the Hill Brașov 
- Day 18
Brașov and Bran Castle
This morning your guide shows you Brașov's sights including Gothic spires and medieval watchtowers. In the afternoon, visit Bran Castle, the 14th-century fortress that inspired Dracula stories, perched on a clifftop with narrow passageways and hidden rooms. Have dinner at one of Brașov's best restaurants.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in one of Brașov's finest restaurants)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Brașov - sightseeing tour of the charming town with Gothic spires, medieval watchtowers, and sprawling squares
- Visit to Bran Castle - explore the 14th-century white stone fortress perched on a clifftop, a maze of narrow passageways, hidden rooms, and sunny courtyards, said to inspire Dracula tales
Landmarks Brașov Bran Castle - Day 19
Bucharest
After breakfast, visit Peles Castle, a Neo-Classical masterpiece built in the 1870s as a summer residence with decorated rooms and stained glass. Then see Sinaia Monastery nearby with two churches, one from the 17th century and one built by royalty in the 19th. Travel back to Bucharest for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Peles Castle - explore the Neo-Classical masterpiece built in the 1870s as a summer residence featuring exquisitely decorated rooms with paintings, carved wood, and stained glass
- Visit to Sinaia Monastery - see the region's oldest monastery with two churches, one from the 17th century and one built by the royal family in the 19th century
Landmarks Peles Castle Sinaia Monastery - Day 20
Bucharest Departure
After your final breakfast in Bucharest, it's time to head home. The medieval villages, dramatic landscapes, and fairy tale settings of Eastern Europe will stay with you long after this journey ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Bucharest
