Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
Optional Activities
- Explore Bucharest after dark
- Day 2
Bucharest to Giurgiu
Included Activities
- Orientation coach tour of Bucharest including Union, University, Roman, Victory, and Charles de Gaulle squares and Primaverii Palace
Optional Activities
- Ceausescu's Spring Palace - 1960s residence with 80 rooms featuring silk wallpaper, wood panels, paintings by famous Romanian painters, mosaics, marble, and Murano glass chandeliers and mirrors
- Village Open Air Museum - ethnography exhibits depicting Romanian heritage with authentic houses, barns, and churches rebuilt using traditional techniques
Landmarks Primaverii Palace Union Square University Square Roman Square Victory Square Charles de Gaulle Square - Day 3
Silistra
Optional Activities
- Active guided walking tour of 19th century Silistra Fort and its history as the best preserved of the six Turkish fortification points
- Visit Alfatar village including ethnographic museum with typical country house, customary attire exhibits, Alfatar school visit to meet local children, and charming choir performance
- Sveshtari Thracian secrets and local delights - guided tour of the ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (World Heritage site, 3rd century BC) followed by local brandy producers and tasting
Landmarks Silistra Fort Sveshtari Thracian Tomb - Day 4
Rousse to Svishtov
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse with local guide - learn about traditional Bulgarian handicrafts, sample local wine, and enjoy a short piano recital
- Full-day excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi - panoramic views of old town, Asenevtsi Brothers Monument, and nearby village of Arbanassi
Landmarks Asenevtsi Brothers Monument - Day 5
Cruising - Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates) - spectacular scenery including four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs, and rock carving of Decebalus
Landmarks Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates) Rock carving of Decebalus - Day 6
Belgrade
Included Activities
- Concert in the Crypt of St. Sava Church - Scenic Enrich experience with church choir performance in the largest Orthodox temple in the Balkans with fresco-lined walls and white marble ceilings
Optional Activities
- Tour of Belgrade - explore iconic sites with local guide including cobbled streets of Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress, plus free time to explore independently
- Panoramic tour of Belgrade with Tito's Memorial - local guide tour of major city sites including Ottoman heritage of Old Town and memorial dedicated to Tito, former ruler of Yugoslavia
- Cycling tour along the Danube - active excursion tracing Danube banks on 16km guided cycling tour, learning about history of Yugoslavia and Belgrade, seeing Belgrade Waterfront, former concentration camp Staro Sajmiste, and Ada Island
- Central Belgrade stroll with coffee and cake - wander from Kalemegdan Fortress down Knez Mihailova Street, Belgrade's pedestrian boulevard, with charming shops and cafes, pausing for expertly brewed coffee paired with signature cake
- Explore Skardalija Street - district frequented by writers and artists, now home to traditional restaurants, local stores and galleries
Landmarks Kalemegdan Fortress St. Sava Church (St. Sava Temple) Knez Mihailova Street Skardalija Street Belgrade Waterfront Staro Sajmiste Ada Island - Day 7
Vukovar
- Meals
- Lunch (Authentic meal at local Croatian family home prepared with fresh vegetables from host's garden)
Included Activities
- Lunch at local Croatian family home with authentic meal prepared with fresh vegetables from host's garden
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek - guided tour of nearby small city with turbulent history; many grand Baroque buildings in Old Town bear scars of war; opportunity to hear traditional and classical music popular in region
- Baranja wine region - explore wine-making tradition and picturesque vineyards straddling Croatia and Hungary with tasting experience blending bold notes, local culture and breathtaking landscapes
- Vukovar chronicles - A river town's tale of resilience - discover city's spirit of resilience and stories of bravery with museums and monuments preserving legacy of sacrifice and hope; city has medieval roots and was historically vibrant trade and industrial centre
Landmarks Osijek Old Town - Day 8
Mohács
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pécs including first telephone exchange (opened 1885) and Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi
- Villány wine stories - learn about Hungarian everyday life and sample local red wines in a historic cellar
- Mohács traditions and flavours - visit Busódvár Museum to learn about World Heritage-listed Busójárás festival and taste authentic halászlé (Danube River fish stew with Hungarian paprika)
Landmarks Mohács Pécs Villány Busódvár Museum Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi - Day 9
Budapest
Optional Activities
- Beethoven's favourite getaway – Brunsvik Castle - 18th century neo-Gothic castle surrounded by English style park; houses Beethoven Memorial Museum (composer was frequent visitor)
- Etyek region wineries & vineyards - 'vineyard of Budapest' renowned for crisp, aromatic white wines and sparkling wines; vineyard tour, learn winemaking process, sample local vintages
Landmarks Brunsvik Castle - Day 10
Budapest
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hungarian culinary market walk and tasting tour with local guide
- Tasting of local delicacies at Grand Central Market and other locations
Optional Activities
- Visit one of Budapest's thermal baths
Landmarks Grand Central Market - Day 11
Budapest
