Follow the graceful waterways from Romania through the Balkans, Hungary, and Austria with stunning views along your Danube River cruise. Sail from Romania to Hungary’s capital of Budapest to experience river views like no other. Begin your European vacation before your cruise in Transylvania. Drive into the Carpathian Mountains to visit Peles Castle, visit Dracula’s Bran Castle by night, spend two nights in Brasov and enjoy a guided tour by day. Enjoy sightseeing in Bucharest, including the Royal Palace Square and Romanian soldier remembrances. Travel to Cernavoda to embark on your Danube River cruise.

Sail through the striking landscapes of the Balkans—Rousse, Bulgaria, Veliko Trnovo, and Arbanassi, one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria. Guided sightseeing in Vidin is followed by a guided tour of Belogradchik, with its ancient rock formations on the Balkan Mountains. After cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge, visit Lepenski Vir for a guided tour with ancient archaeological finds. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, including one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, and see the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek. You’ll also attend a stirring performance by young students of the Franjo Kuhac music school. Tour the historic town of Pécs before sightseeing in the Hungarian capital of Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube.” Enjoy guided sightseeing of Vienna’s historic Habsburg Empire—including the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Take a guided tour of delightful Dürnstein and explore Melk’s Benedictine Abbey above the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley. Visit Austria’s lovely city of Linz, then pass through the beautiful Schlögen Oxbow river bend on your way to Passau—Germany’s “City of Three Rivers.” Your Danube River cruise concludes in Vilshofen, Germany.

Included Features:

Day 1 Bucharest: Welcome to Bucharest

Day 2 Bucharest–Sinaia–Brasov: Visit Peles Castle

Day 3 Brasov: Guided tour of Brasov; guided visit of Dracula's Bran Castle

Day 4 Brasov–Bucharest–Oltenita (Embarkation): Guided sightseeing in Bucharest; transfer to ship; onboard welcome reception

Day 5 Cernavoda. Excursion to Constanta: Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological Museum in Constanta; wine tasting

Day 6 Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Trnovo & Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Trnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or a guided sightseeing in Rousse, or a walk in the park with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Vidin–Belogradchik: Choice of guided sightseeing to Vidin’s fortress and see the rock formations in Belogradchik or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Iron Gates–Donji Milanovac–Golubac: Cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubac fortress

Day 9 Belgrade: Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Day 10 Novi Sad: choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of honey and wine tasting or hike to the Petrovaradin Fortress

Day 11 Ilok-Vukovar: Ilok guided tour with wine tasting; Vukovar guided tour

Day 12 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: guided tour and organ concert in Pécs or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill

Day 13 Budapest: Choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 14 Budapest: Day at leisure

Day 15 Bratislava: Choice of guided sightseeing in Bratislava, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral or hike up to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host

Day 16 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 17 Dürnstein–Wachau Valley–Ybbs. Excursion to Melk: Choice of guided walk or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; cruise through the Wachau Valley or bike along the river with your Adventure Host; choice of guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Ybbs city sightseeing with Artstetten Castle visit

Day 18 Linz: Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column

Day 19 Passau: Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising; choice of guided tour or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 20 Vilshofen (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning