Enjoy 2 nights in Budapest or Vienna, followed by a 7-night cruise from Budapest to Giurgiu, 2 nights in Brasov and 2 nights in Bucharest

1. Day 1
   Thu, Aug 20, 2026

   ARRIVE IN BUCHAREST, ROMANIA. Arrive in Bucharest and check in to your lovely hotel.
2. Day 2
   Fri, Aug 21, 2026

   BUCHAREST. Bucharest, Romania'''s capital, has earned its nickname, the '''Little Paris of the East,''' with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. This morning, enjoy a walking tour through the historic old town of Bucharest. You will observe the many changes this capital city has experienced through a mixture of architectural styles and cultural influences. Bucharest'''s eclectic architecture is a mix of historical, neo-classical, communist-era and modern buildings. Your guided tour will take you through the old town and show you the most popular places in Bucharest while hearing stories of its history and getting local insights for shopping and dining opportunities. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own. (B)
3. Day 3
   Sat, Aug 22, 2026

   BUCHAREST ''' BRAN - BRA''OV. En route to Bra''ov, you'''ll visit the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia you will visit Peles Castle. Peles Castle is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance with 160 rooms filled with priceless European art. After your tour of Peles Castle you will depart for Bra''ov. Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Bra''ov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. Upon your arrival in Bra''ov, enjoy a walking tour of this storied Transylvanian city. (B)
4. Day 4
   Sun, Aug 23, 2026

   BRA''OV ''' SIGHI''OARA. Dracula lovers are in for another treat with an excursion to Sighi''oara, birthplace to Transylvania'''s most notorious ruler, Vlad ''epe'', also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It'''s hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad'''s place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called '''Casa Dracula.''' (B)
5. Day 5
   Mon, Aug 24, 2026

   BRA''OV ''' BRAN ''' GIURGIU. Journey through the Romanian countryside to Bran, where you'll visit Transylvania's legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Later in the day, transfer to Giurgiu where you will embark upon your Gems of Southeast Europe river cruise. (B, D)
6. Day 6
   Tue, Aug 25, 2026

   ROUSSE, BULGARIA. Experience more of Bucharest or visit Bulgaria'''s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, or you may visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B,L,D)
7. Day 7
   Wed, Aug 26, 2026

   VIDIN, BULGARIA. Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria'''s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. Wine-lovers can instead enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, situated just outside of Vidin in the village of Negovanovtsi. Located on the vine-growing and wine-producing Danubian Plain, we will tour this boutique winery and end in the cellar for a tasting that includes traditional Bulgarian wines. (B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   Thu, Aug 27, 2026

   SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES. The Iron Gates are some of Europe'''s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. After your scenic cruise, you will arrive at Golubac Fortress ''' one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe ''' for a tour. (B,L,D)
9. Day 9
   Fri, Aug 28, 2026

   BELGRADE, SERBIA. Explore Serbia'''s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor'''s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including ''livovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO'''s list of '''Intangible Cultural Heritage.''' For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on '''The Athens of Serbia''' walking tour. Stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B,L,D)
10. Day 10
    Sat, Aug 29, 2026

    VUKOVAR, CROATIA. Enjoy an afternoon in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you will have a chance to visit Eltz Manor House and its collection of historic artifacts, paintings and clothing. Alternatively, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. Wine connoisseurs will want to enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. (B,L,D)
11. Day 11
    Sun, Aug 30, 2026

    MOH''CS ''' P''CS. Visit P''cs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the UNESCOdesignated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter'''s Basilica, the city'''s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Sz''chenyi Square, the heart of Old Town P''cs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or for wine connoisseurs, you'''ll want to go to the Szeksz''rd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)
12. Day 12
    Mon, Aug 31, 2026

    BUDAPEST ''' DISEMBARKATION ''' VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Enjoy a city tour of the Hungarian capital. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman'''s Bastion, St. Stephen'''s Basilica and the Chain Bridge. Afterward, transfer to Vienna via motorcoach and check into your hotel. (B)
13. Day 13
    Tue, Sep 01, 2026

    VIENNA. The '''City of Waltzes''' offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna'''s historic city center. (B)
14. Day 14
    Wed, Sep 02, 2026

    VIENNA. Bid farewell to Vienna as you prepare for your flight home. (B)