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

1. Day 1
   Sat, Dec 06, 2025

   ARRIVE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel.
2. Day 2
   Sun, Dec 07, 2025

   VIENNA. The '''City of Waltzes''' offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your citytour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna'''s historic city center. Following your city tour, spend your afternoon enjoying the festivities of the Christmas Markets. (B)
3. Day 3
   Mon, Dec 08, 2025

   VIENNA ''' BUDAPEST, HUNGARY ''' EMBARKATION. Transfer from Vienna via motorcoach toBudapest where you'''ll be taken on a city tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman'''s Bastion,St. Stephen'''s Basilica and the Chain Bridge. (B,D)
4. Day 4
   Tue, Dec 09, 2025

   MOH''CS. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Moh''cs. In the afternoon, you can visit P''cs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated 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. You will also have the opportunity to visit the delightful P''cs Christmas Market in front of Town Hall. Alternatively, you can travel to the Szeksz''rd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Moh''cs. (B,L,D)
5. Day 5
   Wed, Dec 10, 2025

   VUKOVAR, CROATIA. Explore this historic Croatian city of Vukovar on a city tour, where you may see sites such as the Ov''ara Memorial and Eltz Manor House. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For a more active excursion, enjoy a guided bike tour of Vukovar. In the afternoon, wine connoisseurs will want to sample Croatia'''s famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines during a special tasting excursion. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)
6. Day 6
   Thu, Dec 11, 2025

   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. You'''ll have time to explore Belgrade'''s Winter Fest in the main square and its holiday treats, colorful Christmas Market stalls, concerts and more. Alternatively, you can opt for more active excursions with either a hike to Belgrade Fortress or a guided bike tour through Belgrade. Later in the day, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian brandy, ''livovitz, paired with delicious local delights, at the Quburich Distillery. Or discover Novi Sad, the '''Serbian Athens,''' on a full-day walking tour to Dunavski Park, through Stari Grad, the Old Town center, and the Petrovaradin Fortress, originally built to defend against the Ottoman Turks, but now home to summertime festivals and beautiful views of the Danube below. (B,L,D)
7. Day 7
   Fri, Dec 12, 2025

   SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES. Visit Golubac Fortress ''' a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River ''' before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one 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. (B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   Sat, Dec 13, 2025

   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, then explore Vidin on a guided walking tour, where you will also have the opportunity to visit the city'''s Christmas Market. For a taste of local cuisine, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. Alternatively, you can bike through Vidin or enjoy a wine tasting at a local boutique winery. (B,L,D)
9. Day 9
   Sun, Dec 14, 2025

   ROUSSE ''' GIURGIU, ROMANIA. Visit Bulgaria'''s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. Enjoy the magic of the holidays when learning about the Bulgarian traditions and folklore during Christmastime. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Or travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the '''Little Paris of the East.''' Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture. You'''ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Bucharest Christmas market, shining bright in festive holiday lights, in front of the Palace of the Parliament. (B,L,D)
10. Day 10
    Mon, Dec 15, 2025

    GIURGIU ''' DISEMBARKATION ''' BRA''OV. Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. Your first stop on the road to Transylvania will be 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 Brasov. (B)
11. Day 11
    Tue, Dec 16, 2025

    BRA''OV ''' SIGHI''OARA. Enjoy a walking tour around Bra''ov where the fairytale-like old town transforms into a beautiful Christmas Market. Afterward, dracula lovers will be 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)
12. Day 12
    Wed, Dec 17, 2025

    BRAN ''' BUCHAREST. En route to Bucharest, you'''ll visit Transylvania'''s legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Later in the day, transfer to Bucharest and check into your hotel. (B)
13. Day 13
    Thu, Dec 18, 2025

    BUCHAREST. This morning, enjoy a walking tour through the historic old town of Bucharest. Observe the many changes this capital city has experienced through a mixture of architectural styles and cultural influences. 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. Later, explore the Romanian Christmas traditions as you stroll through the Bucharest Christmas Market where there will be plenty of holiday festivities to enjoy such as sipping on hot mulled wine or shopping for handcrafted gifts. (B)
14. Day 14
    Fri, Dec 19, 2025

    DEPART BUCHAREST. Bid farewell to Burcharest as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)