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, May 01, 2025

   ARRIVE IN BUCHAREST, ROMANIA. Arrive in Bucharest and check in to your lovely hotel.
2. Day 2
   Fri, May 02, 2025

   BUCHAREST. Bucharest, Romania'''s capital, has earned its nickname, the '''Little Paris of the East,''' with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy a visit to the city'''s most impressive sites'''including the historic city center. Or take a walking tour of Bucharest'''s Old Town and visit the Open Air Village Museum which showcases traditional Romanian village life. (B)
3. Day 3
   Sat, May 03, 2025

   BUCHAREST ''' SINAIA ''' BRA''OV. En route to Brasov, stop in charming Sinaia to visit Pele'' Castle, considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe. Tour the castle, which was once the residence of the royal family. Then continue to the lovely village of Bra''ov, where you will check into your hotel and enjoy a tour that includes the impressive Gothic Black Church, the 19th-century Schei Gate and City Hall. (B)
4. Day 4
   Sun, May 04, 2025

   BRA''OV ''' SIGHI''OARA. 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)
5. Day 5
   Mon, May 05, 2025

   BRASOV ''' EMBARKATION ''' GIURGIU. Depart your Brasov hotel and continue on to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. You'''ll visit Transylvania'''s legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula, before boarding the ship in Giurgiu. (B,D)
6. Day 6
   Tue, May 06, 2025

   GIURGIU ''' ROUSSE, BULGARIA. Experience the best of Bucharest, Romania'''s capital, known as the '''Little Paris of the East,''' with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Then 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, and then afterwards 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, May 07, 2025

   VIDIN. 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. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria'''s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. 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. (B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   Thu, May 08, 2025

   SCENIC 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 Serbian king Decebalus is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. (B,L,D)
9. Day 9
   Fri, May 09, 2025

   BELGRADE, SERBIA. Explore Serbia'''s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Alternatively, visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family, and the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Or enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, ''livovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery, followed by a panoramic tour of Avala Mountain. Later in the day, choose from a hike to Kalemegdan Fortress, known for its winding walking paths and incredible river views, or join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
10. Day 10
    Sat, May 10, 2025

    NOVI SAD, SERBIA ''' VUKOVAR, CROATIA. Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you'''ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ov''ara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you'''ll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the '''Serbian Athens.''' Discover Novi Sad on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike through Fruska Gora National Park. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. (B,L,D)
11. Day 11
    Sun, May 11, 2025

    MOH''CS - P''CS, HUNGARY. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Moh''cs. You'''ll then 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. 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. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Moh''cs. (B,L,D)
12. Day 12
    Mon, May 12, 2025

    BUDAPEST ''' DISEMBARKATION ''' VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Bid farewell to your ship and take asighteeing tour of Budapest, the '''Queen of the Danube.''' Your city tour begins with visit to the vibrant GreatMarket Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs. The remainder of this tour takesyou to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includesviews from historic Buda Castle, a visit to Fishermen'''s Bastion and the beautifully colored Matthias Church. Laterin the day, travel to Vienna where you will check into your hotel and enjoy some free time. (B)
13. Day 13
    Tue, May 13, 2025

    VIENNA. Savor the imperial elegance of romantic Vienna during a guided sightseeing tour past the city'''smost famous and beautiful locales, including the UNESCO-designated historice city center. See the regal ViennaState Opera house, towering St. Stpehen'''s Cathedral with its fascinating eagle mosaics and geometric patternedroof, and the majestic Ringstrasse, Vienna'''s famed ring road, lined with incredible architecture, monuments andparks. You'''ll also have some free time to explore Vienna on your own. (B)
14. Day 14
    Wed, May 14, 2025

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