Summary
From the magnificent history of the Iron Gates Gorge to the romantic capital city of Bucharest, explore the extraordinary sights along the Danube River on this cruise through the heart of the Balkans.
On our cruise through the Balkans, we start by exploring the sights of Kalocsa and Belgrade, with its magnificent Kalemegdan Fortress. Then it’s off to Pleven passing through the Iron Gates Gorge and the Djerdap locks before visiting Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Known as ‘Little Paris,’ this gem of a capital city will capture your heart with its romantic buildings and boulevards. Then we explore the Danube Delta with a cruise through Europe’s largest area of wetlands – a UNESCO-listed site. We visit Constanța on the Black Sea coast, where you can explore its charming Old Town. From Ruse, either explore Veliko Tarnovo, the village of Arbanasi and the rock hewn churches at Ivanovo, or Ruse and the churches at Ivanovo and Basarbovo. From Vidin we take a scenic drive to the rock formations at Belogradchik, then we visit Lepenski Vir – one of the most important Mesolithic archaeological sites in Serbia and marvel at the views from Kapetan Mišin breg. Entering Croatia, you can choose to see Osijek & Vukovar, or take a boat ride in the Kopački rit nature park nestled between the Danube and Drava rivers. Finally, we discover the imperial capital city of Hungary - Budapest.
Themes: History & Culture
Itinerary & Map
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical s...
Full description
Bucharest, in southern Romania, is the country's capital and commercial center. Its iconic landmark is the massive, communist-era Palatul Parlamentului governme...
Full description
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical s...
Full description
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical s...
Full description
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical s...
Full description
Bucharest, in southern Romania, is the country's capital and commercial center. Its iconic landmark is the massive, communist-era Palatul Parlamentului governme...
Full description
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical s...
Full description
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical s...
Full descriptionDAY 1
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find.
DAY 6
Bucharest, in southern Romania, is the country's capital and commercial center. Its iconic landmark is the massive, communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building, which has 1,100 rooms. Nearby, the historic Lipscani district is home to an energetic nightlife scene as well as tiny Eastern Orthodox Stavropoleos Church and 15th-century Curtea Veche Palace, where Prince Vlad III (“The Impaler”) once ruled.
Dates & prices
Select guest
Flights included from London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester and 2 more UK airports
Departs
Wed 13 Sep 2028
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
from £4,999 pp
Enquire now Call 020 7590 0610Per person, based on two sharing, flights included. Updated daily and confirmed when you book. Flights from UK airports only.