Black Sea Explorer with Best of the Balkans

Welcome to Bucharest. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. (D)

Today journey to the historic Bulgarian capital of Sofia, your base for the next two nights. (B/L)

With your local guide, discover neoclassical Stalinist architecture, tree-lined boulevards and buildings by 19th century Russian and Viennese architects. (B/D)

Your first stop today is Skopje, which has been inhabited since 4000 BC. Continue through Macedonia before arriving in Ohrid, where you’ll stay for two nights.

Enrich: Enjoy a traditional Macedonian dinner and folklore show. It’s a wonderful opportunity to absorb some of the region’s unique culture. (B/D)

Tour the town with your knowledgeable guide this morning. With its temples, ruins and Byzantine basilicas, Ohrid is one of the most ancient towns in the Balkans.

Freechoice: Take in the lush green scenery during a boat ride on stunning Ohrid Lake, or if you are feeling more active, explore the lake by kayak. (B)

Arrive in the Byzantine city of Tirana and check into your hotel, before embarking on a city tour of the Albanian capital. (B/D)

Today travel to picturesque Montenegro and arrive in Budva. On arrival take an orientation tour before continuing onto Kotor for your overnight stay. (B/D)

Let a local guide show you around the stunning Bay of Kotor. Then take in the amazing vistas as you journey to Dubrovnik. You’ll enjoy a two night stay. (B)

This morning, see Onofrio’s Fountain, the Rector’s Palace and visit the Old Pharmacy in the Franciscan Monastery.

Freechoice: Journey through to the Konavle villages and the town of Cavtat. Alternatively, take a walk along Dubrovnik’s medieval ramparts. Tonight visit a local farm house, meet the owners and taste delicious home grown produce during dinner. (B/D)

En route to Sarajevo, stop in the beautiful city of Mostar. Visit the Turkish House and the renowned Old Bridge. Later, check into your hotel for two nights. (B)

Explore the treasures of Sarajevo, including Gazi Husrev Beg’s Mosque and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.

Enrich: Tonight you’ll be treated to a private home-hosted dinner of traditional Bosnian cuisine. (B/D)

Continue to the Croatian capital, where you will enjoy an overnight stay. (B/L/D)

Discover Zagreb on a guided tour, before travelling to Plitvice National Park. Wander meandering pathways, passing emerald green lakes, linked by magnificent waterfalls. (B)

Journey to Budapest and stay overnight. (B/D)

Explore this beautiful city before boarding your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. (B/D)

This morning you’ll have free time on board as you sail towards Kalocsa. Relax in the sunshine on the Sun Deck as you enjoy the scenery of the Danube rolling by. Download the Scenic Tailormade App to listen to river commentary and gain insight to the villages and sites you’re passing. You will arrive in Kalocsa at lunch time. This historic Hungarian town has some of the richest folk art in the world, like its beautifully decorated porcelain. It was an important agricultural centre in the 19th century and the region has retained much of its rural charm.

Freechoice: This afternoon, choose one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Hungarian Traditions: The region of Kalocsa is teeming with culture and traditions. It is famous for its traditional handicrafts such as needlework and embroidery. Learn about the origins of these beautiful designs as well as other crafts.
• Hungarian Horse Show: Kalocsa is located on the Great Hungarian Plain, with an agricultural history dating back more than 2,000 years. Witness a traditional horse show, meet the local horsemen who will demonstrate impressive equestrian skills and enjoy a tasting of local delicacies. (B/L/D)

Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive this morning in the Croation town of Osijek, a small city with a turbulent history. Over the past 500 years it has been part of the Ottoman, Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian empires, and in the 1990s was the epicentre of the Croatian War of Independence. Many of the grand Baroque buildings remain standing but bear the scars of the war. Osijek is famous for its food, which is heavily influenced by Hungary and features plenty of paprika, locally-made sausages and river fish.

Freechoice: Today, explore the region in one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Walking tour of Osijek: Take a guided walking tour of Osijek to see the highlights of the town including the well-preserved Baroque Old Town and fortress. You’ll also have the opportunity to hear some traditional and classical music popular in the region.
• Boat cruise at Kopacki Rit: Kopacki Rit is one of the largest natural wetlands in Europe, covering 238 hectares, and you will have the opportunity to explore it by boat. Learn more about this beautiful untouched piece of nature in the easternmost part of Croatia through a presentation by one of the park’s rangers. During a 50-minute boat ride, you will cruise among lush greenery, hundred-year-old willow woods and meadows, spotting the variety of flora and fauna including deer, wild boar, white tailed eagle and black stork.
• Ancestry of the Kitchen: Recipes have long been passed down through generations and often kept as family secrets. Today, guests will meet with a local who will divulge a family recipe from traditional fish stew, while also chatting to you about life in this region.

After your touring this morning, all guests will visit the home of a local Croatian family and have lunch with the family members. Immerse yourself in this cultural and culinary experience, and enjoy an authentic meal prepared with fresh vegetables from the host’s garden. North-eastern Croatia is the ‘bread basket’ of the country, so it is only natural that the villagers take great pride in their gardens. You’ll be treated to a feast for both the palate and the eyes. (B/L/D)

The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is known as the ‘Door to Central Europe’ and lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This eclectic city is steeped in history, with Neolithic ruins found nearby, a fortress built by the Romans, Brutalist buildings that sit beside Art Nouveau buildings and a bohemian vibe. One of the oldest capitals in Europe, Belgrade has been rebuilt almost 40 times.

Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Guided city tour with extended free time: By coach and foot, you’ll tour the major sites of the city with a guide. You will explore the city’s highlights such as cobbled streets of the Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress, an imposing structure that has been the site of more than 100 battles and offers panoramic views of the rivers below. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore on your own.
• Guided city tour including Tito's Memorial: Join a more in-depth tour of Belgrade with a local guide. See and learn about the major sites of the city including the Ottoman heritage of the Old town, the imposing fortress and Republic Square followed by some free time in the city centre. During this tour you will also visit the memorial dedicated to Tito, the former ruler of Yugoslavia.
• Cycling tour along the Danube: Trace the banks of the Danube on two wheels during this guided cycling tour. Learn about the region and its people, including the history of Yugoslavia and the history of Belgrade from WWII to today. You will see the Palace of Serbia (the former seat of the government of Yugoslavia), the historic neighbourhood centre of Zemun, which became part of Belgrade in the early 1900s and still has a distinct character, and Staro Sajmiste, a former concentration camp.

Walking tour with a student: Learn about life in Belgrade from a local. Get to the heart of the city and understand the troubles and triumphs that Belgradians have experienced. You’ll get to know these happy and resilient people as you are guided through their city with a local student.

This afternoon is free at leisure to explore Belgrade further. You might like to soak up the bohemian culture with a wander along cobblestoned Skardalija Street, a district once frequented by writers and artists and other creative souls, now home to traditional restaurants, local stores and galleries.

Enrich: Tonight, we have a special treat in store for you with our Scenic Enrich event:

• Classical concert at St. Sava Temple: Visit the St. Sava, the largest orthodox temple in the Balkans. Have a chance to explore the frescos-lined walls of the cathedrals crypt where the church choir will perform some of the most beautiful hymns just for you. Because of the acoustics in the crypt, this is a once of a lifetime opportunity. (B/L/D)

Today will cruise through the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates. This stretch of the Danube is the natural border between Serbia and Romania, and features four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs and the mighty rock carving of Decebalus, the former Romanian king.

Spend some time relaxing in your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of river life as you cruise the Danube. Sweat it out in the state-of-the-art gym or take time out in the wellness centre, then mingle with other guests as you sit back with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar. (B/L/D)

Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in the Bulgarian town of Svishtov this morning. Here you will have the choice to disembark and take an excursion to Veliko Tarnovo, known as the City of the Kings, or stay on board and sail towards Rousse (or Ruse), which has been described as ‘Little Vienna’.

Freechoice: Choose one of today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi: Take a full day excursion from Svishtov to Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria’s oldest towns which is built among lush, forested hills on the banks of the twisting Yantra River. In the 14th century as the Byzantine Empire weakened, Veliko Tarnovo was the Bulgarian capital and was known as the third Rome. On the way to town, you will stop to enjoy the panoramic views of the old town and see the Asenevtsi Brothers Monument. You will then venture to the nearby leafy village of Arbanassi, stopping to see the 17th century Konstantsalieva House for an insight into how affluent locals lived, and the Christ Nativity Church.
• Guided city tour of Rousse: Stay on board your Scenic Space-Ship and enjoy a relaxing morning sailing to Rousse. Upon arrival join a local guide on a sightseeing tour of this opulent town, resplendent in Belle Epoque architecture and leafy manicured squares. Afterward you’ll enjoy a short piano recital and some free time to wander, before returning to the ship. (B/L/D)

Arrive in Silistra early this morning. This Bulgarian town has changed hands many times over the centuries; a major Turkish fortress and trade centre in the 15th century, it played a significant role in the Russo-Turkish wars of the 1870s, briefly became part of Romania after the Second Balkan War, and finally reverted to Bulgaria in 1940. The town is dotted with historic sites stretching back to late Roman times.

Freechoice: Explore your way with this morning’s Scenic Freechoice options:

• Active walk to Silistra Fort: Transfer to Silistra Fort by coach. Upon arrival take a guided walking tour of the fort and learn about its history. It is the best preserved of the six points of the Turkish fortification system, which played an important role in the Russo-Turkish wars.
• Visit Alfatar Village: Take an excursion to the small village of Alfatar, located just outside of Silistra. Visit the ethnographic museum featuring a typical country house, where visitors will see how the residents of this region have lived over the centuries and have kept their traditions alive. Also see the beautifully restored Holy Trinity temple, a treasured symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox religion, and visit the Alfatar school to meet local children and learn about daily life for young Bulgarians.
• Excursion to Varna: Take a full-day excursion to the Black Sea coast. Start your tour in the seaside town of Balchik, famous for its beautiful Botanical Gardens. Afterwards you will have a typical Bulgarian lunch in a local restaurant before visiting the city of Varna. Varna is a cosmopolitan city, home to Roman bath ruins, a white-sand beach, and many open-air bars and restaurants. Your local guide will be delighted to show you through the city, including the recently renovated Cathedral and the Military Naval Museum. (B/L/D)

Upon arrival, take an orientation tour of the city by coach, from the south of Bucharest to Primaverii Palace stopping to see its squares, including Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square and Charles de Gaulle Square.

Freechoice: Choose from this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Ceausescu’s Spring Palace: Located in one of the wealthiest districts in Bucharest, this 1960s residence is made up of 80 spacious and elegant rooms decorated with silk wallpaper, wood panels, paintings by famous Romanian painters, mosaics, marble, chandeliers and mirrors made of Murano glass.
• Village Open Air Museum: Explore the ethnography exhibits depicting Romanian heritage and culture at the Village Open Air Museum. The museum depicts authentic peasant houses, barns, churches and more, rebuilt by craftsmen using traditional techniques.

This evening you will enjoy dinner with your fellow guests before heading to your hotel. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to Bucharest airport or train station for your onward journey. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions. (B)