Gems of Southeast Europe with Bucharest, Brasov and Vienna (Festive Delights)

Arrive in Bucharest and check in to your lovely hotel.

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)

Excursions:

• “Paris of the East” tour OR Old Town Walking tour

En route to Brasov, stop in charming Sinaia to visit Peleș 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 Brașov, 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)

Excursions:

• Transfer to Sinaia
• Peleș Castle tour
• Transfer to Brașov
• Brașov city tour

Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighişoara, birthplace to Transylvania's most notorious ruler, Vlad Ţepeş, 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)

Excursions:

• “Dracula's Birthplace,” Sighișoara excursion

Embark your ship in Giurgiu. Tonight gather on board and meet your fellow passengers. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Transfer to Bran
• Bran Castle tour
• Transfer to Giurgiu

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)

Excursions:

• Bucharest excursion OR Veliko Tarnovo excursion OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights

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)

Excursions:

• Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting OR Vidin bike tour OR Dos Alamos Wine Tasting

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)

Excursions:

• Scenic Cruising
• Golubac Fortress Tour

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 Šlivovitz, 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. You will also have the option to visit the Petrovaradin Fortress. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “The City by Two Rivers” tour OR Fortress Hike
• “Brandies of Belgrade” tasting OR Belgrade bike tour OR "The Athens of Serbia" walking tour

Enjoy an afternoon in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you will visit Eltz Manor House and the Vucedol Museum. Wine connoisseurs can enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Alternatively, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Scenic Cruising OR Croatian wine tasting OR Vukovar bike tour

Visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. 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 Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Pécs excursion OR Szekszárd wine tasting

Bid farewell to your ship and take a sighteeing tour of Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube.” Your city tour begins with visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes views from historic Buda Castle, a visit to Fishermen's Bastion and the beautifully colored Matthias Church. Later in the day, travel to Vienna where you will check into your hotel and enjoy some free time. (B)

Excursions:

• Budapest City Tour
• Transfer to Vienna

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

Excursions:

• “Imperial Vienna” tour

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