Danube River Cruise: 5 Balkan Countries

Friday, June 5: Depart USA for Europe
Depart USA for our overnight flight.

Saturday, June 6: Arrive in Hungary
Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital. After arriving, the day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.

Sunday, June 7: Budapest
Our day is free all day. Explore on our own in this exciting two-sided city or relax and prepare for an amazing upcoming cruise! (B)

Monday, June 8: Budapest, Hungary (Embarkation)
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe

Classic: Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

This afternoon, we board our ship and overnight cruise to  Vukovar. (B,D)

Tuesday, June 9: Vukovar, Croatia—Ilok, Croatia
History and Beer
Discovery: Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:

Classic: Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.

Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard.

ILOK, CROATIA

History and Culture in Croatia

Classic: Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR:

Active: Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok’s city walls, into the central church, and the towns’ museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate.

Overnight docking in Novi Sad, Serbia (B,L,D)

Wednesday, June 10: Novi Sad, Serbia
The Athens of Serbia

Active: Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:

Discovery: Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping to the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties. OR:

Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications. OR:

Active: Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. Overnight cruise to Belgrade. (B,L,D)

Thursday, June 11: Belgrade, Serbia
Fortresses and Folklore

Active: Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:

Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches. OR:

Discovery: Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.

Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.

This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija. Overnight cruise to Golubač, Serbia. (B,L,D)

Friday, June 12: Golubač-Donji Milanovac. Excursion to Lepenski Vir-Iron Gates Gorge.
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates

Classic: Visit the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You’ll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control for defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire; OR:

Classic: Join a Guided Tour to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views of the Danube Gorge.

Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Afternoon and overnight cruise to Vidin. (B,L,D)

Saturday, June 13: Vindin, Bulgaria
Rocks, Ruins and Balkan Beauty

Active: Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:

Classic: Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements, OR:

Discovery: Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.

Afternoon and overnight cruise to Rousse. (B,L,D)

Sunday, June 14: Rousse. Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi Excursion
Fortresses, and Folklore

Active: Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

Classic: Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:

Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. Overnight cruise to Olenita. (B,L,D)

Monday, June 15: Oltenita, Romania (Disembark) Bucharest—Brasov

Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest.

Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

After the visit drive to Brasov for the night. (B,D)

Tuesday, June 16: Brasov

Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture.

In the evening depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore.

Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, Dracula.

(B,D)

Wednesday, June 17: Sinaia – Bucharest

The “Paris of the East.”

Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.

Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest; On the way, enjoy a local lunch. Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue. (B,L)

Thursday, June 18: Depart and return home

Our vacation ends with breakfast this morning. We will transfer to the airport and return home with new friends and wonderful memories.  (B)

Customize your trip by selecting your daily optional excursions—all included with our tour!

CLASSIC: Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

DISCOVERY: We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

ACTIVE: Whether you enjoy sightseeing by kayak, on two wheels, or on your own two feet, you’ll relish the energy of Active excursions. Biking, hiking, and boating tours pack real get-up-and-go for those who like to do the same.

Included Highlights: 

• Group transfers from the airport to hotel, hotel to ship, ship to hotel, hotel to airport
• 2-nights hotel accommodations in Budapest, Hungary
• 7-nights' accommodations on river cruise ship 
• 2-nights hotel accommodations in Brasov, Romania
• 1-night hotel accommodations in Bucharest, Romania
• 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
• Complimentary room service onboard for Continental breakfast
• Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks onboard during lunch and dinner
• Complimentary wine, beer and cocktails during onboard Happy Hour
• Self-serve complimentary onboard tea, hot chocolate and premium coffees
• Complimentary afternoon tea featuring tea, coffee and sweet treats.
• Complimentary included daily excursions while onboard
• Complimentary bicycles available
• Complimentary computer use in public areas and complimentary Wi-Fi access
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly entertainment
• English-speaking staff
• Port charges of $231 per person

Not included:

• International airfare (group air available September 2025)
• Other optional tours
• Personal items
• Meals not listed in itinerary
• Tips & Gratuities
• Travel Insurance = $439 pp Double occupancy, $479 single

Contact Lori Nietert today to receive a brochure on this tour!  Lori@duagency.com or 319-393-1359

Group Tour Disclosures