Balkan Adventure with Prague and Transylvania

Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the historic centre of Prague. Later this evening, you’ll have the chance to get to know your fellow travellers and Tour Director during a Welcome Reception.

Your exploration of Prague begins with a tour of the World Heritage-listed Old Town. Start at Strahov Monastery, where you can take in panoramic views of the city. You’ll then wander across Charles Bridge and arrive in Prague’s Old Market Square. Have your camera ready at the Astronomical Clock, a masterpiece in the the square that visualises time in a truly unique form. Pause to explore at your leisure and continue discovering the incredible city of Prague on your own terms, with its multitude of sights.  Perhaps join an optional tour this evening to a lively traditional Czech folklore dinner and show.

Enhance Your Journey – Folklore Dinner and Show

Travel to a local restaurant and enjoy a lively traditional Czech folklore dinner and show.

Having become familiar with the layout of Prague, enjoy today at leisure to explore as you please. The Jewish Quarter is a pulsing hub of Semitic history, so perhaps you’d like to head there and learn about the birthplace of writer Franz Kafka. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional tour to Prague Castle.

Enhance Your Journey - Prague Castle

Travel across the Vltava River to Prague Castle, which dominates the city skyline. Believed to date back to the 9th century, this castle complex – with its network of palaces and churches – is considered the largest in the world. Join a local guide for a tour through the complex, including Saint Vitus Cathedral and the Golden Lane.

Farewell Prague after breakfast as you travel by coach to Budapest, where you’ll board your river ship. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception and meet your fellow travellers.

Enjoy the day at leisure to explore Budapest. You may wish to join an optional tour to discover Budapest's Great Market Hall, a must-visit attraction. Housed in a beautiful historic building dating back to the 19th century, the market is a paradise for food lovers and shoppers, where you can immerse yourself in Hungarian cuisine and local culture. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional tour to the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum, a hospital created in the caverns beneath Buda Castle in the 1940s during World War II, which later served as a nuclear bunker during the Cold War. This evening, delight in a Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Enhance your Journey – Great Market Hall Tour

Embark on a culinary tour. Wander through this large market to discover a variety of Hungarian sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables.

Enhance your Journey – Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum

Tour this museum, once a World War II hospital, located in the caves beneath Buda Castle.

From the sleepy port town of Mohács, history buffs will delight in the chance to travel to the ancient city of Pécs. As Hungary’s fifth-largest city, this World Heritage-listed site offers plenty in the way of sightseeing. Be sure to check out the copper domes of the Mosque of Pasha Qasim, as well as the 11th-century Pécs Cathedral. With the afternoon at leisure, you may wish to join an optional tour to Hungary’s renowned wine region in Villány for a wine tasting. 

Enhance your Journey – Villány Wine Tasting

Travel to Hungary’s renowned wine region in Villány, known for its red and rosé varieties. Visit a local winery for a tour and tasting.   

Begin a captivating exploration of Osijek, a vibrant city with a rich history. Wander through its picturesque cobblestone streets, where well-preserved 18th-century architecture offers a glimpse into the past. Discover key landmarks such as the iconic Holy Trinity Square and the stunning Saint Michael's Church. Later, continue to Vukovar, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of regional delicacies. Reboard your ship for a leisurely afternoon cruise towards Serbia.

In Serbia’s capital, embark on a guided tour of Belgrade. Visit the historic Belgrade Fortress, which offers stunning views over the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Immerse yourself in traditional Serbian life during your Insider Experience, gaining insight into the local culture and customs.

Insider Experience – Village Farm and Slivovitz Tour

Visit a local family’s village, taking a tour of their home and barn to meet the resident farm animals. Stroll through the family’s fruit orchards to learn about the brewing process of slivovitz – a plum brandy that is Serbia’s national drink of choice.

Get ready to witness nature at its finest today as your ship cruises through the Iron Gates, a stunning natural wonder of lush forests, towering cliffs and rugged landscapes. This spectacular series of gorges connects Serbia and Romania, offering an unparalleled cruising experience.

Go ashore in Ruse, one of Bulgaria’s most elegant cities. Embark on a walking tour to admire the city’s Belle Époque architecture and beautifully manicured garden squares, which evoke the charm of Vienna. Along the way, you’ll pass Liberty Square, the courthouse, the Ruse Opera House, and Alexander Battenberg Square. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. You may choose to visit the Regional Museum of History, the National Transport Museum, or the ancient ruins of the Sexaginta Prista Fortress.

After breakfast, travel to your hotel in Brașov, stopping en route in the town of Sinaia for free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure.

This morning, travel to Bran Castle, also known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’. With a local guide, learn about its history as you walk through its many rooms and admire the 19th-century antiques. Return to Brașov and join a guided tour through its old streets, lined with well-preserved medieval architecture. Explore the colourful baroque buildings and Gothic masterpieces while enjoying the bustling ambiance of the cafés, restaurants and shops.

Journey to Bucharest and join a guided tour of this vibrant metropolis and cultural hub. Stroll along wide, tree-lined boulevards, past elegant Belle Époque buildings, before exploring the Old City centre, with highlights including the Royal Court, Stavropoleos Church and the lively Lipscani district.

Your adventure comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport.