Eastern Europe with Best of the Balkans

Arrive in Prague, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception.

Today, explore beautiful Prague with an expert guide. Discover the World Heritage-listed Old Town, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and Prague’s Old Market Square, a historic and bustling square where the culture of this fascinating city comes to life.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Prague at your own pace. This evening, discover Prague's culinary scene independently or join our optional folklore dinner and show.

Enhance Your Journey - Folklore Dinner and Show

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

This morning after breakfast, travel across the border into Germany. As you journey through the state of Saxony, stop in Saxon Switzerland National Park to see the rock formations of Bastei as well as the Bastei Bridge, which offers wonderful panoramic views over the mountains. Continue by coach to Germany’s capital, Berlin, and check in to your hotel.

Once a city famously divided in two, modern-day Berlin now embodies a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Start your day with a guided tour that will take you past many of the must-see landmarks. See the historic Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate – a symbol of peace and a reunified Berlin. You’ll also visit a ruined section of the Berlin Wall.

This afternoon, you may choose to travel by coach to Potsdam, where you will join an optional guided tour of the former royal summer palace, Sanssouci.

Enhance Your Journey – Sanssouci Palace

Take an excursion to Potsdam, once the residence of Prussian kings. Here, you’ll enjoy a tour of the former summer palace of Frederick the Great, Sanssouci. 

Today, farewell the incredible city of Berlin and travel through the beautiful, rolling countryside of Germany’s east into Poland and on to Warsaw.

Insider Experience – Dine at Rozana in Warsaw

Discover the delights of modern Polish cuisine during dinner at Rozana – a highly regarded restaurant in Warsaw. Relish authentic dishes from an impressive set menu as you soak in the cosy yet elegant atmosphere. 

The brutal events of World War II left a lasting mark on the city, yet the Warsaw of today is diverse and progressive, filled with stylish boutiques, chic restaurants, new museums and modern buildings. Also visit Łazienki Park where you will glimpse Łazienki Palace with its serene waters and ornate statues.

Today, you will journey through rolling farmland from Warsaw to Kraków. Along the way, you’ll visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, where a tour will provide a haunting insight into the plight of the Jews who were sent to these infamous Nazi concentration camps. Afterwards, check in to your hotel in Kraków and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Enjoy the sights of Kraków on a tour, taking in the Wawel Royal Castle and the famous Old Town.

Insider Experience – Polish Dinner and Folklore Show

Enjoy a traditional Polish folklore show and authentic regional cuisine at Morskie Oko, a restaurant located in an art nouveau building with interiors resembling a highlander’s inn, complete with a fireplace and candlelight. Experience authentic Polish hospitality and a relaxed yet charming atmosphere. Savour authentic regional cuisine including delicious meats served with savoury sauces, handmade dumplings and freshly baked cakes.

Today, perhaps join an optional tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This ancient, abandoned mine is a marvel, featuring a maze of underground chambers, grottoes and statues chiselled out of rock salt by miners hundreds of years ago.

Enhance Your Journey – Wieliczka Salt Mine

Gain insight into over 700 years of mining history in Europe with a visit to the World Heritage-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine. 

This morning after breakfast, you will travel to Budapest via the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia and board your ship.

After breakfast, join a local guide to explore the city. Tonight, delight in a Gala Welcome Dinner on board before your ship sets sail. Marvel at the sight of Budapest as its famous monuments are illuminated, creating a mesmerising spectacle around you.

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.

Spend the entire day in Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital. Begin with a guided tour through the city’s broad, tree-lined boulevards and grand Belle Époque buildings, which lend the city its unique charm. Continue with a stroll through the Old Town, where you’ll visit the historic Royal Court, the exquisite Stavropoleos Church, and the lively Lipscani district. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, or perhaps you’d like to explore the open-air Village Museum, where you can immerse yourself in traditional Romanian life and discover the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Today, uncover the fortified walls and cobblestone lanes of Veliko Târnovo, once the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and a city steeped in medieval history. Join a local expert for a guided tour, exploring its fascinating past. At the heart of the city, visit the restored Tsarevets Fortress, the citadel of the Empire. Afterward, head to the hilltop village of Arbanasi, known for its rich history and well-preserved architecture. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your ship.

Explore the Baba Vida Fortress, a medieval castle dating back to the 10th century. Marvel at its formidable walls and towers, immersing yourself in its rich history. Afterward, journey to Belogradchik, where you'll visit the ancient Belogradchik Fortress, perched on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. While in the area, take time to admire the town's stunning natural rock formations, which have earned Belogradchik a reputation for its unique and striking landscape.

The day is yours to spend on board. Take it easy and relax, taking in postcard-perfect views from the Sun Deck.

Step out and explore Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, often regarded as the cultural capital of the country. Enjoy a guided tour through its charming streets and vibrant cultural hubs. After your tour, you’ll have free time to relax and soak in the atmosphere. For those interested in further exploration, consider visiting the Petrovaradin Fortress, an imposing fortress complex that overlooks the Danube River. While here, don’t miss the chance to explore its intriguing catacombs, which offer a glimpse into the fortress's storied past.

Dock in Kalocsa, a charming Hungarian town rich in history, located just a short distance from the mighty Danube. From here, head to  Puszta for your Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Traditional Horse Show

In  Puszta, enjoy a traditional horse show featuring Magyar cowboys and fine equestrian skills. You may choose to take an optional carriage ride, view the stables, and be greeted by horsemen. 

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.

Disembark your ship this morning and be transferred to the airport.