Danube East & West (2028) - 18 days Bucharest to Vienna

Bucharest began as a fortress in the 15th century, a warlike origin that set the tone for its turbulent history. It saw glory days as the summer residence of the Wallachian princes and was burned to the ground by the Ottoman Turks; then Austria-Hungary and imperial Russia fought over it for a century. After Wallachia and Moldavia united to form Romania in the mid-19th century, Bucharest enjoyed a prosperity that was reflected in its extravagant architecture, some of which miraculously survived WWII bombing and Communist building programs.

You’ll see Bucharest’s very own Triumphal Arch, which is modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and Victoria Boulevard, lined with chic shops and handsomely restored pre-war buildings—and sites where protests brought down Ceaușescu’s regime in 1989. These days Bucharest enjoys a lively and eclectic cultural scene, hosting international arts festivals and concerts, and a measure of prosperity apparent in its busy cafés and thriving street life.

For the most dazzling stop of the day, you’ll visit the colossal People’s Palace, the second largest office building in the world. It’s certainly one of the grandest as well, filled with crystal chandeliers, mosaics, marble, gold leaf, and stained-glass windows. A remnant of the city’s communist history, the building’s original design took a team of approximately 700 architects and was inspired by Socialist Realism, Modernism, and Neoclassical architecture. Though the People’s Palace was ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu, the last communist leader of Romania, it was not completed until 8 years after his death. The Palace now houses the Romanian Parliament and three museums, including a contemporary art museum and the Museum of Communist Totalitarianism.

Twice the capital of Bulgaria—before and after the Ottomans conquered the nation—Veliko Tarnovo climbs steep hills above the Yantra River, topped by the ruins of Tsarevets, the stronghold where Bulgaria’s kings ruled between 1185 and 1393. The remains of the great stone walls and towers that you see formed the historic heart of the Second Bulgarian Empire. History lives in this town, as a quick look at the wares for sale in Samovod Marketplace will show you: Handicrafts are all made by local artisans using ancient, medieval, or Renaissance technologies. You’ll have time to peruse the exceptional local pottery and textiles there before heading to Arbanassi, home to six amazing 17th-century stone churches, each one decorated with colorful and intricate frescoes. Learn something of the multicultural history of this fascinating town at the Ethnographic Museum and visit the UNESCO-designated Nativity Church, where murals of the Nativity, the Last Judgment, and the zodiac brilliantly blend religious and humanist iconography. At another of the churches, Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, you’ll hear the otherworldly singing of an Orthodox choir in a short concert. Your day’s adventure includes a traditional three-course Bulgarian lunch, complete with live folk music.

Walk through the woods of Rusenski Lom, a protected region that is home to a wide variety of rare birds, among other wildlife, to Ivanovo Rock Monastery—once an enclave of more than 40 churches and chapels that the devout built inside caves above the Lom River Valley. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous for its beautiful and well-preserved 14th-century murals.

Your next destination, the Basarbovo Rock Monastery, is the only rock monastery where monks still live and worship today. Climb the narrow rock stairway to the 15th-century cloister, which is cut into the limestone cliffs high above the Lom River, and take a look at the arresting frescoes. You’ll also spend some time in Ruse, a city with an easygoing, gracious feeling. Freedom Square, a huge open plaza, takes its name from the Freedom Monument, which soars from the center of the square; the stately Belle Epoque buildings surrounding the square attest to the city’s prosperity in the 1890s. Stroll along wide, tree-lined Alexandrovska, the main pedestrian street that links the city’s many attractive squares, encountering such landmark sights as Ruse’s grand theater, the city museum, and the first movie theater (it opened in 1896).

Your first stop is Golubac Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe, a powerhouse that has loomed over the Danube for centuries.

Later you'll visit Lepenski Vir which is one of the largest and most significant prehistoric archeological sites from the Stone Age, located on the Danube. It was once the epicenter of one of the most highly developed prehistoric cultures, with complex social relations and even rudimentary urban planning. The discovery of this prehistoric settlement has changed the image experts once had about the early Stone Age, expanding scientists’ knowledge about human communities that walked the earth millennia ago.

Take in the breathtaking landscape of Djerdap National Park, where rolling green hills rise above a stretch of calm Danube waters. We’ll set out on an easygoing hike, approximately half a mile each way, to the best vantage spot in the park: the Kovilovo Viewpoint. This spacious outlook presides over an impressive portion of the Danube that is about a mile wide.

Mount a bike and spend a leisurely half-day getting an up-close look at Belgrade. Ride towards the island of Ada Ciganlija, an island in the middle of the Sava river with picturesque bike paths that wind through a beautiful park and beach. We’ll circle through the park, just as the locals do when they are looking for an active day out, and take a break with a refreshment before heading back to the ship.

Follow a local guide around the city of Novi Sad, a town that seems designed for the perfect leisurely stroll. Flat, walkable streets and charming squares offer something beautiful to look at everywhere you go—whether it’s the surprising pastel hues of Neo-Gothic structures or street art.

The city is a treasure trove of culture and history, and also an excellent jumping-off point for more niche experiences. Today, we’ll visit a local monastery led entirely by women. Here, in addition to participating in personal prayer and liturgical life, the sisters create many works of art, such as painted icons, mosaics, sewn and embroidered gifts, ceramics, rosaries, crosses, and more. All proceeds from their art goes back into the community and the church.

We’ll also visit a traditional Serbian establishment known as a Salas. A salas—pronounced “SAH-lahsh”—is a countryside estate where visitors can experience the rural Serbian lifestyle and appreciate the rustic cuisine of the region. Enjoy a tasting of delicious Serbian fare during our stop here today.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 5: Gender Equality; Global Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

The Fruška Gora mountain—affectionately known as the Jewel of Serbia—rises just outside the city of Novi Sad. Begin your tour today with a visit to a wonderful winery run by a local family that aims to reinvent the Serbian wine industry. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided tasting of their wines, from rich reds and crisp whites to unique local blends.

Next, explore the peaceful Hopovo Monastery, a stunning 16th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery nestled in the Fruška Gora National Park. Admire its beautiful frescoes and learn about its rich spiritual and cultural history.

Finally, conclude your tour with a walk with a local guide through the streets of Novi Sad, Serbia’s charming cultural capital.

Visit the Vučedol Culture Museum. The concept behind this unique museum is integration into the terrain—the entire structure is designed to be mostly buried in the ground and only the façade is open to the landscape. On the building’s green roof, you can reach the archaeological sites over the museum. Along the serpentine path, you’ll encounter archaeological findings that have been discovered to date, which showcase the daily life and customs during a turbulent time of the immigration of the first Indo-Europeans and their relationship with the native population, the blending of material cultures and religions.

Following your time at the museum, you’ll be welcomed into a local family’s home for a traditional meal before embarking on a sightseeing tour of Osijek with a local guide. As you walk through cultural heart of Croatia’s Slavonia region, you’ll note the city’s attractive ambience, nostalgic charm, and plentiful green spaces.

Explore the bounties of nature in Croatia’s Syrmia region today, starting with a drive from Batina to village of Nijemci, where a welcome drink and a local biologist or ornithologist are waiting for you. Set out on a scenic sailing down the Bosut River with your specialist guide, who will point out the various flora and fauna you’ll see along your tour. Disembark the boat to take a leisurely nature walk through the lush Spačva Forest.

Next, we’ll drive to a local farm, where we’ll indulge in an authentic lunch of regional specialties, all produced on-site.

Following your lunch, we’ll continue on to explore the city of Vukovar, with stops at the iconic Vukovar Water Tower, the historic Eltz Manor, and the city center, where Vukovar’s rich heritage and modern life are on display.

This panoramic tour is a wonderful way to get an overview of the city if you have never been here before. It will carry you from Heroes’ Square, created in 1896 to honor the thousand-year anniversary of Hungary’s founding and its greatest historical figures, past some of the city’s most striking architectural sights—Dohány Street Synagogue, the Hungarian National Museum, the state opera house, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the truly stunning Parliament Building—to Castle Hill, which has been called the heart of the nation. The city of Buda began here, when King Béla built a strong keep in 1243 as a defense against Mongol invaders; a castle replaced the simple fortress, and over the centuries other castles replaced that one. The current castle is primarily 18th century; a museum dedicated to Budapest’s archaeological finds is housed there, and the Castle Hill district has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll go inside the magnificent 700-year-old Matthias Church, named for one of Hungary’s greatest kings, and then wend your way on foot to the picturesque Fisherman’s Bastion, whose seven fairytale-like towers represent the seven tribes that originally settled the region. It offers a glorious view of the city and the Danube below.

Note: Visits to the interior of Matthias Church may not be possible on some weekends and Catholic holidays.

Inaugurated in 1876, Andrassy Avenue was the masterpiece of 19th-century Hungary’s most renowned architects. In one long stretch from Elizabeth Square to Heroes’ Square, this grand boulevard was lined with palatial Neo-Renaissance buildings and accented with plentiful trees. Today, its streets are filled with high-end boutiques, restaurants, and cafés, all interspersed with historic buildings in a stunning blend of old and new.

People-watch and learn the history behind some of the most iconic buildings on this strip—including the beautiful Hungarian State Opera House—as you take a walk with a local guide. After, you’ll visit the Szabó Ervin Library, a gorgeous, old-fashioned library tucked into a 19th-century aristocrat’s mansion.

Note: Occasionally, the Szabó Ervin Library will not be available, and an alternative experience will be arranged.

Don’t let Bratislava’s small size fool you—this charming capital once held outstanding significance to the Hungarian monarchy. In 1563, it was named the capital of Hungary and hosted no less than 18 royal coronations by 1830, including those of Maria Theresa and Maximillian I. Follow the path these monarchs took on their coronation processions as you explore Bratislava with a local guide, arriving at the site where they were each crowned: St. Martin’s Cathedral. In these historic halls, you will be treated to a small concert arranged privately for our guests.

This brilliantly white, enormous square building takes over the skyline of Bratislava, and from its grounds you’ll find incredible views of the city below.

After your hike to the castle, you’ll stroll through the most beautiful part of Bratislava with the local guide. You will be introduced to the Capital of Slovakia, seeing sites like the Presidential Palace and the unique bridge colloquially known as UFO Bridge (you’ll understand when you see it).

Passing through the historic Old Town, we’ll see the charming House of the Good Shepherd, the pastel tower of the Old Town Hall, and statues like Čumil, the sewage worker leaning out of a manhole in the street to smile at passersby.

The Belvedere is a Baroque palatial complex commissioned during an immensely productive Habsburg building spree. Originally the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the complex was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa after his death and turned into an exhibition venue for imperial art collections. In this way, the Belvedere become one of the first public museums in the world. Today it is one of the finest art collections anywhere, making it an incredibly popular destination for Vienna tourism. Take a private evening tour of select exhibits, including the world’s largest collection of works by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. His most famous work, “The Kiss,” is on display here.

Ring Street, the great horseshoe-shaped boulevard lined with many of the city’s major landmarks—Parliament, City Hall, the Vienna State Opera, glorious palaces, and museums—is a mere 150 years old, practically an infant for a city of Vienna’s age. It replaced the walls and fortifications that had protected the city for centuries. Its construction was a testament to confidence, forward-thinking, and grand urban planning, and it resulted in a 50-year building spree. You’ll pass most of these opulent landmarks on your way to the older section of the city, the area the walls once enclosed.

Later, you’ll walk along Kärntner Street, the celebrated pedestrian boulevard that links the State Opera with St. Stephen’s Cathedral, past the elegant shops on the Graben and the Kohlmarkt. The neighborhood offers a lively combination of historic architecture, street performances, shoppers’ delights, and true Viennese atmosphere.

Today's excursion also includes a visit to Hofburg Palace.

Start your tour by following a local guide through Vienna, taking in the city’s most significant sites as you go. You’ll arrive at Mythos Mozart, a multimedia experience that transforms Mozart’s compositions into an immersive piece of art. Make your way through five different rooms, each with a different story to tell in honor of Vienna’s most famous composer.

Embark on a short drive out of the city to arrive at Klosterneuberg Abbey. With nearly a millennium of history, this Augustinian monastery has been a center of religious, social, and cultural life for centuries. It is also an excellent winery, where quality and craftsmanship are fueled by a long history of viticulture and winemaking.

Admire the abbey’s Baroque church and medieval cloister on a guided tour that includes a viewing of a brilliant copper altarpiece crafted by Nicholas of Verdun. After, enter the historic cellars to sample a selection of the abbey’s fine wines.

Embrace the imperial flair of Vienna with a visit to the famous Schönbrunn Palace complex. Arrive to marvel at the massive Baroque building with its iconic yellow exteriors. Stroll hallways elaborately decorated with golden stucco, rich velvet, and stunning frescoes. This palace complex was the primary summer residence of the Habsburgs and features many testaments to their history and extravagance.