Most excursions while cruising!
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to Bucharest, Romania.
We arrive in vibrant Bucharest and transfer to our hotel. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon to unwind before we a gather together this evening for a memorable Welcome Dinner.
On our morning city tour of Romania’s capital, known as “Little Paris”, we will see grand boulevards, the Triumphal Arch, Romanian Athenaeum and the former Royal Palace. We’ll explore the historic centre on foot and visit one of the city’s oldest Orthodox churches. In the afternoon, we drive to Fetesti to board our ship, enjoy a welcome cocktail and gather for our Welcome Dinner
Today we journey to the Danube Delta, beginning with a visit to the Danube Delta Museum for fascinating insights into this unique ecosystem, followed by a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Continue with a peaceful two-hour boat tour through the delta’s waterways, home to pelicans and other remarkable birdlife, before returning via a scenic route through picturesque villages and ancient fortress ruins. In the evening, enjoy a captivating folklore performance.
After your morning coffee, we arrive in Constanța, Romania’s oldest continuously inhabited city and its largest sea port, with a rich history stretching back over 2,500 years. Today you have free time to discover a fascinating blend of ancient heritage and coastal charm at your own pace; or join an optional tour.
We drive to the museum village of Arbanassi, home to painted churches, an excellent artists’ Opera, stop in Heroes’ Square, and go up to Castle Hill to visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion. market, and unique houses that look like tiny fortresses. We will see Konstantsalieva, the centuries-old wealthy district, and visit Nativity Church to admire early frescoes. Then we’ll proceed to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital, to see the Tsarevets Fortress and learn the history of Bulgarian kings
Today we pass through the highest gorge on the Danube. Over 100 km long, this canyon was historically very hard to navigate due to jagged rocks, cliffs, and changing water levels. A dam built in the 1970s has enabled safe passage for ships all the way to the Black Sea.
We’ll visit the Kalemegdan Fortress, take in the panoramic view over the Danube and Sava Rivers, and see the National Museum, the Parliament, Terazije Square, Palace of Princess Ljubica, and St. Sava Cathedral, the world’s largest Orthodox Church.
We journey into the Kalocsa Region to discover how paprika became the famed “red gold,” with a visit to the Paprika House for tastings, a 19th-century farmhouse, and a lively folk performance showcasing traditional crafts and costumes. Continue into the vast Hungarian Puszta, where you’ll enjoy sweeping plains, warm hospitality, traditional food and drink, and unforgettable experiences including horse displays and a scenic wagon ride
On our tour of Hungary’s beautiful capital, we will see the splendid Hungarian State Opera, stop in Heroes’ Square, and go up to Castle Hill to visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion. In the evening, enjoy an atmospheric cruise through Budapest, which is festively lit up at night, revealing its most beautiful side. A folklore show on board will complete the experience.
Our city tour will take us to St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace. As we stroll through the historic city center, we’ll admire numerous palaces, the city’s oldest university, the Opera House, and Maximilian Fountain.
After leaving the ship, we spend the morning on a tour of the imperial capital of Vienna. We’ll feast our eyes on magnificent state buildings, the Imperial Palace and Schönbrunn Palace, summer home of the Imperial family and a superb example of Austrian Baroque architecture.
A day at leisure to explore Vienna on your own. Your Tour Manager will be happy to offer suggestions. This evening is our Farewell Dinner.
We transfer to the airport for our flight home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (120 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
