11 Day Eastern Danube River Cruise with Budapest
Starting at $3,649
Destinations & Sightseeing
Itinerary and Meals
Accomodations
800.528.9300
Destination & Sightseeing
- Flights New York-Budapest, Bucharest-New York or vice versa
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- 9 nights accommodations
- 2 nights Budapest
- 7 nights outside cabin aboard the First Class Monarch Duchess
- River port charges of $190 per person
- Cruise porterage
- All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
- 22 meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Cruise director & activities host throughout cruise
- Local host in Budapest
- Services of local guides in all major cities
- Shore excursions per itinerary
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring during excursions
Special Features
- During your Budapest City Tour, see the Parliament, Heroes Square, Royal Palace and Matthias Church
- Visit the charming village of Holloko
- View an exciting horse show in Pustzta, Hungary
- Enjoy an authentic Serbian dinner and folklore dancing
- Explore the highlights of Belgrade, a city with turbulent history
- Sail through the famed Iron Gates, flanked by the Carpathian and Balkan mountain ranges
- Discover the history in Ruse, dating back to the Ottoman Empire
River Cruise Features & Amenities
- Gala Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner
- Wine and beer with dinners
- Locally inspired recipes
- Early riser breakfast in addition to buffet breakfast
- Late night snack
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access in public areas
- Self-serve coffee and tea station
- Lounge serving premium spirits
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking ship interior
- Shore excursions conducted exclusively in English
Know Before You Book - High & Low Water
European river cruising has gained in popularity for very good reason. It's a relaxing and convenient way to experience Europe while enjoying the comfort of a deluxe ship. However, before making the decision to reserve your vacation, please be aware of potential conditions which may impact your cruise. While most of the time river cruises operate exactly as planned, weather conditions may result in high or low water levels which impact a ship's itinerary and, on occasion, render a ship unable to sail at all. On very rare occasions, other events such as heavy fog, a damaged lock, or an incapacitated vessel blocking the river, may impact a sailing. These events typically occur with little or no notice. In the event that a cruise is partially or completely impacted, the itinerary will be operated by deluxe motor coach, accompanied by a Tour Manager, with overnights in hotels. The itinerary will include as many of the originally scheduled sightseeing features as possible, considering the travel time and distances required, as well as meals. While it is not possible to recreate the more leisurely comforts of sailings, we will endeavor to provide a comparable itinerary. These alternative services will be provided at no additional charge.
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
ITINERARY
DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Hungary
Depart for Hungary
DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Budapest
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to discover Buda and Pest in this elegant city with its wealth of historic monuments linked by eight graceful bridges. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your local host at the hotel at approximately 6pm, followed by a briefing about the journey. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4pm on Day 2 or earlier, if possibleOvernight: Budapest
DAY 3, Saturday - Budapest City Tour
Your morning tour begins on the Pest side of the city; view the Parliament, City Park and Heroes Square. Cross to Buda to see the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and the graceful medieval architecture along the cobbled streets. Explore the city's wonderful shops and cafes this afternoon on your own. Today, join the optional tour that will explore the local food scene, while getting introduced to the history of the Hungarian cuisine. Sample local delicacies from Hungarian meats to local Budapest pastriesOptional: Half Day Taste of Budapest (AM)Overnight: BudapestMeals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Sunday - Holloko City Tour & Cruise Embarkation
Travel to the charming village of Holloko (meaning raven-stone) hidden in the Cserhát hills in northeastern Hungary. Take a walking tour of the historic village, a fine example of a preserved traditional settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience the typical rural life of the Palóc people and see craftsmen at work. Spend free time in the village and perhaps try some Palóc dishes for lunch before heading back to Budapest. This afternoon, transfer to the port to embark your cruise. Tonight, meet your Cruise Director and enjoy a gala welcome dinner as it sets the mood for your delightful river cruiseOvernight: River CruiseMeals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Monday - Puszta Horse Show
Awake this morning in Kalocsa, Hungary, a picturesque town that specializes in the production of paprika. One of the oldest towns in Hungary, Kalocsa is well-known for the horse shows of Puszta, in the rural region of the country. View an exciting show as you experience the countrysideOvernight: River CruiseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Tuesday - Vukovar & Osijek
Arrive in Vukovar, the largest river port in Croatia. Spend the day learning about both the ancient and recent history of the area. The region is full of culture, with numerous museums conveying the story of Vukovar's chaotic past. Visit Osijek, the economic and cultural center of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia. During lunch, set sail to Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia, offering picturesque architecture and vibrant night life, elected to be the European Capital of Culture in 2021Overnight: River CruiseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Wednesday - Belgrade City Tour
Explore the highlights of Belgrade and learn about the city’s turbulent history and architecture. Visit the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress dramatically situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and the lovely park surrounding it. Perhaps, continue to the Republic Square and view the National Theatre, National Museum and the Prince Mihail monument. Stroll along Knez Mihajlova street, the main pedestrian and shopping zone in the city. Afterwards, arrive at the Vracar Plateau to view the Saint Sava Temple, the largest Orthodox Church in the cityOvernight: River CruiseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Thursday - Iron Gates & Scenic Sailing
Spend the day admiring the picturesque countryside as your travel eastward. Soak in the history as you view the Carpathian and Balkan mountain ranges. Sail through the famed Iron Gates, a gorge that contains a pair of hydroelectric dams and power stations. It is easy to understand why visitors flock to this stunning gorge. The landscape around the area is truly breathtakingOvernight: River CruiseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Friday - Full Day in Vidin
Cross the border into Bulgaria early this morning and arrive in the port town of Vidin. The day is yours to explore this beautiful town with its many historic and cultural landmarks. Be sure to sample the regional wine, as Vidin is known for its fertile climate ideal for the production of premium wine grapes. Sail away mid-afternoonOvernight: River CruiseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10, Saturday - Ruse City Tour
Today explore Ruse, one of Bulgaria's most elegant cities, brimming with history from the Ottoman Empire. Enjoy a walking tour and view the building of the Tax Administration with its wonderful facade, adorned with seven different symbolic figures on the roof. You could step back in time during a visit to the Kaliopa House, preserved from the late 19th century. Or, journey south on the optional tour of the village of Arbanassi in Veliko Tarnovo. This soaring village atop a high peak exemplifies the Bulgarian National Revival architectural movementOptional: Full Day Veliko Tarnovo & ArbanassiOvernight: River CruiseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Sunday - Depart Romania
This morning transfer to the airport in Bucharest for your departure flight. The Bucharest airport is approximately a 2 hour drive from the port. Disembarkation will end at 9:30 amMeals: Breakfast
