1.200 Miles on the Beautiful Blue Danube

This city tour explores the capital city of Romania, also known as the “Paris of the East”.  Driving along the city’s magnificent boulevards, lined with impressive buildings, you will discover its certain Gallic flair. A short guided walk through the newly designed pedestrian area of the historic center will take you back in time 500 years. Among the old commercial streets and buildings, you shall visit Stravropoleos Church which is Romanian Orthodox, dating back to 1724, and is one of the oldest churches in the city. The tour ends with a photo stop at the impressive Palace of the Parliament. The palace, previously known as the “People’s House”, is one of the largest buildings in Europe and was constructed between 1983 and 1989. Enjoy lunch in a Romanian restaurant.

Experience the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, which is the second largest delta in Europe and covers an area of 5,800 km², of which 72% with an area of 4,178 km² are under protection. Your journey begins at the end of the oldest and wildest arm of the Danube at the small fishing village called Sfîntu Gheorghe (St. George).

Enjoy an unforgettable tour with our Delta boat trip through the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique flora and fauna. Your trip takes you through the Sahalin Lagoon, the Ciotica Channel and passes by the oldest fish processing centers in the  Danube Delta. Discover the unique habitat of waterfowl, fish and a plant world that is still largely untouched in its beauty. In fact, the Danube Delta has the largest reed-covered area in the world.

Discover Constanta, the biggest port of Romania by a guided tour and the Black Sea Coast on this trip. This ancient metropolis by the sea, founded by Greek colonists under the name of Tomis during the 6th century BC, is considered Romania’s longest continually inhabited city, as well as its chief port. A walk into the historic part of the city features views over the Great Mosque, the Casino and the Genovese Lighthouse. A short visit to History and Archaeology museum will reveal the city’s 2.5 millennia history and detail its blend of cultures. Step on the golden sandy beaches of the Black Sea before returning to the ship.

A comfortable bus drive through the Danube plains takes you to the museum village of Arbanassi with its unique houses that look like small fortesses. Arbanassi is famous for its painted churches and artist market. Use the coffee break to enjoy the splendid view from the terrace over one of the most picturesque and quaint places in Bulgaria at the foot of the Balkan Mountains – the city of Veliko Tarnovo. Have a look inside an authentic Middle Ages house, the “Konstantsalieva”, to see the amazing amenities wealthy families in Arbanassi had two centuries ago. Enter the richly decorated Nativity Church to admire some of the earliest frescoes in the region. Discover Bulgarian cuisine during lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the famous Medieval capital of Bulgaria, with more than 5000 years of history. Take breathtaking pictures during the photo stop at the Tsarevets Fortress and learn about the history of Bulgarian kings. Search for a special souvenir made cherishing centuries-old traditions during a stroll through the Craftspeople street (Samovodska charshia).

Belgrade, one of the oldest European cities and the capital of Serbia, lies at the junction of the Danube and the Sava. The city boasts a large number of monuments from different areas and different cultures.

First, the tour takes you to the Kalemegdan fortress, where you’ll have an impressive panoramic view over the Danube and the Sava Rivers. Afterwards, you can see the National Museum, the parliament, the Terazije square and the palace of princess Ljubica. Another highlight is the St. Sava Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in the world. After a refreshment break at a local restaurant, our tour ends with a visit to the pedestrian zone where you will find many shops and art galleries.

The tour leaves Belgrade by coach and heads south through the pictureque landscape of Sumandja to Topola, the site of the initial national uprising against the Turkish Domination in 1804. Karadjordje, the leader of the revolt, built a small fortress with a church at this location.

From Topola you will drive to the nearby town of Oplenac, which stands in a rich agricultural area covered by poplar, maple and oak trees. Here you will visit the Royal Mausoleum of the Serbian dynasty and the inside of the magnificent St. George’s Church, which is made of white marble and decorated with beautiful mosaics. The mausoleum contains about 20 tombs of members of the Serbian and former Yugoslavian royal families.

We invite you for a historical journey to see how paprika became the “red gold” of the Kalocsa Region. A visit to the “Paprika House” will give you the opportunity to taste cakes filled and baked with paprika, and other products made from paprika. Then you will walk through the 19th-century home of a local upper-class farmer family. You will be able to enjoy a short folk dance performance and local ladies, dressed in their embroidered costumes, will demonstrate old crafts, such as embroidery or painting eggs.

Thereafter, we will take you to the Hungarian Puszta to enjoy the scenery of the endless plain, where the sky stretches endlessly into the horizon, giving the impression of unlimited freedom. Enjoy the hospitality of the hostesses and riders wearing traditional costumes, quench your thirst with cool red or white wine or apple juice, taste the breakfast of Hungarian peasants and admire the galloping of the beautiful Hungarian half-blood horses. Do not miss the wagon ride which will complete the experience.

Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube”, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has managed to retain a charm of its own with the help of renovations in recent years. The Danube flows through the heart of the city, dividing it into two parts: Buda and Pest. The tour first takes you through Pest, past the Great Market Hall with its outstanding gourmet shops and stalls.

You will see splendid Baroque buildings such as the Hungarian State Opera in Neo-Renaissance style and the incomparable parliament building, which was finished in 1904 and has been an emblem of the city ever since then. There’s an opportunity for a photo stop at the Heroes’ Square, famous for its monuments to many Hungarian kings. Continue aross one of the seven bridges into Buda and go up to Castle Hill, where you will visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion (provided that it is open to the public). Enjoy the unforgettable view over the city before returning to the vessel.

The Royal Palace of Gödöllö, which is located close to Budapest, was built in the 18th century. The castle was once the favourite summer residence of Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Josef of Austria. In 1867, this noble estate was the coronation gift of Hungary to the royal couple. Nestled in an enormous park, it is the largest and most attractive complex of Baroque buildings in Hungary. In recent years it has been lovingly refurbished and you can visit the splendid ballroom with its beautiful, marble stucco details, as well as the apartments of the royal couple.

Your spirited excursion begins with a visit to the Market Hall. Built in 1896, this impressive building is the oldest and largest indoor market in Budapest and offers a variety of Hungarian specialties such as tokaj wine, langos and Hungarian paprika. Next, you will continue by bus to the City Park, where you’ll see the romantic Vajdahunyad Castle and the beautiful Széchenyi Baths - one of the largest and most popular thermal baths in Europe.

Afterwards, ride the second oldest metro in Europe to the city center and visit one of Budapest’s numerous pastry shops, where you can enjoy a slice of fluffy cake and a cup of coffee, and finally view the astonishing St. Stephen's Basilica.

Please note: The Market Hall is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Alternatively, we will visit the famous Budapest Opera House and drive up Gellert Hill to enjoy the spectacular view on Saturdays and Sundays.

During this tour you will get to know the capital of the young Slovakian Republic. The gorgeous old town has maintained its Gothic-Baroque style. The tour passes St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace and continues up to the hill, where you will have a stunning, panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas.

Afterwards, you have the opportunity to participate in a guided walking tour through the restored old town. From Michael’s Gate you will take a leisurely stroll through the historic city center, where you can admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings, as well as the Academia Istropolitana, the oldest university of the city, which dates back to the 15th century. In addition to numerous palaces, you will also walk past the main square with the old City Hall, the Opera House and Maximilian Fountain.

The Primatial Palace is one of the most beautiful neoclassical buildings in Slovakia, built from 1778 to 1781. The palace was built as the residence of Cardinal József Batthyány, the Primate of Hungary, according to the plans of architect Melchior Hefele. The palace is not only a beautiful, magnificent building next to the old town hall, but also a place of important historical events. In 1805 the Peace of Pressburg was signed here, after the victory of Napoleon in the Battle of Austerlitz. In the gallery you can view a unique collection of six English tapestries.

Finally, enjoy a tasting of the country's typical beer "Pilsner Urquell" from the original tanks of the brewery.