Gems of Southeast Europe

Arrive in Vienna and enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel.

Known as the "City of Waltzes," Vienna is a captivating destination with treasures to uncover on your city tour. Marvel at the grandeur of the Opera House and the opulent former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, culminating in the heart of Vienna's historic city center.

Transfer from Vienna via motorcoach to Budapest for a city tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman's Bastion, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the Chain Bridge.

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. Then, visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral and catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You can also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the city's symbols. Or, for wine connoisseurs, go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács.

Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour, where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar's famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. Enjoy a Croatian wine tasting in the afternoon and tour the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac, and Frankovka wines. You can also explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of Europe's most important archaeological sites.

Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor's life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Šlivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO's list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage." For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which the Old Town Hall dominates.

Visit Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.

Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you can get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle.

Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, which has a medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterward visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Later in the day, travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the "Little Paris of the East." Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture.

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. Arrive in the quaint mountain town of Bran, where you can have lunch and visit the famous Bran castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle. After you tour Bran Castle, continue to Braşov. Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Braşov is one of the most visited cities in Romania.

Enjoy a walking tour around Braşov. Afterward, Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighişoara, the birthplace of Transylvania's most notorious ruler, Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It's hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers, and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad's place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; however, today, it houses a kitschy restaurant called "Casa Dracula."

En route to Bucharest, visit the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia, you can visit Peles Castle. Peles Castle is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of the German New Renaissance, with 160 rooms filled with priceless European art. After you tour Peles Castle, depart for Romania's capital city of Bucharest.

This morning, enjoy a walking tour through the historic old town of Bucharest. Observe the many changes this capital city has experienced through a mixture of architectural styles and cultural influences. Your guided tour will take you through the old town and show you the most popular places in Bucharest while hearing stories of its history and getting local insights into shopping and dining opportunities.

Bid farewell to Bucharest as you prepare for your homeward flight.