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Danube | Riverside Debussy
  | 15 Days / 14 Nights

Lower Danube With Hungary & the Balkans in Depth

TRAVEL HISTORY:
Day 1 Budapest, HU
Day 2 Mohacs, HU
Day 3 Novi Sad, RS
Day 4 Belgrade, RS
Day 5 Donji Milanovac, RS
Day 6 Vidin, BG
Day 7 Giurgiu, RO, Rousse, BG
Day 8 Rousse, BG, Svistov, BG
Day 9 Vidin, BG
Day 10 Turnu Severin, RO
Day 11 Belgrade, RS
Day 12 Vukovar, HR
Day 13 Kalocsa, HU
Day 14 Budapest, HU
Day 15 Budapest, HU

Cruisers looking for bragging rights will find plenty to boast about on this deep dive into Hungary and the Balkans! Spend two absorbing weeks discovering this less-traveled part of Europe. In Serbia, stops include Novi Sad for a humbling encounter with mighty Petrovaradin Fortress; Donji Milanovac, the City of 100,000 Roses; and the bustling capital, Belgrade. You’ll also visit Ruse and fertile Vidin with its fine wine tradition in Bulgaria; Croatia’s Vukovar, which has been continuously inhabited for 5,000 years; and Giurgiu and Turnu Severin in Romania, one of the river’s southernmost sections. Time in Hungary introduces you to ancient Kalocsa, the colorful Busó culture of Mohács, and, of course, Budapest, whose irrepressible beauty has caused more than a few visitors to fall madly in love with her!

DATES

10/01/2025 10/15/2025 Danube Riverside Debussy Lower Danube With Hungary & the Balkans in Depth from 14,178.00 USD AVAILABILITY & PRICES

DESTINATIONS ON THE ROUTE

Day 1 - Budapest

												

Budapest has much to offer like the Castle Garden Bazaar, the Fisherman’s Bastion or Mathias Church. There are plenty of highlights to explore or guests can choose to relax in one of the many hot springs spas the city is famous for.

Day 2 - Mohacs

												

The port of Mohács, in Hungary, serves as a vital transportation hub connecting the region to other parts of Europe. This bustling port facilitates both commercial and leisure ships. The port holds historical significance tied to the Battle of Mohács, which led to this part of Hungary being under Ottoman control for many years. This port serves as a reminder of Hungary's complex and rich history.

Day 3 - Novi Sad

												

Novi Sad is a university town and the local says that there is always a festival or concert going on. That may be the reason why Novi said received the titles Youth Capital of Europe 2019 und European Capital of Culture 2022.

Day 4 - Belgrade

												

The Serbian capital city has much to offer; the fortress is a testament of Belgrade’s importance through history. Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum or learn more about former Yugoslavia via the museum of the same name. Explore on foot or by bike.

Day 5 - Donji Milanovac

												

The Danube has often forced the small town on the Serbian bank to relocate - in the past because of flooding, and more recently because the Iron Gate power station has changed the river landscape. The magnificent natural setting of the Derdap National Park, which surrounds the town, remains unimpressed. Nearby, archaeologists have unearthed a sensation: Sculptures, weapons and tools up to 9,000 years old bear witness to an advanced Stone Age civilisation - Lepenski Vir, one of the oldest settlements in Europe.

Day 6 - Vidin

												

One of Bulgaria's oldest towns nestles like a crescent on the banks of the Danube, dominated by the imposing medieval fortress of Baba Vida. It offers a glimpse into its eventful history - and a view of the enchanting river landscape. Vidin is a city of architectural diversity - ancient traces of the Thracians and Romans, Bulgaria's second largest cathedral, magnificent Ottoman buildings and an unadorned socialist heritage. An enchanting journey through time.

Day 7 - Giurgiu

												

The Ottomans built the Clock Tower in the centre of the city in 1771 as a watchtower. They ruled the strategically important city on the Danube for a long time, and the ruins of the 14th-century fortress still bear witness to its eventful past. It was not until the 19th century that the tower began to tell the time. Back then, Giurgiu was known throughout Europe to wealthy globetrotters because the legendary Orient Express stopped here. Now crusaders are discovering the border town. A 2.2-kilometre-long bridge over the Danube connects it to Ruse on the Bulgarian bank.

Day 7 - Rousse

												

Ruse not only has the largest Danube port and the highest television tower in Bulgaria. The imposing urban ensemble, known as "Little Vienna", has been awarded the European Heritage Label. Magnificent Belle Epoque buildings, the Opera House, the Palace of Justice and the Pantheon of the Heroes of the National Revival line Freedom Square. With wide boulevards, green squares and an extensive Danube promenade, Ruse is perfect for strolling.

Day 8 - Rousse

												

Ruse not only has the largest Danube port and the highest television tower in Bulgaria. The imposing urban ensemble, known as "Little Vienna", has been awarded the European Heritage Label. Magnificent Belle Epoque buildings, the Opera House, the Palace of Justice and the Pantheon of the Heroes of the National Revival line Freedom Square. With wide boulevards, green squares and an extensive Danube promenade, Ruse is perfect for strolling.

Day 8 - Svistov

												

Welcome to the southernmost point on the Danube! The Romans fought the barbarians here in ancient times, the Austrians and Ottomans signed a historic peace treaty in 1791, and the Russians and Turks fought each other. Today, Swischtow is a charming little town with pretty alleys, well-preserved historic buildings and a picturesque riverside promenade. And the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity has stood on the highest hill since 1867.

Day 9 - Vidin

												

One of Bulgaria's oldest towns nestles like a crescent on the banks of the Danube, dominated by the imposing medieval fortress of Baba Vida. It offers a glimpse into its eventful history - and a view of the enchanting river landscape. Vidin is a city of architectural diversity - ancient traces of the Thracians and Romans, Bulgaria's second largest cathedral, magnificent Ottoman buildings and an unadorned socialist heritage. An enchanting journey through time.

Day 10 - Turnu Severin

												

Well-fortified: The 13th-century Severin Castle was not the first fortress here; the Romans secured this area 2,000 years ago: the remains of ancient Drobeta are now an open-air museum. The Wallachian town preserves the traces of its history and has been called Drobeta-Turnu Severin since 1972. An ancient landmark, Trajan's Bridge, once spanned the Danube for more than 1000 metres. Some of its mighty pillars still stand.

Day 11 - Belgrade

												

The Serbian capital city has much to offer; the fortress is a testament of Belgrade’s importance through history. Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum or learn more about former Yugoslavia via the museum of the same name. Explore on foot or by bike.

Day 12 - Vukovar

												

The city is located close to the Serbien border and was the scene of much armed conflict during the war from 1991 to 1995. Signs can still be seen today. The port is surrounded by wineries and close by are interesting archeological sites.

Day 13 - Kalocsa

												

Kalosca is one of Hungary’s oldest cities and the perfect blend of traditional and modern. Lovely old buildings, quaint shops selling paprika and embroidery sit side by side with modern apartment blocks and offices.

Day 14 - Budapest

												

Budapest has much to offer like the Castle Garden Bazaar, the Fisherman’s Bastion or Mathias Church. There are plenty of highlights to explore or guests can choose to relax in one of the many hot springs spas the city is famous for.

Day 15 - Budapest

												

Budapest has much to offer like the Castle Garden Bazaar, the Fisherman’s Bastion or Mathias Church. There are plenty of highlights to explore or guests can choose to relax in one of the many hot springs spas the city is famous for.