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Whether you’re in the mood for a new travel experience or simply want a short and sweet escape, this introduction to the Balkans along the Lower Danube is just the ticket! Embark in Belgrade, Serbia’s mesmerizing capital city, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. There, you’ll have the chance to explore the “White Fortress” and learn about its turbulent past as part of the former Yugoslavia. In Vukovar, learn about the devastation that occurred during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s—and how a simple water tower became a symbol of the people’s strength and spirit. Finally, enter Hungary, with stops in ancient Kalocsa, the “Paprika Capital of the World”, and the capital of Budapest, whose breathtaking Parliament Building, Castle District, Heroes’ Square, and other highlights will positively enchant you.
Situated along the famed Orient Express, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet is Belgrade, one of the Danube's four riverside capitals. This is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities—a place sieged, razed, and bombed by outsiders trying to control it. Today, the one-time capital of Yugoslavia is a thriving hub of government, finance, and urban renewal of many former communist-era districts. It is home to the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches; the famous Nikola Tesla Museum; Kalemegdan Fortress; and more.
Near the Serbian border, Croatia's easternmost city is known for its grit. During the War of Independence in the 1990s, it was almost completely destroyed after an 87-day siege. Vukovar rebuilt, and the Old Town is once again a magnet for guests from around the world. Highlights include the town's famous water tower, whose battered structure is a symbol of the proud Croatian spirit; the poignant National Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of Homeland War, the nation's largest mass grave; and elegant Eltz Manor, the 18th-century Baroque home of the Vukovar City Museum.
Kalocsa is one spicy city! The self-proclaimed "Paprika Capital of the World" is one of Hungary’s oldest cities, filled with historic buildings and quaint shops (selling paprika—what else?). Highlights include the 200-year-old Folk Art House, where local female artisans still paint furnishings, eggs, and other items in the traditional Hungarian way; the Paprika House, a museum dedicated to the legendary Hungarian spice; and the Archbishop's Palace with its 150-thousand-volume library of ancient books and manuscripts.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, the wonders of Budapest rise up along both banks of the Danube in a truly impressive way. Along with Heroes' Square with its Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, awe-inspiring Hungarian Parliament Building, and the lavish Castle District with photogenic Fishermen's Bastion, the city is home to a captivating Jewish district and the second-largest synagogue in the world, an intricate underground cave system, and some of Europe's most famous thermal baths.