Gems of Eastern Europe

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. The day is at leisure to begin discovering your new surroundings and become acquainted with the amenities of the ship. This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show onboard, followed by a traditional dinner. Meal: D

EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Hungarian folklore show onboard

Early this morning, the ship departs Budapest. Enjoy a relaxing morning sailing along the river to Kalocsa, one of Hungary’s oldest towns and famous for the production of paprika. Following lunch onboard, visit a local Puszta Horse Farm during an included excursion. Watch a performance showcasing the exceptional riding skills of Magyar cowboys and the “tricks” of the horses themselves. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner onboard. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS: Visit to a Puszta Horse Farm

The ship arrives in Osijek, Croatia, early this morning. After breakfast, depart for an included excursion of the city – 4th largest in Croatia. During a panoramic tour, see buildings that have been restored to their former glory while also witnessing the scars of conflict as others still display bullet holes and shrapnel marks. Meet local students from the village before beginning your walking tour of Osijek Fortress – a collection of Baroque buildings laid out like a traditional 18th-century Habsburg star fort. For a truly life-enriching experience, head into the villages for a home-hosted lunch with local families. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Trek to Adica Park
EmeraldPLUS: Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian Family
DiscoverMORE: Vucedol Culture Museum (additional expense)

Today’s adventure begins with an included guided tour of Serbia’s vibrant capital including a visit to the Museum of Yugoslavia and Tito’s Memorial, the impressive Belgrade Fortress and St. Sava Church, the world’s largest orthodox cathedral. Alternatively, learn about the history of Belgrade during a guided bike tour of the city. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in port, or join an optional excursion to the National Opera Theatre for a backstage tour. After dinner, you’re in for a treat as a dance troupe comes aboard and performs a folklore show featuring dances from various parts of the country. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE*: National Opera Theatre Tour (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE*: Routes of Nikola Tesla (additional expense)
EmeraldPLUS: Evening Serbian folklore show onboard

* these excursions operate simultaneously; only one can be selected

The day begins as you embark on an incredible journey to the archaeological excavation site of Lepinski Vir. Located on the Danube in the Djerdap Gorge, near the town of Donji Milanovac, this Paleolithic site showcases a history spanning more than 8 millennia. Archaeologists have used this site to track the development of prehistoric culture in Europe and numerous Stone Age settlements have been found in the area. Re-embark the ship at Donji Milanovac following the excursion and enjoy a leisurely day sailing along the Danube River. Be sure to be on deck as you sail through the Iron Gates – the narrow gorge between the European Alps and Carpathian Mountains, boasting spectacular scenery. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Donji Milanovac by bike (instead of included tour)
DiscoverMORE: Golubac Castle Visit (additional expense)

A morning arrival brings you to Vidin in northwest Bulgaria. One of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube, it prospers from the surrounding countryside and is renowned for wine production. The day begins with an included tour of a vineyard and the opportunity to sample the local vintage. After a picturesque drive through the Bulgarian countryside, embark on a guided walking tour of Vidin’s city center. The walk ends at the medieval Baba Vida Fortress. During the guided tour, see the three fully-preserved towers and original battlements of the city’s main attraction. Alternatively, embark on a hike to Belogradchik Fortress, also known as Kaleto, on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. Initially used as a lookout point, it is believed to have been built by Romans, utilizing the already existing rocky landscape. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Belogradchik Fortress (instead of included tour)
DiscoverMORE: Traditional Bulgarian pastry-making (additional expense)

After arrival in Rousse, depart the ship on an included excursion to the impressive cliff-top town of Veliko Tarnovo. This former capital of the Bulgarian empire was once known as the ‘city of the Tsars’ and remains largely unchanged from medieval times with its fortifications and cobbled streets. Continue on to the historic town of Arbanasi, perched high on a plateau overlooking the Yantra River. Known for its 17th and 18th-century churches, a highlight of the visit may be the choir concert of acapella Orthodox chants. Return to the ship in Rousse for an afternoon at leisure before the Captain’s farewell reception. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS: Choir concert in Arbanasi
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (instead of included tour)
DiscoverMORE: Wine Tasting at Leventa (additional expense)

This morning, disembark the ship in Giurgiu and journey by coach to Romania’s capital, Bucharest. Upon arrival, an included panoramic tour showcases the highlights of the city as you pass the Palace of Parliament and Triumph Arch. Visit the Spring Palace, former mansion of Nicolae Ceauşescu. Spared from the 1989 uprising that overthrew the dictator, the rooms exude opulence and remain as they were over 30 years ago. Following the tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Meal: B

On your final day in Romania enjoy the day at leisure to pursue independent activities. Alternatively, you can participate in an optional excursion to Transylvania and Bran (Dracula’s) Castle. Meal: B

DiscoverMORE: Transylvania and Bran Castle (additional expense)

Bid a fond farewell to Eastern Europe as you depart for the airport and return home with memories of life-enriching experiences. Meal: B