Excitement fills the air as you step aboard the vessel. Spend a leisurely afternoon settling into your well-appointed cabin. The evening unfolds with glasses in hand and toasts while enjoying cocktail hour and a gourmet Welcome Dinner.

Arrive in one of Europe’s most musical and artistic cities, Vienna. A visual feast, Vienna is home to the Imperial palaces and countless architectural beauties. Explore the same historic streets that Mozart and Beethovan once walked, learning about its rich history during a guided city tour. End the day aboard the vessel where a specialty dinner awaits.

A day of choices arrives. Relax all day on board and enjoy the passing scenery of the blue Danube or join an excursion to the Basilica of Esztergom, Hungary’s largest and perhaps most beautiful church. Its splendor unfolds on the morning excursion, followed by a guided tour to artists’ village of Szentendre. Meanwhile, the vessel continued gliding towards Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube”. Excursion guests reboard the vessel here, which departs further down the Danube.

After the short night-time stopover in Mohács, Serbia’s capital comes knocking at your heart. On the city tour in the afternoon, you will conquer the Kalemegdan Fortress and see the Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest Orthodox church in the world. Our alternative excursion to the village of Kovačica combines artistic traditions with rural romance. In the evening, discover Belgrade’s lively artists’ quarter of Skadarlija.

The names are as imposing as the scenery. Golubac, a town located on the Danube which borders Romania and Serbia, is home to the Golubac Fortress. Wander the massive walls and towers, learning about its rich history. Or step into ancient times and visit the 8,000-year-old archaeological site Lepenski Vir. If nature pulls at your heart, spend the afternoon on a hiking tour of Djerdap National Park until rejoining the ship at Donji Milanovac by lunchtime.

“Dobro Utro!” A warm welcome and greeting awaits this afternoon in Svishtov, a quaint port in Bulgaria. Take time to explore the medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo which commands sweeping views of the Jantra Gorge. Or, wander the massive rock monastery of Bassarbovo until boarding the ship at Rousse, Bulgaria’s largest river port.

Slide into your walking shoes for a full-day exploration of Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. Admire the imposing architecture and lively cultural scenes in Bucharest before having lunch at a local restaurant. Board again at Feteşti and rejoin those guests who chose to relax all day.

Experience the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve on a full-day excursion today: From Hârşova, discover the breathtakingly beautiful Danube Delta, one of the largest wetland biotopes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich variety of flora and fauna. The bus takes you from Hârşova to Tulcea to your excursion boats for a delta safari and a voyage of discovery through the beautiful nature reserve. Or, venture into Constanța, the oldest city on the Black Sea coast and Romania’s longest continually inhabited city.

Today, we practice the art of leisure and the joy of cruising. Linger on the deck, enjoying the passing beauty along the river or indulge in a good book. Or, join a friendly game or tournament with your fellow guests.

Today marks a day of natural wonder. Standing on the Sun Deck, view the steep gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains which form the natural border between Serbia and Romania. We pass through the river’s narrowest point known as the Iron Gates. As we cruise, be sure to look for the small monastery church of Mraconia and the enormous 40-meter rock sculpture of the Dacian King Decebalus near Dubova. Today, prepare to be amazed.

In Serbia’s second-largest city, Novi Sad, our morning tour will take you through Dunavska, one of the most beautiful streets in the Serbian city. The Petrovaradin Fortress is a historical beauty – one of the best-preserved Baroque masterpieces in Europe. Churches, synagogues and cathedrals also tell of the peaceful coexistence of religions. Upstream, a tour brings you closer to the Croatian city of Vukovar in the evening light – with the Baroque style Eltz Palace, now an important museum and full of evidence of the city’s eventful history.

Step back in time with a visit to the tiny harbor town of Mohács. A cultural melting pot, the town offers a rare glimpse into life 700 years ago. Watch a working stone water mill grind grains and tour the tool collection that tells the long history of grain processing. Sample a local oven pie during your visit. Spend the afternoon back on board or venture out to the “Puszta” for traditional horse show. Step aboard in Kalocsa.

Early in the morning, the vessel arrives in the Hungarican capital of Budapest for a full day of wonders. The grand Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion are just two of the architectural wonders of this city. If food is your passion, join “An Authentic Taste of Budapest” which starts at the vast market hall and continues to the famous geothermal baths. In the evening, our illuminated cruise through Budapest will light up your heart, while your spirit comes alive with a spirited folklore show of local artists who dance, sing and enchant aboard.

New day, new capital — this afternoon we arrive in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. Located at the confluence of the Morava and Danube Rivers, Bratislava impresses with its Gothic and Baroque architecture. During a guided city tour, learn the fascinating history of the city filled with local culinary delights and romance. From a nearby hilltop, the Bratislava Castle commands vast views of the landscape, taking you to new heights as you stand atop the world.

The romantic Wachau Valley is one of the most beautiful landscapes of Austria, blanketed with vineyards and ornamented with small villages. In the morning your ship docks in Dürnstein, with its blue medieval abbey on the edge of the Danube river. Join a tour to the eye-catching Baroque Benedictine abbey of Melk this morning. After lunch on board, enjoy great views from the sun deck as you cruise further upstream. In the evening, the Captain’s Gala Dinner awaits you.

Enjoy breakfast before disembarking one last time. We bid you farewell, safe travels home, and hope to cruise with you on another adventure!