Eastern European Odyssey
River Cruise
Offer: Save Up To £250
Book early and save up to £250pp on selected departures
Follow the Danube River from Budapest, as it flows through Eastern Europe and the Danube Delta, to Romania’s Black Sea Coast. Sailing through seven countries and visiting the capital cities of Budapest, Belgrade, Bratislava and Vienna, this exciting cruise is a comprehensive collection of stunning cities just waiting to be explored. As you sail to the Black Sea and then journey back to Vienna, you’ll stop in charming villages and interesting towns that contrast with the big cities. A daylight cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge is yet another highlight on this captivating voyage.
Including...
- 16 nights cruise on MS Serenade 1
- 47 meals: 16 breakfasts (days 2-17) 15 lunches (days 2-16) 16 dinners (days 1-16)
- Local wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch & dinner
- Welcome buffet, cocktail and evening gala dinner
- Chef’s gala dinner
- Captain’s farewell gala dinner
- A night of onboard entertainment
- Quietvox portable audio headset system on cruise excursions
Included excursions and visits: 5
- Budapest city tour
- Belgrade city tour
- Full-day excursion to Constanta
- Bratislava city tour and train ride
- Vienna city tour
17 Day Itinerary:
Day 1 London - Budapest
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® collects you from your home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Budapest. On arrival, transfer to embark MS Serenade 1 (4T), where a buffet is available on arrival with time to settle in before a welcome cocktail and Captain’s gala dinner this evening.
Day 2 Budapest - Mohács
Budapest is a most suitable start to our cruise, with its vibrant mix of east and west, medieval and modern. We have included a city tour this morning to introduce highlights such as the Parliament Building and Heroes’ Square. The Castle District on the ‘Buda’ side of the river presents excellent views and photo opportunities. We sail tonight for Mohács, where we dock overnight.
Day 3 Vukovar - Belgrade
Early this morning we arrive into the Croatian port of Vukovar, where the Danube meets the Vuka River. The city suffered terrible damage in the early 1990s in the Croatian War of Independence; however, many buildings have been restored. An optional excursion is available to explain its role during this time. Tonight we arrive in Belgrade, where we dock overnight.
Day 4 Belgrade
Our included excursion today is a tour of Belgrade, capital of the Republic of Serbia. We begin with a panoramic coach tour through the city centre to see the Republic Square and Saint Sava Cathedral, one of the largest church buildings in the world. We then visit the Kalemegdan Fortress that encloses the tomb of Turkish Grand Vezir, Ali Pasha. We take a closer look at the city’s highlights by foot, with free time to enjoy them at leisure. After dinner, entertainment is provided by a local folklore group.
Day 5 Cruise the Iron Gates
A full day on the river, as we navigate the Iron Gates as we passage between Serbia and Romania. This part of the Danube is certainly one of the most scenic, as you travel through steep wooded cliffs.
Day 6 Rousse
After arriving at lunchtime, we spend the afternoon in Rousse, where an optional city walk will be available to discover more of this attractive city, often referred to as the ‘Little Vienna’.
Day 7 Cernavoda
Our day-long excursion takes us to Constanta on the Black Sea Coast. We begin in the old centre of Constanta at Ovid Square, named after the Roman poet who was exiled here in 8 AD. The Archaeological Museum houses a rich collection of prehistoric, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Medieval artefacts. We visit the Orthodox Cathedral of St Peter and Paul and then conclude at the Casino - a beautiful clifftop building, with spectacular views over the harbour of Constanta, the largest port on the Black Sea. Lunch will be taken at Ceausescu’s former summer residence in Neptun and we return to the ship later today.
Day 8 Scenic cruising
Relax on board today and enjoy the scenery.
Day 9 Iron Gates
Enjoy the passage of the Iron Gates Gorge, an area of outstanding beauty and a wildlife haven, particularly for birds.
Day 10 Donji Milanovac
This morning we arrive in Donji Milanovac, a Serbian town in the midst of the beautiful Djerdap National Park. The town has been moved several times, with the last move in the 1970s creating a modern town but the area is steeped in history. You may like to join an optional excursion to nearby Lepenski Vir, one of Europe’s most important Mesolithic sites. We continue our cruise this afternoon.
Day 11 Novi Sad
Arrive in Novi Sad, the northern autonomous province of Serbia. An optional tour is available that includes a walking tour of the old town centre and its many 18th and 19th century buildings, followed by a visit to Petrovaradin fortress, for excellent views, and the city of Sremski Karlovci - one of Serbia’s most important spiritual and cultural centres.
Day 12 Mohács
From the port of Mohács in Hungary, you can join an optional tour to Kalocsa and Puszta. Discover the history of Paprika and why this spice is considered the ‘red gold of Kalocsa’, before travelling to Pustza to see an entertaining performance of Hungarian horsemanship. The harmony between horseman and horse is remarkable to see.
Day 13 Esztergom
Esztergom is a small town full of historical and cultural sites. As we sail towards the town, we are greeted with the spectacular sight of the hilltop basilica, a vast church that holds the world’s largest alter piece, which you may wish to visit today. Or perhaps join an optional excursion to combine a tour of Esztergom with time in Szentendre, a gorgeous, modest, colourful town of art and history.
Day 14 Bratislava
The 2,000-year-old city of Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and the lovingly-restored Old Town with its ancient cobbled streets is a delight to explore, under the watchful gaze of the medieval castle. We take a tour of the charming old town and enjoy a ride on the Presporacik train that travels through some of the city’s most beautiful aspects. With the rest of the day at leisure, you may want to climb Michael’s Gate and Tower for an insight into medieval weaponry and fantastic city views, or take in the Museum of Jewish Culture, the only reminder of the historic Jewish neighbourhood.
Day 15 Melk - Weissenkirchen
Visit Melk, dominated by its imposing Benedictine abbey, which you may choose to visit on an optional excursion. Over lunch we continue to Weissenkirchen for free time to explore this pretty village, or join an optional wine experience excursion and visit to Krems, before dinner.
Day 16 Vienna
Vienna is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, with its rich culture of arts and music, and of course home to Mozart. Here we include a city tour by coach that will introduce you to the highlights of the city. We remain here overnight, offering a wonderful setting for our Captain’s farewell gala dinner.
Day 17 Vienna - London
Disembark in Vienna and transfer to the airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Heathrow. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.
Eastern European Odyssey
17 days from
£2799 per person
Prices & offers subject to availability & change