Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise - JWT Travel

Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise

  • 22 October 2027
  • 9 Nights
  • From 2,699 Per Person
  • S.S. Marlene
The Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise will take you on a wonderful 10-day journey from Budapest to Bucharest, exploring five amazing countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia. An ideal voyage for travelers seeking to discover ancient lands and modern multicultural cities along the majestic Danube.

Explore the dynamic city of Budapest, and admire its iconic Hungary’s Parliament Building rising majestically above the Danube. Continue to Osijek, in the heart of Croatia’s Slavonia region, where you will be welcomed into a local family’s home for an authentic country meal. You’ll also visit the Vučedol Museum,  near the city of Vukovar, where you’ll encounter archaeological findings, which showcase the daily life and customs during the immigration of the first Indo-Europeans and their relationship with the native population.

Uncover scores of little-known treasures and step back in time to investigate the intriguing historical sight you’ll see in Belgrade before heading to Golubac, where you can explore its Paleolithic site and the extraordinary well-preserved medieval fortress. Then, be ready to cruise the breathtaking Iron Gates, an 83-mile-long stretch of scenic gorges that were cut through the Carpathian and Balkan mountains over eons by the Danube River.

After visiting the highlights of the Eastern Europe countryside, you’ll head to the beautiful capital of Romania, Bucharest, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour and a visit the colossal People’s Palace as well as its very own Triumphal Arch, which is modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Talk to the JWT Cruises experts to book your place on the Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise with UNIWORLD.

Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise

The Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise will take you on a wonderful 10-day journey from Budapest to Bucharest, exploring five amazing countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia. An ideal voyage for travelers seeking to discover ancient lands and modern multicultural cities along the majestic Danube.

Explore the dynamic city of Budapest, and admire its iconic Hungary’s Parliament Building rising majestically above the Danube. Continue to Osijek, in the heart of Croatia’s Slavonia region, where you will be welcomed into a local family’s home for an authentic country meal. You’ll also visit the Vučedol Museum,  near the city of Vukovar, where you’ll encounter archaeological findings, which showcase the daily life and customs during the immigration of the first Indo-Europeans and their relationship with the native population.

Uncover scores of little-known treasures and step back in time to investigate the intriguing historical sight you’ll see in Belgrade before heading to Golubac, where you can explore its Paleolithic site and the extraordinary well-preserved medieval fortress. Then, be ready to cruise the breathtaking Iron Gates, an 83-mile-long stretch of scenic gorges that were cut through the Carpathian and Balkan mountains over eons by the Danube River.

After visiting the highlights of the Eastern Europe countryside, you’ll head to the beautiful capital of Romania, Bucharest, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour and a visit the colossal People’s Palace as well as its very own Triumphal Arch, which is modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Talk to the JWT Cruises experts to book your place on the Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise with UNIWORLD.

Itinerary

Dining

  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
  • 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
  • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
  • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water

Excursions

  • 7 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Guided “Let’s Go” program
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
  • Brompton G-Line Bicycles and Nordic Walking sticks available for independent exploration

Accommodations

  • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the majestic S.S. Beatrice or the elegant S.S. Marlene
  • 2 nights in Bucharest at the InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest hotel (or similar) with breakfast
  • Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites on the cruise have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, custom cotton sateen sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
  • Free Wi-Fi

Experiences

  • 5 countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia
  • 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
  • Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
  • Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment

 

Highlights of Eastern Europe Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 – Budapest (Embark)

Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2 – Budapest

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multifaceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on our walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West.

In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 3 – Batina (Osijek), Vukovar

On the third day of your journey your ship will head up to Croatia, a country noted for its beautiful countryside, folk traditions and delicious local rustic food.

Day 4 – Belgrade

The capital of Serbia is one of Europe’s oldest cities. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present.
Later in the evening, you can join a private after-hours visit to the Kalemegdan Fortress, a perfect setting for an atmospheric evening of music, arranged just for our guests.

Day 5 – Golubac, Cruising the Iron Gates

Head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century.

Day 6 – Vidin

Vidin is a port town on the Danube that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics. You can opt for an unusual excursion today—a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations. Or you can indulge in a tasting at a local winery.

Day 7 – Ruse

Bulgaria’s foremost Danube port, Ruse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings. During the day, you can either decide to visit Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi and have an authentic three-course Bulgarian lunch or walk through the woods of Rusenski Lom to Ivanovo Rock Monastery and Basarbovo Rock Monastery.

In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 8 – Giurgiu (Disembark), Transfer to Bucharest

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and drive through the countryside of Bucharest, where you’ll enjoy its Trimumphal Arch and visit the colossal People’s palace, filled with crystal chandeliers and mosaics, which now houses the Romanian Parliament and three museums.
In the evening, you will relax in a luxurious hotel located in the city centre.

Day 9 – Bucharest

Discover Bucharest’s many charms today and get to know the capital city on your own.

Day 10 – Bucharest

Check out of your hotel this morning. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport for your flight home.

Optional – Transylvania Post-Cruise Extension

Get to know the gorgeous landscapes and rich stories of Romania’s historic Transylvania region with a stay in Brasov.

  • 2 nights at the Radisson Blu Aurum (or similar)
  • 1 night at the InterContinental Athénée Palace (or similar)
  • Breakfast daily, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner
  • All service charges, taxes, and porterage
  • English-speaking expert
  • All fares are per guest in euro based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted
  • Price based on classic cabin
  • Subject to availability
  • T&C’s apply

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