Discover the magic and mystery of Eastern Europe on this Danube River gay cruise itinerary, including incredible scenery, welcoming locals, and a host of cultural treasures to explore. An ideal voyage for travellers seeking new, off-the-beaten path destinations.
Follow a path forged by crusaders, kings and conquerors through Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria. Immerse yourself in new cultures and make new friends as you travel from splendid Budapest to dynamic Bucharest, discovering the best that the revitalized nations of Eastern Europe have to offer along the way.
Gaze in wonder at the lofty spires of Hungary’s Parliament Building as it rises majestically above the Danube in Budapest. Sit down for friendly, intimate meals with farmers in Croatia and artists in Romania. Uncover scores of little-known treasures, including the picturesque Bulgarian hill towns of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi and the surprising rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Step back in time to investigate the history and legends along the Danube while you cruise the Iron Gates. Tour Belgrade by bicycle, marvel at the massive People’s Palace in Bucharest or see Vlad the Impaler’s tomb in the Romanian countryside.
From Budapest to Bucharest, Roman ruins to medieval fortresses, this journey will reveal the unstoppable resiliency of the human spirit, as well as the highlights of this spectacular region. The adventure of a lifetime awaits you.
• Bonus $100 on board credit applicable for massages, optional excursions, gift shop merchandise, and premium spirits and wine.
• 7-nights Uniworld Boutique River Cruise in a riverview stateroom on the majestic River Beatrice
• 2 nights in Bucharest at the Radisson Blu Hotel (or similar) with breakfast
• All transfers on arrival and departure days
• All meals on-board, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• 9 breakfasts, 7 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
• 5 countries and 7 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
• Guided “Go Active,” “Do as the Locals Do” and “Gentle Walking” programs
• 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
• State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
• Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
• Captivating onboard local entertainment
• Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture: “The Orient in Europe: Eastern Influences on the Western World”
Day 1 - Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Arrive Budapest, Hungary
Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.
Day 2 - Thursday, June 1, 2017
Budapest, cruising the Danube River
Featured Excursions:
• Budapest city tour,
• Exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour,
• Exclusive guided “Go Active” Budapest by bike
Choose one of three ways to discover Budapest’s wonders. Savor the beauty of both Buda and Pest, which lie on opposite sides of the Danube on a panoramic tour showcasing key highlights, including St. Stephen’s Basilica and the UNESCO-designated Castle Hill district. If you prefer to experience the city as the locals do, then take a ride on the metro; stop at a lively market hall; visit the oldest and most beautiful garden in the city, Károlyi Garden; and explore the National Museum. For a more active exploration of the city, join the guided bike tour. Cap your day off with the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.
Day 3 - Friday, June 2, 2017
Cruising the Danube River, Vukovar (Osijek), Croatia
Featured Excursions:
• Full day tour of Vukovar and Osijek with exclusive farm visit and home-hosted lunch,
• Full day tour of Osijek with exclusive home-hosted lunch Start your day with a short walking tour of Vukovar before departing for Osijek, or head directly to Osijek. Discover the city’s abundance of cultural and artistic heritage, including Tvrda, the self-contained 18thcentury Habsburg defensive fortress. Later, travel through the Croatian countryside to a family-owned farm where you’ll sip homemade brandy and indulge in a tapas-style buffet of locally produced delicacies.
Day 4 - Saturday, June 3, 2017
Belgrade, Serbia
Featured Excursions:
• Choice of Belgrade city tour with visit to the Royal Grounds of Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace
• Exclusive guided “Go Active” “I Bike Belgrade” tour
Choose one of two ways to explore Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia and one of Europe’s oldest cities. Join a panoramic tour that includes a visit to the Royal Palace. For a more active exploration, opt for a guided bike tour highlighting historic sites dating from WWII to the present day.
Day 5 - Sunday, June 4, 2017
Cruising the Iron Gates
Enjoy a day onboard, cruising through the Iron Gates, an 83-mile-long stretch of scenic gorges, which are among the most dramatic sights in all of Europe. The Iron Gates is a gorge on the Danube River. It forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. The gorge lies between Romania to the north and Serbia to the south. At this point, the river separates the southern Carpathian Mountains from the northwestern foothills of the Balkan Mountains. The Romanian side of the gorge constitutes the Iron Gates natural park, whereas the Serbian part constitutes the Derdap national park.
Day 6 - Monday, June 5, 2017
Vidin, Bulgaria, cruising the Danube River
Featured Excursions:
• Bulgarian rock country
• Romanian Cetate Cultural Port visit
Explore the lesser-known town of Vidin, your base for one of two unusual excursions. One takes you to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations, which are over 200 million years old—and have inspired nearly as many legends. The other takes you to Cetate Cultural Port, a haven for Romanian artists of all sorts—poets, potters, painters, filmmakers and musicians.
Day 7 - Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Rousse, Bulgaria (Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi or Rousse and Ivanovo)
Featured Excursions:
• Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi with authentic Bulgarian lunch
• Rousse walking discovery tour and Ivanovo and Basarbovo monasteries
You could choose to spend the day visiting two historic hill towns, Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, home to six amazing 17th-century stone churches, each one decorated with intricate frescoes, and visit the Nativity Church, with murals of the Nativity and the Last Judgment. Afterwards, be treated to a traditional Bulgarian country lunch. For those who wish for a different experience, spend time in Rousse and then visit the UNESCO-designated cave churches of Ivanovo— once an enclave of more than 40 churches and chapels— and the Basarbovo Rock Monastery, where monks still live and worship today. Spend your last night on the ship at the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner.
Day 8 - Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Giurgiu, Romania (disembark), transfer to Bucharest hotel
Featured Excursions:
• Bucharest city tour with People's Palace visit
• Exclusive "Do as the Locals Do" Bucharest tour
Disembark the ship and transfer via motorcoach to Bucharest. A panoramic tour highlights the city's eclectic mix of architecture and spend some time in the lavish People's Palace-the world's largest civilian building.
Day 9 - Thursday, June 8, 2017
Bucharest, Romania
Featured Excursions:
• Romanian countryside tour with visits to Mogosoaia Palace and Vlad the Impaler's tomb
Explore the 18th-century Mogosoaia Palace and the lakeside tomb of Vlad the Impaler. Mogosoaia Palace is situated about 10 kilometres from Bucharest. It was built between 1698-1702 by Constantin Brâncoveanu in what is called the Romanian Renaissance style or Brancovenesc style. The palace bears the name of the widow of the Romanian boyar Mogos, who owned the land it was built on.
Day 10 - Friday, June 9, 2017
Bucharest, transfer to the airport
Transfer to the Henri Coanda Bucharest International Airport for your flight home.
Europe’s enchanting Danube River—with glorious jewels such as Budapest and Vienna situated along its legendary shores—can be experienced onboard Uniworld’s ultra-luxurious River Beatrice. From the gorgeous two-story lobby to the handsome Captain’s Lounge and Library to the indulgent Serenity River Spa, it’s clear that no expense was spared creating this meticulously crafted 410-foot, 156-passenger vessel.
Meticulously designed ship feature enticing public areas and luxurious amenities, including a lounge with full-service bar, well-equipped fitness centre, restaurant, Serenity River Spa, and a Sun Deck where you can relax and take in the ever-changing views.
Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® of England beds draped in high-thread-count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, along with a menu of pillow options.
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