Enchantment of Eastern Europe

Return economy flights from one of up to 15 UK regional airports are incuded in the price of your holiday. When you arrive in Budapest, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerlad Waterways Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you.

This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore eastern Europe’s liveliest city at leisure.

The “Paris of the East” is truely breathtaking sight, where dozens of lights adorn the stone bridges that cross the mighty Danube, seperating boith sides of the city.

This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board, before a night-time cruise along the Danube delights. Be left feeling inspired by the illuminated Facades of some of Hungary’s most iconic buildings.

n the morning, we’ll sail out of Budapest towards Kalocsa, best known for its vibrant paprika festivals. Traditional folk art and culture are yours to discover here, as you sail through one of the oldest towns in Hungary.

This afternoon, you’ll venture to the Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, for a traditional performance showcasing the exceptional equestrian skills of the Magyar cowboys. Relax as you watch their spectacular horse parade and witness their exercise drills, most of which were readily practiced for wartime.

Today, enjoy a gala dinner on board.

EmeraldPLUS: A traditional Hungarian horse show

Cruise into the border region of Croatia and into Osijek, a historic university town full of leafy boulevards and promenades.

Damage from the Homeland War is still visible across the city, but it is easily forgotten when you immerse yourself in the peaceful surrounds that can be found here.

Today, you will be able to meet students from a local village who will be delighted to perform for you during your EmeraldPLUS excursion, before embarking on a walk around Osijek Fortress, nestled in the centre of the romantic old town.

The capital of Serbia awaits you today, as a city tour introduces you to the highlights of one of Europe’s oldest cities, including Belgrade Fortress.

Relax as your coach takes you through the centre of the city, where remnants of a chaotic past look out of place among peaceful surrounds. Witness the symmetrical façade of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest church buildings, and stop for a tour of the Museum of Yugoslavia.

Enjoy learning about the life of the leader of the Partisans, Josip Broz Tito, and the way that they became one of the most effective resistance movements in occupied Europe.

In eastern Serbia, within the Majdanpek municipality, the town of Donji Milanovac sits on the right bank of the Danube. Today, you will have the opportunity to visit the Palaeolithic site of Lepenski Vir on an included excursion.

Enjoy learning about the importance of this archaeological site and its illustrious 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.

The day ends as we sail through the Iron Gates, a scenic narrow gorge that meanders between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps.

EmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum

This morning, we’ll arrive in Vidin, a beautiful town in north-west Bulgaria. Situated on the right bank of the Danube, it is one of the oldest along the Bulgarian Danube bank, prospering from the surrounding countryside, renowned for producing wines.

Your included tour will introduce you to the best of Vidin’s viticulture, as you stroll through a local vineyard and enjoy a tasting of their produce.

Later, venture to Baba Vida, a medieval fortress whose name can be translated to mean “Granny Vida”. Construction began on the fortress in the 10th century, and it has been steeped in legend ever since.

Alternatively, hike to Belogradchik Fortress, a well-preserved stronghold that sits against a series of impressive rock formations.

EmeraldACTIVE: A hike to Belogradchik Fortress EmeraldEXCURSION: Visit a local vineyard for a tasting

Today, your Star-Ship will cruise into Rousse. You will have the opportunity to visit Veliko Tarnovo, stopping to learn about its rich history as the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

This medieval city was built atop three hills, and its fortifications and cobbled streets are certain to delight history lovers.

Nearby, Arbanasi sits on a high plateau overlooking the Yantra. Each street in the area is lined with traditional houses, and old churches offer centuries of exploration during your guided tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi.

This morning, relax and enjoy the passing scenery as we drive towards Bucharest, including the Romanian city of Giurgiu, set amongst the mud flats and marshes of the Danube.

Visit Ceausescu’s mansion, the Spring Palace to see the elegant exterior of a well-kept secret and the plush interior of the private residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, before enjoying free time to explore the city at leisure.

Learn about Bucharest’s vibrant history on a guided coach tour, including the Palace of Parliament.

This evening, settle into the comfortable surrounds of your hotel, perhaps going for a stroll down one of the wide avenues or leafy boulevards that give Bucharest a distinctly French feel.

EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided drive through Bucharest

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and  transfer to the airport, taking memories of the Great Hungarian Plain and medieval fortresses with you.

Your flight home is included in the price of your holiday.

Return economy flight from one of up to 15 UK regional airports are included in the price of your holiday.

Welcome to Romania’s capital, Bucharest, it is a lively city full of history and life.

This evening, join your fellow travellers for a dinner at the hotel. Included is a one-night stay in Bucharest.

After enjoying the plush surrounds of your hotel this morning, you will get the opportunity to learn about some of Bucharest’s most iconic highlights during your guided drive around the city.

Visit the Spring Palace to see the elegant exterior of a well-kept secret and the plush interior of the private residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, before enjoying free time to explore the city at leisure.

After your insightful tour, you will be transferred from Bucharest to Giurgiu, on the banks of the Danube, where a warm welcome awaits you from your captain and crew on board your Emerald Waterways Star-Ship.

EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided drive through Bucharest

Today, you will have the opportunity to learn about Bulgarian history as you explore the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire with your local guide, an ancient city that was strategically positioned overlooking the surrounding area.

On your included tour, you will have the opportunity to traverse its cobbled streets and witness its medieval fortifications.

Afterwards, you will be taken to neighbouring Arbanasi, situated overlooking the Yantra, a tributary of the Danube that is known for its many scenic gorges.

Your local guide will enable you to explore the past, as your tour touches on a number of traditional houses and ancient churches. If you would prefer to do something more active, then you could instead choose to embark on a guided hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, known for their famous 14th-century frescoes.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner.

EmeraldPLUS: A choir concert in Arbanasi

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo EmeraldEXCURSION: A tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi

Viticulture forms the heart of life in the most western town in Bulgaria, where sun-kissed vineyards pepper the banks of the Danube and the region has prospered from winemaking for generations.

Your included tour of Vidin will introduce you to a peaceful side of life that revolves around wine, as you weave through a local vineyard and learn about their produce, before enjoying a tasting.

Afterwards, your local guide will take you to Baba Vida, a fortress that was originally constructed at the turn of the 10th century; known for being one of only a handful of beautifully preserved castles in the country. If you are feeling more active, then you may instead choose to embark on a guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress, located on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. It’s easy to imagine how this stronghold would have offered the Romans a perfect lookout point.

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Belogradchik Fortress EmeraldEXCURSION: Visit a local vineyard for a tasting

This morning, relax on board and admire your surroundings as we sail along the mighty Danube to Donji Milanovac, where a visit to the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, one of Europe’s best-hidden gems, awaits.

Located right on the riverbanks, the Palaeolithic site is one of the most important of its kind on the continent, effortlessly capturing more than 8 millennia of history. Archaeologists from around the world have used this site to learn about a number of different Stone Age settlements and the way that prehistoric cultures moved across Europe.

EmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum

Serbia’s vibrant capital is yours to explore today, as your local guide takes you on a coach tour through the heart of the city, highlighting its many landmarks and the iconic Belgrade Fortress.

Your coach will pass through the centre, where you will be able to catch glimpses of Serbia’s turbulent recent past, set amongst now quiet and peaceful streets. Witness the ornate beauty of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest religious buildings in Europe, before stopping for a tour of the Museum of Yugoslavia. If you are feeling more active, then you may instead choose to learn about Belgrade’s history during a guided bike tour.

Today, you will have the opportunity to explore one of Croatia’s postcard-worthy historic university towns, full of delightful waterfront promenades and quaint cobbled streets. As you walk around the city, you will notice that damage from the Homeland War is still visible, but it’s difficult to imagine turbulent times in this peaceful area.

Embark on a guided walk around Osijek Fortress, a true icon in the romantic old town. This traditional star fort houses a number of different buildings, including a military hospital and armouries, making it perfect for times of conflict.

Your EmeraldPLUS experiences today are certain to be a highlight of your trip, as you dine on traditional cuisine with a local Croatian family and meet some students from a local village.

In the morning, we will sail away from Osijek and on to Kalocsa, a place known for its paprika production and colourful festivals.

Discovering Hungary’s culture is an easy task in Kalocsa, where traditional folk art can be found around every corner and old traditions pave the way for daily life.

Later, you will venture to the Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, to visit a traditional Puszta horse farm. Your guide will teach you about the traditional performances of the Magyar cowboys, and you will have the opportunity to witness some of their exceptional equestrian skills first hand, as they perform for you during their horse parade and showcase some of their memorable exercise drills.

EmeraldPLUS: Visit a Puszta horse farm

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport.

Your flight home in included in the price of your holiday. please call us to check if we can offer your preferred airport.