Combine two of our Danube River cruises to create an extraordinary 16-day journey through eight countries in Eastern and Central Europe. Begin in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, then discover cities and towns of Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia and sail through the gorgeous Iron Gate region on your way to bustling, cosmopolitan Budapest. From there, proceed through Slovakia and Austria, finally completing your journey in Passau, Germany. Take a graceful, elegant turn through an enchanting part of Europe.

Day 1 Bucharest

We meet you at the Bucharest airport and transfer you to the superior first class Athenee Palace Hilton (or similar) in the heart of the city for a one-night stay.* Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or begin doing a bit of exploring on your own.

Day 2 Oltenita

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a morning tour of the city. See the Arch of Triumph, the Antim Monastery and the iconic Palace of Justice, completing your tour at the former Royal Palace located near your hotel. You have some free time in the afternoon for additional sightseeing-as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. You then proceed to Oltenita to board your ship and enjoy a welcome dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Arbanasi

Today you disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria's former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. There you will see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Proceed to Arbanasi for lunch in a local restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church with its intricate floor-to-ceiling murals and icons. Rejoin your ship at Nikopol/Svishtov and dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Vidin & Belogradchik

Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin during breakfast, then take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. See the fortress's amazing construction, begun in Roman times and greatly extended by Bulgarian czars and the Ottomans, and enjoy breathtaking views. Lunch aboard is followed by free time to explore Vidin's city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city's once-grand synagogue. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Iron Gate & Kostolac

Cruise along one of the most scenic areas of the Lower Danube, flanked by enormous white chalk cliffs and spectacular scenery. The day's journey is punctuated with an excursion to Kostolac, Serbia. See the archeological site at Viminacium, a former Roman capital with wide streets, luxurious baths and an amphitheater, recently opened to the public. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Belgrade

Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a beautiful park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Lunch aboard, then free time to explore Belgrade's gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums, like the Nikola Tesla Museum. Dine aboard or experience some of Belgrade's nightlife-we depart very late this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Osijek

Cruise along the Danube, arriving at Vukovar around noon. Disembark for an afternoon excursion to the charming Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited by humans since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Habsburgs; now it is a pleasant town popular for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return aboard for dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Kalocsa

Sail into Hungary this morning, arriving in Kalocsa after lunch. Visit the House of Folk Arts, showcasing the area's time-honored farming traditions. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return to the ship and enjoy dinner aboard as we depart for Budapest. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Budapest

Disembark after breakfast and take a tour of Hungary's capital, exploring both the "Buda" and "Pest" sides. Begin in Pest, where you see the National Opera House and visit historic Heroe' Square. Cross the Chain Bridge to Buda, where you stroll Fishermen's Hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. Take the rest of the day to sightsee on your own-explore a museum, do some shopping or peek inside one of the Art Deco spas. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Budapest

Take a full day to explore Budapest on your own-ride around the city on its wonderful subway system, walk through the City Park or along the Pest embankment for views of the Buda Castle District, explore the Buda Castle Labyrinth, visit the Jewish Quarter and tour the beautifully restored Dohany Street Synagogue.

Or, take an optional morning excursion to Visegrad. With a population of less than 2,000, Visegrad was used as a royal retreat, and it has no fewer than three castles. Enjoy the view of the Danube Bend from the hexagonal Solomon Tower at the Lower Castle before returning to the city in the early afternoon. Other guests will be arriving for the Danube Waltz portion of your journey; join them on board for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (B, D)

Day 11 Bratislava

Arrive in Bratislava this afternoon and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia's charming capital-the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary-with a long and fascinating history. See attractions like the medieval Town Hall complex and fortifications at Michael's Tower, baroque Trinity Church and Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral, and pass by several Habsburg-era baroque palaces before returning to your ship. This evening you can relax, take a walk or attend an optional evening performance before a late departure. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Vienna

Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of Vienna's baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan's Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore-as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Or you may choose to join an optional tour of Schonbrunn Palace, the Versailles of Vienna, graced by a number of formal gardens, classical statuary, the world's oldest zoo and the "Roman ruin" erected in 1778. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Melk

This morning, we dock at the picturesque Wachau Valley town of Durnstein, where you can explore on your own, sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region, or join an optional walking tour of the town's highlights. After lunch on board, visit the 900-year-old abbey at Melk, a Benedictine monastery that was originally one of Leopold II's castles. See its spectacular wall and ceiling frescoes, note the library's comprehensive collection of medieval manuscripts, and admire the graceful spiral staircase. Rejoin your ship and cruise through dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 14 Salzburg

Awaken in Linz and set off on an all-day excursion to the beautiful Austrian city of Salzburg, famous as the location for the film, The Sound of Music. Ride through the scenic Austrian countryside to Salzburg's Old Town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take a walking tour featuring the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Hohensalzburg Fortress just above the city center. You have some free time to enjoy Salzburg's narrow cobbled streets and colorful shops and get lunch in one of the charming cafes, then return aboard for dinner and a late-evening departure. (B, D)

Day 15 Passau

Today you may take an optional full-day excursion to two small Bohemian Czech cities: Budweis, with its impressive town square featuring Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings, and Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by a Bohemian king in the 13th century, Budweis was for a time the royal brewery for the Holy Roman Emperor, and beer remains a major industry there. Founded at about the same time as Budweis, Cesky Krumlov is known for its unusually large castle, and is an important cultural center, hosting various festivals throughout the year. Rejoin your ship for dinner.

Or, join a morning walking tour of Passau's Italianate Old Town area, passing by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served as a bishop's stronghold for several centuries. Enjoy a concert on Europe's largest pipe organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral+, then relax on board before dinner. (B, L, D)

+Passau organ concert not available after November 1.

Day 16 Passau

After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the Munich airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in the lovely Czech capital of Prague. (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.