Cruising the Danube to the Black Sea

This morning you may choose an optional excursion to explore magnificent Esztergom and colorful Szentendre. Esztergom, the former residence of Hungarian kings and Archbishops, comes alive during a visit to its vast domed basilica, the largest cathedral in Hungary, built in the early 19th century around an ornate red marble chapel from an earlier church. Continue along the riverbank to the imposing ruined fortress of Visegrád for a glorious view of the “knee” of the Danube. Since the early 20th century, the artists’ village of Szentendre has been home to generations of Hungarian artists, museums and contemporary galleries representing the rich traditions of visual arts. Stroll the main square, lined with impressive buildings in the Rococo and Baroque traditions. Continue along the scenic west bank of the Danube where towns and villages pepper the coast.

This morning you may choose to take an optional excursion highlighting some of Budapest’s sweetest sites. Begin with a visit to the famous roofed market hall, dating from the late 1800s. A walk through the stalls quickly reveals some of the most popular Hungarian specialties including the legendary Hungarian paprika! Continue by coach to the City Park, home to the imposing Vajdahunyad Castle and the Széchenyi Baths - one of the largest thermal baths in Europe. Let the second oldest metro in Europe whisk you to the famous Café Gerbeaud, to savor a piece of cake and cup of coffee. A final view of the famous St. Stephen’s Basilica caps off a terrific morning.

This afternoon you can further immerse yourself in the Hungarian culture and countryside during an optional Puszta excursion! Visit the “Paprika House” to learn about how this famed spice became the “red gold” of the Kalocsa Region. Sample cakes and other foods filled and baked with paprika and select your favorite. Visit a 19th century farmers home to learn more about Hungary’s rich crafts heritage. Enjoy a folk dance performance while local women in traditional dress demonstrate the art of embroidery and of painting decorative eggs. Travel to the Hungarian Puszta to enjoy the scenery of the vast plain, where the sky stretches endlessly into the horizon, giving the impression of unlimited freedom. Enjoy the hospitality of hostesses and riders, quench your thirst with local wines, taste typical peasant food and admire the power of the renowned Hungarian half-blood horses. Do not miss the wagon ride for a complete Puszta experience.

This evening you may choose to join an option partaking in the best of Belgrade by night. A coach transports you through the illuminated streets of Belgrade to a hotel in the city center, where you will enjoy a splendid folklore show. The colorfully attired ensemble invites you to linger over a glass of wine while they perform dances from different parts of the country set to Serbian folk music. Then continue to Skadarlija, the famous artists’ quarter, also known as the Montmartre of Belgrade. Indulge in Serbian specialties accompanied by live music from a local Serbian band.

For an even more in-depth immersion into the nature of the Danube Delta from the fishing village of St. George you may choose an optional excursion to the 2600-acre protected Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy an unforgettable tour as you board small boats to explore this pristine UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with unique flora and fauna. Your trip takes you through the Sahalin Lagoon, the Ciotica Channel and passes by the oldest fish processing centers in the Danube Delta. Discover the unique habitat of waterfowl and fish and a plant world that is still largely untouched in its beauty – the reserve holds the largest reed-covered area in the world.