Budapest to the Black Sea

Vukovar is the most eastern city in Croatia, right on the border with neighbouring country Serbia in Vukovar-Syrmia County. Located on the Danube River, the city has a population of just over 22,000 people.

Vukovar has unfortunately gone through quite a turbulent period in its recent past, during the war in the 1990s, but has since been rebuilt and is now a pleasant and highly interesting place to visit.

The best place to begin understanding Belgrade is at the site of its original ancient settlement, the hill called Kalemegdan, now a fascinating park-like complex of historic structures overlooking the Old Town (Stari Grad). Here, the Military Museum traces the history of the city's bloody past, from its first conflict with the Roman legions in the 1st century BC to its most recent conflagration, when NATO forces bombed the city for 78 straight days in 1999.

Those less fascinated by history and who would rather enjoy modern Belgrade will find myriad leisure and pleasure opportunities in the city. From the techno scene of its famed nightclubs to the restaurants and street performances of bohemian Skadarlija Street, visitors to Belgrade will feel welcomed by the warm and proud residents of this indomitable city.

Settle in for a day of cruising as you pass the Decebalus Face, a colossal carving in the rocks depicting the last king of Dacia. You also cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates Gorge, a scenic stretch of river framed on both sides by sheer cliffs. In ancient times, the water level in the Iron Gates gorge was much lower and it was considered one of the most dangerous stretches of river in Europe to navigate. The riverbed rocks and low water levels combined to make this part of the river particularly treacherous for passing ships, but now a complex system of dams and locks ensures this is no longer the case.

Vidin has a rich history, having been conquered by the Romans, Byzantines and later the Ottomans, who ruled there until 1878. The city’s main landmark is the Baba Vida fortress dating from the Middle Ages.

Rousse prospered from its location on the Danube and the city is home to many grand buildings with Austrian-style architecture. A good example is the Building of the Tax Administration with its elaborate facade.

Explore Constanta on a choice of included excursion, with coach travel included. Spend time in the Old Town exploring independently or opt for a walking tour of the historic city centre to see sights such as Ovid Square, St Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral and the Genovese Lighthouse.

Travel by coach to Bucharest and see some of the city’s highlights, including the former Royal Palace, the statue of King Carol I, the National University Library and Romanian Atheneum Concert Hall, and then enjoy a Romanian lunch and free time to explore independently.

The riverside town of Nikopol is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The medieval fortifications of Nikopol Fortress sit on a hilltop overlooking the town. From here an included excursion reveals the Pleven Panorama.

Included excursion

Travel by coach to Pleven, where many of the town’s monuments tell the story of the Turkish war which liberated Bulgaria from Turkish rule in 1878. Visit the Pleven Panorama monument, then explore the Russo-Turkish war museum independently. The museum’s centrepiece is a vast circular painting which commemorates the Siege of Pleven.

Enjoy the passing scenery and facilities on board Spirit of the Danube as you sail through the day and overnight.

Spend the early hours of the morning cruising back through the Iron Gates gorge and into Serbia to stop at Donji Milanovac. From here, an included excursion visits the Mesolithic site of Lepenski Vir, where excavation work began here in 1965 to uncover a series of villages, dating back to 6,400 BC. The museum exhibits finds from the dig and films about the archaeological research.

Novi Sad is the city where European and Balkan cultures meet, with this stretch of the Danube acting as a natural border. Situated on the Danube between Budapest and Belgrade, it’s a treasured regional and cultural centre.

You can also travel by coach on an included excursion to the Petkovika Monastery, where you will enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch, before continuing to the 16th-century Sisatovac Monastery on the Fruska Gora mountain.

Enjoy the passing scenery and facilities on board Spirit of the Danube as you sail through the day and overnight.

Budapest is a city of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. The cities have been officially united since 1873, but they are still very different in character. Buda is the older and more graceful, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and 19th-century public buildings.