Budapest to Belgrade Danube River Cruise
You can journey along the most scenic and historic section of the Danube on this inexpensive over-50s river cruise from Budapest to Belgrade. A two-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Hilton Garden Inn Budapest Hotel is the ideal way to see the attractions of this historic city. Plus, you’ll have a choice of included excursions: a city tour that will reveal UNESCO-listed Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament buildings, or an included culinary-themed walking tour to the First Strudel House and Central Market Hall. Then, embark Spirit of the Danube for a six-night cruise visiting Vukovar and Donji Milanovac before heading through the dramatic scenery of the Iron Gates gorge to Golubac and Belgrade.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
Included travel insurance
Return flights and transfers
ACCOMMODATION
Two-night stay in hotel and six nights aboard the ship
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
All gratuities on board
EXPERIENCES
Cruise Host
Budapest city tour OR Budapest culinary walking tour
Lepenski Vir
Golubac Fortress
FOOD & DRINK
19 meals: 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
2 nights Breakfasts only in a hotel, 6 nights All Inclusive aboard the ship
Free bar on board open 15 hours a day
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
Day 1 UK - Budapest
Fly to Hungary’s capital and transfer (a journey of approximately 14 miles, which will take around 30 minutes) to the locally rated 4-star Hilton Garden Inn Budapest (4Q) for a two-night stay.
The hotel is located in downtown Budapest, half-a-mile away from St Stephen’s Basilica and just over a mile away from the Hungarian State Opera House and Hungarian Parliament building. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace and a gym. There are 214 air-conditioned rooms, each with a television, mini-fridge, complimentary Wi-Fi, ironing facilities, tea/coffee maker and a hairdryer.
You have the rest of the day to settle in and perhaps do a little local exploring.
Day 2 Budapest
This morning there is a choice of included excursions: a city tour that will introduce you to the main attractions of Budapest, from UNESCO-listed Buda Castle on the west bank, to the Hungarian Parliament buildings in Pest on the east bank; or an included culinary-themed walking tour to the First Strudel House and Central Market Hall. Spend the afternoon at leisure, returning to your hotel this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 Budapest
After breakfast at your hotel, check out and transfer to the port to embark Spirit of the Danube.
Enjoy a welcome drink reception and dinner on board this evening.
Day 4 Budapest
This morning you’ll have the opportunity to join an optional tour with a focus on Budapest’s Art Nouveaux movement.
Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 5 Vukovar
This morning you’ll arrive in Vukovar, the largest Croatian town and river port on the Danube, during breakfast. Vukovar was a thriving town before the Yugoslav War and its unscathed belle époque architecture can be compared with shell-scarred buildings preserved in memoriam, during your visit here.
An optional excursion visits the Ovcara Memorial. Set sail this evening and sail overnight towards Donji Milanovac.
Set sail this evening and sail overnight towards Donji Milanovac.
Day 6 Donji Milanovac
Shortly after lunch you’ll arrive in the town of Donji Milanovac, on the banks of the Danube in the midst of the Djerdap National Park, the largest, and possibly most beautiful, of Serbia's five national parks. The region has a rich history, and this afternoon, an included excursion visits the Lepenski Vir Mesolithic site, revealing a series of villages and rock carvings dating back to 6400 BC and the earliest examples of ‘monumental’ sculptures. Your ship moors here overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7 Donji Milanovac - the Iron Gates
Spirit of the Danube sets sail early this morning and later will sail through a particularly scenic stretch of the Danube – the world-famous Iron Gate gorge, between Romania and Serbia, the largest and longest in Europe, and the Iron Gates is the narrowest and deepest part. Head out on deck and see how the ship manoeuvres through two locks by the Djerdap power station.
Continue sailing overnight towards the village of Golubac.
Day 8 Golubac - Belgrade
An early arrival in Golubac enables you to spend the morning on an included visit to the medieval fortress, which stands guard over the entrance to the Iron Gates and was first mentioned in a Hungarian charter issued in 1337.
Spirit of the Danube will continue sailing in the early afternoon towards Belgrade, arriving this evening.
Day 9 Belgrade - UK
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport (a journey of approximately five miles, which should take around 30 minutes) for your return flight to the UK.
Meals Included: Breakfast
