Highlights River Cruise to the Danube Delta
See the very best of the Danube, following a short stay in ancient Bucharest, on this competitively priced scenic and cultural river cruise for over-50s UK travellers. Enjoy the changing scenery on this relaxing cruise aboard our new ship – Spirit of the Danube – as you journey from Budapest to Bucharest. Your journey takes in Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania as the River Danube wends its way towards the Black Sea.
In addition to the photogenic scenery, including that of the Iron Gates gorge and the Danube Delta, you’ll have time to explore a string of ports steeped in history and culture. Included excursions in Budapest, Novi Sad and Bucharest enable you to see the main attractions and exploring independently is easy too with the inclusion of interactive maps and audio headsets in many ports of call. Plus, you can also look forward to an overnight hotel stay in Romania’s capital Bucharest, a great way to see more of the city, known for its vast Palace of Parliament and Art Nouveau architecture.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
Included travel insurance
Return flights and transfers
ACCOMMODATION
1 night Half Board in a hotel, 6 nights Full Board aboard the ship (2022 departures)
1 night Half Board in a hotel, 6 nights All Inclusive aboard the ship (2023 departures)
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
All gratuities on board
EXPERIENCES
Cruise Host
Budapest city tour OR Budapest culinary walking tour
Walking tour of Novi Sad
Bucharest city tour
FOOD & DRINK
20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Free bar open 15 hours a day† (2023 departures only)
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the ship
Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
Day 1 UK - Budapest
Fly to Hungary's capital and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Enjoy dinner on board as your ship remains moored here this overnight.
Day 2 Budapest
Your ship remains moored in Budapest until lunchtime. This cosmopolitan city is divided by the Danube into Buda and Pest. An included city tour this morning reveals some of the city's highlights, from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buda Castle that sits above the river on the west bank, to the Hungarian Parliament buildings in Pest on the east bank.
Alternatively, perhaps join an included culinary walking tour, which features a tram ride to the First Strudel House for a live demonstration, followed by a walk through the city to sample authentic chimney cake and to visit Central Market Hall where you can try authentic Hungarian salami.
Set sail over lunch and cruise through the remainder of the day and night.
Day 3 Novi Sad
Arrive late morning in this city where European and Balkan cultures meet, with this stretch of the Danube acting as a natural border.
Novi Sad is the capital of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Situated on the Danube between Budapest and Belgrade, it’s a treasured regional and cultural centre. You can enjoy a short included walking tour of the old town centre, which boasts a fine selection of 18th and 19th-century architecture.
Proceeding through the streets to an old family wine cellar, which is also a producer of local honey. Whilst here you have the opportunity to treat your taste buds to the delicious wines and sweet honey.
Set sail again late this afternoon.
Day 4 Sailing through the Iron Gate
This morning 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. No doubt you'll want to head out on deck to admire this particularly scenic stretch of the river, as the Danube passes through the Carpathian mountains and the foothills of the Balkans. Plus you can follow proceedings as Spirit of the Danube manoeuvres through two locks by the Djerdap power stations.
Continue sailing overnight.
Day 5 Rousse
This morning you will arrive in Rousse, the largest port in Bulgaria and often referred to as ‘Little Vienna’. Perhaps discover the city on an optional tour this morning.
Resume your cruise this afternoon and sail through the day and night to Romania.
Day 6 Danube Delta
Enjoy the scenery as you cruise the wildlife-rich Danube Delta. Much of it is a protected reserve, as the meandering river, reed beds and groves of willow, oak and poplar provide sanctuary for over 300 species of bird. This afternoon you may like to join an optional small boat cruise further into this UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve.
Set sail cruising overnight.
Enjoy the scenery as you cruise the wildlife-rich Danube Delta. Much of it is a protected reserve, as the meandering river, reed beds and groves of willow, oak and poplar provide sanctuary for over 300 species of bird.
This afternoon you may like to join an optional small boat cruise further into this UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve.
Set sail later this afternoon and cruise overnight.
Day 7 Fetesti - Bucharest
Arrive in Fetesti this morning and disembark your ship after breakfast before continuing by coach to Bucharest for an included afternoon tour of the city.
Discover some of its highlights, such as the impressive Palace of the Parliament, Cotroceni Palace where the President of Romania resides, and historic Cretulescu Palace.
Tonight you’ll stay in the heart of the capital, at the locally rated 4-star Novotel Bucharest (4Q) with dinner included.
Day 8 Bucharest - UK
Check out after breakfast for your return flight to the UK.
