Gems of Southeast Europe

Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohacs. You'll then visit Pecs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Szechenyi Square, the heart of Old Towns Pecs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or for wine connoisseurs, you'll want to go to Szekszard wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohacs.

 

Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you'll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovcara Memorial and Eltz Manor House. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in llok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you'll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the 'Serbian Athens.' Discover Novi Sad on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. For the adventurous, enjoy a hike up and through the Petrovaradin Fortress or join a bike tour through Novi Sad. In the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached.

 

Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor's life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Slivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO's list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage." For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall.

 

Visit Golubac Fortress - a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River - before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe's most awe-inspriing natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.

 

Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions, Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle.

 

Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th and 20th century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Later in the day, travel through the Romanian countryside to the captial of Bucharest, known as the "Little Paris of the East." Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture.