2020 Danube Discovery Cruise
12 day Danube River, 7 Countries & 5 Capital Cities all-inclusive cruise package on the MV River Discovery II
Download PDF BrochureEmbark on the cruise holiday of your lifetime on the MV River Discovery II Cruise and visit seven beautiful European countries. Our Danube river cruise tour starts in Austria, Vienna and ends in Bucharest, Romania. In between, you will also have the chance to explore the cities of Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary, Osijek in Croatia, Novi Sad and Belgrade in Serbia, Vidin in Bulgaria and Turnu Magurele in Romania.
One of the many highlights of our Danube European cruise package is the full-day sailing and passage through the Iron Gates, a beautiful gorge that forms the boundary between Serbia and Romania.
Full tour highlights:
- The Hofburg Imperial Palace - Vienna, Austria
- Belvedere Palace - Vienna, Austria
- St Stephen's Cathedral - Vienna, Austria
- St Martin's Cathedral - Bratislava, Slovakia
- The Old Town of Bratislava - Bratislava, Slovakia
- The Hungarian Parliament Building - Budapest, Hungary
- St. Stephen's Basilica - Budapest, Hungary
- The Hungarian State Opera House - Budapest, Hungary
- Hősök tere (Heroes’ Square) - Budapest, Hungary
- Vajdahunyad Castle - Budapest, Hungary
- The Halászbástya (Fisherman's Bastion) - Budapest, Hungary
- Gellért Hill - Budapest, Hungary
- Tvrđa (Citadel) Old Town - Osijek, Croatia
- Belgrade Fortres - Belgrade, Serbia
- The Church of Saint Sava - Belgrade, Serbia
- Knez Mihailova Street - Belgrade, Serbia
- The Iron Gates
- “Baba Vida” Fortress - Vidin, Bulgaria
- The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile - Paris, France
- Comédie-Française (Théâtre-Français) - Paris, France
- Palais Bourbon - Paris, France
Our Danube river cruise tour is extraordinary, so don't miss out! Read our itinerary and book or enquire now to begin your European river cruise holiday.
On arrival, check-in to your floating hotel. In the evening enjoy a welcome cocktail and information meeting followed by your first dinner on board.
Morning city sightseeing of Austria’s Imperial includes Hunderwasser, the Ringstrasse, the Parliament, the State Opera, Hofburg (Imperial Palace) and Belvedere Palace (second stop). The last stop will be in the old center of Vienna to take a walk through the pedestrian zone from Graben and Kohlmarkt to Michaela Square ending at the entrance of the St. Stephan’s Cathedral. The balance of the day is at leisure. You may choose to explore Vienna on your own or purchase an optional tour.
Welcome to Slovakia! Depart on a morning walking tour of this lovely city with its famous St. Martin's Cathedral followed by a walk through the Old Town. Enjoy free time for shopping and strolling and return to the ship for lunch. The balance of the day is free to explore on your own or partake in an optional tour.
Welcome to Hungary! Morning at sail. In the afternoon, your motor coach tour of this lovely city will include the most popular sights: The Parliament Building, St. Stefan Cathedral, the Opera, the Heroes Square, and the town park with the Vajdahunyad Castle. There will be stops at the Fisherman’s Bastion and Gellert Hill. Return to the ship for dinner. In the evening we recommend the optional Hungarian Folk Show.
Full free day to explore and enjoy pedestrian friendly Budapest on your own, or partake in one of our optional excursions as outlined below! Evening surprise! Prior to dinner enjoy a 45 minute concert performed by a local Gypsy duo in the lounge.
Welcome to Croatia! View the passing vista’s from the sun deck, as you sail into the Drava River toward Osijek, Croatia’s 4th largest city. In the afternoon delight in a bus and walking tour of the Old Town including the Tvrdja (Citadel), the best-preserved and largest ensemble of baroque buildings in Croatia. At the end of the tour, taste a refreshment drink with snacks accompanied by live entertainment featuring Croatian folk music and “tamburica”, the Croatian version of a banjo. Then enjoy some free time in the town before returning to your ship for dinner. Sail on!
Welcome to Serbia! Your first stop in this “newly” minted Balkan country will be in Novi Sad, Serbia’s third largest city after Belgrade and Nis. Join your local guide for a walking tour through the town center After the tour you will have free time to explore this lovely town on your own or partake in the optional Serbian Cultural Heritage & Wine Tasting tour
Morning motor coach tour of this lively and vibrant capital will include all of the major attractions: Kalemegdan Fortress, St. Sava’s Orthodox Cathedral, and many other highlights ending with a stroll through Knez Mihajlova Pedestrian Street. This afternoon we recommend the highly popular optional excursion to a local Serbian “salash” (farm), where you will meet an authentic Serbian multi-generation family and enjoy a wonderful taste of Serbian home-made food, unlimited booze, live music and hospitality! After dinner, relish in a private folklore show on board.
(Golubac 08:00-09:00; Donji Milanovac 11:30-14:00)
Enjoy passing vistas as well as participate in talks on Balkan History presented by your Cruise Director. The highlight of the day will be the passage through the "The Iron Gates", the highest gorge on the Danube. Over 100 km long, this canyon, was a gigantic obstacle to navigation because of its pointed rocks, cliffs, and changing water levels, surrounded with very wild, yet attractive nature. This danger was finally overcome in 1972, with the building of the “Djerdap” lock. Tonight prepare for your Captain’s Farewell Dinner!
Welcome to Bulgaria! After breakfast, embark on a walking tour of this delightful Bulgarian river port highlighted by a visit to the 13th century fortress named “Baba Vida” (“Grandma Vida”). Then enjoy some free time for strolling and shopping or take the optional Belogradchik Rock excursion.
(Arrive 03:00 from 08:30 – Disembarkation) END CRUISE
Disembark after breakfast. Dock at the Romanian port of Turnu Magurele and transfer to the “Paris of the East” – Bucharest, Romania’s lovely capital! (2,5 hours). Your city tour will highlight the major attractions including Arch D’ Triumph, the National Theatre and a photo stop at the Parliament the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. Then it’s on to your first class hotel, where after check-in you will have free time to explore this lovely city at your leisure and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants on your own. Check in at hotel in Bucharest for 1 night.
(NOTE: If taking the optional Dracula Extension you will enjoy your last night in Bucharest AFTER returning from Brasov).
Enjoy a final breakfast and say good bye to your fellow travelers. Please make your own way to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Please refer to PDF Itinerary for full details
Price is per person twin share start from Cabin C Category, see remarks for more cabin upgrade
Remarks
- Land only prices, no air tickets included except specified. Itineraries are subject to minor change upon local arrangement
- UPGRADES with surcharge for MV River Discovery II based from Price of CAT "C" Cabin:
- Cat “B” (Middle – French Balcony) A$570 pp, Cat “A” (Upper – French Balcony): $710 pp, Upper Deck Jr. Suite: A$1420 pp. Twin Cabin for single occupancy (Cat C only) Add 50% of the cabin rate, Single occupancy of Cat “B & A”– Add 75% of the cabin rate Singe use of Suite – add 100% - subject to availability.
- NOT INCLUDED: • Any air tickets. • Arrival and departure from / to airport transfers. • Any travel and document fees including Visa requirements (none currently required) • Costs of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, liquor, souvenirs, etc. • Tips to Crew, Cruise Directors, local guides and other staff along the route. • Any increases in costs due to unforeseen circumstances such as; additional fuel surcharges, exchange rates or Government imposed taxes and fees not known at this time.
- Departures on 12 May; 1 June; 29 Sept; 19 Oct are reverse itinerary from Bucharest to Vienna; please refer to PDF for details.
Inclusions
- Accommodations for 10 nights/11 days in all outside cabins in category of your choice
- Total of 30 meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
- FREE wine/beer/soft drink/water for both Lunch and Dinner daily while on the cruise portion
- Water/coffee/chocolate station 24 hours + early riser breakfast, afternoon cake and late night snacks
- Shore excursions, daily sightseeing programs, onboard lectures and folklore performances/music concerts and other surprises as outlined in the itinerary (excludes optional tours)
- Live music playing each evening
- Professional English speaking Cruise Directors and local, English speaking guides throughout.
- 1 night first class hotel with buffet breakfast in Bucharest. (Novotel, Capital or similar)
- Port fees and cruise fuel surcharges of USD188 included.
- 8 INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING TOURS AND SHORE EXCURSIONS AS PER BELOW:
- • VIENNA, AUSTRIA City tour including Belvedere Palace park • BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA City tour including old town and Primate Palace • BUDAPEST, HUNGARY City tour including Fisherman’s Bastion • OSIJEK, CROATIA City tour with wine tasting & live entertainment • NOVI SAD, SERBIA Walking tour • BELGRADE, SERBIA City by bus & walking tour • VIDIN , BULGARIA City Tour including Baba Vida’s Fortress • BUCHAREST, ROMANIA City tour including Parliament House (outside)
- ON BOARD SPECIAL CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS: • Welcome drink on arrival and info meeting • Lectures on Balkan History and Modern Balkans today • On board Concert of Gypsy Music (Budapest) • Serbian Folklore performance and fashion show on board (Belgrade) • Farewell cocktails and Captains Gala Dinner • AUDIVOX aids for all shore excursions and FREE WI-FI (wherever available)