Cruise along the southern reaches of the Danube into the heart of the Old World, a land of sophisticated art and culture, medieval wonders, rich folk traditions, fairy-tale villages, bountiful comfort food, and so much more. Your itinerary takes you between elegant Budapest and fascinating Bucharest, visiting five different countries: Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Along the way, 29 included tours and Cultural Connections — boasting small groups of only 20 travelers per excursion — reveal fascinating attractions and the spirit of eastern Europe. Be the lunch guest of a Croatian family in their home . . . hoist a few with the locals during a Belgrade pub crawl . . . learn from Serbian schoolchildren . . . try your hand at Hungarian crafts in the folk village of Kalocsa . . . and more.
A unique bonus will be your included visit to legendary Transylvania, long associated with Count Dracula. Your visit showcases the romantic region once ruled by Dracula’s real-life inspiration, the notorious Vlad “the Impaler” Dracula. But you’ll find that Transylvania’s supernatural mystique is surpassed by its natural beauty, for this Carpathian jewel is Romania’s most unspoiled and pleasant retreat — a must-see.