Discover the lesser-known Danube beyond Budapest sailing from the Black Sea revealing the dramatic riverscapes that connect the countries and capitals once behind the ‘iron curtain’
For all 2022 bookings made by 31 December 2021, deduct £65 per person
Days 1 & 2 - Bucharest
Day 3 - Danube Delta
Day 4 - Bucharest
Day 5 - Veliko Tarnovo
Day 6 - Ruse
Day 7 - Iron Gate
Day 8 - Belgrade/Novi Sad
Day 9 - Osijek
Day 10 - Return Flight
Second only to the Volga as Europe’s longest river, the Danube flows from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Whilst the ‘Blue Danube’ from Germany to Budapest is well known, further East is relatively undiscovered with fewer ships and lesser-known but equally rewarding sites. This great river inextricably links the heritage of the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman (which once reached to Budapest) empires and a wide variety of nations, cultures and languages are revealed. This voyage is an excellent way to observe and understand their progress since the end of the ‘Cold War’ – changing from restrictive regimes to the countries of ‘New Europe’.
The Danube Delta at the Black Sea is a wetlands preserve and UNESCO World Heritage site with channels widening into tree-fringed lakes, reed islands, marshes and forests.
Bucharest, the Romanian capital, was known as ‘Little Paris’ and Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, as the ‘White Castle’. The Iron Gates gorge divides the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Sail into Budapest, the Hungarian capital and perhaps the most dramatic city on the Danube.
UNESCO: Danube Delta
Drinks on Cruise Vessel
UK Tour Manager
Group Size: 6 – 28
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Bucharest. Transfer to 4-star Mercure City Center for an overnight stay. (D)
Day 2 Morning visit to Mogoşoaia Palace, built by Constantin Brâncoveanu in Romanian Renaissance style. Afternoon walking tour in Bucharest. Drive to Oltenita for embarkation. Welcome drink and crew introduction. Sail towards Tulcea. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Afternoon visit to the Danube Delta by boat. Discover the flora and fauna of this biosphere, one of 300 international biosphere reserves designated by UNESCO. Cruise past the Romanian countryside. Pre-dinner Jules Verne drinks party. (B, L, D)
Day 4 From Oltenita drive to Bucharest for a guided tour of the Romanian capital. Discover the mixture of architectural styles, wide boulevards and palaces. Join the vessel at Ruse, one of the biggest ports in Bulgaria. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Visit the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo with its fortress of the Tsarevets Kings. Continue to the village of Arbanassi to visit the Church of Nativity and the house of the Konstantzaliev family, built in the 17th century. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Morning tour of Ruse, founded by the Romans under the orders of Emperor Augustus. Afternoon and night spent sailing passing through two countries. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Day spent sailing through Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia. In the afternoon, cruise through the famous Iron Gates, called ’The Cauldrons’ by ancient sailors, since the water, held tightly between two steep cliffs, seemed to be boiling. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Morning tour devoted to the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Cruise towards Novi Sad. Afternoon tour of Novi Sad, capital of the autonomous region of Vojvodina, including the Orthodox Monastery at Krusedol. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Arrive in Osijek, the cultural centre of Slavonia, for a morning tour. Cruise past Mohacs, continue towards Budapest. Gala dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Transfer to Budapest airport for the return flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Notes
Whilst the vessel carries more, the group size specified refers to transfers and excursions.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
Modern 4-star hotel, a few steps from the Romanian Athenaeum and Victoriei Avenue. Restaurant, bar, gym, WiFi (free) and 114 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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Launched in 2006 and refurbished in 2016 to a high standard, MS L’Europe is registered in France with a mainly European crew and announcements in French and English. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope, established over 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family. All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise. Enjoy International and French cuisine with a choice of wines in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service with the occasional buffet. The vessel sails mostly at night. Reception, lounge bar with small dance floor, large sun deck, lift and WiFi (free/limited). 90 air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, satellite TV and picture windows. 42 twin/double cabins (140 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck, 27 twin/double cabins (140 sq. ft.) on the Middle Deck, 21 twin/double cabins (140 sq. ft.) on the Main Deck.
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A Premium vessel launched in 2009, MS Vivaldi is registered in France with a mainly European crew and announcements in French and English. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope established over 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family.
All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise (except 30 Nov/9 Dec, where drinks are included with meals only). Enjoy International and French cuisine in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service. The vessel does sail at night.
Reception, lounge bar with small dance floor, sun deck, lift and WiFi (free/limited). 88 air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV. 41 twin/double cabins with picture windows and French balcony (145 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck, 21 twin/double cabins with picture windows (145 sq. ft.) on the Middle Deck And 26 twin/double cabins with porthole (145 sq. ft.) on the Main Deck.
Notes
5 May & 30 Aug 2022 will cruise on the MS Vivaldi.
2 Oct 2022 will cruise on MS L'Europe.
Budapest Extension
Extend in Hungary’s captivating capital, sprinkled with hot springs, thermal baths and brimming with beautiful architecture. Stay in the heart of Budapest at the modern Eurostar Danube.
Day 1 Transfer to Eurostar Danube for two nights. (B)
Day 2 Day at leisure. (B)
Day 3 Transfer to Budapest airport for return flight. (B)
Modern 4-star hotel in Budapest’s Erzsebetvaros neighbourhood close to Deák Ferenc Tér. Breakfast room, bar, gym and WiFi (free). 101 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
per person in a twin/double Main Deck cabin
British Airways from Heathrow
For all 2022 bookings made by 31 December 2021, deduct £65 per person
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £625
Cabin Upgrades
Middle Deck £185
Upper Deck £215
Flight Options
British Airways Club Europe from £275
Extension Options
Extension - Budapest
Eurostars Danube Hotel
2 nights £265
(Aug £245, Oct £205)
Single supplement £95
Extra nights – Bucharest
Mercure City Center
(per night) £50
Single supplement £45
Independent Arrival
Save £250
Arrival transfer add £20
Departure transfer add £30
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 1-night hotel, 8-night cruise, full board and drinks on cruise vessel, excursions, UK Tour Manager, local expert guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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VAT No. 805146159
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