Day 1 UK to Bucharest to Transylvania

Fly to Bucharest. Transfer to the locally rated 5-star Aro Palace Hotel (4Q), in the heart of Transylvania, for a three night half-board stay.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel throughout your stay.

Day 2 Transylvania

Head to the centre of Brasov for an enjoyable walking tour of this beautiful town, including entrance to the 14th-century Black Church. The interior of this Gothic church was destroyed by a fire in 1689 which left the outer walls and roof blackened.

Day 3 Transylvania

Enjoy an included visit to 14th-century Bran Castle, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, even though the author never visited Transylvania! It is thought that Vlad the Impaler, ruler of this area – Walachia – in the 15th century, may have been imprisoned here.

Day 4 Transylvania to Braila

Depart after breakfast for a scenic drive through the Carpathian Mountains to your ship. Stop for lunch and some free time in the hills en route.

Embark Spirit of the Danube and look forward to dinner on board. Your ship begins sailing shortly after embarkation.

Day 5 Silistra to Rousse

Enjoy the morning in Silistra, where you may like to explore the ruins of a medieval castle located on the riverbank.

Depart at lunchtime and enjoy the facilities on board your ship as you cruise towards Rousse this afternoon, arriving this evening.

Day 6 Rousse 🎧

Rousse is often referred to as 'Little Vienna' on account of the Austrian-style architecture here. The city prospered from its location on the Danube and is home to many grand buildings. A good example is the Building of the Tax Administration with its elaborate facade.

Enjoy exploring Rousse on an included tour.

Your ship remains moored here overnight.

Day 7 Rousse to Svistov

Your ship departs Rousse early allowing you the morning to explore Svistov, one of the largest Bulgarian Danube ports. Perhaps join an optional scenic journey by coach across the Danubian Plain to the town of Pleven, on the River Vit, a tributary of the Danube.

You’ll walk through the town with your guide to the Pleven Panorama and afterwards enjoy a glass of wine at a hotel.

Depart this afternoon for Nikopol where you pause briefly before cruising towards the Iron Gates.

Day 8 The Iron Gates

Cruise the Danube as it passes through the southern stretch of the dramatic Carpathian mountains and the foothills of the Balkans to the ‘Iron Gates’, a gorge framed by sheer cliffs.

Day 9 Belgrade 🎧

This morning, join an included city tour of Serbia's capital, Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe and the meeting point of Eastern and Western Europe.

Depart during lunch and sail overnight to Mohács.

Day 10 Mohács

Arrive in Mohács this morning with a couple of hours to explore the home of some of Hungary’s most exciting folk traditions.

Perhaps join an optional full-day excursion through the Hungarian lowlands where you can enjoy a performance of traditional horsemanship, rejoining your ship when she pauses briefly in Kalocsa.

Spirit of the Danube continues cruising to Budapest.

Day 11 Budapest 🎧

Arrive in the early hours, giving you a day in this thrilling city. Experience the culture and local cuisine on an included culinary-themed walking tour which visits the First Strudel House and the Central Market Hall or choose to join an included tour and see some of the city’s highlights.

This afternoon perhaps join an optional excursion to Gödöllo Palace or the Lazar Equestrian Park horse farm.

Your ship remains moored here overnight.

Day 12 Budapest to UK

This morning, disembark Spirit of the Danube after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.