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The Iron Gates Gorge- The Parliament Building in Budapest
Through the Carpathian Mountains: Budapest to Bucharest
The Danube
£2,729 per person
10 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £66 if not required
save up to 5%
save up to £350 per person on Apr 5, 2024
How our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each grade at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected grades. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold. This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare. Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin and grade. When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.-
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Uncover the culture and scenery of the Danube
Discover the rich history of Budapest on an included excursion, before visiting the battlefield town of Mohacs and Vukovar in Croatia, home to the Ovcara Memorial.
After exploring Belgrade on an included tour, you journey through the most dramatic scenery along the Danube, including the towering rock cliffs of the Iron Gates Gorge.
Another highlight of your cruise is sure to be the city of Rousse, characterised by grand buildings with Austrian-style architecture, which can be seen on an included tour.
Sail the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta, a Biosphere Reserve, before transferring to Bucharest for an overnight hotel stay.
This cruise is also available with a reverse itinerary, with slightly different ports: Through the Carpathian Mountains: Bucharest to Budapest.
Itinerary
Spirit of the Danube
Travel to Hungary's capital and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Depart 2000.
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube.
The cities have been officially united since 1873, but they are still very different in character. Buda is the older and more graceful, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and 19th-century public buildings.
An included excursion will reveal some of the city’s highlights.
Arrive 1400. Depart 1900.
The city of Vukovar lies in Slavonia, a region of Croatia which was ruled by Rome until the 5th century, and later settled by the Slavs – hence the name.
A thriving city before the Yugoslav War, Vukovar was also the site of one of the biggest battles during the break up of Yugoslavia and many shell scarred buildings have been preserved in memoriam – the baroque and classical pre-war architecture can be seen in the historic city centre.
Arrive 0900. Depart 2300.
Set at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers, Belgrade is considered to be the meeting point of Eastern and Western Europe. It's a city with a chequered past, having been destroyed and rebuilt 20 times during its 2,000-year history!
This morning, on an included excursion you'll be able to see its key attractions including the cathedral and St Sava Temple and visit the Kalemegdan fortress, which dates mostly from the late 18th century and contains the tomb of the Turkish Grand Vezir, Ali Pasha.
Relax on board Spirit of the Danube as she passes the Decebalus Face, a colossal carving in the rocks depicting the last king of Dacia, and on through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. This strikingly scenic stretch of river is framed on both sides by sheer cliffs that are dotted with frills of greenery.
In ancient times the water level in the Iron Gates gorge was much lower and it was considered one of the most dangerous stretches of river in Europe to navigate. The riverbed rocks and low water levels combined to make this part of the river particularly treacherous for passing ships, but now a complex system of dams and locks ensures this is no longer the case.
Arrive Nikopol, 0800. Depart 1300.
Arrive Rousse, 2300.
The riverside town of Nikopol is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The medieval fortifications of Nikopol Fortress sit on a hilltop overlooking the town.
Depart 1200.
The city of Rousse prospered from its location on the Danube and is home to many grand buildings with Austrian-style architecture. A good example is the Building of the Tax Administration with its elaborate facade. Explore Rousse further during an included tour.
Scenic Cruise, Danube Delta.
Arrive St Georghe, 1400. Depart 1700.
Enjoy the scenery as you cruise the Danube Delta. Much of it is a protected reserve, as the meandering river, reed beds and groves of willow, oak and poplar provide sanctuary for over 300 species of bird.
From St Georghe you may like to join an optional small boat cruise further into this UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve.
Relax on board Spirit of the Danube and enjoy the changing scenery.
Hotel
Arrive Harsova, 1100.
Transfer to Bucharest.
Disembark your ship and transfer to a 4-star hotel in Bucharest. Romania’s capital city is known for its wide tree-lined avenues and Belle Epoque architecture.
Highlights include the Palace of the Parliament, Cotroceni Palace where the President of Romania resides and historic Cretulescu Palace.
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and transfer to the airport to begin your return journey.
Including...
9 nights All Inclusive† on the ship
1 night Half Board at the hotel
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Captain's dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- Entertainment and activities on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursions
- Budapest city tour
- Belgrade city tour and visit to the Kalemegdan Fortress
- Rousse city tour
Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
£2,729 per person
10 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £66 if not required
save up to 5%
save up to £350 per person on Apr 5, 2024
How our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each grade at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected grades. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold. This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare. Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin and grade. When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.£2,729 per person
10 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £66 if not required