AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES

AWARD-WINNING DINING

A WORLD OF EXPLORATION

Land Program

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 : Bucharest
Arrive in Bucharest and check in to your lovely hotel.

Day 2 : Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania s capital, has earned its nickname, the Little Paris of the East, with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy a visit to the city s most impressive sites including the historic city center and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world. Or take a walking tour of Bucharest s Old Town. Explore the Romanian Christmas traditions as you stroll through the Bucharest Christmas Market where there will be plenty of holiday festivities to enjoy such as sipping on hot mulled wine or shopping for handcrafted goods at the small wooden stalls. (B)

Day 3 : Brasov
Journey through the Romanian countryside to Bran, where you ll visit Transylvania s legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Later, head to Brasov for a walking tour where the fairytale-like old town transforms into a beautiful Christmas Market then check into your hotel. (B)

Day 4 : Brasov
Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighisoara, birthplace to Transylvania s most notorious ruler, Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It s hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad s place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called Casa Dracula. (B)

Day 5 : Sinaia
Your first stop on the road to Transylvania will be the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia, you ll visit Pele? Castle, considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe. Tour the castle, which was once the residence of the royal family. Later in the day, transfer to Giurgiu where you will embark the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets cruise. (B,D)

Day 6 : Rousse
Experience more of Bucharest where you ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Bucharest Christmas market, shining bright in festive holiday lights, in front of the Palace of the Parliament. Or visit Bulgaria s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples, and enjoy the magic of the holidays when learning about the Bulgarian traditions and folklore during Christmastime. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Vidin
Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria, or visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the option to take an exhilarating bike tour through Vidin. Alternatively, you can bike through Vidin or enjoy a wine tasting. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Iron Gates
The Iron Gates are some of Europe s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. After your scenic cruise, you will arrive at Golubac Fortress one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe for a tour. (B,L,D)

Day 9 : Belgrade
Explore Serbia s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Serbia celebrates the holidays with festive Winter Markets as they have an extended Christmas period, following the Orthodox calendar where Christmas falls on the 7th of January and the New Year on the 14th. You ll have time to explore Belgrade s Winter Fest where the main square brims with holiday delights with colorful Christmas Market stalls, an ice-skating rink, concerts and more. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. Later in the day, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian brandy, livovitz, paired with delicious local appetizers, including livovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Day 10 : Novi Sad
Discover Novi Sad, the Serbian Athens, on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. Experience firsthand unique Orthodox traditions at Serbia s first and oldest Winter Market where you ll see the grand Singing Christmas Tree where choirs from all over the region gather to perform every day. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike to Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. Later in the day, cruise to Vukovar, a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovcara Memorial and Eltz Manor House. While there, experience the festive, warm atmosphere of the holidays when visiting a traditional Croatian Christmas Market. Embrace the holiday cheer and rich culture as you listen to Christmas melodies, taste sweet and savory delights and shop for traditional handcrafted goods. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you ll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. (B,L,D)

Day 11 : Mohacs
Visit P cs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter s Basilica, the city s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Sz chenyi Square, the heart of Old Town P cs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. You ll also have the opportunity to visit the delightful P cs Christmas market with its sparkling Christmas tree in front of Town Hall. Or for wine connoisseurs, you ll want to go to the Szeksz rd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Moh cs. (B,L,D)

Day 12 : Budapest
Enjoy a city tour of the Hungarian capital. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman s Bastion, St. Stephen s Basilica and the Chain Bridge. Transfer to Vienna and check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city. (B)

Day 13 : Vienna
The City of Waltzes offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna s historic city center. Following your city tour, spend your afternoon enjoying the festivities of the Christmas Markets. (B)

Day 14 : Vienna
Bid farewell to Vienna as you prepare for your flight home. (B)