Board your overnight flight to Bucharest.

Embark the ship in Giurgiu for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise.

Experience more of Bucharest or visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for its 19th and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo- Rococo architecture, and then afterward, visit the UNESCOdesignated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B, L, D)

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. Alternatively, 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 choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. (B, L, D)

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)

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. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Šlivovitz, 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. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on “The Athens of Serbia” walking tour. Stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center, and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B, L, D)

Enjoy an afternoon in Vukovar on a guided city tour, where you will have a chance to visit Eltz Manor House and its collection of historic artifacts, paintings, and clothing. Alternatively, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. Wine connoisseurs will want to enjoy Croatian wine tasting and tour the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac, and Frankovka wines. (B, L, D)

Visit Pécs, 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 Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or, for wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go to the Szekszárd 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 from Mohács through the Danube-Drava National Park. (B, L, D)

Disembark the ship in Budapest and prepare for your flight home. (B)