Gems of Southeast Europe

Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel. Stay Two Nights: Vienna, Intercontinental Hotel or similar

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 centre. (B)

Transfer from Vienna to Budapest where you'll be taken on a city tour. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman's Bastion, St Stephen's Basilica and the Chain Bridge.

Later, board your ship and enjoy a welcome dinner. Stay Seven Nights: Concerto River Ship (B/D)

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohacs. You'll then visit Pecs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the World Heritage-designated Christian Necropolis, as well as St Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs, and Szechenyi Square, the heart of Pecs' old town. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city.

Or for wine connoisseurs, head to the Szekszard wine region, one of the oldest red wine grape-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohacs. (B/L/D)

Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you'll better understand after your city tour showcasing the Ovcara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a centre of wine production since Roman times, where you'll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines.

Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the “Serbian Athens”. Discover the city on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town centre. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike through Fruska Gora National Park. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. (B/L/D)

Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St Sava. Visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family, and then tour the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress.

Later in the day, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, slivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B/L/D)

See Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one 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 travellers. (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 making traditional Bulgarian yogurt and banitsa, before trying your hand at making the pastry.

In the afternoon, continue to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria's natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. Alternatively, you may wish to take a guided bike tour or enjoy a wine tasting in Vidin. (B/L/D)

Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, with frescos revealing the exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B/L/D)

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in mythology and history. Your first stop will be the quaint mountain town of Sinaia, to visit Peles Castle, considered to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of German New Renaissance architecture. Its 160 rooms are filled with priceless European art.

After your tour of Peles Castle, depart for Brasov. Stay Two Nights: Kronwell Hotel, Brasov or similar (B)

Enjoy a walking tour around Brasov. Afterward, 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 World Heritage-listed town, filled with resplendent pastel-coloured buildings, stone lanes and medieval towers, and boasting a 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)

En route to Bucharest, you'll visit Transylvania's legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula.

Later in the day, transfer to Bucharest and check into your hotel. Stay Two Nights: Radisson Blu Bucharest or similar (B)

Enjoy a visit to Bucharest's most impressive sites—including the historic city centre and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world. Alternatively, you can choose a walking tour of the historic Old Town. (B)

Bid farewell to Bucharest as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)