Highlights of a River Danube to the Black Sea cruise
Budapest (Hungary)
The Danube divides the capital of Hungary into old Buda and cosmopolitan Pest. In the Pest district are graceful mansions leading to the vast and imposing Hero’s Square. Across the river is the famous Chain Bridge and in the hill-top castle district is Buda Castle and its fine gardens, the Royal Palace and the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion.
Novi Sad (Serbia)
Novi Sad is Serbia’s second-largest city, and has broad, elegant streets and large squares, dominated by its lofty cathedral. Marshal Vauban’s impregnable fortress, Petrovaradin, overlooks the Danube and has a reversed clock which can be read by fishermen on the river.
Belgrade (Serbia)
The large capital of Serbia has an energetic atmosphere, melding cultural influences from its turbulent past. Explore St Sava church, Republic Square and enjoy the lively café culture. The vast Kalemegdan Fortress has splendid views of the Sava and Danube Rivers, Marshal Tito's tomb and the former living quarters of high-ranking communist officials.
Iron Gates (Romania and Serbia)
The magnificent gorges of the Iron Gates are the natural border between Serbia and Romania, and are one of the highlights of a cruise on the Danube River. The gorges carve a channel between the Carpathian Mountains and the foothills of the Balkans.
Rousse (Bulgaria)
Rousse is one of Bulgarias oldest cities, built on the site of a Roman fort. It is known as Little Vienna for its fine Baroque and neo-classical architecture, and has the only bridge across the Danube which connects Bulgaria and Romania. Nearby are medieval Veliko Tarnavo and Arbanasi.
Bucharest (Romania)
The lovely city of Bucharest has wide avenues and some impressive buildings including the Roman Arc de Triomphe, the Royal Palace which houses the National Art Museum and the Antim Monastery. The modern Parliament Building is the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon and is open to visitors for tours. It was originally built by deposed President Ceaucescu as his palace.
Please note that different itineraries may visit some or all of the places mentioned above