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Flight Inclusive Price from UK
- International flights from UK
- 7 nights Lower Danube River Cruise
- 4 nights Hotel Accommodation
- All Meals on Cruise
- Shore Excursions on Cruise
- Guided Excursions in Bucharest & Istanbul
- Based on 2021 - 22 prices
- ATOL protection
- Travel Trust Protection
Budapest to Istanbul
Budapest to Istanbul - 11 nights
Many thanks for your interest regarding an Emerald Danube River Cruise Holiday with Istanbul.
Five countries, all unique in their own way, accompany the Danube on its journey towards the furthest reaches of Eastern Europe.
In Kalocsa, visit a Puszta Horse Show, enjoy lunch in the home of a local Croatian family in Osijek and, in Belgrade, enjoy a guided city tour, before a Serbian folklore show on board.
Taste Romanian wine, attend a choir concert in Arbanasi, and journey by road to Bucharest.Finally enjoy an extended stay in Istanbul.
Please bear in mind that all of our European River Cruise holidays are tailor made and can be tailored with pre and post cruise accommodation or touring.
Inclusions
- International flights from the UK
- 7 night Danube River Cruise
- All Meals on Board
- Return airport transfers
- Shore Excursions on Cruise
- Land Excursions in Bucharest & Istanbul
- ATOL Protection
- Travel Trust Protection
Accommodation
- 7 night Emerald River Cruise
- 1 night Bucharest
- 3 nights Istanbul
Highlights
- Budapest
- Mohacs
- Osijek
- Vukovar
- Belgrade
- Golubak - Iron Gates
- Vidin
- Rousse
- Giurgiu
- Bucharest
Day 1: Fly UK to Budapest
Fly to Budapest with British Airways (or with your preferred airline).
On arrival in Budapest you will be met and transferred to board your Emerald Waterways cruise.
This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore eastern Europe's liveliest city at leisure.
The "Paris of the East" is a truly breathtaking sight, where dozens of lights adorn the stone bridges that cross the mighty Danube, seperating both sides of the city.
This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Day 2: Budapest - Kalocsa
In the morning, sail out of Budapest towards Kalocsa, best known for its vibrant paprika festivals.
Traditional folk art and culture are yours to discover here, as you sail through one of the oldest towns in Hungary.
This afternoon, you’ll venture to the Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, for a traditional performance showcasing the exceptional equestrian skills of the Magyar cowboys.
Relax as you watch their spectacular horse parade and witness their exercise drills, most of which were readily practiced for wartime.
Tonight, your crew will welcome you for a Welcome Dinner & Reception.
Day 3: Osijek
Cruise into the border region of Croatia and into Osijek, a historic university town full of leafy boulevards and promenades.
Damage from the Homeland War is still visible across the city, but it is easily forgotten when you immerse yourself in the peaceful surrounds that can be found here.
Today, you will be able to meet students from a local village who will be delighted to perform for you during your excursion, before embarking on a walk around Osijek Fortress, nestled in the centre of the romantic old town.
This ensemble of well-preserved Baroque buildings is laid out like a traditional star fort, with bastions, armouries, a guardhouse and a military hospital all protected within its walls.
Later, sail further down the Danube and into Serbia, where remnants of recent conflicts can be seen on the riverbanks.
Day 4: Belgrade
Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years.
Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present.
The capital of Serbia awaits you today, as a city tour introduces you to the highlights of one of Europe’s oldest cities, including Belgrade Fortress.
Relax as your coach takes you through the centre of the city, where remnants of a chaotic past look out of place among peaceful surrounds.
Witness the symmetrical façade of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest church buildings, and stop for a tour of the Museum of Yugoslavia.
Enjoy learning about the life of the leader of the Partisans, Josip Broz Tito, and the way that they became one of the most effective resistance movements in occupied Europe.
Alternatively, learn about the history of Belgrade during a guided bike tour of the city.
This evening, relax in the Horizon Lounge and watch a traditional Serbian folklore show.
Day 5: Golubac - Donji Milanovac - The Iron Gates
Head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress.
In eastern Serbia, within the Majdanpek municipality, the town of Donji Milanovac sits on the right bank of the Danube.
Today, you will have the opportunity to visit the Palaeolithic site of Lepenski Vir on an included excursion.
Enjoy learning about the importance of this archaeological site and its illustrious history, spanning more than 8 millennia.
Archaeologists have used this site to track the development of prehistoric culture in Europe, and numerous Stone Age settlements have been found in the area.
The day ends as the ship sail through the Iron Gates, a scenic narrow gorge that meanders between the Carpathian Mountains and the European Alps.
Day 6: Vidin
Vidin is a port town on the Danube that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests.
This morning, arrive in Vidin, a beautiful town in north-west Bulgaria.
Situated on the right bank of the Danube, it is one of the oldest along the Bulgarian Danube bank, prospering from the surrounding countryside, renowned for producing wines.
Your included tour will introduce you to the best of Vidin’s viticulture, as you stroll through a local vineyard and enjoy a tasting of their produce.
Later, venture to Baba Vida, a medieval fortress whose name can be translated to mean “Granny Vida”.
Construction began on the fortress in the 10th century, and it has been steeped in legend ever since.
Alternatively, hike to Belogradchik Fortress, a well-preserved stronghold that sits against a series of impressive rock formations.
Day 7: Rousse - Veliko Tarnavo - Arbanasi
Bulgaria’s foremost Danube port, Rousse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings.
Today, your Star-Ship will cruise into Rousse. You will have the opportunity to visit Veliko Tarnovo, stopping to learn about its rich history as the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
This medieval city was built atop three hills, and its fortifications and cobbled streets are certain to delight history lovers.
Nearby, Arbanasi sits on a high plateau overlooking the Yantra River.
Each street in the area is lined with traditional houses, and old churches offer centuries of exploration during your guided tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi.
Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a complex of churches, chapels and monasteries.
Witness the incredible nature of the 14th-century painted frescoes and learn about their composition and the emotional atmosphere that they convey, something that was far ahead of its time.
Tonight, your crew will welcome you on board for a Farewell dinner.
Day 8: Bucharest
This morning, relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you drive towards Bucharest, including the Romanian city of Giurgiu, set amongst the mud flats and marshes of the Danube.
Visit the Spring Palace to see the elegant exterior of a well-kept secret and the plush interior of the private residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, before enjoying free time to explore the city at leisure.
Learn about Bucharest’s vibrant history on a guided coach tour, passing by the Palace of Parliament.
This evening, settle into the comfortable surrounds of your hotel, perhaps going for a stroll down one of the wide avenues or leafy boulevards that give Bucharest a distinctly French feel.
Day 9: Istanbul
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities of the world history.
You will be met at the airport in Istanbul and taken to your centrally-located hotel, with a three-night stay included in your itinerary.
Day 10: Istanbul
Today, you will explore some of the Istanbul’s highlights – such as the famed Hippodrome Square which was once the sporting and social center of Constantinople that hosted the chariot races until the Middle Ages.
You will get to see the Blue Mosque, probably one of the most famed masterpieces of Ottoman religious architecture.
Standing in great prestige with its six minarets and perfect proportioned dome, it is named after its Turquoise colored tiles made of quartz minerals.
Ottoman Sultans preferred to pray in this timeless shrine due to its incomparable beauty until when the empire collapsed after World War I.
Afterwards, you will carry on to the Basilica of Saint Sophia, one of the largest Christian shrines ever built.
Day 11: Istanbul
Start the day with a tour of the Underground Cistern known by the locals as the Sunken Cistern.
From there you will continue your exploration with the bustling atmosphere of the Spice Market, dating back to the 17th century, but still the most popular bazaar visited by locals to shop for fresh ingredients to spice up the dishes prepared in the kitchens of Istanbul.
Afterwards, experience a very unique aspect of the city by boarding private boat for an unforgettable cruise on the waters of the Bosphorus.
During your cruise on the famed strait running between the two continents, your guide will share with you all the legends and myths about the Bosphorus and its impressive mansions and palaces.
As well as the scenery of the historical edifices, you will be overwhelmed by the skyline of Istanbul ornamented with domes and minarets of Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.
Day 12: Istanbul – UK
After breakfast, bid farewell to Istanbul and prepare for your return flight home.
Alternatively extend your stay in Turkey.
Fly back to the UK.
Arrive back in the UK.
View Holidays in Detail
To view a sample holiday, click on one of the links below. This will open the itinerary up in a new window.
All of our Danube River Cruise Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.
We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.
Contact Us:
Call us now to speak to a River Cruise holiday expert about your Danube River Cruise holiday.
Call us now on 0333 7000 747
Open 09:00 - 17:30 Mon - Fri. 09:00 - 12:00 Sat.
Budapest to Istanbul
Budapest to Istanbul
Budapest to Bucharest Danube River Cruise through Eastern Europe with a 3 night extension in Istnabul.
All flights, Meals, Shore Excursions included.
