Wonders of the Danube Delta and Iron Gate Gorge

After meeting our group at London Heathrow, we board our evening flight to Bucharest, the lively capital of Romania. We spend the night in this dynamic metropolis with a fascinating mix of history, culture, and modernity.

• Dinner

On a guided tour, we discover the palaces, medieval homes, and skyscrapers of Bucharest. The city is renowned for its world-class museums, grandiose Palace of the Parliament, and picturesque Old Town. This afternoon we meet our luxurious ship and are greeted with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge. After settling into your wonderful cabin and familiarising ourselves with our magnificent ship, we indulge in our first dinner on board before beginning our first overnight cruise toward the Black Sea.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we board smaller safari boats for a nature cruise through the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta. This biosphere reserve is packed with wildlife, including many rare and endangered species such as the golden jackal, European hoopoe, white-tailed eagle and lesser-spotted woodpecker.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a night of relaxed cruising, we drive to the port town of Constanța for a guided tour. We discover this historic city's Greek origins, Roman ancestry, and Persian influences as we wander the streets. Some of the attractions we see include the great mosque, art-nouveau casino, and Genovese lighthouse. A short visit to the city's History and Archaeology Museum is also enlightening, and there's time to take a stroll along the pristine beach before we return to our ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We dock in the Bulgarian town of Rousse then head to the historic town of Veliko Târnovo, set at the foot of the Balkan mountains. A tour through the Old Town showcases beautiful timber-framed buildings, medieval churches, and the striking Tsarevets Fortress. During lunch on board, we begin cruising, continuing overnight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the day at leisure on board our luxurious ship. During the afternoon we pass through the amazing Iron Gate Gorge which is blanketed in legend. As we sail, we're surrounded by towering cliffs covered in lush moss, some adorned with intricate carvings - our cruise director gives us an insightful commentary, adding to the enchantment of the crystal-clear waters and ancient ruins that seem to immerse us.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During breakfast, we arrive in Belgrade, the lively capital of Serbia, eager to explore its rich history and impressive architecture. Our guided tour takes us to Kalemegdan Fortress, the oldest surviving part of the city that dates back to the 3rd century BC. From here, we enjoy breathtaking views of the Danube and Sava rivers, immersing ourselves in the city's ancient past.

We then move on to Belgrade's National Museum, where we can appreciate the artistic and cultural heritage of this vibrant city. Our tour also includes the parliament building, Terazije Square, and the Palace of Princess Ljubica. This unique building, with its distinct Asian influence, was built in the 1800s for the wife of Prince Miloš - Princess Ljubica.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we arrive at the port of Mohács, the gateway to the Great Hungarian Plains. Our 'Puszta' tour by coach takes us to Kalocsa, with stops along the way, offering us a unique insight into the region. Our first stop is at a paprika house, also known as 'red gold', Paprika has been one of Hungary's most famous and important cooking ingredients for centuries. We indulge in a variety of dishes seasoned with this unique spice and learn about its fascinating history.

Our journey then takes us to the former home of a wealthy 19th-century family, where we are treated to a mesmerizing performance of traditional folk music and dancing. Next, we venture into the vast expanse of the great plains, where we have the opportunity to try more local delicacies and meet the magnificent Hungarian half-blood horses. We even get to experience a wagon ride, hauled by these majestic creatures.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing into Budapest during breakfast, we pass the impressive buildings that line the banks of the river. After marvelling at this captivating city, it's time to disembark. We journey by rail to Stuttgart, where we spend the night in the capital of southwest Germany's Baden-Württemberg state.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Bidding farewell to Stuttgart this morning, it's time to head home. We journey by rail to Paris where we board the Eurostar back to London. Here, you'll say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

• Breakfast