| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 30th30 | AugAug | 202323 | Budapest, Hungary, embark on the TUI Skyla | | 23:00 |
| Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find. Sliced in half by the Danube, Budapest is like two cities in one. Hilly Buda sits to the west of the river, crowned by a vast 18th-century castle and the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion. To the east, you’ve got Pest, which is home to one of the grandest parliament buildings in the world. The whole city’s a treasure chest for architecture, though – even its famous thermal baths are style icons, from Ottoman-era Rudas to canary-yellow Szechenyi and its open-air number. And its quirky ruin bars – housed in derelict, open-air buildings – are anything but ordinary. Go for a drink at Szimpla Kert and you can take a seat in a cut-open car or admire the graffiti-covered walls. |
| 31st31 | AugAug | 202323 | Mohács, Hungary | | |
| Just like bears, Mohács goes into hibernation for lots of the year. This snoozy little Hungarian town is great for dropping off-grid. But it awakens from its sleep in February or March, when the Busójárás carnival sees locals parade through the streets in scary horned masks, which are meant to ward off winter and welcome spring. Plus, there’s still stuff to see while it slumbers. It might be small in size, but it’s played a huge role in history. Follow the road out of town and you’ll come across the Mohács Historical Memorial Site. This place marks the spot where the Hungarian army were defeated by the Turks in 1526 – a rule which ended up lasting almost five centuries. |
| 31st31 | AugAug | 202323 | Kalocsa, Hungary | | |
| Just like the top belt of the Hungarian flag, red is the colour in Kalocsa. This town, just inland from the Danube River, is affectionately known as the ‘Paprika Capital of the World’, thanks to its bumper haul of flavoursome red peppers. Handsome architecture’s a running theme, too, as the town’s one of the oldest in the country, and the seat of one of Hungary’s four archbishops. There’s a milk-and-cookie-coloured cathedral and the sunflower-shaded Archbishop’s Palace. Folk art’s a big deal, and you can visit a museum where the best works are on display. |
| 1st01 | SepSep | 202323 | Novi Sad, Serbia | | |
| Novi Sad, on the Serbian banks of the Danube River, counts picturesque parks and imposing castles in its skill set. The main part of the city’s on the west bank, and often gets called the ‘Athens of Serbia’ for its gaggle of historic landmarks. The Neo-Renaissance town hall and cathedral-like Name of Mary Church populate the main square, Trg Slobode. Look across the water to the eastern bank, and you’ll see Petrovaradin Fortress nestled on a hilltop. Secret tunnels unravel like tree roots underneath the foundations and, every summer, one of Europe’s biggest music festivals cranks up the volume within the curtain walls. |
| 2nd02 | SepSep | 202323 | Donji Milanovac, Serbia | | |
| This pretty Serbian town sits on the banks of Lake Djerdap in the Djerdap National Park. It’s a popular stop for Danube river cruising, thanks to the Iron Gate Gorge – a dramatic part of the river on the boundary between Serbia and Romania. Donji Milanovac’s biggest tourist attraction is Lepenski Vir, one of the most significant Prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe. Here, you can see how humans lived in the area in 20,000 BC. Elsewhere, you’ll find a charming church dating back to 1840, and numerous little restaurants serving Serbian specials, like pljeskavica – grilled meats served on a type of flatbread. |
| 2nd02 | SepSep | 202323 | Iron Gates, Romania | | |
| This stretch of the Danube River feels like you’re on the waterways of Middle Earth, with dramatic tree-clad slopes and rock carvings along the banks. It’s like a ready-made border between Romania and Serbia, and gets its name from the steep gorge that forms a natural gateway on either side. Because it’s more scenery than civilisation, there’s no port to hop off at – the best views are from the water. One of the most iconic features is the Sculpture of Decebalus – a 140-foot carving of the ancient king’s face. You can also see the remnants of a Roman bridge and the ramparts of Golubac Fortress – a Medieval town that looks like something from Game of Thrones. |
| 3rd03 | SepSep | 202323 | Belgrade, Serbia | | |
| Serbia’s up-and-coming capital is like several cities thrown into one. It’s got Berlin’s bohemian grit, New York’s wide-awake attitude and Prague’s historic architecture. Here, there are two riverbanks to roam along – one belonging to the Danube and the other to the Sava. They’re lined with splavovi – floating restaurants, bars and clubs, each with their own personality. Belgrade’s grand fortress sits near the water, too, surrounded by parkland and a zoo. It’s split into sections, with Austrian, Roman and Ottoman features all playing a part. St Sava Temple is the other head-turning piece of architecture around here. This domed Orthodox church is the second biggest of its kind in the world. In fact, it’s so big that it’s still under construction today. |
| 4th04 | SepSep | 202323 | Vukovar, Croatia | | |
| Vukovar’s had a hard time in recent years – it was completely destroyed during a battle with Yugoslavia in 1991. These days, a lot of the city’s been preserved as a memorial to the people who fought to defend it. The dainty town centre’s a mix of red brick buildings and wartime museums, which shine a spotlight on the town’s grizzly history. Learn about it during a walk around the photo exhibits in the museum at Eltz Manor, an 18th-century castle that was restored in 2011. The bullet-riddled water tower, which hasn’t been touched since the fighting, is a must-see spot, too. And when you’re done, the banks along the Vuka River are great for a relaxing stroll. |
| 5th05 | SepSep | 202323 | Budapest, Hungary | | |
| Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find. Sliced in half by the Danube, Budapest is like two cities in one. Hilly Buda sits to the west of the river, crowned by a vast 18th-century castle and the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion. To the east, you’ve got Pest, which is home to one of the grandest parliament buildings in the world. The whole city’s a treasure chest for architecture, though – even its famous thermal baths are style icons, from Ottoman-era Rudas to canary-yellow Szechenyi and its open-air number. And its quirky ruin bars – housed in derelict, open-air buildings – are anything but ordinary. Go for a drink at Szimpla Kert and you can take a seat in a cut-open car or admire the graffiti-covered walls. |
| 6th06 | SepSep | 202323 | Budapest, Hungary, disembark the TUI Skyla | | |
| Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find. Sliced in half by the Danube, Budapest is like two cities in one. Hilly Buda sits to the west of the river, crowned by a vast 18th-century castle and the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion. To the east, you’ve got Pest, which is home to one of the grandest parliament buildings in the world. The whole city’s a treasure chest for architecture, though – even its famous thermal baths are style icons, from Ottoman-era Rudas to canary-yellow Szechenyi and its open-air number. And its quirky ruin bars – housed in derelict, open-air buildings – are anything but ordinary. Go for a drink at Szimpla Kert and you can take a seat in a cut-open car or admire the graffiti-covered walls. |
