The Black Sea to Budapest - Westbound
From $8,240 per person
13 days
5 countries
Ship: ms Esprit
13 days, 12 nights.
Journey summary
- Day 1 - Your adventure begins in Budapest
- Day 2 - Discovering Pest, past & present
- Day 3 - Visit Budapest landmark sights and set off on your cruise
- Day 4 - Antiquities & more in Hungary
- Day 5 - Vukovar, Croatia & Novi Sad, Serbia
- Day 6 - The sights of Belgrade and a private palace evening
- Day 7 - The Iron Gate, King Decebalus & more
- Day 8 - Bulgarian art in Ruse or Ivanovo
- Day 9 - Constanta & Mamaia on Romania's Black Sea coast
- Day 10 - Disembark and on to Bucharest
- Day 11 - Transylvania and Bran Castle – or Sinaia – or Targoviste
- Day 12 - Bucharest & a night at a palace
- Day 13 - Journey home
Itinerary highlights
Explore the romantic lower Danube through the heart of Central Europe, where East and West meet and intertwine in fascinating cultures and turbulent history... Glide past medieval monasteries, citadels and villages... Discover resort towns along Romania's Black Sea Coast, explore an ancient Christian necropolis in Pecs, and visit "Dracula's" castle in Transylvania... dine in a palace in Bucharest... Share homemade refreshments in the home of a Croatian family rebuilding their lives in postwar Vukovar... and experience authentic local cuisine, music and dance, and a wealth of architectural wonders as your river cruise winds its way through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, with nights on land at luxury hotels in the popular cities of Bucharest and Budapest (the Paris of Eastern Europe).
Your journey, ashore & afloat.
Fourteen days. Open any day for the full narrative and that day's highlights.
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Why Book With Us
Booking Direct or Booking by Small Ship Travel
The cruise fare is identical whether you book direct with Tauck or by Small Ship Travel. Cruise lines set their fares, and they do not discount them for direct bookings. Loyalty Program members earn 2% to 5% credit per booking, in addition to any rewards from the cruise line, and points carry across every cruise line we book.
| Book Direct | Book by Small Ship Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| The cruise fare | From $8,240 per person | From $8,240 per person. The fare is the fare. |
| Loyalty credit | The line's own program | 2–5% credit earned per booking for members, in addition to any rewards you receive from the cruise line* |
| Advice | Tauck's ships, known well | We compare across Viking, AmaWaterways, Silversea, and the rest, then put you on the right one |
| Cabin selection | Brochure categories | Which cabins to target on this ship, and which look equivalent on paper but run smaller in practice |
| If plans change | The line's call center | An advocate who knows you, your booking, and people at the line |
* Credit applies to a non-cruise portion of your booking. $250 credit for new clients who have not previously booked with Small Ship Travel. Loyalty Program details
or call 1-888-318-3110 before you finalize anything
Pick your departure. (per person*)
Cabin categories
* Per double occupancy. Some pricing may reflect single traveler rate.
** Double asterisk - for reverse direction indication
The ms Esprit.
Sail the world in unparalleled luxury aboard the ms Esprit, a masterpiece of design and comfort.
Experience an intimate, luxurious journey aboard the ms Esprit, designed for unforgettable river cruising along the Danube and Rhine. With its elegant style and focus on comfort, this 361-foot riverboat is a perfect blend of sophistication and relaxation. Hosting just 98 guests, the ms Esprit offers spacious accommodations, including Tauck Suites with plush bedding, walk-in closets, and private balconies showcasing breathtaking riverside views. Larger cabins measure up to 300 square feet, while cozy yet stylish options are also available. Most rooms feature floor-to-ceiling French balconies, inviting you to enjoy fresh air and scenery at any moment. Delight your palate at Compass Rose, the ship’s main dining room, or savor casual bites at Arthur’s. Whether mingling with fellow travelers in the lounge or marveling at fairy-tale castles from the Sun Deck, every moment aboard promises serenity and charm. The ms Esprit redefines river cruising with sophistication and warmth.
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