GEMS OF SOUTHEAST EUROPE

Oct. 24 – NOV. 5, 2027

Presented by The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Continental Travel

October 24 – November 5, 2027

Join us on a river cruise and land journey through Budapest, the Balkans, Bulgaria, and Transylvania – tracing the Danube through ancient fortresses, UNESCO treasures, and legendary landscapes. We’ll spend 7 nights on the AmaWaterways boat, followed by 4 nights on land in Romania.

VIEW PDF ITINERARY or scroll down to view text version (subject to change)

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Reserve your spot on this trip today by calling Julie Millar or Trish Orton at 204-953-2828 or by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]

COST:

Prices until June 29 (international airfare not included)

$8,407 per person, double occupancy – Fixed window (+ $6,479 for single supplement)

$11,997 per person, double occupancy– French and outside balcony (+ $8,254 for single supplement)

 

Bookings after June 30 will be an additional $2,230 per person based on double occupancy.

 

Please note: International airfare is not included in the price. Flights are not available this far in advance; more information on flight options to come.

 

$1000 deposit at time of booking.

$3000 due November 2, 2026

Final payment due July 20, 2027

 

Space is limited and based on live inventory. Single staterooms are limited.

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • Cruise and land package
  • All meals while on board the ship. Afternoon tea and all day and late evening tapas
  • Breakfast during the land itinerary
  • Beer, wine, soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board the ship
  • Coffee, tea, water 24 hours on board the ship
  • Complimentary Happy Hour with signature cocktails prior to dinner
  • Tour excursions
  • Unlimited wifi
  • Transfers (one group transfer meeting at designated time for arrival and transfer for return flight)
  • Gratuities

NOT INCLUDED:

  • International airfare. Prices estimated starting at $2400 per person
  • Travel/health insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Lunch, dinner and drinks during land itinerary

ITINERARY

Day 1:  BUDAPEST. Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. (D)

 

Day 2:  BUDAPEST to MOHACS  (B,L,D)

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. You’ll then visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans.

Excursions available:

  • Visit the UNESCO designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city.
  • For wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red wine growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago.
  • An exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács.

 

Day 3:  VUKOVAR  (B,L,D)

MORNING: 

Excursions available:

  • Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower.
  • Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour.
  • For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour.

AFTERNOON:

Excursions available:

  • In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines.
  • You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe.

 

Day 4:  BELGRADE  (B,L,D)

Excursions available:

  • Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world.
  • You may also explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on a full day excursion. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall and the Petrovaradin Fortress.
  • Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Šlivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO’s list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage.”
  • For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour.

 

Day 5:  IRON GATES  (B,L,D)

Visit Golubac Fortress, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe, and delight in exquisite wines sourced from Rajačke Pimnice, a prominent viticulture region in Serbia, complemented by the flavors of traditional Serbian cheese and bread.

 

Then cruise through the Iron Gates – one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.

 

 

Day 6:  VIDIN  (B,L,D)

Excursions available:

  • Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria.
  • Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make.
  • You also bike through Vidin and to the castle.

 

Day 7:  ROUSSE  (B,L,D)

Excursions available:

  • For more active exploration, join an unforgettable hike up the iconic Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo. Explore its ancient walls, towers, and the Patriarchal Church, adorned with stunning modernist frescoes.
  • You may also opt to go to Rousse, known for its 19th and 20th century NeoBaroque and NeoRococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO designated Rock Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14thcentury paintings.
  • You may also join a full day tour to Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Enjoy a guided tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture.

 

***LAND PACKAGE BEGINS:  2 Nights Brasov & 2 Nights Bucharest – hotels to be confirmed***

 

 

DAY 8:  GIURGIU DISEMBARKATION (B)

Into the heart of Transylvania

Disembark in Giurgiu and venture deep into Transylvania–a land of misty mountains and age-old myths. Visit the storied Bran Castle, famously linked to Dracula’s legend, then continue to Brașov, a picturesque town nestled among the Southern Carpathians.

  • Disembarkation
  • Transfer to Bran
  • Dracula’s Castle visit
  • Hotel check-in

 

DAY 9:  BRASOV  (B)

  • Stroll the cobblestone streets of Brașov on a walking tour where medieval towers guard colorful facades.
  • Then travel to Sighișoara, a UNESCO treasure and birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Its storybook beauty contrasts its haunting history, offering a day rich with wonder and intrigue.

 

DAY 10:  BRASOV TO BUCHAREST  (B)

Journey through the Carpathian foothills to Sinaia and explore the magnificent Peles Castle–an architectural masterpiece filled with European art and royal grandeur. Continue to Bucharest, Romania’s lively capital, where history and modern life meet in dazzling fashion.

  • Peles Castle tour
  • Transfer to Bucharest
  • Hotel check-in

 

DAY 11:  BUCHAREST  (B)

The Little Paris of the East

From the monumental Palace of the Parliament to the charming old town, discover a city that celebrates both its elegant past and its vibrant present.

Your choice of activities:

  • City tour
  • Old Town walking tour

 

DAY 12:  DEPARTURE FROM BUCHAREST  (B)

 

 

Reserve your spot on this trip today by calling Julie Millar or Trish Orton at 204-953-2828 or by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]

For more information, you can also contact Ellen Kornelsen at [email protected] or 204-471-6917.

Please be advised that The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to revoke the privilege of participation in the travel program.