Join Huckleberry Travel on a seven-day Riverside Luxury Cruise along the Eastern Danube, sailing from Budapest to Romania through Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Experience the less-traveled Balkans in all-suite luxury — with fine dining, curated excursions, and personalized service aboard one of Europe’s most elegant river cruise lines.
May 20 – 26, 2026 | From Budapest, Hungary to Giurgiu, Romania
And now for something completely different — an unforgettable foray into the less-traveled Balkans! This extraordinary seven-day Riverside Luxury Eastern Danube River Cruise begins in Budapest, the dazzling “Queen of the Danube,” where you’ll sail away beneath the city’s twinkling lights. From there, journey through the heart of Central and Eastern Europe, exploring destinations steeped in history and charm: Mohács, home to the legendary Busó culture and pivotal Ottoman battles; Novi Sad, Serbia’s vibrant cultural hub where you can choose between a wine and honey tasting, a visit to an authentic ethno farm, or a tour of the mighty Petrovaradin Fortress; and Belgrade, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. You’ll also visit Donji Milanovac, the “City of 100,000 Roses,” cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates Gorge, and call at Vidin in Bulgaria before concluding in Giurgiu, Romania.
Day 1 - Budapest
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, the wonders of Budapest rise up along both banks of the Danube in a truly impressive way. Along with Heroes' Square with its Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, awe-inspiring Hungarian Parliament Building, and the lavish Castle District with photogenic Fishermen's Bastion, the city is home to a captivating Jewish district and the second-largest synagogue in the world, an intricate underground cave system, and some of Europe's most famous thermal baths.
Day 2 - Mohacs
The port town of Mohács holds an interesting distinction. Battles here in 1526 and 1687 marked both the beginning and the end of Ottoman rule over Hungary. The town's origin dates back much earlier than that, though, as a Roman camp on the banks of the Danube. Today, one of Mohács most colorful traditions is the annual Busójárás Carnival, a lively display of music and dancing, cowbells and clappers, wooden pitchforks and puppets, food and drink, mask-carving and bonfires, all to chase winter away.
Day 3 - Novi Sad
Born on the banks of the Danube when Serbian merchants formed a colony across from Petrovaradin Fortress in 1694, Novi Sad has evolved into a haven of Serbian culture, earning it the nickname of "Serbian Athens". Home to a soaring cathedral, Bishop's Palace, theater, Jewish Synagogue, and more, Serbia's second-largest city is also a bustling university town that was named Youth Capital of Europe in 2019 and a European Capital of Culture in 2022.
Day 4 - Belgrade
Situated along the famed Orient Express, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet is Belgrade, one of the Danube's four riverside capitals. This is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities—a place sieged, razed, and bombed by outsiders trying to control it. Today, the one-time capital of Yugoslavia is a thriving hub of government, finance, and urban renewal of many former communist-era districts. It is home to the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches; the famous Nikola Tesla Museum; Kalemegdan Fortress; and more.
Day 5 - Donji Milanovac
Located in the Veliki Kazan gorge, a section of the famed Iron Gates in Đerdap National Park, is Donji Milanovac, whose peaceful Serbian beauty is breathtaking. So much so, in fact, that filmmakers flock here, earning it the nickname of "Serbian Hollywood". Nearby, archaeologists have unearthed sculptures, weapons, and tools up to 9,000 years old that bear witness to an advanced Stone Age civilization—Lepenski Vir, one of the oldest settlements in Europe.
Day 6 - Vidin
During its long and tumultuous history, Vidin has seen some things. It’s a place with ancient Roman roots. It was subjugated for half a millennium by the Ottoman Turks, and it suffered a devastating flood in 1942. Today Vidin provides a major border crossing to neighboring Romania. The Old Town is an engaging potpourri of architectural diversity that includes austere structures from the Socialist era. Highlights include many old Orthodox churches, a synagogue, mosque, indominatable Baba Vida fortress, and a growing reputation for its wine production.
Day 7 - Giurgiu
Giurgiu sits among the mud flats and marshes of the Danube's left bank. Three small islands face the city, and a larger one shelters its port. This one-time exporter of timber, grain, salt, and petroleum was served by a railway to Bucharest that was built in 1869, the first line opened in Romania. This also placed Giurgiu on the map among wealthy globetrotters as it became a stop for the legendary Orient Express. By 1954, Giurgiu had another feather in its cap, when the steel-truss Friendship Bridge opened over the Danube, connecting Romania to neighboring Bulgaria.
Aboard Riverside Luxury Cruises
We’re thrilled to introduce Riverside Luxury Cruises, redefining what it means to sail in style. Their all-suite ships boast the largest average suite sizes on Europe’s rivers — each featuring king-size beds, elegant design, and butler service for every guest. Aboard, you’ll find an onboard pool, spa, and gym; a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:2; and culinary excellence that’s earned Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Pick for Best Food in River Cruising two years in a row. Enjoy dining in multiple venues — including The Atelier, Vista Grill, and Bistro — where every menu celebrates locally inspired ingredients and regional wines. With extended stays and overnight dockings, you’ll have time to immerse yourself fully in each destination’s culture, cuisine, and nightlife.
What’s Included
Your Riverside Danube experience includes:
All meals in every restaurant and bar — dine wherever and whenever you like
Dinner at The Atelier
Cakes, waffles, and ice cream daily
Premium beverage package including fine wines, cocktails, spirits, and French Champagne
Pre-selected excursions in every port
Minibar and 24-hour room service
Complimentary WiFi
Port fees, service charges, and VAT — all included
Exclusive Huckleberry Travel Rates
Several suites are still available at our exclusive Huckleberry Travel pricing, but space is limited. A 10% deposit confirms your suite, and final payment is due January 20, 2026. Deposits made before October 31, 2025 are fully refundable until January 20, 2026.
Join Us!
If you’ve been dreaming of something beyond the typical river cruise — something steeped in history, culture, and understated luxury — this Eastern Danube journey is the one. Join Huckleberry Travel aboard Riverside Luxury Cruises for a truly remarkable voyage through the heart of the Balkans.
Call Huckleberry Travel today to reserve your suite and secure your spot on this spectacular sailing before it sells out!