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Day by Day Summary and Map
Land Segment of Itinerary
Thursday - Dec 11, 2025
Day 1
Bucharest, Romania
Arrive in Bucharest and check into your lovely hotel.
Land Segment of Itinerary
Friday - Dec 12, 2025
Day 2
Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest, Romania's capital, has earned its nickname, the "Little Paris of the East", with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy a visit to the city's most impressive sites-including the historic city center and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world. Or take a walking tour of Bucharest's Old Town. Explore the Romanian Christmas traditions as you stroll through the Bucharest Christmas market where there will be plenty of holiday festivities to enjoy such as sipping on hot mulled wine or shopping for handcrafted goods at the small wooden stalls. (B) ... Read More
Land Segment of Itinerary
Saturday - Dec 13, 2025
Day 3
Bucharest, Romania
Bus Travel
Bran Castle, Romania
Bus Travel
Brasov, Romania
Journey through the Romanian countryside to Bran, where you'll visit Transylvania's legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Later, head to Brasov for a walking tour where the fairytale-like old town transforms into a beautiful Christmas market, then check into your hotel. (B) ... Read More
Land Segment of Itinerary
Sunday - Dec 14, 2025
Day 4
Brasov, Romania
Bus Travel
Sighisoara, Romania
Bus Travel
Brasov, Romania
Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighisoara, birthplace to Transylvania's most notorious ruler, Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It's hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers, and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad's place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called "Casa Dracula". (B) ... Read More
Land Segment of Itinerary
Monday - Dec 15, 2025
Day 5
Brasov, Romania
Bus Travel
Sinaia, Romania
Bus Travel
Cruise Segment of Itinerary
Day 5 - Monday - Dec 15, 2025
Day 5
Cruise Begins
Giurgiu, Romania
Your first stop on the road to Transylvania will be the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia, you'll visit Peles Castle, considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe. Tour the castle, which was once the residence of the royal family. Later in the day, transfer to Giurgiu where you will embark the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets cruise. (B,D) ... Read More
Giurgiu, Romania
Embark the ship in Giurgiu for your Gems of Southeast Europe Christmas Markets cruise.
Tuesday - Dec 16, 2025
Day 6
Rousse, Bulgaria
Experience more of Bucharest where you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the Bucharest Christmas market, shining bright in festive holiday lights, in front of the Palace of the Parliament. Or visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple Orthodox temples, and make new holiday memories when learning about the Bulgarian traditions and folklore during Christmastime. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. (B,L,D) ... Read More
Wednesday - Dec 17, 2025
Day 7
Vidin, Bulgaria
Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria, and then enjoy a walking tour of Vidin with a visit to the local Christmas market. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the option to take an exhilarating bike tour through Vidin. You may also opt for a wine tasting at a local winery. (B,L,D) ... Read More
Thursday - Dec 18, 2025
Day 8
Iron Gates
Golubac Fortress, Serbia
The Iron Gates are some 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. After your scenic cruise, you will arrive at Golubac Fortress - one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe - for a tour. (B,L,D) ... Read More
Friday - Dec 19, 2025
Day 9
Belgrade, Serbia
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. Serbia celebrates the holidays with festive Winter Markets as they have an extended Christmas period, following the Orthodox calendar where Christmas falls on the 7th of January and the New Year on the 14th. You'll have time to explore Belgrade's Winter Fest in the main square and its holiday treats, colorful Christmas market stalls, concerts, and more. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. Later in the day, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian brandy, slivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO's list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage", paired with delicious local appetizers. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D) ... Read More
Saturday - Dec 20, 2025
Day 10
Vukovar, Croatia
Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising. In the afternoon, explore Vukovar on a guided city tour where you will have a chance to visit Eltz Manor House and its collection of historic artifacts, paintings, and clothing. Alternatively, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. Wine connoisseurs will enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac, and Frankovka wines. (B,L,D) ... Read More
Sunday - Dec 21, 2025
Day 11
Mohacs, Hungary
Bus Travel
Pecs, Hungary
Bus Travel
Mohacs, Hungary
Visit Pecs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Szechenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pecs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. You will also have the opportunity to visit the delightful Pecs Christmas market in front of Town Hall. Or for wine connoisseurs, you'll want to go to the Szekszard wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D) ... Read More
Disembark the ship in Budapest and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Budapest, Hungary
Cruise Ends
Land Segment of Itinerary
Day 12 - Monday - Dec 22, 2025
Day 12
Bus Travel
Vienna, Austria
Enjoy a city tour of the Hungarian capital. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman's Bastion, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the Chain Bridge. Transfer to Vienna and check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city. (B)
The "City of Waltzes" offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna's historic city center. Following your city tour, spend your afternoon enjoying the festivities of the Christmas markets. (B) ... Read More
Cruise and Land Value Offers that combine with this sailing.
Pricing Terms and Conditions
Unless otherwise indicated above, all cruise rates are per person, double occupancy, cruise-only without airfare, do not include government taxes and fees and quoted in in U.S. dollars. Ponant Cruises rates are based on foreign currencies that are converted to USD based on today's exchange rates. Rates are subject to availability, can vary by ship and sailing date, and for new bookings only. Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change without notice. Port charges are included. Prices do not include additional service charges; Travel Insurance; and applicable government taxes & fees unless otherwise specified in the offer. Surcharges and fees implemented by a travel supplier, even after the reservation is made, will be the sole responsibility of each traveler and is due and payable in full prior to departure. Certain promotions which may include amenities like shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities, drink packages or other packages may be available by category, room type or fare code and may not be combinable with other promotions. For any questions, please consult one of our cruise specialists for applicability and verification. All prices, inclusions & promotions listed on the web-site are current at the time they we published and are subject to change without advance notice. Arrivia, Inc., its subsidiaries, and partners are not responsible for last minute changes to price or itinerary by cruise lines, or for any errors or omissions in the content of this website.