Scenic Amber June 5-19 2027 Cruise & Offers | Scenic Cruises

Welcome to Budapest, the Hungarian capital and one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, it was united in 1873 when a newly built bridge connected the two.

Wake in Budapest. The city is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between. It is also well known for its hot springs and thermal baths, housed in colourful, ornate buildings. You’ll have free time to explore the city on your own or explore further afield with two excursions that are exclusive to Scenic.

This morning, join a local guide to discover the flavours of Hungary on a Hungarian Culinary Market Walk & Tasting Tour. This foodie tour in Budapest promises an unforgettable journey through the city’s culinary delights. Visit the bustling Grand Central Market and other locations for tasting the local delicacies, and hear fascinating stories about the city’s traditions.

Arrive in Mohács today. Straddling the Danube, this small Hungarian town holds an outsized position in Hungarian history. It was the site of the 16th century Battle of Mohács, which led to the destruction of the Hungarian monarchy and the rise of Ottoman and Habsburg rule.

Cross the border into Croatia and dock in Vukovar, a historically significant city strategically positioned along the Danube River at the confluence with the Vuka River. Known as ‘The Hero Town,’ it is famed for its historic resilience, especially its fierce defence during the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s...

The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is known as the ‘Door to Central Europe’ and lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This eclectic city is steeped in history and Brutalist and Art Nouveau buildings. It’s one of the oldest capitals in Europe and has stood at the crossroads between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires for centuries.

Today you’ll cruise through the spectacular scenery of the Djerdap Gorge system, known as Iron Gates. This stretch of the Danube is the natural border between Serbia and Romania, and features four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs and the mighty rock carving of Decebalus, the former Romanian king.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in the Bulgarian town of Svishtov today. Here you will have the choice to disembark and take an excursion to Veliko Tarnovo, known as the ‘City of the Kings’, or stay on board and cruise towards Rousse.

Arrive in Silistra today. This Bulgarian town has changed hands many times over the centuries. A major Turkish fortress and trade centre in the 15th century, it played a significant role in the Russo-Turkish wars of the 1870s, briefly became part of Romania after the second Balkan War and finally reverted to Bulgaria in 1940.

This morning, farewell your Scenic Space-Ship and transfer to Bucharest. WWII changed the face of the Romanian capital with much of its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture destroyed. Now a unique mix of Art Nouveau remnants and Brutalist-era architecture sit alongside wide, tree lined boulevards and leafy squares, hidden street art and thriving nightlife.

This morning, you’ll begin your journey into Transylvania by travelling from Bucharest to the medieval town of Sibiu. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with your fellow travellers after checking into your luxury hotel. Bucharest > Sibiu is a published destination on Eastern Europe & Balkans Unveiled with Transylvania & Budapest: Budapest to Bucharest aboard Scenic Amber.

Today you’ll wake in Sibiu. The fortified town is a historian’s delight, filled with museums, cathedrals and palaces to discover. This afternoon, travel to the village of Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. It’s also one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, with cobblestone lanes and colourful buildings that have remained largely unchanged since the 12th century.

This morning, your guide will show you the sights of Brasov, a charming town that brings together Gothic spires, medieval watchtowers, sprawling squares and Soviet-era concrete. Dracula is Transylvania’s most famous figure. Though author Bram Stoker never visited Romania, he is said to have been inspired by the place you’ll visit this afternoon – Bran Castle.

After breakfast, a local guide will take you to Peles Castle, a Neo-Classical masterpiece built in the 1870s by the first king of Romania as a summer residence. Inside, the rooms are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved wood and stained glass.

After a final breakfast in Bucharest, it’s time to farewell this fascinating part of Eastern Europe. The spectacular landscapes, medieval villages and sense of fairy tales coming to life will stay with you long after your journey. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water.