Prague & Gems of the Danube & Eastern Europe & Balkans Unveiled

Prague (aka Praha) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, located on the River Vltava in central Bohemia. Not surprisingly, nicknames for the city include: ‘The Mother of Cities’, ‘The City of a Hundred Spires’, and ‘The Golden City’, all of which explains its listing in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form, and subsequently contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to ultra-modern. Read more about Prague, Czechia

Prague (aka Praha) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, located on the River Vltava in central Bohemia. Not surprisingly, nicknames for the city include: ‘The Mother of Cities’, ‘The City of a Hundred Spires’, and ‘The Golden City’, all of which explains its listing in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form, and subsequently contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to ultra-modern. Read more about Prague, Czechia

Prague (aka Praha) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, located on the River Vltava in central Bohemia. Not surprisingly, nicknames for the city include: ‘The Mother of Cities’, ‘The City of a Hundred Spires’, and ‘The Golden City’, all of which explains its listing in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form, and subsequently contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to ultra-modern. Read more about Prague, Czechia

The charming 1200-year-old town of Vilshofen is located in the southern part of the Bavarian Forest and on the banks of the Danube. At this age, the town has seen its fair share of flood, plague, and war. But despite the cracks caused by these unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, the town is even more attractive now - having survived it all. Read more about Vilshofen, Germany

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany, at the junction of three Rivers: the Danube, the Inn from the South, and the Ilz coming out of the Bavarian Forest to the North. During the Renaissance and early modern period it became one of the most prolific centres of sword and bladed weapon manufacture in Germany. Today it is notable for its gothic and baroque architecture. Read more about Passau, Germany

Linz is the third-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Upper Austria. Bridging both banks of the Danube River, it lies 30 km south of the Czech border. Stroll through the marvelous old quarter of the town, and be astonished by this progressive development of the city. Read more about Linz, Austria

Durnstein, a hamlet and much visited tourist destination, lies nestled within Austria’s vineyard-rich Wachau Valley 80 km west of Vienna. Crowned by the ruins of a castle fortress, the cobblestone streets, the baroque monastery, the 15th century Parish Church (with one of the finest Baroque towers in Austria), the old burgher and townhouses dating back from the 16th and 18th C, and visitors feel they are strolling through history. Wander along the banks of the Danube where small shops invite you to buy, with virtually every shop offering free samples of brandy, liqueur, or schnapps. Read more about Durnstein, Austria

Vienna, Austria's capital city, has a population of around two million and is located to the east of the Alps in the Vienna Basin. Architectural styles range from classic to modern, and include some of the world’s best known examples of Art Nouveau. Fascinating features are the few high-rise buildings, and numerous parks and gardens, with many statues of famous people such as Mozart and Strauss. Read more about Vienna, Austria

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is situated on both banks of the Danube River between Austria and Hungary, and is the only national capital that borders two independent countries. Bratislava and Vienna are also two of Europe's closest national capitals, less than 60 km apart. The cityscape of Bratislava is noted for its medieval towers and grandiose 20th century buildings, but has undergone profound changes in a construction boom at the start of the 21st century. Read more about Bratislava, Slovakia

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, situated on both banks of the river Danube, with its 346 river cruise ships (2019). Originally with the cities of Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank, it became a single city with their unification in 1873. The city’s rich and colourful history, its extensive World Heritage Site including the Danube River banks, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and the Millennium Underground Railway, have resulted in its becoming an important tourist centre in Central Europe. Read more about Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, situated on both banks of the river Danube, with its 346 river cruise ships (2019). Originally with the cities of Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank, it became a single city with their unification in 1873. The city’s rich and colourful history, its extensive World Heritage Site including the Danube River banks, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and the Millennium Underground Railway, have resulted in its becoming an important tourist centre in Central Europe. Read more about Budapest, Hungary

Mohacs is a Hungarian town in the SE part of Baranya County, on both sides of the river Danube. It is possibly best known for its Buso Carnival originating from Turkish times, which lasts for six days, when locals bury the winter and party before the start of Lent. Also of great interest are the Buso masks that, according to legend, helped locals scare away the Turks in the 16th century. Read more about Mohacs, Hungary

Osijek, the fourth largest city in Croatia, is located on the right bank of the river Drava, 25 km upstream of its confluence with the Danube. The surroundings of Osijek provide excellent opportunities for angling on the Drava River and its backwaters. The exquisite dining offerings include traditional Slavonia-style specialities made from venison, and fish dishes such as the famous fish paprika stew. Read more about Osijek, Croatia

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia, lying on two international waterways at the junction of the Sava and Danube rivers. Here is found the statue of Pobednik (Winner), one of the symbols of Belgrade. It is also the second largest city on the Danube River and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Read more about Belgrade, Serbia

Rousse - aka Ruse, Russe - in NE Bulgaria lies on the right bank of the Danube River, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu. An important cultural, commercial and industrial centre, it is often called Little Vienna as it has become the most important Bulgarian river port. With more than 290 monuments and its preserved buildings from the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries, it is also ‘easy visiting’ as most of the sights, such as the old city that constitutes the square around the city’s Historical Museum, are located in the centre of the city. Read more about Rousse, Bulgaria

Silistra is a city and administrative centre of a Province in NE Bulgaria, located on the south bank of the Danube River at the country's border with Romania.There are many historical landmarks such as a very well preserved 4th C. Roman Silistra tomb with its vaulted sepulchre, and remains of the Medjidi Tabiya fortress completed in 1853, both of which are extremely interesting. In the fortress the rich mural painting of a geometrical design with animal and human figures, hunting scenes, and a family couple with their maid-servants, is of exceptional artistic and historical value. Read more about Silistra, Bulgaria

Bucharest, located on the banks of the Dambovita River, is the capital city of Romania and its largest city. The city boasts wide, tree-lined boulevards and a range of architectural styles including Historical, Art Deco, as well as on-going Modern. Finding a 300 year old church, a steel-and-glass office building and Communist-era high rise apartment blocks next to one another is a common sight. Read more about Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, located on the banks of the Dambovita River, is the capital city of Romania and its largest city. The city boasts wide, tree-lined boulevards and a range of architectural styles including Historical, Art Deco, as well as on-going Modern. Finding a 300 year old church, a steel-and-glass office building and Communist-era high rise apartment blocks next to one another is a common sight. Read more about Bucharest, Romania