Passage To Eastern Europe

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

Kalocsa is a town in Bacs-Kiskun county, Hungary, approximately 120 km south of Budapest. It is one of the oldest towns in Hungary with several buildings from the 18th Century. Amongst its historical buildings are a fine cathedral, and the archiepiscopal palace - both from the 18th C - as well as an astronomical observatory, a seminary and colleges, all of which attract visitors. Read more about Kalocsa, 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

Golubac is a scenic town located in eastern Serbia. It is renowned for its mediaeval fortress and stunning location along the Danube River. The Golubac Fortress, with its dramatic towers and walls, stands at the entrance to the Iron Gates gorge, offering breathtaking views of the river and surrounding cliffs. Read more about Golubac, Serbia

The Iron Gate is principally applied to the last gorge of the Djerdap gorge system on the River Danube, and forming part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. In the broad sense the name Iron Gate encompasses the whole 145 km long gorge system. The flora and fauna, as well as the geomorphological, archaeological and cultural artefacts of the Iron Gate have been under protection from both nations since the river’s dam construction. Read more about Iron Gate, Romania

Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube River in NW Bulgaria. Renowned for its availability of mineral water, it is also one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube Bank, and is a starting point for excursions along the Danube. An agricultural and trade centre, Vidin has a fertile hinterland renowned for its wines. Read more about Vidin, Bulgaria

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

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