Cruise & Rail: Delightful Danube & the Castles of Transylvania

Arrive at Istanbul Airport, where you will be transferred to the iconic five-star Pera Palace Hotel, overlooking a magnificent view of the Golden Horn.

Note: This evening we will enjoy a welcome reception dinner, giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow Uniworld guests.

Istanbul is the famous city that spans both Asia and Europe. Today see how old meets new and east meets west as we visit a selection of Istanbul's must-see historic sites, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Late afternoon we join our private train, the Golden Eagle Danube Express, to begin our rail journey through Bulgaria and Romania to Budapest.

This morning, enjoy the views from our private train as we climb over the Shipka Pass and arrive at our first stop: Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's ancient capital. Nestled in a magnificent mountain setting, the stone houses of Veliko Tarnovo seem perched one above the other on the steep banks of the Yantra River. Your tour here includes the superbly preserved medieval Tsarevets Hill and Castle, with free time to wander through the narrow alleyways of the ancient city.

Early morning will find you at Sinaia, where you'll detrain after breakfast and travel the short distance to the stunning neo-Renaissance Peles Castle. Late in the afternoon, you'll visit Bran Castle, popularly known as Dracula's Castle, due to it being the setting for Bram Stoker's Dracula. The beautiful 14th-century building is situated amongst stunning mountain scenery.

Following a tour of the castle and its surroundings, a Gala Dinner will be held exclusively for you and your fellow passengers.

After breakfast, arrive in Sighişoara for a walking tour of the town's main highlights. A World Heritage site rumored to be the birthplace of Dracula, it is one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe. Burgher houses and ornate churches line its cobbled streets. Return to the train for lunch as we continue onto Sibiu, known for the Germanic architecture in its Old Town, influenced by 12th-century Saxon settlers. Around the city today can be seen the remains of medieval walls and towers, including the 13th-century Council Tower that connects the two main squares.

Note: Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board as we travel across the Great Hungarian Plain.

This morning we get the opportunity to explore Kecskemét, a fascinating city at the geographical center of Hungary before the train heads to Lajosmizse for a spectacular ‘Puszta' horse show. We then arrive late afternoon in the romantic and historic Hungarian capital, Budapest, located on the banks of the magnificent Danube, where we will enjoy a two-night stay in the five-star Four Seasons Gresham Palace hotel, a unique art nouveau landmark which combines historical elegance with ultra-modern comforts.

This evening we will enjoy a farewell reception dinner at a local restaurant, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your journey through this fascinating part of Europe.

Enjoy another day in Budapest at your leisure. It's a large and eclectic city, with fascinating sites to explore everywhere you look. Perhaps you'd like to visit the thermal baths, explore the Castle District, or take in the awe-inspiring views from the top of Gellért Hill.

Check out of your hotel today and join your transfer to the River Duchess, your home for the remainder of the journey. (D)

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has a distinctive character and allure all its own. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local's perspective on a walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Or choose our Jewish Heritage excursion offering you a detailed introduction to Jewish Budapest. (B/L/WD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Budapest Panoramic Highlights with St. Stephen's Cathedral OR Budapest Walk with Local Treats OR Jewish Budapest

Note: In the evening, a special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It's a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections and inviting cafés—and today it is yours to explore.

A city tour will show you the architectural highlights of the Austrian capital as well as the legendary Belvedere Palace. Or, indulge your passion for fine art and fine food with a fascinating and memorable panoramic tour. Or explore Jewish Vienna via our Jewish Heritage excursion. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of "Morning with the Masters" at the Belvedere Palace OR Private Mozart and Strauss Concert OR Schönbrunn with Strudel Show OR Vienna's Historic Trails and Local Treats OR Jewish Vienna

You'll want to find a comfortable seat in the lounge or on the Sun Deck this afternoon as your ship cruises through the Wachau Valley. Over the eons, the Danube cut a gorge through the foothills of the Bohemian mountains, resulting in a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of riverine scenery so beautiful, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Landscape.

Castle ruins dominate hilltops; baroque church towers appear on the riverbanks, marking historic villages and splendid abbeys; and apricot orchards and vineyards cling to the rocky slopes. Some of Austria's finest white wines are produced from grapes ripening on the dry-stone terraces above the river, where grapes have been grown for 2,000 years. Your ship will dock in Krems, midway through this glorious landscape. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Stetteldorf Castle Visit OR Treasures of the Wachau Valley

Your ship cruises through a scenic highlight of the Danube early this morning, the Schlögener Schlinge—a hairpin loop in the Danube that was once very hazardous for ships and is now a lovely, serene stretch of water—and leaves Austria behind today. Your first German port of call is Passau, where three rivers meet—the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube—and three nations almost meet: Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town and its main claim to fame, Europe's largest pipe organ, or join an invigorating riverside bike ride. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Bavarian Farm Visit OR Let's Go: Scenic Bavarian River Biking OR Village Day: Passau

Bavaria's first capital, Regensburg, owes its impressive historical lineage and rich architectural heritage to 600 years as a Free Imperial City, a fact recognized by UNESCO in 2006. Today, you'll discover how the beautifully preserved medieval city coexists with a vibrant modern urban center. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Regensburg Walk with Thurn and Taxis Castle Visit OR Weltenburg Abbey Beer OR Jewish Regensburg

Nuremberg will forever be associated with the post-WWII Nuremberg trials, but the city's profound historical and cultural significance stretches back many centuries before that. (B/L/FD)

Featured Excursion: Nights Out: Faber-Castell Visit

Note: Onboard, come out on deck or find a window seat where you can watch the ship navigate a series of locks as it travels across the “continental divide” and through one of the modern world's greatest feats of engineering—the Main-Danube canal. A special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Nuremberg Airport for your flight. (B)