Capitals of Eastern Europe

Take in one of Europe’s great cultural capitals and see its iconic sights. Over the last few decades, Budapest has reemerged as one of the continent’s iconic cities, divided by the Danube River and connected by the graceful Chain Bridge. Meet your guide for a panoramic tour, beginning in modern Pest. Along the elegant Andrássy Avenue, admire the National Opera House. Pass Heroes’ Square, a spacious plaza of monuments and statues commemorating the Magyar state. Across the river, explore the more traditional Buda side of the city. Here, visit the Castle District with its massive hilltop castle complex, the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. From the heights of Buda Hill, take in views of the famous Chain Bridge. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore the enchanting Buda Hill Castle area at your leisure, before returning to your ship.

Explore historic Buda during a city hike to Castle Hill and admire magnificent vistas over the Danube. Depart your ship and set out on foot, crossing the bridge over the Danube where you will begin your ascent to Castle Hill, home to some of the city’s most prized medieval treasures. Explore the maze of cobblestone streets and pathways, and keep watch for the entrances to the underground labyrinth of caves that run beneath Castle Hill. Stroll around the grounds of the Royal Palace and time your visit to witness the Changing of the Guard. See the beautiful Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion, and stroll along quaint streets lined with coffeehouses. From the top, you can also admire stunning views over the Danube and the majestic Chain Bridge, an engineering marvel of its time. Walk down the hill to the riverside and return to your ship.

Travel to horse country to tour a farm and witness some exciting horsemanship by highly skilled riders. Hungarians take great pride in the role horses have played in their nation’s history; they have helped win battles and aided in migration, settlement and farming. Many Hungarians, concerned that their country’s equestrian connection is being lost, hold fast to their rural ways and to their four-legged comrades, elevating horsemanship to an art form. Drive to your venue in Lajosmizse, located in Hungary’s horse country, where you will be greeted with pálinka, a Hungarian fruit brandy. Here, a rollicking show brings centuries-old traditions of horseback riding to life. During your visit, you will also be able to ride a horse-drawn carriage to see more of the park and meet Hungarian farm animals—perhaps the long-wooled Racka sheep, gray cattle or the Lipizzaner horses.

Soak up the restorative powers of Budapest’s thermal baths and join locals in a centuries-old tradition. Ancient Romans discovered the benefits of bathing in the thermal waters that flow through Budapest. As the city grew, the spouting springs were treasured and preserved so highly that not even the Communist government forbade their pleasures. Still today, they offer a regimen most residents of Budapest cannot do without. Accompany your guide to one of the city’s historic baths, immersing yourself in the therapeutic waters that have flowed here for centuries. During your visit, you might mingle with the locals taking a soak or observe some bathers as they pass the time with a game of chess in the pool. So revered have these waters been that many have been sheltered within facilities that exude a temple-like aura.

Be captivated by Budapest as you explore the city after dark and raise a toast to its stunning landmarks. Meet your guide and set off on a panoramic drive to witness several iconic sights. Admire the twinkling lights along the Danube and enjoy memorable views of the city known as the “Paris of the East.” See brilliantly illuminated bridges, including the Liberty Bridge—the shortest bridge in the city that connects Buda and Pest. View landmarks, such as Gellért Hill and Buda Castle, as your knowledgeable guide regales you with stories of the city’s history. Your drive continues along the Danube River to the beautiful Parliament building; its illuminated facade is a sight to behold after dark. Cap your excursion with a visit to a bar, where you can enjoy views of the Danube River as you sip a glass of sparkling wine.

Delight in a night of delicious cuisine and folklore during an entertaining excursion. Meet your guide and journey to a traditional venue by motor coach. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by your host before taking your seats for a lively folklore performance featuring Hungarian music and dancing. As you enjoy the show and colorful costumes, sit back and savor a delicious array of food that showcases traditional Hungarian food, accompanied by a glass of wine. Your delectable meal is prepared by talented chefs using fresh, locally grown produce with recipes that have been enjoyed for centuries. Hungary is not just famed for its delicious savory offerings and no family meal is complete without a sweet ending. Cap your meal with a classic decadent dessert that celebrates the region’s cuisine.