18 nights · Romania · River cruise · Departs Bucharest (Romania) · Visiting Giurgiu, Silistra, Ruse, Svishtov, Belgrade, Vukovar, Mohacs, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Prague · Aboard Scenic Cruises on the Scenic Jasper
Image courtesy of Scenic Cruises ©
This river cruise sails the Danube, departing Bucharest.
| Cruise line | Scenic Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Scenic Jasper |
| Duration | 18 nights |
| Port calls | 16 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $10,350 per person |
| Year built | 2015 |
| Guests | 169 |
| Cabins | 85 |
| Crew | 53 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 11 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Bucharest is Romania’s capital, where Belle Époque façades stand beside broad boulevards and stark communist-era buildings. Start along Calea Victoriei, then explore the Old Town’s lanes, churches, cafés and 19th-century landmarks. Visit the Romanian Athenaeum, a celebrated concert hall, and the Palace of Parliament, a vast monument to the communist era. Allow time for a meal: Romanian cooking pairs well with the city’s lively café culture.
Giurgiu sits on the Danube, where Romania meets Bulgaria across the river. Its Friendship Bridge carries road and rail traffic to Ruse, giving this port a direct link between two countries. Bucharest lies about 65 kilometres north, making the capital a popular excursion for river-cruise visitors. In town, the 18th-century Clock Tower offers a landmark and a glimpse of Giurgiu’s long history on the river.
Silistra puts the Danube at your doorstep, with Romania visible across the river and Bulgaria’s quieter northeast behind it. Once Roman Durostorum, the town preserves traces of an imperial frontier, including a fourth-century tomb with vivid frescoes. Climb to the Ottoman-era Medjidi Tabia fortress for broad river views, then explore the compact center. Nearby, Srebarna Nature Reserve, a UNESCO-listed wetland, draws migratory birds and Dalmatian pelicans.
Ruse is Bulgaria’s grand Danube city, where elegant nineteenth-century façades give the streets a distinctly European air. Start at Svoboda Square, framed by cafés and the striking Monument of Liberty, then explore the Regional Historical Museum. Ruse also makes a rewarding base for visiting the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo, a short drive inland. After sightseeing, settle beside the river and watch the Danube carry the day downstream.
Svishtov sits on Bulgaria’s southern bank of the Danube, facing Romania across one of Europe’s great waterways. Nearby, Novae, a Roman legionary fortress, reveals the empire’s reach along the river frontier. In town, the Church of the Holy Trinity, designed by master builder Kolyo Ficheto, merits a visit. Svishtov is also the birthplace of writer Aleko Konstantinov, whose work remains central to Bulgarian literature.
Belgrade stands where the Sava meets the Danube, a strategic crossroads shaped by centuries of conquest and commerce. From the riverfront, Kalemegdan Fortress commands wide views over both waterways and the city’s layered skyline. Below it, cafés, markets and pedestrian streets reveal a capital that feels energetic, not polished for visitors. Come ashore for history, strong coffee and a distinctly Balkan pace; Belgrade rewards those who explore beyond the main square.
Vukovar sits where the Vuka meets the Danube, in Croatia’s quiet eastern corner. Its streets reveal an elegant Baroque past alongside the scars of the 1991 siege, most powerfully at the Water Tower. Visit the restored Eltz Manor, now home to the Vukovar City Museum, then follow the riverfront. Nearby Vučedol offers a remarkable window into a prehistoric culture that flourished here five millennia ago.
Mohács sits on the Danube in southern Hungary, where river life meets a turbulent past. The town is known for the 1526 Battle of Mohács, a defeat that reshaped Hungary. It also hosts Busójárás, a UNESCO-listed pre-Lenten festival of carved masks, bells and lively processions. Visit the battlefield memorial, then stroll the riverside streets or sample paprika-rich Hungarian cooking. Mohács rewards travelers willing to look beyond Budapest.
Budapest makes a memorable arrival, with the Danube dividing hilly Buda from lively, level Pest. From the river, the Hungarian Parliament’s Gothic Revival façade commands attention, especially after dark. Cross the Chain Bridge to explore Castle Hill, or stay in Pest for cafés, markets, and celebrated thermal baths. Allow time to linger: Budapest’s pleasures are best discovered on foot, over a long lunch, and beside the water.
Bratislava rewards a day ashore with a walkable old town, a lively Danube waterfront and a castle above the river. Explore the lanes around Michael’s Gate, then climb to Bratislava Castle for wide views across the city and beyond. Pause at a café terrace before following the riverside promenade. Slovakia’s capital is compact, making its historic centre easy to discover on foot.
Arrive in Vienna by river and give the city more than a passing glance. Its imperial centre rewards a slow walk, from St Stephen’s Cathedral to the grand Ringstrasse boulevards. Set aside time for Schönbrunn Palace, once the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or choose the Kunsthistorisches Museum for its remarkable collections. Then take a seat in a traditional coffeehouse; in Vienna, coffee and cake are part of the city’s daily ritual.
Dürnstein is a small Wachau village with an outsized place in Austrian history. Its blue-and-white abbey tower rises above the Danube, while lanes of pastel houses lead to riverside cafés and apricot shops. Climb to the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held from 1192 to 1194 for broad valley views. Beyond the village, vineyards and orchards define this UNESCO-listed stretch of the Wachau.
Melk stands at the western end of Austria’s Wachau, a UNESCO-listed Danube valley. Its vineyards, apricot orchards and medieval towns make the river journey especially rewarding. High above the water, Melk Abbey commands attention with its baroque church, imperial rooms and celebrated library. Founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1089, it remains active and ranks among Austria’s most memorable cultural landmarks.
Passau sits where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet, their contrasting waters framing one of Bavaria’s most handsome old towns. Walk its baroque lanes to St Stephen’s Cathedral, famed for its historic organ. From the fortress of Veste Oberhaus, rooftops and rivers unfold in a memorable view. Passau rewards a leisurely call: explore on foot, pause beside the water, and watch three waterways shape the city’s character.
Regensburg rewards a day on foot, with a remarkably intact medieval centre set beside the Danube. Cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge, then follow narrow lanes to the Gothic cathedral and the Old Town Hall. Roman foundations, merchant houses and riverside cafés reveal a city shaped by two millennia of trade. The UNESCO-listed centre feels lived in, not staged, and its compact scale leaves time for a Bavarian lunch.
Prague is best explored on foot, where Gothic spires, Baroque façades and quiet lanes reveal the city’s layered past. Cross Charles Bridge early, before the crowds, then climb towards Prague Castle for sweeping views over the Vltava. In Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock draws visitors at the hour. Leave time for a riverside café and a measured look at a city that wears its history in daily life.
Published September 14, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!
