14 nights · Serbia · River cruise · Departs Belgrade (Serbia) · Visiting Novi Sad, Batina, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Spitz an der Donau, Grein, Engelhartszell, Passau, Vilshofen an der Donau, Deggendorf, Regensburg, Nuremberg · Aboard Uniworld on the SS Emilie
Image courtesy of Uniworld ©
This river cruise sails the Danube and Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, departing Belgrade.
| Cruise line | Uniworld |
|---|---|
| Ship | SS Emilie |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 14 |
| Departures | 10 sailings |
| Year built | 2026 |
| Guests | 154 |
| Cabins | 77 |
| Crew | 57 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
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.
Step ashore in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, and the Danube is never far from view. Across the river, Petrovaradin Fortress commands the skyline, its ramparts holding centuries of history and sweeping views over the water. In the compact centre, café-lined streets lead to Liberty Square, the Cathedral of the Name of Mary and lively markets. Come for the architecture; stay for a city that feels distinctly Serbian, confident and easy to explore.
Batina brings you to Croatia’s Danube frontier, where river views and Baranja’s open landscapes set the pace. Climb to the monument above the water, commemorating the fierce 1944 Battle of Batina. Nearby, explore a region known for its vineyards, village kitchens and Kopački Rit Nature Park. This is a quieter Croatian stop, best enjoyed at an unhurried pace.
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.
Spitz sits on the Danube, in the heart of the Wachau. This UNESCO-listed landscape was shaped by vineyards and river trade. From the quay, lanes climb toward Tausendeimerberg, the “thousand-bucket hill,” where steep terraces yield Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Explore the Gothic parish church, or walk to the medieval ruins of Hinterhaus for broad river views. Here, you can discover Austria’s wine country at its source.
Grein rests on the Danube beside the Strudengau, a river passage once feared by boatmen. Today, wooded hills and broad water frame a graceful, unhurried arrival. Above the old town, Greinburg Castle displays late-medieval architecture, decorated rooms, and an arcaded courtyard. Its Upper Austrian Maritime Museum explores the river’s importance; nearby, Grein’s 1791 theatre still stages performances. Explore compact lanes on foot, then pause at a riverside café before returning to the quay.
Engelhartszell sits on the Danube near Austria’s border with Germany, where wooded hills frame the river’s passage. Begin in the village at Engelszell Abbey, known for its ornate Rococo church and long monastic history. Nearby, Haus am Strom explores the Danube’s ecology and hydropower at the Jochenstein power station. Riverside paths and quiet lanes reveal Upper Austria’s borderland character, shaped by water and centuries of passage.
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.
Vilshofen sits where the Vils joins the Danube, at the edge of Bavaria’s gentle countryside. Its compact old town rewards a stroll, with pastel façades, market-square cafés and the Gothic parish church of St. John. Look for the town hall’s distinctive carillon, then follow the riverfront to watch ships pass. Beyond town, the Benedictine abbey at Aldersbach offers a fine Baroque church and a taste of the region’s brewing heritage.
Set on the Danube in Lower Bavaria, Deggendorf puts a handsome old town and the Bavarian Forest within reach. Start at Stadtplatz, where the Gothic town hall and historic façades frame the heart of the city. The Danube waterfront invites a walk; nearby, the Isar joins the Danube at its broad estuary. Beyond town, forested hills and villages offer a change of pace in one of Bavaria’s distinctive landscapes.
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.
Nuremberg is a city of striking contrasts, where medieval streets meet the history of twentieth-century Germany. Within its old walls, the Imperial Castle rises above timbered houses, churches and the Hauptmarkt. Visit St. Sebaldus Church, then explore the Documentation Center and former Nazi Party Rally Grounds for essential context. Allow time for local gingerbread and a walk across the Pegnitz, which divides the historic centre.
Published September 7, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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