Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are entirely our own, and we have not been compensated in any way for these opinions.
Returning to Europe for another Viking River Cruise, we decided to head back to Eastern Europe for the Capitals of Eastern Europe cruise. This cruise would sail from Vienna, Austria to Constanta, Romania along the Danube. We had previously taken the Passage to Eastern Europe cruise which sailed from Bucharest to Budapest. If you are interested in reviewing that cruise, just click on the link.
One might ask why would we do a similar itinerary a second time? Viking does a good job of creating unique excursions to help minimize any duplicate activities, and we selected many excursions to places we had not visited on the previous cruise. An added enticement was a 5-day pre-extension from Venice to Vienna, which we will detail below. The pre-extension and cruise were a total of 22 days
Another reason for scheduling a pre-extension is to see more of the departure city. Many times, the ship sails the day the cruise starts, so you may not get the opportunity to see the embarkation city. For more information on pre-extensions, see our article on Viking Cruise – Viking Extension Package versus Plan Your Own.
Before discussing the specific itinerary of this cruise, we thought we would first take a look at the Viking Cruise company and some general information regarding what to expect from any of their river cruises.
Viking Cruises
Founded in 1997, Viking Cruises has grown to be the world’s leading river cruise line and has expanded to include an ocean fleet that now sails around the world. In January 2022, Viking launched the new expedition voyages, sailing to Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes. Also in 2022, Viking expanded its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of Mississippi River cruises. You can see all of their cruise options on their site here.
— Why You Should Give Viking a Try – One of the reasons we love Viking, and there are many, is that so much is included, with very few additional charges. For one price you will have a beautiful stateroom, all your meals, a free excursion in every port, unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner and free WiFi. You will only pay for drinks outside of lunch/dinner, gratuities and any optional excursions that you elect to take. Need some additional incentive to consider a Viking cruise? Take a look at one of our recent articles, Viking River Cruise – 10 Reasons to Go https://forevertouring.com/viking-river-cruise-10-reasons/ .
— Preparing for Your River Cruise – To ensure you get the most from your river cruise experience, we recommend a number of things that you can do to enhance your trip, and it all starts from the time that you book your trip.
For example, Viking offers the option of booking your flight directly through Viking. Typically, their pricing is very competitive and they even offer free air on some cruises. For a small additional fee, you can even work with Viking to select your specific flights, including options for stopping over in other destination cities on the way to and from your cruise. You can also enhance your trip by taking advantage of pre and post extensions, allowing you to spend additional time before or after your cruise in some spectacular destinations.
You can find more information about booking tips in one of our previous articles, Tips for Booking a Viking Cruise.
— Life on Board Viking’s River Ships
The Viking River ships have no more than 195 passengers and never feel crowded. There are several areas to relax, take in the sights and have a libation. But there are a few things you will not find on a Viking river ship. First, everyone must be 18 or over, so there are no children. Second, there is no casino, theatre or exercise gym (although there is a walking track on the top deck). You can think of the ship as a luxury hotel that takes you from destination to destination.
• Dining – The primary dining area is simply called The Restaurant and is the main dining venue. The other option is the Aquavit Terrace for al fresco dining. On a nice day there is nothing better than sailing down the river while having your morning coffee or one of your meals in this lovely spot on the front of the ship. Take note that there is no room service on the river ships (with the exception of breakfast in the Explorer Suite), so don’t plan on meal delivery to your room.
• Lounge – The lounge is the main gathering place in the late afternoon as guests relax with their favorite beverage, after a fun-filled day of sightseeing. Each evening before dinner, the cruise director discusses any pertinent announcements and the next day’s itinerary, while the chef previews the evening’s dinner options. By the way, we found the drink prices in the lounge to be very reasonably priced, much less than your typical luxury hotel!
After dinner the lounge is the place to go for the evening’s entertainment, which could be a cultural experience, live music or even a trivia game.
• Sun Deck – Our favorite spot to relax, the Sun Deck is the perfect place to view the towns, vineyards and castles along the river. With deck chairs that are both under cover or out in the sun, you can find your favorite spot to relax. The Sun Deck also has a walking track, putting green and herb garden.
We know that first time cruisers may have many more questions about what to expect during the cruise itself. You can find some additional information in another article, Viking Cruises Frequently Asked Questions.
Another frequently asked question is what to wear during your cruise. In our article, What to Wear on a European River Cruise we will walk you through what to pack.
Viking River – Capitals of Eastern Europe
Now that we have discussed some of the general information, let’s get started on our itinerary. We opted for the 5-day pre-extension from Venice to Vienna. The first reason we selected this extension was the fact that we had only been to Venice once (for 1/2 day) before sailing on a Viking Ocean cruise. So, we really did not get a chance to explore much of the city.
The second reason we selected this extension was that it provided us an opportunity to travel through areas of Croatia, Slovenia and Austria that we had not visited previously.
Our trip was in October. The weather for both the pre-extension and the cruise itself was wonderful, offering cool mornings and warm afternoons, with only a brief rain shower one morning.
TIP: Weather is always unpredictable, so it’s best to bring along layers so that you can easily adjust to changes in the weather during the day. A light rain jacket is necessary, even during warmer months for those unexpected showers.
Venice and Zagreb – Pre-Extension
— Day 1 – Venice
Our long travel day began with a flight from Charlotte to Madrid, and then on to Venice. Arriving around 11:30 AM, a Viking representative met us at baggage claim and escorted us to a private boat for the trip to the hotel. The ride from the airport was a great start to our trip, as we made our way around the waters of Venice to our hotel.
Our hotel was the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. This beautiful hotel is located on the island of Giudecca. Views from the hotel were wonderful and the hotel’s boat shuttle offered quick and convenient access from the canal to the main sites of Venice.
Since we had a long travel day, we decided to spend some time getting organized, grabbing a late lunch at the hotel, and then strolling along the waterfront of Giudecca.
In the evening, Viking held a reception with drinks and appetizers, so we could get more details about our itinerary over the next few days and meet our travel companions. Our Tour Director, who would be with us all the way to Vienna, was Dorianna. She was one of the best Tour Directors we have ever met. Much to our surprise, there were only eight people (4 couples) on this extension. So, our extension felt almost like a private tour.
— Day 2 – Venice
The morning started with an included St. Mark’s Square tour. This tour was exceptional, as our guide pointed out the buildings and history of St. Mark’s Square and the surrounding area.
Next, we selected a non-Viking tour, St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Tour, with another exceptional guide. Her energy was incredible. But her most amazing talent was that she remembered the names of all 23 people in the group, and used our names frequently throughout the tour.
We started with a thorough tour (over 2 hours) of Doge’s Palace, including the prison area. We next entered St. Mark’s Basilica. The inside of the Basilica is only illuminated on weekdays from 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM. This lighting enhances the beauty of the mosaics and the interior of the basilica. Our guide timed it so we would be in the Basilica while it was illuminated. She said that without the lighting, the mosaics would appear much darker and much more difficult to fully appreciate.
After our tour, we started out on our own walk to see the many highlights of Venice. This walk included the Rialto Bridge, Basilica Santa Maria della Salute and The Bridge of Sighs.
We finished our long day with an early dinner at Al Grill. Their steaks were excellent and service very good.
— Day 3 – Venice (Murano and Burano)
We started the morning with a Viking included excursion and private boat ride to the island of Murano, known for glass making. Our first stop was the Ferro & Lazzarini Factory. Our group was given a private demonstration of glass making and then toured their extensive show room of products. Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed in their show room, but their glassware is amazingly beautiful and artistic.
After the glass factory tour, we had free time to stroll through the small town, which is much less crowded than Venice.
Boarding the boat again, we traveled to the island of Burano. Burano is known for lace making. We stopped at Emilia Burano and again we were given a private demonstration and viewed their different products.
After walking around the small town, we stopped at Fabbrica birra&piadina. Birra is Italian for beer and piadina is a thin Italian flatbread typically made with flour, lard or olive oil, salt, and water. It is often 
folded and filled with various ingredients like cheeses, cured meats, and vegetables, making it a popular street food in Italy. The piadina was a delicious snack and the local beer was great.
Back at our hotel, we decided to stop at the rooftop bar, the Skyline Rooftop Bar, with views of Venice. We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink and appetizer, as well as the wonderful long-range views of the Venetian Archipelago.
— Day 4 – Ljubljana, Slovenia & Zagreb, Croatia
After breakfast in the hotel, we transferred by boat to the main terminal in Venice to catch our coach for the 3-hour ride to Ljubljana. It was very nice to be on a full-size bus with only 9 of us onboard.
The landscape of Slovenia is very beautiful and we enjoyed the scenery as we traveled to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital and largest city. The Ljubljanica River flows through the center of Ljubljana where a large pedestrian area with many shops and restaurants are located. We visited several sites, including the Central Market.
After our tour, we stopped at a local restaurant before continuing to Zagreb, Croatia.
Arriving in Zagreb late in the afternoon, we checked-in to the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. Opened in 1925 as a refuge for passengers from the Orient Express, the stylish Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is an architectural gem. Many famous people have stayed here over the years.
— Day 5 – Zagreb, Croatia
This morning, we met our guide, Ines, dressed in traditional Croatian dress, for our morning tour of Zagreb. Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is distinguished by its 18th- and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture. Zagreb is basically divided in to two sections. Upper Town is the site of the Gothic, twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, with a colorfully tiled roof. Nearby is the pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes. Lower Town has the main square, Ban Jelačić, plus shops, museums and parks.
In 2020, the city experienced a major earthquake. The earthquake happened early on a Sunday, while 
very few people were out, so there were few deaths. However, many buildings were damaged, including the spires of the cathedral, so a lot of repair work is still underway.
For lunch, we stopped at Pivnica Mali Medo. This eatery is a family-owned brewery, with a wide selection of beer. We also ordered the local dish, Ćevapčići od junetine s pommesom, which is minced veal sausages with pomme frites.
Capitals of Eastern Europe – Viking Cruise
— Day 1 – Graz and Vienna, Austria and Embarkation
After checking out of our hotel, we began the journey to the ship in Vienna. On our way, we visited the historical city center of Graz, the capital of the Austrian state of Styria.
To our surprise, a marathon was being held in Old Town that Sunday, so it took some maneuvering by our guide to move through the city. However, we were able to see all of the promised sites, and had another delicious lunch before continuing to Vienna.
Upon arrival at our ship, we checked-in to our room and had just enough time to get ready for dinner. After a long day, we were happy to be onboard and settled in for the next two weeks of the cruise.
Our two week itinerary on board the Kadlin is listed above, although some of our excursions from the ship would take us to other cities along the Danube.
— Day 2 – Vienna, Austria
We had been to Vienna in the past, so we decided on Vienna’s Sights Up Close for our excursion. We met our guide on the dock next to the ship and walked a short way to the subway. The subway in Vienna is very easy and efficient. We rode the subway to Karlsplatz, where we visited the opera building and the famed Viennese coffeehouse, Café Sacher.
Our guide was very good and we walked by the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Hapsburgs and home of the Spanish Riding School with its Lipizzaner horses, the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, crowned with a gleaming spire and colorful roof tiles, and viewed the beautiful Vienna State Opera concert hall.
After our tour we stopped by the Café Sacher for coffee and cake before riding the subway back to our ship.
— Day 3 – Vienna, Austria
For our second day in Vienna, we decided on a food tour, Vienna’s Highlights: Food, Coffee and Market Walking Tour, which was a full 5.5 hours. We picked this tour not only for all the food we would sample, but also because it took us to several neighboring areas around Vienna.
We met our fantastic guide for our small group food tour and immediately hopped on the subway to head out to the surrounding area. We rode the subway and train as we visited many of Vienna’s suburbs and made 5 stops along the way to sample Viennese cuisine.
We enjoyed a traditional Viennese coffee and pastry at a local-favorite Kulturcafé.
We had a hearty Austrian lunch that included schnitzel, and stopped by several hidden cafés and markets frequented by locals, and far away from the tourist crowds.
Our last stop was at Wurstelstand, which is a traditional Austrian street food retail outlet. The one we stopped at was located at a small market. We tried several types of traditional food, all absolutely fabulous. One of the courses offered though, was actually a meat loaf made from horse. A number of the folks on the tour found it delicious. However, we had just visited those gorgeous Lipizzaners – so, we just couldn’t do it.
If you want to see areas of Vienna that are less touristy and local, we recommend trying this food tour!
— Day 4 – Bratislava, Slovakia
Our stop in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, included the Bratislava Walking Tour. Our guide met us just off the ship and we enjoyed a two-hour walk around Bratislava to many of the scenic sites.
After our tour, we decided to make the short hike up to Bratislava Castle. The castle building includes four towers (one on each corner) and a courtyard. The largest and tallest tower is the Crown Tower, on the southwest corner. The 154-foot tower dates from the 13th century and for approximately 200 years, beginning in the mid-1500s, housed the crown jewels of Hungary. One of the best features of the climb to the castle are the views of Bratislava and the Danube.
After hiking back down, we stopped at the Dubliner Irish Pub for lunch and a pint. It seems there is an Irish Pub everywhere we go.
— Day 5 – Budapest, Hungary
Since we had been to Budapest several times, we decided on the Budapest Castle Hill Hike. We departed from the ship and set out on foot, crossing the Chain Bridge. We started our Castle Hill ascent and passed a maze of cobblestone streets and pathways, and saw entrances to the underground labyrinth of caves that run beneath Castle Hill. We reached the Royal Palace just in time to see the Changing of the Guard. From here we continued to Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion. At this point we had free time to enter the church and stop by a local café for coffee.
We hiked back down to the river and then took a short train ride under the river to return to our ship.
After lunch we took a short walk on the Pest side. We walked by Anker Palace and St. Stephen’s Basilica as we made our way to Elizabeth Square.
I was on the lookout for Kürtőskalács, also known as chimney cake. This sweet bread is rolled into a spiral shape, baked until golden brown, and often coated with sugar and various toppings. It is really good, but make sure you get it freshly made.
Once it was dark, we went up to the top deck of the ship to get some incredible pictures of the illuminated buildings along the river, including the Chain Bridge and the Fisherman’s Bastion.
If you would like to explore other things to do in Budapest, please see our article, Budapest in 3 Days.
— Day 6 – Budapest, Hungary
We were in Budapest for a second day and selected the optional excursion The Royal Palace & Gardens of Gödöllö. The excursion sounded interesting and allowed us an opportunity to see areas of the city, away from the river.
Gödöllö Royal Palace was built by Count Antal Grassalkovich, who was well-respected among the monarchy and a confidante of Empress Maria Theresa. When the last direct male descendant in the family died, it was purchased for the royal couple as a summer house. In the 20th century, Soviet troops used it as a barracks and transformed some wings into rest homes for the elderly. Restoration of the palace began in 1985 and continues today. Some of the rooms include King Franz Joseph’s suite and Empress Elisabeth’s private apartments.
In the afternoon and as we left Budapest that night, I was able to take some beautiful pictures of the Buda side and of the Hungarian Parliament Building from the top deck of the ship.
— Day 7 – Mohács, Hungary
Our next stop was Mohács, Hungary, a small town on the Danube. Only 45 minutes from there was the town of Pécs, which was founded by the Romans. Our excursion, Panoramic Pécs, started there.
Our first stop on our walking tour was Saints Peter and Paul’s Cathedral Basilica (Pécs Cathedral). The church serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of Pécs. The interior of the church was beautiful.
Next, we visited Cella Septichora, a historic Christian burial site awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000. The chambers are exceptional, not only because of their size and richness, but also because their richly decorated murals. Both small-sized, family chambers and larger buildings were discovered. Murals inside of outstanding quality depict Biblical themes using early Christian symbols. The most visited chambers include the Peter-Paul chamber, the Jug chamber, the Cella Trichora chapel and the eponym Cella Septichora.
Lastly, we visited Saint Sebastian’s Church, the former Mosque of Pasha Gazi Kasim and Széchenyi Square, the city’s main plaza. The main plaza is very walkable and we stopped at one of the cafes for a coffee and pastry.
— Day 8 – Vukovar & Ilok, Croatia
We arrived in Vukovar, Croatia and set out by bus on our included excursion, Osijek Citadel & Vukovar’s Eltz Manor Museum.
Our stop in Osijek was the ‘Tvrđa’, citadel, in the Old Town of Osijek, which stands on the right bank of the river Drava, not far from its confluence with the Danube and overlooking the surrounding marshes. The site was originally occupied by the Romans, who built the town of Mursa on the site. Later, it was occupied by the Slavs as it kept them safe from the risk of flooding. Osijek was subsequently destroyed then rebuilt by the Ottomans in the 16th century, before eventually being retaken by the Habsburgs. You can also see that the local cats were very friendly.
Within the citadel was Saint Michael’s Church. Jesuits laid the foundation stone on July 31, 1725 on the foundation of former Kasimpaša mosque, which was built during Ottoman period in Osijek. In 1734, the first Mass was held in the unfinished church. In 1750, the church was dedicated to Saint Michael, and was completed in 1768.
Returning to Vukovar, we stopped at the Eltz Manor Museum. The palace suffered substantial damage and destruction in 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence. However, after four years of restoration, it was completely restored to its pre-war appearance in October 2011. The museum focuses on the life in Vukovar, and the destruction during the war.
Arriving back at the ship for lunch, we sailed the short distance to Ilok. Ilok is a very small town and there was one optional tour for wine tasting, but we decided to skip that tour. We walked in to the very small town, but since it was a Sunday afternoon, almost everything was closed.
— Day 9 – Novi Sad, Serbia
Today’s excursion was The Town of Novi Sad. Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia, located in the province of Vojvodina along the banks of the Danube River.
Our walk started at the ship and passed through the beautiful Danube Park, before reaching the Novi Sad Synagogue, where we enjoyed a short concert performed by members of the local Jewish community.
We then walked to Liberty Square, the main square in Novi Sad. The square is very nice and includes City Hall and the Name of Mary Church.
Returning to the ship we strolled along the river front and took a few pictures, including some of the Petrovaradin Fortress.
— Day 10 – Belgrade, Serbia
Since we had been to Belgrade before, we decided to do our own walking tour, especially since the town is very near where the ship was docked.
We started with a walk up to Belgrade Fortress, which offers beautiful views of the river and city. Belgrade Fortress is the core and the oldest section of the urban area of Belgrade. For centuries, the city population was concentrated only within the walls of the fortress, and thus the history of the fortress, until most recent times, reflects the history of Belgrade itself.
From the fortress, we walked along the main pedestrian area of Belgrade to the Church of Saint Sava. The church is the largest Orthodox church in Serbia, and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches. It is the most recognizable building in Belgrade, as its dominating exterior resembles that of the Hagia Sophia, after which it was modelled.
In the afternoon, we left for the optional excursion, Royal Palace of Belgrade. Built in the Serbian-Byzantine Revival style, the palace boasts a grand facade of white stone and a luxurious interior. Originally home to Serbia’s royal family, it became the residence of President Tito before being returned to the royal family after the fall of the communist regime. Today, it is the home of Crown Prince Alexander II and his family.
At the time, we did not realize how exclusive this tour was. The public normally has extremely limited access to this private property, where the family lives today. We were also so surprised to be served champagne in the main living room, halfway through the tour.
We found the basement to be a unique and marvelous spot, with amazing hand-painted walls and ceilings. To finish our tour, we visited the Royal Chapel dedicated to St. Andrew.
— Day 11 – Donji Milanovac, Serbia and the Iron Gate
Although the population of Donji Milanovac is only about 2,000 people, it is a very picturesque small town. For our excursion today, Charming Donji Milanovac, we stepped off the ship and toured the town. We started with the small town square and then stopped at a local elementary school to see a typical classroom, where our guide taught us a few words using the Cyrillic alphabet, the official script of Serbia. We then continued to Church of St. Nicholas, a small historic, orthodox church built in 1840. The interior was adorned with beautiful paintings and icons, and we enjoyed the local church choir’s a cappella singing performance.
We were back onboard for lunch and soon departed for our scenic sailing.
One of Europe’s most dramatic natural wonders, this picturesque stretch of the Danube is famously known as the Iron Gate. The Danube slices through the Carpathian Mountains to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the south, with towering white limestone cliffs draped with forest. Be on the lookout for ancient remains upon the dramatic walls. On the Romanian side of the river is the enormous rock sculpture of Dacian King Decebalus, and while this carving is not ancient, it is still a remarkable sight.
We soon entered the main lock on the river, which marked the end of the Iron Gate.
For dinner, we were treated to a Taste of Balkan. We started with a selection of breads and cheeses and then enjoyed samples of different foods from the region.
— Day 12 – Viden & Sofia, Bulgaria
Since we had been to Viden, we decided to stick with the theme of Capitols of Eastern Europe and selected the overnight excursion to the capitol of Bulgaria, Highlights of Sofia & Northern Bulgaria.
With only 6 people on our excursion, we left early in the morning on a small bus, along with our guide and driver. Our first stop was the town of Vratsa, Bulgaria. Vratsa is the largest city in northwestern Bulgaria and the administrative and economic center of the municipality of Vratsa. We were only here a short time and explored the area around the town center and had lunch.
We then continued for about 30 minutes to the Tipchenitza Winery. The winery is located in the very small town of Tipchenitza. After a tour of the winery, we sat down for some snacks and a very generous number of wine samples.
We continued on for about 1.5 hours to Sofia and checked in to the Sofia Balkan Palace. This was a beautiful hotel located in the heart of Sofia and the pedestrian area. After we checked in, we met our guide for a short orientation walk in the old town. We also had a night view of the Saint Nedelya Orthodox Cathedral, which was located just outside our hotel.
But the day was still not over. We met our guide about 7 PM for a trip to dinner at Vodenitsata Restaurant. Not only did we get a delicious meal of original Bulgarian food, but there was also singing and dancing. We then stepped outside on the patio for a fire walking show.
It was a long day, but we had a great time and could not wait to start again in the morning.
— Day 13 – Sofia & Pleven, Bulgaria
After breakfast at the hotel, we met our guide for a walking tour of Sofia, including Prince Alexander Battenberg Square and St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans.
We then drove just over 2 hours to the town of Pleven, Bulgaria. Pleven, located in the northern part of the country, is the seventh most populous city in Bulgaria. We had a short tour of the city’s landmarks, including the St George the Conqueror Chapel Mausoleum, before making our way to meet the ship.
In all, the two-day excursion was a packed itinerary and we thoroughly enjoyed all the places we visited.
NOTE: There is always a chance when cruising that weather or other conditions can affect the itinerary. Unfortunately, that happened on this trip. The Danube had been extremely low from the start of our trip in Vienna, but it was passable. That ability ended near Pleven.
Our original itinerary had us meeting the ship in Ruse, Romania at the end of our excursion and then continuing by ship to Constanta. But the low water level forced our ship to stop in Nikopol, Bulgaria, which is about 2 hours from Ruse, and over 4 hours from Constanta.
Viking did an excellent job with logistics. During the night in Nikopol, our ship moved across the river to Turnu Măgurele, Romania. From there we would take a bus to Constanta and stay overnight in a hotel. This was the only change to the original itinerary.
- Day 14 – Constanta, Romania
After breakfast on the ship, we disembarked and everyone boarded buses for the trip from Turnu Măgurele, Romania to Constanta, Romania.
The bus ride was long, but the guide on our bus shared insights about the area and history. Just outside Constanta, we stopped for lunch. We were very impressed with the incredible venue Viking had arranged. It was the Fântâniţa-Murfatlar, which was large enough for everyone from our ship. We were greeted with traditional music and a drink, as well as performances during our lunch.
We then continued to Constanta, where we checked in to the Crown Plaza Hotel, which was located on the Black Sea. We had a beautiful view of the beach from our balcony.
We met our guide for an excursion, Panoramic Constanta. We walked through the town and along the edge of the Black Sea. The Constanța Casino was beautiful in the setting sun.
Returning to the hotel, dinner was waiting for us.
— Day 15 – Bucharest, Romania
We awoke in the morning to a beautiful sunrise over the Black Sea. After breakfast at the hotel, we boarded our bus for the three-hour ride to Bucharest.
Upon arriving in Bucharest, we took a short walk through Old Town and stopped at a restaurant for lunch. It was another very good lunch with traditional dancing and a music performance.
After lunch we started our included excursion, Panoramic Bucharest. Our bus tour included many of the iconic sites of Bucharest and a short walking tour. We walked by many sites in Old Town, including the historic Caru’ cu Bere restaurant. Known for its stunning Neo-Gothic architecture and traditional Romanian cuisine, it is a popular and fabled establishment in the city’s Old Town district. We then rejoined the bus for the short ride and checked in to our hotel, the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel.
As we approached the hotel, many roads were closed and local authorities had to allow us through barricades to get to our hotel. We learned that The National Cathedral, also known as the People’s Salvation Cathedral, was having its inauguration. The lines to enter the church were hours long.
The church is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, built to serve as the patriarchal cathedral of the Romanian Orthodox Church. It is the tallest and largest Eastern Orthodox church building by volume and area in the world. The People’s Salvation Cathedral will have the largest collection of church mosaics (interior decoration) in the world when it is completed, having about 25,000 square meters. We had amazing views from our hotel window.
But the day was not done. We met our guide in the lobby for another excursion, Sights & Flavors of Bucharest. Eight of us boarded our bus, and headed to Old Town. We walked a short distance in old town and arrived at our restaurant, the Lacrimi și Sfinți . We had a delicious meal with drinks, and musicians came to our table and played. After dinner we walked a few doors down to the City Grill Covaci for our desert, which was a sampling of several different items. It was a very long day, but we enjoyed it all.
- Day 16 – Bucharest, Romania
For our last day in Bucharest, we chose Intrepid Urban Adventures tour company and signed up for their Bohemian Bucharest: Markets and Mahallas tour.
We walked through many unique neighborhoods, called Mahallas, stopping along the way to sample various beer, wines, and snacks. Owing to the many cultures that have impacted Romania throughout the centuries, Bucharest is comprised of an astonishing collection of eclectic architecture. Throughout the city you will encounter examples of medieval, modern, Art Nouveau, Soviet, Byzantine and other architectural styles, some literally side-by-side. You will also find prolific examples from Bucharest’s Belle Epoque era that occurred in the late 1800’s. During this era, Bucharest experienced a cultural explosion and was greatly influenced by French culture. So much so, it was frequently referred to as Paris of the East.
One of the highlights of the tour was the stop at the Piata Obor Market. The Obor Market is one of the oldest in Romania, having been there in some form for 300 years. Open 7 days per week, the market is located near the Obor Metro station, about 2 miles from the city center.
This market is massive. Its first floor has an array of the most beautiful fruits and vegetables you have ever seen. The upper level is comprised of many specialty shops including butcher shops, bakeries, wine shops and other specialty items. All along the way, our guide purchased vegetables, cheeses, meats and wine.
Outside the market is an outdoor restaurant, Terasa Obor, that serves a national specialty, a grilled sausage called mici. Our guide created a wonderful picnic lunch for us from all the goodies she had purchased inside the market, along with the delicious mici sausage and beer. The sausage was absolutely amazing and the produce exploded with deliciousness. It was a simple meal, but one that will be remembered for a very long time.
— Day 17 – Bucharest, Romania
We awoke early for our ride to the airport and our 9 AM flight to start our journey home.
We really enjoyed this trip and we think you will too! Our trip was 22 days long, but seemed to fly by, especially since we stayed so busy.
We hope you found our review of Viking’s Capitals of Eastern Europe Cruise helpful and informative. And we hope you join us in the future as we explore some of our other travel destinations.
Safe travels!