Gems of Southeast Europe River Cruise, April 27 - May 4, 2026, with Micole Moore and Teri Kerns of Ramona Ranch Winery

DAY 1: THURSDAY, APRIL 23

ARRIVE BUDAPEST

Arrive Budapest International Airport. Upon departing the Arrival Hall, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, join a walking tour of Budapest’s colorful Jewish Quarter, full of restaurants and nightlife. Dinner is at leisure.

OVERNIGHT: BUDAPEST MARRIOTT (or similar, 2 nights)

DAY 2: FRIDAY, APRIL 24

BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING

Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its iconic sights are just off the banks of the Danube. Often described as the “Queen of the Danube. Visit the Hungarian Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Opera House and Hero’s Square. This afternoon is at leisure for shopping. Those who dare can enjoy an optional experience, visiting an authentic, centuries old thermal bathhouse. This is a memorable thing to do here, something you will talk about for years. Tonight, we dine at an historic Budapest restaurant with Gypsy musicians. (B,D)

DAY 3: SATURDAY, APRIL 25

EGER AND TARCAL

After breakfast depart by coach two hours to Tarcal, in the heart of Hungarian wine country. En route stop at the village of Eger for a private tour, tasting and lunch at renowned Kovacs Nimrod Winery. After lunch depart for Tarcal, passing vast fields of sunflowers. Tarcal is the charming commercial center of Hungary’s Tokaji wine country, home to the golden Aszu (“The Wine of the Czars”). Arrive at the magnificent Andrassy Residence Wine and Spa, a country manor converted to a 41-room boutique resort. (B,L)

OVERNIGHT:ANDRESSI RESIDENZ WINE & SPA or similar (2 nights)

DAY 4: SUNDAY, APRIL 26

TOKAJI WINE ESTATES

Today enjoy a private cellar tour, tasting and lunch at Chateau Dereszla, one of Hungary’s most prominent and historic vintners. This winery’s golden Aszu and Eszencia wines which consistently rate 94+ points by Wine Spectator. Lunch today is at St. Thomas Winery (“Szent Tamas”), a mixture of new and old Hungary in the aptly named village called Mad. Tonight enjoy a special dinner at Graf Degenfeld, a manor house hotel and wine estate. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: MONDAY, APRIL 27

TARCAL / ROYAL PALACE OF GODOLLO / LAZAR EQUESTRIAN ESTATE / BUDAPEST / EMBARKATION

Departing Tarcal, you will re-cross the Hungarian plain. Tour the Royal Palace of Gödöllő — the summer getaway for Emperor Franz Josef and his beloved queen Elizabeth, fondly called “Sisi” by all Hungarians. After a tour of the palace visit the Lazar Champions Estate. Here brothers Vilmos and Zoltan Lazar raise Hungary’s finest horses, including the beautiful white Lipizzan breed and the enormous Hungarian draft horses. Enjoy a phenomenal riding show by Hungarian hussars in traditional costume, followed by lunch and refreshments.

(NOTE: great photo opportunities here).

Arrive in Budapest approximately 4pm to board the AmaBella. Before dinner there is a Captain’s Champagne Reception and safety briefing in the main lounge. After dinner (weather permitting) gather for a private cocktail reception with Micole and Teri on the Sun Deck for members of the Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery group. (B,L,D)

DAY 1: MONDAY, APRIL 27

BUDAPEST – EMBARKATION

Arrive in Budapest and make your way to the docking location of the AmaBella. Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. (D)

DAY 2: TUESDAY, APRIL 28

MOHÁCS – PÉCS, HUNGARY

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. You’ll then visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or for wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

VUKOVAR, CROATIA

Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: THURSDAY, APRIL 30

BELGRADE, SERBIA

Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Šlivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO’s list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage.” Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: FRIDAY, MAY 1

SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES

Visit Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. (B,L,D)

DAY 6: SATURDAY, MAY 2

VIDIN, BULGARIA

Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: SUNDAY, MAY 3

ROUSSE – GIURGIU, ROMANIA

Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Later today travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture. (B,L,D)

DAY 8: MONDAY, MAY 4

DISEMBARKATION- GIURGIU

Bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home. Cruise only guests can make arrangements with the Cruise Manager for a transfer to the Bucharest Airport for an additional cost (to be added to your ship-board account). Flights home must be booked for departure after 1:00pm. (B)

FOR RAMONA RANCH POST-CRUISE ROMANIA TOUR PASSENGERS
This morning, post-cruise Romania tour guests will board the Ramona Ranch / Expanding Horizons tour coach bound for Brasov in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. See day-by-day tour explanation below. (B,L)

DAY 1: MONDAY, MAY 4

DISEMBARKATION / AZUGA WINERY / BRASOV

Bid farewell and depart AmaBella this morning. Board our coach at 9am bound for Brasov, in the heart of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains region. En route, stop at noted champagne producer Azuga Winery, for a private tour and tasting with lunch. Enjoy a guided walking tour around Braşov town including the Black Church, Merchant’s Hall and School of St. Nicholas. Arrive at our hotel approximately 5 pm. (B,L)

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Kronwell Brasov (3 nights)

DAY 2: TUESDAY, MAY 5

BRAȘOV – SIGHIȘOARA

Today, travel to the stunning village of Sighişoara, birthplace to the infamous, Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Vlad the Impaler. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad’s place of birth. His home still stands, marked with a placard. Later, we have a private tour and luncheon at Villa Vinea, a Carpathian region winery of renown. Return to Brasov late afternoon. Tonight is at leisure to dine independently. (B,L)

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

BRAN, DRACULA’S CASTLE AND RASNOV CITADEL

Today, venture further into Transylvania to the village of Bran, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. This was the home of Vlad the Impaler, the Romanian ruler whom author Bram Stoker modeled his character Count Dracula. Walk through Bran Castle, the formidable hilltop fortress built in the 14th century and forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Rasnov Citadel, the 13th century bastion for the Teutonic Knights of the period. Great photo opportunities here!

Dinner tonight is arranged in one of Brasov’s many fine restaurants. (B,D)

DAY 4: THURSDAY, MAY 7

BUCHAREST SIGHTS & OLD TOWN DINNER

Bucharest, Romania’s capital, has earned its nickname, the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy a visit to the city’s most impressive sites — including the historic city center and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world. Before dinner enjoy a walking tour of Bucharest’s Old Town, followed by an early dinner in an Old Town historic restaurant. (B, D)

OVERNIGHT: Radisson Blu Bucharest Hotel (1 night)

DAY 5: FRIDAY, MAY 8

DEPART BUCHAREST

You will be transferred to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (code: OTP) for your onward flights home. (B)