MS L'Europe, 11 Night From the Blue Danube to the Black Sea ex Vienna, Austria to Oltenita (for Bucharest), Romania

Admire the majestic blue river, crossing 8 countries and stopping in 4 capitals. You will discover tremendous landscapes of striking beauty where nature is queen. From Belgrade to Vienna via Bratislava and Budapest, discover unique architecture, history and culture all along the beautiful Danube.

Day 1
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. In this evening, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Viennese concert (subject to availability.)

Day 2
Join us for the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided visit of Schönbrunn Palace and with its magnificent park, the former summer residence of the Emperor of Austria and his family (only on pre-booking before departure).DISCOVERY: The high art of Viennese living: Music and Viennese cafes. We'll stroll through the city and visit back stage in the Konzerthaus concert hall(1). After our tour, enjoy a steaming cup of Vienna Coffee and a delicious pastry.After our visits, we'll begin to cruise to Bratislava. Join us for the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided Tour of Bratislava and Tasting of Local Delights.DISCOVERY: Hiking in Bratislava: The Little Carpathians. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava.We'll return on board and cruise to Budapest.

Day 3
We'll arrive in Budapest. Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Budapest, once two distinct cities that united only in 1873. Buda, on one bank with its rolling hills and valleys; and Pest, on the other, with its flatter landscape that offers a panoramic view over the banks of the Danube. Both are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.The afternoon is free to do as you please. Join us on an excursion : Visit of the Széchenyi Baths (3). Drive to this vast thermal complex. Nestled in the heart of Budapest, the Széchenyi Baths are a true architectural jewel in neo-Baroque style. A short guided visit will allow you to discover the premises before enjoying the indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms, or simply relaxing in a steaming thermal bath. So don’t forget your swimsuits – this is a unique opportunity. Return to the ship.or Budapest Market Halls (not included in the packages).In the evening, join us on an excursion for both packages: evening of traditional entertainment in Budapest. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 4
We'll arrive in Kalocsa. Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Visit the Puszta, the Pannonian steppe grasslands. We'll enjoy a horse show. After we return on board, we continue towards Mohacs and Novi Sad. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 5
We'll arrive in Novi Sad. Join us for the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided visit of Novi Sad, the industrial and financial center of the Serbian economy and a major cultural center.DISCOVERY: Novi Sad and a walk to the Petrovaradin fortress. We'll leave the ship for an energetic walk to the Petrovaradin Fortress. We'll stroll along the riverfront before climbing the 200 steps up to the fortress. The view from the fort is splendid, and we'll enjoy a snack during our hike.Our ship will begin to cruise to Belgrade. The afternoon will be spent cruising, before arriving in the Serbian capital in the evening. In the evening, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Evening of traditional entertainment in Belgrade.

Day 6
Join us for the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided tour of Belgrade. Known for its high cultural influence during the Turkish occupation, the city charms us with its Eastern, Slavic and Austrian heritage. The lively Terazije Square is considered the heart of the city.DISCOVERY: Biking in Belgrade. You'll cycle along the history-filled streets with your guide, who'll explain the city's recent past from World War II to current times.The afternoon will be spent cruising to Donji Milanovac.

Day 7
The entire day will be spent cruising on the Danube. Our ship will pass through the Iron Gates, the gorge on the Danube that forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. It was called "The Cauldrons” by ancient sailors, since the water, held tightly between two steep cliffs, seems to be boiling. On the Serbian bank of the river, we'll catch a glimpse of the Tabula Traiana - a marble plaque honoring the Roman Road that once linked Rome to the province of Dacia.

Day 8
We'll arrive in Ruse. Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Tour of the canyon-shaped valley along the Rusenski Lom River, and the Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock. Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Tour of Ruse. Enjoy dinner and an evening of traditional entertainment on board.

Day 9
Our ship will cruise to Giurgiu. Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Bucharest. Bucharest offers a striking combination of architectural styles: Curtea Veche, the ruins of a 15th-century palace built during the rule of Vlad III Dracula, orthodox churches, Empire-style manor houses, Communist- inspired architecture, and the Parliament (outside only - entrance fees not included). The day ends with a visit to Stavropoleos Monastery or Kretzulescu Church (2).We'll return on board in Cernavoda. Enjoy an evening of dancing.

Day 10
Morning sailing on the Danube-Black Sea Canal. The completion of the Danube-Black Sea Canal is a colossal work in the history of Communism in Romania and Eastern Europe. Late morning arrival in Constanta. optional excursion for both packages: guided tour of Constanta and local wine tasting. This Romanian city is the best known on the Black Sea coast. Once an important Greek trading post, it has preserved a number of interesting vestiges from its heyday. Not least the remarkable 3rd-century Roman mosaic. The streets of the old town are also full of surprises, as far as the seafront and the casino, which raises its rococo façade against the wind. Then on to Murfatlar. The sunny Dobrogean plateau on the shores of the Black Sea is the country's most promising region. Murfatlar's vineyards have won numerous international awards, particularly for their Chardonnay. Wine tasting in a local cellar. Folklore evening on board. Night stopover.

Day 11
A day's sailing on the Danube-Black Sea Canal. Construction began in the 1950s and the canal was inaugurated in 1984, making it the third longest in the world after the Suez and Panama canals. Take advantage of this day to relax on the sun deck and take part in the activities on board. Tonight is our gala evening and dinner. Night sail to Oltenita.

Day 12
We'll arrive early in the morning in Oltenita. Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.

Named after the “Old Continent” and symbol of unity, the MS L'Europe is an elegant standard ship that sails on the Rhine and the Danube, meeting the many wonders offered by these two romantic rivers. Completely renovated in 2016, the MS L'Europe is an intimate-sized standard ship, measuring 110 m long and 11.40 m wide. It can accommodate 180 passengers, in 90 cabins spread over three decks. The size of each cabin is between 9m2 to 13m2 offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The chocolate, beige and orange tones of its chic and contemporary decoration give it a warm, elegant and welcoming atmosphere. Located on the main deck, the restaurant, where all meals are served during the cruise, offers delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large windows allow guests to fully enjoy the panorama. On this same deck is also the lounge / bar with a dance floor, while on the sun deck passengers can enjoy comfortable sun loungers, as well as a large shaded area. An ideal place to relax and admire the landscapes.

CroisiEurope has a fleet of Prestige category boats with cabins, which ply the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Spacious and light, they offer a welcoming and refined setting. Accommodation capacity varies from 100 to 180 passengers depending on the boat's design. At the cutting edge of technology, their facilities offer comfort and safety.

Carefully maintained and partially renovated each year, the CroisiEurope fleet is largely made up of recently built vessels, less than five years old, all with Veritas certification. The leading European river tour operator, our company owes its international reputation to its seriousness, its dynamism, its sense of innovation and its recognised value for money of long standing.

Vessels are rated four-star and food is superb – as you’d expect on a French-owned cruise line, staffed by French chefs and with top French and German wines aboard. One cruise of the Rhone and Saone Rivers in France concentrates on gastronomy and traditional French cusine, visiting Collonges Abbey, renowned for its great French chef, Paul Bocuse.

CroisiEurope is a family-owned and operated firm, with brothers and sisters running different aspects of the company and keeping a close eye on all operations to ensure excellence.

River cruising offers much free fun. Wake in the morning and observe the passing riverside scenery through your cabin window – perhaps from your bed. Gaze upon village churches or a patchwork of fields sparkling in the morning sun.

CroisiEurope’s network traverses a phenomenal number of European rivers and waterways. They range from the Guadalquivir and Guadiana (flowing through Spain and Portugal respectively); the Douro in Portugal, the Po and Venice Lagoon in Italy; the Rhone in Provence, plus the Seine from Paris to the Normandy Coast. And there’s more: the Moselle, the Neckar, the Saar, the Oder, the Havel, the Baltic Sea, the Camarge, the Rhine, the Main and the mighty Danube; the Tisza and the Black Sea; the Belgian and Dutch waterways. Everything from tulip time in Holland to Christmas Markets in Germany.

Drinks included with on board meals: mineral water, house wine, beer, fruit juice, and tea or coffee.