w VUKOVAR, CROATIA Leaving country number one behind, SS Beatrice’s humorous Captain Jord Zwall says: “Once you leave Budapest, it’s as if Columbus fell off the world.” And his description was spot-on.
Within minutes of leaving the city, we sail past open fields and grass banks. By nightfall the only glimmer of light appears from bankside villages until our arrival in Croatia. It’s worth noting – and mentioning
SAMPLE PRODUCT
Uniworld’s
Highlights of Eastern Europe cruise from Budapest to Bucharest starts at £2,999 per person for 10 days, including seven nights’ accommodation in a river-view stateroom plus two nights’ B&B and one lunch in Bucharest. All meals, unlimited beverages on board, onshore excursions,
gratuities, port charges and transfers are included, for departures until October 8.
uniworld.com
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travelweekly.co.uk 28 June 2018
to clients – that a morning wake-up call may come quite early, courtesy of Hungarian customs. On some sailings, officials need to see you face-to-face with your passport, usually around 5.30am! Eastern Croatia was severely hit during the conflicts of the 1990s, and in fact one town on the itinerary, Vukovar, offers a poignant reminder of its remarkable recovery. Our excursion took us past the town’s water tower, which remains standing despite receiving more than 260 hits during the war of independence. Although there are still bullet-ridden buildings, the region is now very much about farms, vineyards and a more relaxed way of life. Uniworld’s excursions embrace the local lifestyle with lunch at a winery, dining with local fishermen and visiting an organic farm where the owners grind flour, make apple brandy and produce vinegar.
w BELGRADE, SERBIA Belgrade has had a troubled past, and you have two very different ways to see it. Visit the Old Town and Kalemegdan Fortress, or opt for a more off-the-beaten-track bike ride through New Belgrade. During our seven-mile cycle, there
ABOVE: Belogradchik, Bulgaria’s ‘Red Rock’ region
From elegant architecture to echoes of communist rule, Bucharest offers a fascinating glimpse into the past
were stark reminders of the turbulent history, such as passing a fairground- turned-concentration camp and a derelict TV tower. It’s harrowing, but is juxtaposed with the charm of
the Zemun area, which is set on the banks of the Danube and Sava rivers, where locals enjoy an afternoon walk or relax with a coffee in one of the many riverside cafes. Our local guide, Simon, said that while there are still many reminders of the city’s darker past, he now sees a bright future for a thriving capital. The midway point of the itinerary is made for lovers of scenic cruising. After a medieval welcome to the 14th-century Golubac Fortress, the afternoon is spent cruising Serbia’s Iron Gates on the narrow stretch of the Danube that separates Serbia and Romania. You can relax on deck and admire the gorges, while learning about local history.
LEFT: ‘People’s House’, Romania
w VIDIN AND RUSE, BULGARIA As the ship cruises on and ticks off country number four, Bulgaria, it’s time to see yet another terrain. Belogradchik is Bulgaria’s ‘Red Rock’ region, and it’s a must to hike around the impressive rock formations, which are more than 200 million years old. Staying in Bulgaria, next up is Ruse with its Belle Epoque-style buildings. Excursions here include a walking tour of the city’s downtown area, a visit to a nature park to see where hermits
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