Having enjoyed our first river cruises in 2023 and again in 2024, Stewart & Laurie Grant are hooked on river cruises as an amazing way to travel. We invite you to join us on an October 2025 cruise of the Lower Danube! As your traveling partners from Stonetown Travel, we will arrange for our group coach to take us from southwestern Ontario to Pearson Airport where we enjoy a pre-flight dinner on October 17 from the Plaza Premium lounge before our overnight flight to Europe. Following a two-night luxury stay in wonderful Budapest, we will then board our Scenic Space-Ship and relaxingly move southeast through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. We will then depart from the Romanian capital of Bucharest on our journey back to Ontario.

ITINERARY:

Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 TORONTO TO BUDAPEST

Travel by luxury coach from southwestern Ontario to Toronto Pearson Airport for our overnight flight to Lisbon. Relax with our group and enjoy dinner in the Plaza Premium lounge prior to the flight. Flight details will be available later in 2024. (Dinner included)

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Welcome to Budapest, the Hungarian capital and one of Europe's most diverse and vibrant cities! Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city became united in 1873 when a newly built bridge connected the two. The city is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between. It is also well known for its hot springs and thermal baths and has a vibrant nightlife scene.

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

This morning we will join our fellow Scenic guests for a sightseeing tour of Budapest. Explore this magical city by coach and foot, crossing the bridge between Buda and Pest. We'll commence our tour on the Buda side where we will see Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side where we will see Széchenyi and Elisabeth squares. (Breakfast, Dinner included)

Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

This morning will be at leisure to explore Budapest at your own pace. Perhaps you'd like to pack your swimsuit and make your way to one of the city's thermal baths for a relaxing soak in the therapeutic waters. Alternatively, visit one of the city's famed coffee houses. Budapest developed a strong coffee culture in the 19th century and many elegant cafes are still charmingly dotting the city. Transfer to the ship in the afternoon to board our luxurious Scenic Space-Ship (the "Scenic Jasper"), our home for the next week. (Breakfast, Dinner included)

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 MOHACS, HUNGARY

We will arrive in Mohacs this morning. Straddling the Danube, this small Hungarian town was the site of the 16th century Battle of Mohacs, which led to the destruction of the Hungarian monarchy and the rise of Ottoman and Habsburg rule. From here, you will explore the surrounding regions with one of the following Scenic Freechoice excursions: Pecs city tour; Villany wine village; or Zsolnay Ceramics Museum. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 OSIJEK, CROATIA

Our Scenic Space-Ship will arrive this morning in the Croatian town of Osijek, a small city with a turbulent history. Over the past 500 years, it has been part of the Ottoman, Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian empires, and in the 1990s was the epicentre of the Croatian War of Independence. Many of the grand Baroque buildings remain standing but bear the scars of the war. Osijek is famous for its food, which is heavily influenced by Hungary and features plenty of paprika, locally-made sausages, and river fish. Today, explore the region in one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions: Walking tour of Osijek; or Ancestry of the Kitchen to enjoy an authentic meal at the home of a local Croatian family. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 BELGRADE, SERBIA

The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is known as the 'Door to Central Europe' and lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This eclectic city is steeped in history, with Neolithic ruins found nearby, a fortress built by the Romans, Brutalist buildings that sit beside Art Nouveau buildings and a bohemian vibe. One of the oldest capitals in Europe, Belgrade has been rebuilt almost 40 times. Explore your way with one of this morning's Scenic Freechoice activities: Guided city tour with extended free time; Panoramic city tour including Tito's Memorial; Cycling tour along the Danube. Tonight, we have a special treat in store for you with our Scenic Enrich event which is a Classical concert at St. Sava Temple. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 IRON GATES RIVER GORGE

Today we will cruise through the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates. This stretch of the Danube is the natural border between Serbia and Romania, and features four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs and the mighty rock carving of Decebaius, the former Romanian king. Spend some time relaxing in your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of river life as we cruise the Danube. Sweat it out in the state-of-the-art gym or take time out in the wellness centre, then mingle with other guests as you sit back with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 SVISHTOV / RUSE, BULGARIA

Our Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in the Bulgarian town of Svishtov this morning. Here you will have the choice to disembark and take an excursion to Veliko Tamovo, known as the City of the Kings, or stay on board and sail towards Ruse, which has been described as 'Little Vienna'. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 SILISTRA, BULGARIA

Arrive in Silistra early this morning. This Bulgarian town has changed hands many times over the centuries; a major Turkish fortress and trade centre in the 15th century. It played a significant role in the Russo-Turkish wars of the 1870s, briefly became part of Romania after the Second Balkan War, and finally reverted to Bulgaria in 1940. The town is dotted with historic sites stretching back to late Roman times. Explore your way with this morning's Scenic Freechoice options: active walk to Silistra Fort; Visit Alfatar Village; Excursion to Vama. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

This morning, say farewell to your Scenic Space-Ship as we transfer to Bucharest. The capital of Romania was once called the 'Paris of the East', however WWII changed the face of the city with much of its ART Nouveau and Art Deco architecture destroyed. Now a unique mix of Art Nouveau remnants and Brutalist-era architecture sit alongside wide, tree-lined boulevards and leafy squares, hidden street art, and thriving nightlife. Upon arrival, take an orientation tour of the city by coach, from the south of Bucharest to Primaverii Palace stopping to see its squares, including Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square and Charles de Gaulle Square. After the orientation tour, explore more of this enchanting city with Scenic Freechoice excursions: Ceausescu's Spring Palace; or Village Open Air Museum. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow guests before heading to your hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 BUCHAREST TO TORONTO

We will transfer from the hotel to the airport for our return trip to Toronto where our coach will be waiting to return us home. (Breakfast included)

Inclusions:

Not Included:

Travel Insurance

Items of a personal nature

Meals and beverages not indicated on the itinerary

Price: $8,995 CAD per person, based on double occupancy and balcony suite, INCLUDING airfare

(note: the above price is for a Balcony Suite on the Sapphire Deck. Price is lower for Jewel Deck (non-balcony), higher for upgraded Balcony Suites.)

Required Deposit: $500 CAD per person (final payment due December 20, 2024 in order to get this discounted price with included airfare).