Danube River Cruise. Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria & Romania
Starting in Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, the journey took us through five countries in Eastern Europe with picturesque landscapes, historic towns, and culturally rich cities upon the way.
Before we set sail, we had a day in Budapest and visited the House of Terror at Andrássy út 60..a house of torture used by the Arrow Cross party and the secret police. It contains artifacts from the fascist and the communist regimes that controlled Hungary late on in WW2 and into the 1950's. We took an afternoon walk up to the Liberty Statue on Gellert Hill on the Buda side, with commanding views of the river and Pest on the opposite bank. This was followed by a post dinner evening walk of 4 miles to see the illuminated buildings of the city. Budapest's architectural gems, such as the parliament building and the Buda castle come alive under the night sky....and the lights get switched off at 11pm!
The first stop on the river cruise itinerary is the quaint little town of Kalosca, known as the home of Hungarian paprika... due to its soil and and local climate.
Continuing the journey, the cruise reaches Vukovar in Croatia, a town that witnessed significant destruction during the Yugoslav conflicts of 1991 when it was subject to a siege that lasted 87 days. During the Battle of Vukovar, their water tower, was one of the most frequent targets of artillery...it was hit more than 600 times during the siege. Many battle worn buildings still stand as a memorial to the conflict. We also visited Ovcara farm, the site of an atrocity where over 200 Croatian defenders were slayed on 20 November 1991.
Arriving in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, you are greeted by the majestic Kalemegdan Fortress. The fortress area is huge and offers a captivating blend of history and natural beauty, overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Belgrade certainly looks eastern European...but it grew on me. The magnificent Saint Sava Basilica has to be seen, an astonishing building....the symbol of the city and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
The following whole day cruise takes you through the Iron Gates, also known as the Djerdap Gorge. Here, the Danube flows between the towering cliffs of Romania on the left and Serbia on the right. Passing through the Iron Gates double lock, with its impressive 2 × 16-meter drop, is a lovely experience. Further along the river, one can see the monumental stone face of Decebal, the last King of Dacia (87 to 106 AD). This carved 43 meter tall visage, created between 1994 and 2004, adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the journey.
The cruise then docks in Rousse, a city in Bulgaria with a distinct Eastern Bloc charm. The Sveta Troitsa Holy trinity orthodox cathedral, built in 1632, is worth a visit, it is built 4.5 meters below street level. Russe also boasts an amazing array of parkland, for the locals to enjoy.
The cruise sadly concluded prematurely, in Chiciu, Romania due to technical problems. However, the trip was beautifully capped off with a visit to Bucharest, the capital of Romania. A visit to the city's old town is a must, as it offers a glimpse into Bucharest's historical past. The narrow, winding streets are lined with beautifully preserved buildings, trendy cafes, and traditional restaurants. The Palace of the Parliament in the city is an extraordinary sight. It is the heaviest building in the world, 4.1m tonnes...and it supposedly has 1100 rooms! It is a huge edifice created by the once Romanian president, Nicolae Ceau?escu...it is unfinished and it is the largest administrative building on the planet. .