Traveller Tours Balkans

In the spirit of bringing our readers superb, specially-designed travel experiences led by genuine experts with a deep knowledge of the destinations, it’s my pleasure to invite readers to join Traveller on a one-off luxury river cruise through Central Europe, including the Balkans.

Our 15-day, Budapest-to-Budapest "Voyage Through the Balkans" tour, carefully created by Traveller’s editors in partnership with APT, features Clare Birgin, our main special guest guide, a distinguished former ambassador of Australia to Budapest and Belgrade.

In the erudite company of Clare, who has direct, first-hand knowledge of the places this cruise encompasses, you’ll enjoy a host of exclusive experiences, including the chance to view a private royal art collection in Vienna’s City Palace and a visit to Croatia’s Brzica Winery in the Erdut "Valley of the Wines", one of the world’s most ancient wine-growing regions.

Clare, who will deliver talks and offer her invaluable insights on the tour, will be joined by a second guest guide, travel writer Sue Williams, a regular Traveller contributor, who will share her own adventures on the road as a travel writer. This will be Sue’s second Traveller Tour and she will be researching stories from the journey for the pages of this liftout.

You will also meet two other special guest guests: winemaker Ivo Brzica, of Croatia’s Brzica Winery, and Cristian Lupsa, a leading Bucharest-based editor and journalist, who will share his insights into Romanian society and politics. Traveller has again proudly partnered with APT, one of the world’s leading and most trusted cruise operators, for this Traveller Tour, which offers readers the chance to indulge in the wonders of some lesser-explored parts of the Continent.

ANTHONY DENNIS
TRAVELLER EDITOR

Vienna City Palace — Cruise to Bratislava.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE AND DO

Day 1 July 20
Budapest, Embark Ship

On arrival in Budapest, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your luxurious river ship. After settling in to your suite, enjoy a delicious dinner. Later, be enchanted by the city lights during a twilight cruise through Budapest. Meal D
Board your APT Concerto River Ship

Day 2 July 21
Bratislava

Take a tour of Bratislava. Later, attend a traditional folklore show in the Old Town before sampling local specialities. Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception with Clare Birgin, a former Ambassador to Hungary and to Serbia, and Sue Williams, an award-winning travel writer. Meals BLD

Day 3 July 22
Vienna

Take a walking tour of Vienna. Tonight head to the princely family of Liechtenstein's City Palace in the heart of Vienna for an exclusive experience: the palace will open its galleries for guests to view the family's private art collection. You'll be welcomed and guided by an in-house art expert. Later, attend an exclusive cocktail reception and private concert featuring members of the Mozart Boys' Choir, and pieces by Mozart and Strauss. Meals BLD

Day 4 July 23
Budapest

Join Clare for her in-depth talk and Q&A on the history and culture of Hungary and the fascinating figures that change the course of its history. Clare will also share her knowledge of the town of Mohács ahead of your arrival tomorrow. Later, take a tour of Budapest, including a visit to the Hungarian Parliament, which houses the old House of Lords and the Hungarian Crown Jewels.
Meals BLD

Day 5 July 24
Mohács, Pecs

Arrive in Mohács. Here you can either visit the Buso Courtyard, which offers an insight into the Busojaras of Mohács and the craftwork associated with this event or take an excursion to Pecs to visit the Gyugyi Museum, which houses Laszlo Gyugyi's private collection, including ceramics from the Golden Age of the Zsolnay Factory. Meals BLD

Day 6 July 25
Belgrade

You can explore Serbia’s capital by foot on a city tour. Or you can explore the city by bike, or visit a brandy distillery for a tasting. Clare will deliver a talk and Q&A on the history and politics of the former Yugoslavia, including Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Kosovo, which she was accredited to until its unilateral declaration of independence. Meals BLD

Day 7 July 26
Iron Gates

Cruise through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between Serbia and Romania. This afternoon, sit back and enjoy a talk and Q&A session with Traveller writer, author and tour guest Sue Williams. She will share her experiences charting the world from Argentina to Zimbabwe. Meals BLD

Day 8 July 27
Giurgiu, Bucharest

Enjoy a talk by our expert journalist and editor Cristian Lupsa, founder and editor of DoR (Decât o Revista), a quarterly magazine devoted to telling the stories of modern-day Romania. Then spend the day in Bucharest, Romania's stunning capital. Take in the wide tree-lined boulevards and Belle Epoque buildings, and then walk through the Old City centre to the Royal Court, Stavropoleos Church and the Lipscani district. After lunch, tour the Palace of the Parliament with a specialist guide. Meals BLD

Day 9 July 28
Rousse, Veliko Târnovo, Svishtov

Docking in Rousse today, you have a choice of activities: either travel to Veliko Târnovo for a guided tour that highlights the city's rich history, or if you are keen for a more active option, enjoy a visit to the World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo and walk through the rock monasteries. Meals BLD

Day 10 July 29
Vidin

This morning dock in Vidin, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria overlooking the Danube. Then continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria's natural wonders, where you can hike around spectacular rock formations. Meals BLD

Day 11 July 30
Scenic Cruising

Spend an entire day on board to unwind as you take in the stunning scenery. Later, enjoy an afternoon tea hosted by Clare and Sue with a Q&A. Meals BLD

Day 12 July 31
Novi Sad, Vukovar

Meet the experts who'll guide you through the Balkans

THE FORMER AMBASSADOR
CLARE BIRGIN

Clare Birgin has more than 30 years experience working for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other agencies, focusing on eastern and central Europe, intelligence and security matters, trade negotiations and the Middle East. She has served in Warsaw, Moscow, Geneva, then as a liaison officer for the Office of National Assessments in Washington. She was Australia’s Ambassador in Budapest (2004-2007) and Belgrade (2007-2010). She is the recipient of honours including the Knight’s Cross Polish Government Medal and is now a Visiting Fellow at ANU.

THE AUTHOR AND TRAVEL WRITER
SUE WILLIAMS

Sue Williams has been travelling in Europe since she was 14, and has spent a lot of time along our Balkans route, in Austria and in the former Yugoslavia before its break-up in the early 1990s. She is one of Traveller's most experienced writers, and has also written travel and other non-fiction books. She travels frequently around the world and has many stories of her time on the road.

THE TRADITIONAL WINEMAKER
IVO BRZICA

Winemaker Ivo Brzica came to Erdut, famed ‘‘Valley of the Wines', from nearby Osikek in the early 2000s. His initial 900 vines quickly expanded to 1.5 hectares. The winery really took off in 2007 and 2008 when 4.5 hectares were planted. Most of these vines were graševina with some chardonnay and about 15,000 vines of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and vranac. From these lines, the first professional vintage wine was produced in 2011, including an award-winning merlot.

THE JOURNALIST AND MAGAZINE FOUNDER
CRISTIAN LUPSA

Cristian Lupsa is founder and editor of DoR (Decât o Revista), a quarterly magazine devoted to telling the stories of modern-day Romania. He also writes, lectures, and trains people on the impact true stories can have on a culture still seeking its identity. In 2009, Cristian and a group of rebellious journalists started DoR, a magazine – though some would call it a movement – predicated on the idea that good non-fiction storytelling can change people and communities. In 2011 they set up The Power of Storytelling, an international storytelling conference.

Exclusive experiences for Traveller Tours guests

These complimentary experiences and services are exclusive to APT and Traveller Tours, and are just some of the unique insights we have planned for your stunning cruise through the Balkans.

View a private art collection
Enter the princely family of Liechtenstein's amazing City Palace in the heart of Vienna for an exclusive viewing of their private art collection. You'll be welcomed and guided by an in-house art expert.

Sample traditional wines
Journey to Erdut, the ‘‘Valley of the Wines', and be welcomed by traditional winemaker Ivo Brzica, the owner of the award-winning Brzica Winery in one of the world's most ancient wine-growing regions. Enjoy a tour of his winery and a tasting.

Enjoy a political insider's guide
Spend the day in Romania's stunning capital and take part in a tour of Bucharest's Palace of the Parliament. You will be guided by a specialist with inside knowledge of the workings of the Senate.

PLUS, there's more...

A private concert at Vienna's City Palace featuring members of the Mozart Boys' Choir
See a traditional folklore show in Bratislava's Old Town
Cruise through the Iron Gates
Visit the historic town of Kalocsa

IMPORTANT NOTE Circumstances beyond Traveller’s control may affect the guest line-up. Any operational or logistical changes or issues arising from the itinerary before, during or after the tour will be addressed by APT. To view further booking conditions visit www.aptouring.com.au

Book Now