Sep 6, 2025 - Novi Sad, Serbia

In the morning, we attended Viking's excursion “The Town of Novi Sad”. The guide took us to see the market and provided some tasting of their pastries.  Then she took us to walk around the Old town (Start Grad) which is a pedestrian-friendly area filled with cobblestone streets, cafes, restaurants, and significant landmarks.

By the Novi Sad Market

Novi Sad Old Town

Then, the Freedom Square (Tag slobode) which is the city's main central square and a vibrant hub for cultural events, featuring important landmarks such as the City Hall, the Name of Mary Church, and a monument to Svetozar Miletić. 

The Freedom Square (Tag slobode)

The Freedom Square (Tag slobode)

Later, she took us to Novi Sad Synagogue to have a singing group of 3 renown female singers to perform beautiful songs.  They performed it in Serbia language.  Although we did not understand Serbia language, but it was beautiful singing and everyone enjoyed it very much.

Singers in Novi Sad Synagogue

In the afternoon, we ventured out by ourselves to visit the nearby Petrovaradin Fortress nicknamed "Gibraltar on/of the Danube", it is a bastion fortress in the town of Petrovaradin, itself part of the City of Novi Sad, Serbia. It is located on the right bank of the Danube River. It took almost 100 years to build, from around 1690 to around 1780, which is all the more noteworthy because this fortress stopped or inflicted a serious defeat on the Ottomans.

This historic landmark overlooking the Danube River with underground tunnels and an unique Clock Tower. It's a cultural hub with numerous museums and art galleries. The Clock Tower is at the upper town of the fortress. The radius of the clock is more than two meters long, the four clock faces are directed toward all four cardinal directions, numbers are in roman numerals and the main characteristics of this clock is that the longer hand tells the hours and shorter tells the minutes. 

Entrance to Petrovaradin Fortress

Overlook Danube River from Petrovaradin Fortress

The Clock Tower

Cafe in Petrovaradin Fortress

Art Piece in Petrovaradin Fortress

Art Piece in Petrovaradin Fortress

Art Piece in Petrovaradin Fortress

Petrovaradin Fortress

After the visit of the fortress, we went to Museum of Vojvodina to see the famous Roman parade helmets.  The three Roman parade helmets are unique samples of this kind in Europe and have singled out for decades as the informal trademark of the Museum.

Roman parade helmets in Museum of Vojvodina

Sep 7, 2025 - Ilok, Croatia

Ilok, the easternmost part of Croatia, has a long history of almost 1800 years of wine making. In the morning, we walked up to the Ilok Castle and visited the Church of St. John of Capistrano.  It overlooks the Danube River and offered a breathtaking view. We walked around the hill and witnessed the establishment of famous wine making town.

At the foot of Ilok Castle

Stairway to Ilok Castle

Church of St. John of Capistrano

Church of St. John of Capistrano

Overlook the Danube River

Wine Barrier Decoration

When we walked back to the Kadlin, we saw the Duane Restaurant next to our ship, it looked beautiful.  So we just wandering into it and saw their beautiful open air restaurant next to the Danube River.  It was impressive. We took photos to remember this restaurant.

Duane Restaurant

Duane Restaurant

Duane Restaurant with Viking Kadlin in the Background

In the afternoon, we arrived Vukovar, Croatia.  We had a Viking provided excursion “Osijek Citadel & Vukovar’s Eltz Manor Museum”.  The guide took us to Osnovna skola Jagode Truhelke Osijek which is a beautiful church.

Osnovna skola Jagode Truhelke Osijek

Then, she took us to the Historic Tvrđa which is the old town center of Osijek, situated on the south bank of the River Drava. Baroque architecture of the Habsburg star fort is well preserved, despite being damaged during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s. The fort is home to several museums, including the Museum of Slavonia, filled with the history and culture of the region. There are also nearby casual restaurants, bars and cafes. 

 Historic Tvrđa

Historic Tvrđa

Historic Tvrđa

Historic Tvrđa

Historic Tvrđa Wall

Sep 8, 2025 - Mohacs, Hungary

As part of the Viking excursion, they took us to the historic city of Pecs.  First, we visited the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul (also called Pécs Cathedral).  Pécs Cathedral is an important cultural, architectural, and artistic landmark, and illustrates the reach of Italian, German, and French cultural influences in the region, and has nineteenth-century art by renowned German artist Karoly Lotz and Hungarian Romantic painter Bertalan Szekely. This is one of the most beautiful cathedral we have seen in Eastern Europe.

Pécs Cathedral

Then the local guide took us to the main square “Szechenyi Ter”.  It is in the Pecs City Center (also called Pecs Belvaros) to admire Baroque Trinity Column, the Zsolnay Fountain, the City Hall and the former Mosque of Pasha Qasim.

Szechenyi Ter

Szechenyi Ter

Szechenyi Ter

Szechenyi Ter

Then, they took us to visit the Cella Septichora Visitor Centre. This remarkable site showcases early Christian tombs and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. As you explore this ancient burial ground, you'll be enchanted by its stunning 4th-century architecture and rich historical significance.

Cella Septichora Visitor Centre

Later, we had free time for more photos and shopping in the Pecs City Center.

Pecs City Center

Pecs City Center

In the afternoon, we enjoyed the afternoon 'tea time' provided by Viking in the lounge.

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea

Sep 9, 2025 - Budapest, Hungary

In the morning, we joined Viking's “Panoramic Budapest” excursion. First, they took us to the Castle Hill of Buda side.  After a short briefing, the local guide let us loose to visit the Church of Lady of Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion.

Matthias Church

Fisherman’s Bastion

Cafe in Buda Castle Area

We went inside of the Church of Lady of Buda Castle to enjoy the beautiful interior.

Church of Lady of Buda Castle

Then, we went up to Fisherman’s Bastion which offers a fairytale-like setting with panoramic views over the Danube and the Parliament, making it one of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sights and best photography spots in the world.  Many year ago, we did visit this place and it was free at that time, now, they require you to buy an entrance ticket to visit it.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion

Overlook of Pest from Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion

In the afternoon, we walked through the famous Vsci Utica street to visit the famous Central Market.

Central Market

Central Market

On our way back, we walked by the St. Stephen’s Basilica. It is famous for being a significant symbol of Hungary, housing the relic of King Stephen I's mummified right hand, its grand Neoclassical and Renaissance architecture, its prominent dome with panoramic city views, and its excellent acoustics for concerts. The basilica is a major monument and the fourth-largest building in Budapest and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica

After dinner, we walked to the other side of Danube River and took some of night scenes of the House of Parliament which is one of the most photographic niche scene in Budapest.

The night scenes of the House of Parliament