WJ Tested: Serbia – Uniworld Belgrade City Tour
Day 9:
Waking up in Belgrade aboard Uniworld River Princess was indeed a highlight of our Eastern Europe Explorer cruise. The sun was shining so we enjoyed taking our coffee (and a plate of fresh fruit and pastries) to the sun deck, where we could take full advantage of the spectacular view. The ship had spent the night docked on the Sava River just below Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park.
Belgrade Fortress Statue
Did You Know?… Belgrade:
Belgrade Fortress and Kalemagden Park
At 8:30 a.m. passengers interested in learning about “Modern Serbia” could attend an informative 60-minute lecture in the lounge with Serbian author, local guide and college professor Slobodan Stetic.
Belgrade – House of Flowers Mausoleum
By 9:45 a.m. we were on a tour bus with our local guide and making our way to the first stop of the included Belgrade City Tour, the Museum of Yugoslav History in the Dedinje district.
Belgrade – Marshal Tito Monument
After spending about an hour at the Museum of Yugoslav History, viewing Tito’s Tomb, the garden at The House of Flowers and visiting the Old Museum (the adjacent exhibition gallery) we reboarded the bus for the short drive back into the heart of Belgrade.
Belgrade – House of Flowers Exhibition
Along the route our guide pointed out many sites, including Parliament House, St. Sava Cathedral, and a number of buildings that had been bombed during the war in the 1990s.
Belgrade – St Sava Cathedral
Belgrade National Theatre
Once we arrived outside the National Theater we left the bus and followed our guide along Knex Mihailova Street (the main shopping boulevard) to the Hotel Majestic. Here we had a comfort stop and enjoyed complimentary refreshments (time to try the local beer).
Belgrade – Prince Mihailo Monument
Must Visit in Belgrade:
Belgrade Fortress
Our city tour also included a walk past the old citadel of Belgrade Fortress and through Kalemagdan Park. From this vantage point on a ridge we witnessed spectacular views of New Belgrade on the opposite side of the Sava River.
New Belgrade and Sava River
Returning to the tour bus at 1:00 p.m. we had the options of going back to the ship for lunch or remaining in the city center – with temperatures well over 100F we opted to go back to the ship.
Belgrade Old Palace
During the afternoon Uniworld River Princess had shuttles periodically running between the city center and the dock so those that wanted to spend more time exploring Belgrade could do so on their own.
Note: An optional excursion was also available for the afternoon to The Royal Grounds of Belgrade Palace.
Belgrade Main Shopping Street
Local Serbian Treats:
Jelen Beer Brewed in Serbia
By 6:00 p.m. River Princess was preparing to set sail for Vukovar in Croatia so we made our way to the lounge for a cocktail before the port talk with Cruise Manager Heiner Schmidt. Once Heiner’s talk was over it was time for dinner – we had previously signed up for the Deck Dining in the Sky Lounge (located on the Sun Deck) where we experienced a splendid meal as we cruised the Danube.
Deck Dining – Full Moon on the Danube
We ended the night with music and dancing in the lounge by onboard musician Freddy.
If You Go:
Continue Reading WAVEJourney’s Uniworld Eastern Europe Explorer River Cruise Review:
Cruise Overview | Bucharest | Peles Castle | Bran Castle | Bucharest City Tour | Uniworld River Princess | Giurgiu: Embarkation | Rousse to Varna & the Black Sea | Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi | Captain’s Welcome Gala | Vidin, Belogradchik & Baba Vida Fortress | Iron Gates | Donji Milanovac | Viminacium Archaeological Site | Sava River | Belgrade City Tour | Deck Dining | Vukovar & Osijek | Cruising the Danube to Budapest | Budapest City Tour | Budapest Parliament Building Guided Tour | Gabcikovo Hydroelectric Dam and Lock | Bratislava City Tour | Captain’s Farewell Dinner | Vienna City Tour |
Notes: WAVEJourney travelled from Bucharest to Vienna as guests of Uniworld River Cruise Collection from July 25 to August 8, 2012.
March 2019 Travel Tips and Tales Newsletter By WAVEJourney Greetings! Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere and WJ has big travel plans! How about you? Chat with us and let us know where you’re going, what you’re doing, and ask for the advice and travel tips you need to enhance your adventures. After a […]