Danube River Cruise - Luxury Post Trip to Romania with Rolandia Bespoke
Delight your clients with tailor-made Danube River Cruise pre/post tour Private travel options in Romania - Rolandia Bespoke
Picture the scene - your clients have booked their Danube cruise and they’re about to glide through the heart of Europe, the ribbon of the river tying together grand capitals, mediaeval towns and centuries of stories. But what if there was one more journey—before or beyond the ports—that traded the polished for the personal, and the expected for the extraordinary?
For travellers seeking something deeper to bookend their cruise, Romania is the answer hiding in plain sight - and the experts at Rolandia Bespoke DMC hold the keys to unlocking the very best. We asked them to divulge a few of their secrets for pre and post cruise extensions that take guests deep into the stunning soul of Romania; a tantalising taste of the beautiful prologues or epilogues they can arrange to what can otherwise be a fairly predictable European voyage.
If you’re planning for discerning guests embarking or disembarking from Budapest or Bucharest, here’s why Romania is the destination they didn’t know they needed - but definitely won’t want to miss.
Romania: A Travel tale waiting to be told
As any seasoned travel buyer knows, pre and post-cruise extensions can feel like the beige of the travel world; safe, structured and surface-level satisfying. But for modern travellers? We don’t think that’s enough. Today’s clients, particularly those from further afield and/or with time to travel, are looking for stories to take home - real, resonant memories of deep European exploration and genuine connection.
Our brilliant Romania-based DMC doesn’t just extend a journey, they reframe it, working exclusively with boutique suppliers and local communities to build curated, soulful itineraries that get under the skin of their cherished homeland. And Romania itself, with all its wild beauty, folkloric charm and untouched corners? It’s a mere 3-hour drive from Budapest, but worlds away in experience. Unlike neighbouring Hungary, which lacks diverse terrain outside of Lake Balaton and Budapest itself, Romania is untamed and exciting - authentic without trying too hard.
It has range. Towering mountains, Saxon villages that time forgot and salt mines straight out of science fiction. Its forests are roamed by bears, wolves and bison and its vineyards are older than most European borders. And its people - warm, fiercely proud and quietly innovative - are the kind that welcome guests like family.
What’s more, with Romania now part of the Schengen Area, there's zero border friction for those coming in from Budapest. No lines, no paperwork - just mountains, myths and moments waiting to unfold.
The Rolandia Bespoke Touch: Craft over Convenience
You’ll find that most cruise lines do offer their own pre and post-cruise extensions - from AmaWaterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises to Avalon Waterways, Scenic Cruises and Tauck. But the catch is that those experiences do tend to follow a formula; offering scale over soul with large group transfers, standardised hotels with 150+ rooms, rigid (and often expensive) sightseeing schedules.
Rolandia Bespoke's independent offering is the opposite - think:
Tailor-made, personalised and flexible planning - Rolandia works closely with you to shape each journey for your individual client, with tailored recommendations covering everything from experiences and pacing to restaurant picks.
Private transfers (no buses, no waiting, no fixed departure times).
Stays in handpicked properties full of charm, character and local flavour - boutique hotels, mountain retreats, and local luxury accommodations.
Immersive cultural access, from artisan workshops in Saxon villages to candlelit castle dinners and wine tastings in Transylvania.
Avoid the crowds – With the Danube’s popularity growing, many standard itineraries are packed. Rolandia offers breathing space, meaning and privacy.
Working only with boutique properties, local producers and trusted guides, Rolandia stands apart by leaning into intimacy, originality and deep respect for place, curating experiences that elevate your guests’ itineraries into something truly unforgettable.
When to Go
April to June and September to October are the ideal times to travel to this part of Europe, with Spring bringing lush countryside and blooming wildflowers and Autumn painting the Carpathians in amber and gold.
Example Itineraries: Two Signature Rolandia 5 Day Extensions for Danube Cruise Guests - All Private Services
To help illustrate what’s possible, starting from either Budapest or Bucharest, below are two signature Rolandia experiences to whet the appetites of your Danube Cruise clients. Both encompassing 5 days of travel, they’re equally perfect as a beautiful warm-up or a restorative, soul-stirring encore - each one a seamless extension for those embarking or disembarking in either Budapest or Bucharest.
And of course they’ve been designed with total flexibility in mind; easy to adapt based on port arrival, time available or individual guest preference.
1. 5D Authentic WEStern Romania - From E1,750 pp (Net, 2 People SHARING)
Perfect for : Guests disembarking in Budapest or seeking something private & rare after a West Danube cruise.
The lowdown : This is no bog-standard Dracula-branded Transylvania tour - it’s all the good stuff; a sweeping arc through the region that threads together emerging cities, forgotten villages, dramatic landscapes and deeply personal encounters.
Day 1: Budapest to Oradea - City Tour & dinner in a hidden courtyard restaurant.
The journey begins quietly with a scenic transfer over the Hungarian-Romanian border that whisks guests away from the known and into Oradea - a city that feels like Vienna’s bohemian cousin. Here, uncovered by an insightful city tour, Art Nouveau facades glow in the afternoon sun, musicians busk beneath baroque balconies and landmarks like the Black Eagle Palace, historic Union Square and Oradea Fortress speak of the city’s harmonious Austro-Hungarian heritage. To cap the unique Eastern European charm? Enjoy dinner in a hidden courtyard restaurant, where the wine lists are local and the candlelight lingers.
Stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Oradea, a refined hotel by the river which blends contemporary comfort with Art Nouveau spirit and is perfectly placed for sunset strolls and old-town exploration.
Day 2: Rural immersion & Urban Energy - bologna mill & cluj-napoca CITY TOUR
En route to Cluj-Napoca (around a 3 hour drive), guests stop in the quaint village of Bologa, where a 200-year-old water mill still churns under local hands - a natural washing machine that provides a glimpse into rural ingenuity that has survived and thrived for generations. Cluj-Napoca itself is magnetic. Part university town, part art hub, part historical playground, it’s a complete cultural contrast: lively, intellectual and packed with character. A private guide will help your guests peel back the layers - exploring everything from the city’s Gothic cathedrals to contemporary art studios and wine bars tucked beneath centuries-old arches.
The Platinia Hotel offers your guests a perfect combination of sleek, modern suites and curated calm in the heart of Cluj’s creative energy - a fabulous antidote to the city’s buzzing café culture and youthful verve.
Day 3: Salt, Wine & the Magic of Sibiu - TURda salt mine, jidevi picnic & vineyard, sibiu
Day 3 begins with a tour of the Turda Salt Mine, a subterranean marvel lit only by chandeliers and carved entirely from salt. Considered one of the world’s most impressive underground attractions, it boasts a Ferris wheel, amphitheatre and even underground boating, with guests able to breathe deeply of the mineral-rich air and learn how this place once served both industry and healing. After, at Jidvei, guests enjoy an al fresco lunch paired with crisp whites and aged reds, surrounded by rolling hills and sunlit vines in a family-run vineyard - a wonderful way to learn the local winemaking traditions that have rightly put Transylvania on the international wine map.The day ends in Sibiu, a city that feels like a storybook come to life; all sloping rooftops, secret passageways and a legacy of ancient Saxon craftsmanship.
Rolandia’s favourite stay here is the Magister Seven, a place of understated luxury and thoughtful design. Offering a sophisticated spot in the heart of the old town, this intimate base is perfectly placed for exploring Sibiu’s baroque beauty and cobbled streets.
Day 4: Waterfalls & Fairytales - corvin castle, local lunch & timisoara
Day 4 brings a mix of nature and legend, beginning with a trip to the Clocota Waterfall, known for its thermal springs and lush surroundings. Here, where the healing waters cascade through mossy rocks, guests will find a gentle interlude that sets the scene for a visit to Corvin Castle, one of Europe’s most spectacular mediaeval castles, a 15th-century fortress laden with turrets and tales. Here they can enjoy a private tour into the castle’s myth-laden past, learning all about its legends, knights and nobility as they dive deep into Transylvanian history. Lunch is enjoyed at a unique and acclaimed gastronomic gem of a restaurant, tucking into authentic regional dishes crafted from delicious local fayre before heading on to Timisoara, Romania’s most forward-looking city, which was 2023’s European Culture Capital and is alive with art installations, multicultural architecture and memories of the 1989 revolution.
Here, the recommended stay is the effortlessly stylish and centrally located Atlas Hotel, a design-forward, cool and oh-so comfortable reflection of Timișoara’s cultural revival.
Day 5: Timisoara to Budapest
The morning is left open to wander - perhaps joining a private guide on a tour of Timisoara’s bustling farmers market, or strolling through Liberty Square as street musicians rehearse. Then it’s an easy return to Budapest, ready to board the ship - or the plane home - with a story that ends on a high.
2. Explore Central Romania - From E2,140 pp (Net, 2 People SHARING)
Perfect for : Guests starting or ending cruises in Bucharest (Giurgiu/Ruse) looking for a private adventure.
The lowdown : This route blends the aristocratic with the wild - contrasting capital and countryside, opulence and earthiness, castles and communities, it’s the perfect way to frame a cruise with depth and meaning.
Day 1: Disembark & Discover bucharest - CITY TOUR
After disembarking, guests are welcomed by a private guide and whisked into the city for a tailored exploration of Bucharest’s most iconic sights. A private visit to the Spring Palace, Nicolae Ceaușescu’s home, reveals the surreal opulence of Romania’s communist elite in what is a truly fascinating 1980s time capsule. The rest of the city is defined by its charming contrasts: French-style boulevards, Ottoman remnants, buzzing street cafes and hidden courtyards that whisper of bygone days. Here, there’s a trio of recommended stays to suit all tastes.
Those seeking old-world grandeur can team it with contemporary finesse at the Corinthia Bucharest, a landmark of elegance with marble halls, sweeping staircases and impeccable service at the heart of the capital.
History-lovers will adore the storied Intercontinental Athenee Palace, which once hosted spies, celebrities and statesmen but today welcomes guests into a haven of classic luxury, with unbeatable views over Revolution Square.
And last but certainly not least, housed in a former palace bank “a stone’s throw” from the heart of the Old Town, the Marmorosch fuses Belle Epoque glamour with bold, modern luxury - a place where every corridor tells tales of Bucharest’s golden age.
Day 2: Castles in the Clouds - PELES, CANTACUZIN & BRAN CASTLES - TORCHLIT DRACULA TOUR
From the moment guests see the spires of Peleș Castle rise above the trees, the fairytale begins. This royal residence, a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture, could have been lifted straight from a Wes Anderson film - all carved woodwork, stained glass and noble relics that tell stories of Romania’s regal past. After, keeping up the regal theme, a gourmet lunch is served at the lesser-known but equally grand Cantacuzino Castle, where the food is paired with incredible local wines and views over the Prahova Valley make the experience feel cinematic. Finally, as evening falls, guests arrive in Simon for a totally unforgettable evening at Romania’s most iconic landmark, Bran Castle, where your guests’ visit isn’t as part of the crowd, but privately, after hours. Here, a torch-lit tour reveals the real history behind the Dracula legend, as the mountain winds swirl and silence settles over the stone walls.
Cradled by mountains and framed by forest, the Matca Relais & Châteaux is the perfect stay to complete this fabulous day. Offering much more than a retreat, it’s a deeply atmospheric escape where nature, nurture and noble Romanian hospitality come together in perfect harmony.
Day 3: Brasov, Bees & Bears - CITY TOUR, SAXON VILLAGES, LOCAL HONEY MAKING & BEAR WATCHING
From Simon, the day starts with a walk through Brasov, its bustling markets and Black Church framed by mediaeval walls and ringed by mountains. Then, veering into the countryside, guests can explore Saxon villages that remain beautifully preserved - each with its own fortified church and quiet rhythm. Guests are welcomed by locals for a homemade, organic lunch, followed by a visit to a family-run apiary, where they learn about traditional beekeeping and taste honey straight from the source.For those who wish, a guided bear-watching experience in the forest is a spectacular and unforgettable add-on; safe, respectful and deeply moving. To end the day? Return to the Matca Relais & Châteaux for another night in the lap of luxury.
Day 4: Slow Beauty and Show-stopping Dining WITH MICHELIN STAR CHEF in Sibiu
After breakfast, guests travel to stunning Sibiu, where the day is left open to wander - with plenty of leisure time to explore Brukenthal Palace, cross the Bridge of Lies, sip espressos in sunlit squares and browse Romanian designs in boutique galleries. The evening brings a gastronomic experience par excellence - an exclusive dining experience with Romania’s only Michelin-starred chef, indulging in an elegant and mouth watering expression of Transylvanian flavours and culinary artistry. As above, Rolandia Bespoke’s recommended stay in Sibiu is the recently renovated Magister Seven, which offers the perfect blend of minimalist design with warm, local touches, spacious rooms and luxe details - a calm, curated base just steps from the historic centre.
Day 5: The Road of Legends
And the final day of this itinerary is nothing short of epic, travelling one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain routes on the way back to Bucharest. The Transfăgărășan Highway, famously named the “world’s best road” by Top Gear, winds through alpine meadows and past glacial lakes, with breathtaking panoramas of the Carpathians. Along the way, guests have the chance to stop at Poenari Fortress, Vlad the Impaler’s real stronghold, perched high above a gorge. The climb (though an invigorating 1,480 steps!) is well worth it, both for the incredible views and the palpable sense of history that echoes off the stones - a wonderful ending to an unforgettable experience among Romania’s captivating landscapes and history.
Ready to reimagine the Danube Cruise?
We think Romania with Rolandia Bespoke DMC can help turn a river cruise into a full and transformative journey with an expertly designed pre or post trip to Romania.
If you’d love to offer your guests a Danube prelude or finale that elevates everything in between, with an exciting, exclusive and independent pre or post-cruise itinerary rooted in Romanian authenticity, sustainability and creative partnership, get in touch today.
