Traveling Huntleys

Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.

Michael Huntley

Arbanassi, Bulgaria

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Last Updated: May 2026

The River Duchess docked at Ruse, a graceful Bulgarian city on the Danube sometimes called “the Little Vienna” for its handsome 19th-century architecture. Our excursion took us inland by motorcoach through the rolling Bulgarian countryside — first to a medieval heritage complex, then to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, and finally to the village of Arbanassi just above it, where two extraordinary stone churches hold some of the most remarkable fresco cycles in the Balkans. Sandy and I had no idea what we were in for. By the end of the day, we agreed it ranked among the most memorable excursions of the entire cruise.

Nativity Church interior fresco depicting biblical scenes covering every wall, Arbanassi, Bulgaria
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Vidin, Bulgaria

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Last Updated: May 2026

The River Duchess docked at Vidin on the Bulgarian bank of the Danube, a small city with its own medieval Baba Vida Fortress visible from the water. Our excursion took us 50 kilometers south by motorcoach into the foothills of the Balkan Mountains — and as we rounded the last bend before the town of Belogradchik, the red cliffs rose suddenly above the rooftops like something from another planet. Belogradchik Red Rock Valley is a spectacular natural wonder known for its striking sandstone and conglomerate rock formations, stretching approximately 30 kilometers in length and about 3 kilometers wide. Sandy turned to me immediately and said: “Why have I never heard of this place?” Neither of us had any idea what we were walking into.

Sandy Huntley among the towering red sandstone formations at Belogradchik Red Rock Valley, Bulgaria
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Golubac Castle, Lepenski Vir, Serbia

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Last Updated: May 2026

Sailing downstream from Belgrade, the Danube grows quieter and the landscape more rugged with every passing kilometer. Sandy and I were on the upper deck of the River Duchess watching the river banks gradually rise into steep, forested hills when the fortress appeared around a bend — Golubac Castle, perched on a cliff face at the very entrance to the Đerdap Gorge, its nine stone towers reflected in the dark water below. It looked exactly like a medieval fortress should look, which is to say it looked almost unreal. We went ashore to explore the castle, then continued by motorcoach to Lepenski Vir — one of the oldest planned human settlements in Europe — before sailing the full dramatic length of the Iron Gates gorge back aboard the ship that afternoon. It was one of the most varied and extraordinary days of the entire cruise.

Golubac Castle medieval fortress rising above the Danube River at the entrance to the Iron Gates gorge, Serbia
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Belgrade, Serbia

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Last Updated: May 2026

Belgrade, the vibrant capital of Serbia, is a city that has been conquered, bombed, and rebuilt more times than almost any other in Europe — and yet it pulses with a confidence and energy that is entirely its own. As the Uniworld River Duchess rounded the bend from Vukovar and Belgrade came into view, Sandy and I were immediately struck by the dramatic silhouette of Kalemegdan Fortress rising above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. We visited two of Belgrade’s most remarkable landmarks — the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Karađorđević Dynasty Palace — both of which offer deep insights into the city’s rich and often turbulent past.

The Royal Palace grounds and formal gardens, Belgrade, Serbia
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Vukovar, Croatia

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Last Updated: May 2026

Vukovar is a city in eastern Croatia, located on the banks of the Danube River near the border with Serbia. It is best known as a symbol of resilience and suffering due to its pivotal role in the Croatian War of Independence, but its history and cultural significance extend much further — back through Habsburg elegance, Ottoman occupation, and prehistoric settlements that gave the world one of archaeology’s most extraordinary artifacts. Sandy and I sailed from Budapest aboard the River Duchess as the Danube widened and the landscape flattened into the broad agricultural plains of Slavonia. Arriving in Vukovar felt different from the great imperial cities we had visited upstream. This was a city that had been through something — and had chosen, deliberately and with considerable courage, to come back.

Sandy Huntley with colorful local musicians in theatrical costume, Vukovar, Croatia
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Budapest, Hungary

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Last Updated: May 2026

Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, is a city that beautifully blends history, culture, and stunning architecture along the banks of the Danube River. Known as the “Pearl of the Danube,” Budapest offers visitors a rich tapestry of experiences, from medieval castles to lively markets and world-renowned thermal baths. Sandy and I sailed from Vienna aboard the River Duchess and were fortunate to spend several days in Budapest — long enough to truly feel the city rather than merely pass through it. Many of our fellow travelers departed here at the end of their cruise, and watching familiar faces say their goodbyes on the dock was genuinely touching. Only twenty of us stayed on board to continue the journey east as new passengers came aboard, bringing fresh energy and a new chapter to the trip.

Sandy Huntley on the Buda side sitting beside a fountain, Budapest, Hungary
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