They sound like something out of Game of Thrones but VIVA the Danube’s Iron Gates are all too real and more dramatic than anything in George RR Martin’s world.
An 83-mile route, with the last barrier, the Kazan (Great Boiler) gorge being the narrowest and most breathtaking at just 15om just beyond the Romanian city of Orsova.
The side of the gorge in Romania constitutes the Iron Gates Natural Park, and the Serbian Đerdap National Park.
And what’s more Lepenski Vir in Serbia in the gorge and on the banks of the Danube is mooted as being the oldest planned settlement in Europe at 13,000 years ago.
Long before we’d hazard those Starks and their dragons were around.
Move aside Winterfell
Now all this will naturally pull in any of us who have enjoyed the charms of the Danube.
And even more so with VIVA Cruises tempting us with a gentle amble through its waters.
The 11-night ‘The Danube’s Iron Gates’, sailing on VIVA TWO departs Passau on September 6.
With ports of call including Bratislava, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Novi Sad and an overnight in Ilok.
Many of those stop-offs sounding like they’ve come straight out of Winterfell.
With prices starting from €2950, the campaign comprises a free cabin upgrade and onboard credit.
VIVA the river
In addition, a reduced single supplement of 20 per cent is available for applicable solo bookings.
The offer is valid on 65 river cruises departing in 2026, with prices listed for Emerald deck cabins.
And if you can’t extend to 11 nights on VIVA TWO then there is a seven-night Danube from Vienna, sailing on VIVA MOMENTS from €1795pp.
Or a seven-night Whispers of the Rhone, sailing on VIVA VOYAGE, departing Lyons and flowing through France, from €1695pp.
While there’s a seven-night Waterways of the North, sailing on VIVA ONE through the Low Countries from €1795pp.
Guests will receive €25pp onboard spending money on cruises of up to six nights.
And €50pp for voyages of more than seven nights in duration.
The credit can be used for shore excursions, spa treatments and in onboard retails shops.Cabin upgrades will be applied to the next higher cabin category.