Most of you know the classic Danube cruise. It’s one of our favorite itineraries because it highlights some of the best ports of call on Europe’s rivers. From Nuremberg, Passau or Vilshoften, river ships sail through the Wachau Valley to the big bright capital cities that anchor the Upper Danube: Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.In recent years, though, we’ve seen more travelers wanting to explore more of the river than the stretch between Passau and Budapest. People still love the classics, but many are curious about what lies farther south along the Danube. The river doesn’t end at Budapest, after all. It keeps going through regions that most travelers never see on a standard Upper Danube itinerary, including parts of the Balkans. As the Danube moves into these areas, the ports become smaller, the culture feels more local, the food and the landscapes change, the whole stretch takes on a completely different feel. This is where Serbia and Croatia come into the picture for travelers who want to see a different side of the Danube.

Next year, Uniworld will introduce two new Danube itineraries that take advantage of this lesser-traveled stretch of the river. They keep all the classic Upper Danube highlights but continue farther south into Croatia and Serbia, giving guests the chance to experience a part of the river most itineraries skip. The result is a hybrid Upper and Lower Danube route that feels familiar in the best way while opening the door to parts of Europe many travelers haven’t seen before.

For first-time Danube cruisers, these itineraries offer the reassurance of the major capitals so no one feels like they’re missing the icons. For return travelers? These itineraries will open the door to new cultural angles and regional experiences you won’t find on a typical Upper Danube route.

So if you’re looking for a Danube cruise that goes beyond the standard pattern without losing the highlights that make this river so popular, these Uniworld itineraries might just strike a perfect balance. Let’s take a look at the offerings.

Danube Grandeur (Belgrade to Nuremberg or reverse)

Ports of call: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Batina/Ilok, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Spitz, Passau, Deggendorf, Regensburg, Nuremberg

Length: 15 days (14-night sailing)

Danube Grandeur is the most comprehensive of Uniworld’s new Danube routes. It begins or ends in Belgrade, which immediately sets it apart from the more familiar Budapest to Nuremberg sailings. Travelers still get the Upper Danube highlights like Vienna, Bratislava, Passau and Regensburg, but the itinerary also brings in full days in Serbia and Croatia. That mix creates a route that feels classic and new at the same time, especially for guests who have already sailed the Upper Danube and want a deeper look at the Balkans without giving up the iconic capital cities.

Add a Prague extension: Guests can continue on to Prague after disembarkation with a two-night land program that includes visits to Prague’s Old Town, Charles Bridge and the Hradčany Castle complex. It’s a nice add-on for travelers who want one more cultural highlight at the end of their trip.

Add a Dubrovnik extension: Add a three-night pre-cruise stay in Dubrovnik before joining the ship in Belgrade. The program includes accommodations at the President Hotel Valamar Collection Dubrovnik with breakfast each morning and guided tours that showcase the city’s landscapes and island culture. Guests visit Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Korčula Island and Lokrum Island and enjoy a culinary tour with a local expert. All transfers are included, as well as the flight from Dubrovnik to Belgrade on embarkation day.

This extension works well for travelers who want to begin their trip on the Adriatic before transitioning into the Danube region.

Capital Cities of the Danube (Belgrade to Vienna)

Ports of call: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Batina/Ilok, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna

Length: 8 days (7-night sailing)

Capital Cities of the Danube is a shorter version of the Danube Grandeur route that focuses on the major capitals while still including time in Serbia and Croatia. Travelers begin in Belgrade and sail north through Novi Sad and the Ilok region into Hungary and Slovakia before ending in Vienna. This version works well for guests who want a mix of big cities and lesser-visited ports without committing to a two-week sailing. It brings in many of the same cultural touches as Danube Grandeur but in a more streamlined format.

Vienna extension: Guests can extend their stay in Vienna with two post-cruise nights at a five-star hotel. The program includes visits to Schönbrunn Palace and Klosterneuburg Abbey with free time to explore the city.

Dubrovnik extension: Available on this itinerary, too. See description above.

What I like most about these itineraries is how naturally they line up with Uniworld’s style. Uniworld has always been strong on cultural experiences and local connections, and that plays especially well in this part of the Danube. You still get your big, familiar highlights, but you also get time in places that feel a little more local and a little less traveled. If you’ve been wanting a Danube cruise that’s classic with a twist, this is a really solid option.

If you’d like help choosing between the two routes or pairing one with a land extension, leave a comment. We would love to help you see a new side of the Danube.

This article was originally published at River Cruise Advisor.