The path the Danube takes between Romania and Serbia is stunning.

The Iron Gates are an impressive series of gorges where the Danube flows between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains.

The path is tranquil today, but there are signs of past conflicts in this area. The words engraved under the rock sculpture of King Decebalus (Dacian king, 87-106AD) say he was “made by dragons,” as a warning to those traveling the Danube or living on the opposite shore of the river.

When we reached Golubac in Serbia, we docked and then walked the fortress that guards the river’s edge.

Our next stop was Belgrade, whose fortress overlooks the intersection of the Danube and Sava rivers. Weapons and tanks from WWII were on display by the fortress walls.

Belgrade had a beautiful, modern, shopping promenade with plenty of stores and restaurants.

But for us, the most amazing thing in Belgrade was the Church of Saint Sava, a Serbian Orthodox Church.

Located on the Vračar plateau, the massive neo-Byzantine cathedral features stunning gold mosaics, an enormous, round chandelier, and a 70-meter-high dome. Impressive is an understatement!

Dinner in Belgrade’s Bohemian Quarter was a party with a dozen boat friends, tons of delicious dishes and musicians who played everything from Serbian folk songs to ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’. Yes, we all sang along!

Serbia is not part of the European Union, so as we entered and exited the country, Serbian police came onboard our ship to check our faces and passports. We lined up for inspection, which didn’t take long at all. It was a strange process, but no arrests were made, so I guess we did okay!