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Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary

Gems of Southeast Europe

Vienna - Bucharest - Example 14 Day Cruise aboard MS Amaverde
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Embark on a 14-day cruise from Vienna to Bucharest aboard the MS Amaverde, uncovering the rich tapestry of history woven through Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania as you cruise the enchanting lower Danube. Discover ancient Celtic fortifications, medieval towns, and majestic cities, all set against picturesque landscapes and the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. Wine enthusiasts can savor vintages from Ilok’s centuries-old vineyards, rooted in Roman tradition. At the same time, active travelers will relish hiking to the UNESCO-listed Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches and cycling through Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Park and around Vidin’s iconic Baba Vida fortress. Immerse yourself in Eastern Europe's diverse flavors, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking scenery.
Budapest CityscapeVeliko Tarnovo, BulgariaRomanian Athenaeum Of Bucharest, RomaniaBelgrade, SerbiaMemorial Cross in Vukovar, CroatiaIron Gates, Danube RiverHungarian parliament, BudapestFisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary
Highlights
  • Explore Vienna’s imperial grandeur at the Opera House and Hofburg Palace
  • Discover Budapest’s landmarks including Castle Hill and Chain Bridge
  • Tour Pécs’ ancient Roman heritage with its catacombs
  • Taste Croatian wines in Vukovar’s Old Cellars with Grasevina and Traminac
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive In Vienna, Austria

Arrive in the enchanting city of Vienna and seamlessly transfer to your hotel, where comfort and hospitality await you for an unforgettable stay.

Day 2: Vienna

  • 1 Breakfast
Discover the enchanting "City of Waltzes," where a treasure trove of gems and attractions awaits your exploration on this unforgettable city tour. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the magnificent Opera House and the stunning former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding your journey in Vienna's captivating historic city center.

Day 3: Vienna | Budapest | Embark

Transfer from Vienna via motorcoach to Budapest where you be taken on a city tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge.

Day 4: Mohacs | Pecs

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. Then, visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You can also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or for wine connoisseurs, go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács.

Day 5: Vukovar

Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. 

Day 6: Belgrade

Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Šlivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO’s list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage.” For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall.

Day 7: Scenic Cruising Through The Iron Gates

Visit Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.

Day 8: Vidin

Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you can also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. 

Day 9: Rousse | Giurgiu

Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Later in the day, travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture.

Day 10: Giuriu | Disembark | Brasov

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. Arrive in the quaint mountain town of Bran where you can have lunch and visit the famous Bran castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle. After your tour of Bran Castle, continue to Braşov. Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Braşov is one of the most visited cities in Romania.

Day 11: Brasov | Sighisoara

  • 1 Breakfast
Enjoy a walking tour around Braşov. Afterward, dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighişoara, birthplace to Transylvania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It’s hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad’s place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called “Casa Dracula.”

Day 12: Brasov | Bucharest

  • 1 Breakfast
En route to Bucharest, visit the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia, visit Peles Castle. Peles Castle is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance with 160 rooms filled with priceless European art. After your tour of Peles Castle, depart for Romania’s capital city of Bucharest.

Day 13: Bucharest

  • 1 Breakfast
This morning, enjoy a walking tour through the historic old town of Bucharest. Observe the many changes this capital city has experienced through a mixture of architectural styles and cultural influences. Your guided tour will take you through the old town and show you the most popular places in Bucharest while hearing stories of its history and getting local insights for shopping and dining opportunities. 

Day 14: Depart Bucharest

  • 1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Burcharest as you prepare for your homeward flight.

Ship/Hotel

MS Amaverde

AmaVerde

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

  • Mar 15, 2025from $5,499
  • Mar 20, 2025from $5,699
  • Apr 12, 2025from $5,899
  • May 15, 2025from $6,399
  • Jun 7, 2025from $6,399
  • Jun 12, 2025from $6,399
  • Jul 5, 2025from $6,399
  • Jul 10, 2025from $6,399
  • Aug 2, 2025from $6,399
  • Aug 7, 2025from $6,399
  • Aug 30, 2025from $6,799
  • Sep 4, 2025from $6,799
  • Sep 27, 2025from $6,799
  • Oct 2, 2025from $6,799
  • Oct 25, 2025from $6,399
  • Oct 30, 2025from $5,899
  • Nov 22, 2025from $5,799
  • Nov 27, 2025from $6,299
  • Mar 19, 2026from $5,849
  • May 9, 2026from $6,649
  • May 14, 2026from $6,649
  • Jun 6, 2026from $6,649
  • Jun 11, 2026from $6,649
  • Jul 4, 2026from $6,649
  • Jul 9, 2026from $6,649
  • Aug 1, 2026from $6,649
  • Aug 6, 2026from $6,649
  • Aug 29, 2026from $7,049
  • Sep 3, 2026from $7,049
  • Sep 26, 2026from $7,049
  • Oct 1, 2026from $7,049
  • Oct 29, 2026from $6,549
  • Nov 21, 2026from $6,349
  • Nov 26, 2026from $6,549
  • Dec 19, 2026from $6,449
  • Dec 24, 2026from $6,449
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Per person starting at
$5,499

Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
 
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Category E
Piano Deck, fixed window. Private facilities, 170 sq ft
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Category D
Piano Deck, fixed window. Private facilities, 170 sq ft
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Category C
Cello Deck, French Balcony. Private facilities, 170 sq ft
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Category BB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 210 sq ft
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Category BA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 210 sq ft
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Category AB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 235 sq ft
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Category AA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 235 sq ft
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Suite
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 350 sq ft
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 13 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Bottled water replenished daily
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
  • Beverages: Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
  • Beverages: Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Personal headset for excursions. 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Laundry 

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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