Begin your 12-day vacation in Vienna, one of the world’s most celebrated cities, renowned for its music, architecture and dance. Transfer to Budapest and embark the Amaserena for your Danube River cruise. Traverse the dramatic narrow gorge known as the Iron Gates, then cruise along the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Visit Vidin and Giurgiu, as well as the mythical Transylvania before exploring Bucharest, Romania for a day. With options for wine tasting excursions, visits to historical sites, and a myriad of guided tours, this cruise provides something for everyone. This cruise is also offered in reverse direction from Bucharest to Vienna.
Highlights
Tour European cities and villages with insightful and knowledgeable guides
Enjoy culinary and wine excursions in the picturesque European countryside
Learn of the region's rich history with visits to historical sites
Indulge in Amaserena's luxuries including fine dining and spa services
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore this culturally-rich city.
Day 2: Vienna, Austria
1 Breakfast
This morning, savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna. First, a panoramic tour of Vienna guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the world famous Spanish Riding School. The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Day 3: Vienna, Austria | Budapest, Hungary | Embark
After checking out of your hotel in Vienna, travel to Budapest, Hungary where you have free time for lunch followed by a sightseeing tour of Buda and Pest. From the historic Buda Castle, enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities spread over both sides of the Danube. Your tour also includes the Fisherman’s Bastion. Afterwards, embark upon your river cruise ship, docked in the city center. This evening, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises past Budapest’s illuminated riverfront.
Arrive in Mohacs during breakfast and then depart for your excursion to Pecs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pecs became an important early Christian bishopric and Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. Upon arrival, visit the Mosque Church, the largest structure surviving from the Ottoman period as well as the underground burial chambers dating back to the 4th century. Also visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the main Catholic cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohacs. After lunch, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion, where you can sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Villány.
This morning, enjoy a "Yugoslav Civil War" tour of Vukovar that shows you the Ovcara Memorial, the monumental cross that serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. You may also choose to take a wine tasting excursion to Ilok instead. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, one of Europe’s greatest historical treasures. On your afternoon walking tour of the city, see the Petrovaradin fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached, now home to a hotel, museum, and artists’ studios.
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city that includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. This afternoon you have your choice of one of three excursions. The first option is a visit to the mausoleum of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, a beloved figure who was the leader of the Yugoslav Partisans during the Second World War and became the first President of Yugoslavia. The second option is a tasting of Serbian plum brandy and local snacks at the Quburich Distillery. Finally, the third option is a guided bike tour through Belgrade around Ada Ciganlija Island.
Today, take a full day of cruising through one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between Serbia and Romania. The banks of the river along this natural border are lined with sheer-faced rocks that stretch high overhead, a sight that is an unforgettable highlight of your adventure.
Your time in Vidin begins with a visit to Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations, as well as Vidin Castle. Afterwards, visit Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country, where you are treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. You may also opt instead for a Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting, or a guided bike tour on which you see sights like the Ottoman post office and the synagogue. Afterwards, you have your choice of one of three excursions. The ship departs early afternoon.
Day 9: Giurgiu | Veliko Turnavo | Rousse, Bulgaria
Today, enjoy a visit to the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnavo. Here, tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You can see the old fortress walls, the Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church, and the Baldwin’s Tower. Or, you may choose to hike to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries built into the side of a mountain. Return to the ship afterward and enjoy a free evening.
Day 10: Rousse | Disembark Ship | Bucharest, Romania
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Disembark the ship in Rousse and continue your tour by motor coach. Today, explore Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” Begin with a city tour that features a visit to the Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditional architecture of rural Romania. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. Later this afternoon check into your hotel. The evening is free for you to explore the city on your own.
Day 11: Bucharest | Transylvania
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion today to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history and comfortable nestled between the Carpathian Mountains. Take a scenic country drive to Sinaia, where you have an opportunity to see the exquisite Peles Castles, a former summer palace for Romanian royalty. Continue on to Bran for lunch before visiting the infamous Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle.
Day 12: Bucharest, Romania
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Bucharest as you prepare for your homeward flight.
This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Danube River Cruises.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
E
Piano deck, fixed windows
D
Piano deck, fixed windows
C
Violin & Cello deck, French Balcony
BB
Cello deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
BA
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
AB
Cello deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
AA
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
AA+
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Suite
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
5 days ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
6 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
1 week ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
1 week ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
/454x364.webp)
