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Explore castle ruins outside beautiful Bratislava

Grand Danube Cruise

Example 22 Day Cruise aboard MS Amaverde
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Embark on a 22-day cruise aboard the MS Amaverde and journey through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Cruise the legendary Danube and pass through the dramatic Iron Gates, uncovering tales of conquerors, crusaders, and kings. Discover the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, carved into cliffs with vivid medieval frescoes, and explore Bran Castle, the 14th-century fortress linked to Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula. Experience Roman heritage in Pecs, "the city of Mediterranean impressions," and savor ancient winemaking traditions in Ilok. From grand capitals like Bucharest, Budapest, Vienna, and Prague to timeless villages, immerse yourself in these remarkable lands' rich legends, cultures, and traditions.
Enjoy this beautiful basilica while traveling through EuropeGorgeous evening view of PraguePanoramic view of VilshofenCruise the beautiful blue DanubeAdmire the artistry of LinzVienna Opera House, AustriaParliament Building, BudapestExplore castle ruins outside beautiful Bratislava
Highlights
  • Stroll Regensburg’s medieval lanes filled with ancient Roman landmarks
  • Explore Passau’s Baroque beauty with Gothic cathedrals and river views
  • Discover Prague’s Gothic charm through church spires and castle views
  • Taste iconic Czech craft beers in Prague’s vibrant historic breweries
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 Prague

Experience the charm of Prague as you arrive and seamlessly transfer to your hotel, where your unforgettable adventure begins.

Day 2: Prague

  • 1 Breakfast
Explore the enchanting city of Prague and its stunning church spires through a guided tour or a hike to Prague Castle. Both options will showcase why Prague is regarded as one of Europe’s most captivating and vibrant cities, featuring a historic city center that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 3: Prague

  • 1 Breakfast
Beer has been an important part of the Czech Republic since 993, when the first brewery was established. Beer is vital to the country’s national identity, so much so that the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. Join a beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes Czech beer some of the best in the world.

Day 4: Prauge | Regensberg | Embark | Vilshofen

Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Regensburg. After a local highlights tour, drive to Vilshofen where you board your ship. Later in the day, enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration – an AmaWaterways exclusive. 

Day 5: Vilshofen

Enjoy a free morning to walk around the quaint village of Vilshofen. Later, cruise to Passau, where you have the option of exploring it one of three ways. Take a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or choose between a guided bike tour along the Inn River or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress.

Day 6: Linz

The ship arrives in Linz where you have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. Alternatively, you can visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov, a guest favorite located just over the Czech-Austrian border, on a full-day excursion.

Day 7: Weissenkirchen

Head up to the Sun Deck for panoramic views as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau valleys. After reaching Weissenkirchen, be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Or hike the trail up to the ruins of Durnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where you can find spectacular views of the valley, river and village below. You can also choose to cycle through the Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour. For a more culinary-focused experience, sample special apricot treats and regional wine from a local boutique.

Day 8: Vienna

The “City of Waltzes” is a treasure trove and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in the UNESCO-designated historic city center and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more. 

Day 9: Bratislava

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.

Day 10: Budapest

Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial.

Day 11: Budapest

Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater, followed by lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant. Afterward, head for Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain where you tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-driving world champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition that goes back to the hordes of Magyar tribes conquering Hungary in the 9th century.

Day 12: Mohacs | Pecs

Welcome to 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 choose a guided bike tour through Mohács. 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. 

Day 13: 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 14: Belgrade

Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour that includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Or hike to the well-preserved Belgrade Fortress with its conical towers. 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. 

Day 15: Cruising the Iron Gates

The Iron Gates are some 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. In the afternoon, visit Golubac Fortress – one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe and enjoy a tasting of locally sourced delicacies.

Day 16: 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 17: 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. Alternatively, you may opt to 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, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world.

Day 18: Giurgiu | 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 19: Brasov | Sighisoara

  • 1 Breakfast
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.” Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Brasov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. After returning from your excursion to Sighisoara, walk through history as you take a tour of Braşov’s Old town before ending at your hotel. 

Day 20: 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 21: 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 22: Depart Bucharest

  • 1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Bucharest as you prepare for your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

MS Amaverde

AmaVerde

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$9,074 2-3 travelers

Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
 
Category E
Piano Deck, fixed window. Private facilities, 170 sq ft
Category D
Piano Deck, fixed window. Private facilities, 170 sq ft
Category C
Cello Deck, French Balcony. Private facilities, 170 sq ft
Category BB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 210 sq ft
Category BA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 210 sq ft
Category AB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 235 sq ft
Category AA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 235 sq ft
Suite
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony. Private facilities, 350 sq ft
Included
  • 20 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
  • 21 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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