Experience the magic of the Danube on this 15-day cruise from Vilshofen to Rousse, aboard the luxurious MS Amabella. Savor Wachau Valley wine, embrace the elegance and history of Vienna and Budapest, and traverse the legendary passage known as the Iron Gates. Framed by rolling hillsides, well-tended vineyards, and medieval castles, the Danube has been an inspiration for generations of Europeans.
Highlights
Take part on optional excursions such as hikes and guided bike tours
Visit the Benedictine Abbey at Melk, one of Europe’s largest monastic sites
Participate in local wine and food tastings
Explore Vienna's city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cruise through the Iron Gates of the Danube, a series of magnificent gorges
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.
This morning you are free to explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before cruising to Passau. This afternoon take a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets and Rathaus, Domplatz and Residenzplatz squares, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
The ship arrives this morning in Linz. Enjoy a walking tour of the second-largest city in Austria, or choose a guided bike tour that shows you around the Old City Center, along the Danube River, and past the ultra-modern Ars Electronica Center. Later, choose between three different excursions. The first option is an excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where you may take a walking tour of the historic center made famous by "The Sound of Music.” The second option is an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third option is a visit to the Austrian Lake District, the scenic Salzkammergut region. All three regions are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau this morning en route to Weissenkirchen. You have three choices of how to explore Dürnstein today. The first is a walking tour along the town’s cobblestone streets followed by a visit to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey at Melk, one of Europe’s largest and most famous monastic sites, home to religious relics and a library filled with medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, you may join a hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held for ransom or enjoy an Apricots and Sweets tasting instead. Tonight, after dinner on board, enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery.
This morning, savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna through your choice of one of three different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall, and Vienna University. Afterward, 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 second option is a walking tour of Vienna’s hidden treasures that takes you to secret places and sights like Ankeruhr, a whimsical Art Nouveau clock. Your third option is a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark. This afternoon, you can join a guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery or explore at your leisure. Be sure to sample some Viennese coffee and pastries.
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Bratislava, where you have three choices of excursions. The first is a walking tour that includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. The second is a Slovakian Specialties tasting where you can enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine, sample a creamy soup made from sheep's cheese and learn how to prepare stuffed potato ravioli. Finally, you can also join a hike up to Bratislava Castle, which includes visits to the Castle Upper Terrace and Court of Honor. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own.
Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in the cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. See famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and spectacular views of the Danube. Alternatively, you may also opt to join a hike up to Castle Hill, on which you can see Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Parliament Square. After dinner, the ship sails a special Illuminations Cruise past the glittering riverfront of Budapest.
After breakfast this morning, take an excursion to Puszta, the vast Hungarian plain that stretches to the country's eastern border. This area is home to Hungarian cowboys who still wear traditional dress and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. After touring a typical card (farm), see a fantastic performance of Hungarian horsemanship. Enjoy warm Hungarian hospitality and a traditional lunch before returning to the ship in Budapest.
Arrive in Mohács around breakfast time and depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, the city was a substantial cultural base during many centuries of Ottoman rule. See St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral, and either a mosque that has been converted to a church or the restored synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács.
This morning, enjoy a Yugoslav Civil War tour of Vukovar that shows you the Ovcara Memorial and Cemetery. This monumental cross serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, one of Europe’s most significant historical treasures. After a walking tour of the city, later in the evening, see the Petrovaradin fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached, and that is 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 visits to Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. This afternoon choose one of three excursions. Your 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. Your second option is a tasting of Serbian plum brandy and local snacks at the Quburich Distillery. Your 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, 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 may see sights like the Ottoman post office and visit the synagogue. The ship departs early afternoon.
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.
Day 15: Giurgiu | Disembarkation
1 Breakfast
Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home.
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.
$6,4792-3 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.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Really enjoyed Thatch Caye. The staff was great. Really liked our guide Raffi. And snorkeling at night was wonderful.
Cheryl Brenton
4 days ago
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
1 week 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
1 week 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.
