Cruise Description
14 Night Cruise sailing from Vilshofen to Rousse aboard AmaPrima.
Visit the Romanian capital of Bucharest and marvel at the Iron Gates, the narrow passage between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains. Expertly guided tours will show you the highlights of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna, the birthplace of the waltz. Cruise through the scenic wine-growing region of the Wachau Valley before visiting the spectacular Melk Abbey.
Day 1 VILSHOFEN – EMBARKATION
Embark your cruise in Vilshofen. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 2 VILSHOFEN – PASSAU, GERMANY
Early this morning, cruise to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Your city tour takes you on an exploration of this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Highlights include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. As an alternative, explore the city on a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 3 LINZ – GMUNDEN
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. You will have the choice of two different excursions: a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” region, the Austrian Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the historic town of Gmunden; or take an excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart, and enjoy some free time before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4 MELK – DÜRNSTEIN
This morning arrive in Melk, where you will tour the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. This afternoon arrive in Dürnstein, where you will take a walking tour along the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche. Your tour will also include a wine tasting at a local vintner, where you will enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. As an alternative, explore the majestic Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour from Melk to Dürnstein (capacity controlled). The ship moors overnight in Dürnstein. (B,L,D)
Day 5 VIENNA
Savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna during your guided sightseeing tour, which will include the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. After dinner, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace or Palais Auersperg. (B,L,D)
Day 6 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, choose a “Communist Tour” that includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. (B,L,D)
Day 7 BUDAPEST
This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square and more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 8 BUDAPEST
Today you will visit the famous Puszta region, the vast flat plain where Hungarian cowboys still wear traditional garb and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Upon arrival, you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. Try a lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to the ship in Budapest. (B,L,D)
Day 9 MOHACS – PÉCS, HUNGARY
Arrive in Mohács during breakfast and then depart for your excursion to Pecs, EU Cultural Capital 2010. 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. You will also see St. Peter’s Basilica, the main Catholic Cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács. (B,L,D)
Day 10 VUKOVAR, CROATIA – NOVI SAD
Arrive in Vukovar, Croatia in the morning and choose between a tour of Vukovar or wine tasting in the town of Ilok. Your city tour of Vukovar includes the Ovcara Memorial, the monumental cross that is a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. As an alternative, travel to the town of Ilok, which is famous for its wines. Here, you will visit a local winery and sample their vintages before your walking tour of the town. After your tour, continue to Novi Sad and enjoy a walking tour beginning at Danube Park and then stroll through the old town center. You will also tour the 18th-century Austrian-Hungarian Petrovaradin Fortress. (B,L,D)
Day 11 BELGRADE, SERBIA
Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and explore its myriad of streets, plazas and squares. Belgrade has over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares. On your panoramic tour, you will see the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. As an alternative, choose to take the Tito’s Memorial tour which includes a visit to the House of Flowers, where the tomb of Josip Tito is located. You will also see some of the many gifts Tito received during his presidency. You will have free time in the city center after your tour to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the main pedestrian and shopping center of the city. A guided bicycle tour is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 12 CRUISING – IRON GATES
Today, enjoy 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 range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern foothills of the Balkan Mountains. Forming the natural border between Serbia and Romania, today’s passage will be an unforgettable highlight of your Black Sea adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 13 VIDIN, BULGARIA
Today, you will enjoy a leisurely day of cruising the Danube, arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. The “Baba Vida” Fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle has massive walls and dark towers, in contrast to the natural park that surrounds the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a stunning landscape of unusual rock formations. (B,L,D)
Day 14 GIURGIU – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, known as “Paris of the East.” Visit the Open Air Museum, which was dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. After lunch on your own, you will have two options. Enjoy a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest building in the world or tour the Historical center. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. (B,L,D)
Day 15 ROUSSE – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark your cruise in Rousse. (B)
Cruise Itinerary
Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
---|---|---|---|
06/04 | Vilshofen, Germany | ||
07/04 | Passau, Germany | ||
08/04 | Linz, Austria | ||
09/04 | Melk , Austria | ||
09/04 | Durnstein, Austria | ||
10/04 | Vienna, Austria | ||
11/04 | Bratislava, Slovakia | ||
12/04 | Budapest, Hungary | ||
13/04 | Budapest, Hungary | ||
14/04 | Mohacs, Hungary | ||
15/04 | Vukovar, Croatia | ||
15/04 | Novi Sad, Serbia | ||
16/04 | Belgrade, Serbia | ||
17/04 | Iron Gate, Romania, Serbia | ||
18/04 | Vidin, Bulgaria | ||
19/04 | Giurgiu, Romania | ||
20/04 | Rousse, Bulgaria |
Itinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise lines discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets.