Exotic Danube River Cruise

Package Price Includes:

Package Price: $5,995 (includes $1,000 SAVINGS per person)*

*Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy.
Does not include airfare or tips.

This is a partial list, and subject to change as needed to accomplish everything we can in each area we visit. We will have local guides who will make sure we see the very best in the time we have.

Day 1: May 10: Fly to Bucharest 
Fly from the US to Bucharest.

Day 2: May 11: Bucharest
We will arrive in Bucharest early afternoon. After clearing customs, we will transfer to our hotel.  (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)

Day 3: May 12: Bucharest
Today, we will do a city tour of Bucharest, including the Village Museum, one of the oldest and largest outdoor museums in Europe. We will then spend the night in Bucharest.

Day 4: May 13:  Sinaia – Brasov
This morning, we will drive approximately 80 miles to the mountain resort of Sinaia. Sinaia is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Carpathians”.  This lovely valley has what we consider one of the most beautiful castles in the world – the Peles Castle. We will then drive 30 miles to Brasov.  This city is nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains.  This location made it an ideal setting for a medieval city.

Day 5: May 14:  Brasov
Today we will tour Bran Castle, often referred to as Dracula’s Castle.  Though there is little concrete proof, many historians agree that Vlad Tepes (a.k.a Vlad the Impaler, whom Bram Stoker used as a model for his 1897 story-Dracula) did reside at Bran Castle during his raids in Transylvania.

Day 6: May 15: Sighisoara – Sibiu
Today we will travel to the walled city of Sighisoara.  Sighisoara is one of the seven citadels constructed by the German settlers in the 12^th Century.  Walking along the magical cobbled alleyways, in the shadow of one of the nine towers, transports you back in time.  It is possibly the best-walled city in Eastern Europe.  The city is also the birthplace of the infamous Vlad Tepes otherwise known as Count Vlad Dracula.  This afternoon we will travel to Sibiu. Sibiu was the largest and wealthiest of seven walled cities that were constructed in the 12th century by German settlers.  Today Sibiu has been preserved and the streets have not changed in over 500 years. The center of town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 7: May 16: Corvin – Sibiu
This morning we drive to Hunedoara Castle, nestled in the Transylvania Alps. Recently the castle has gained notoriety and was named one of the scariest places in the world.  The castle held Count Vlad Dracula in prison for 7 years. After our tour of this fantastic castle, we will return to Sibiu to overnight.

Day 8: May 17: Sibiu – Giurgiu
This morning we leave Sibiu and travel to Giurgiu to board our 5-star AMA Waterways Ship. Tomorrow morning we will set sail on the Danube for Hungary.

Important Note: Amawaterways includes premium shore excursions at no additional cost. In many of the ports of call, the ship may offer different shore excursions, often including a bicycle tour. Our owners have selected, what they felt to be the best shore excursion for each port. After you arrive at the ship if you decide that you would like to make a change to a different tour you can make that change onboard.

Day 9: May 18: Rousse – Veliko Tarnovo
Today is a full-day excursion to Arbanassi (an authentic medieval village) and to Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.  Both have beautiful scenery and architecture.

Day 10: May 19: Vidin
Tour of Vidin and Belogradchik Fortress.  Enjoy the breathtaking landscape and great views from the top of the fortress.

Day 11: May 20: Cruise Highlight Day
Today will be a major highlight day as we sail through the most spectacular scenery found anywhere along the entire Danube River.  This evening they plan to park the ship Vidin, where you can get off and walk around on your own.

Day 12: May 21: Belgrade
This morning we will enjoy a Belgrade city tour to see Kalemegdan fortress, St. Save Cathedral, and some free time on the pedestrian street.  This afternoon the tour includes the Royal Palace & Tito’s memorial tour.

Day 13: May 22: Novi Sad – Vukovar
Today we will stop in Novi Sad before continuing to Vukovar. Here we recommend the Petrovaradin Fortress Hike where you will explore the fortifications including the underground tunnels. This is a moderate walk uphill to the fortress and then some stairs within the fortress. Later we sail to the small Croatian river town of Vukovar.  In the early 1990s, 2,000 self-organized Croatian civilians and volunteers heroically defended the town for 3 months against a heavily fortified Serbian army 40,000 strong. You will see a monument dedicated to victims of the Balkan Wars.  Later we visit the Eltz Castle which is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe.

Day 14: May 23: Mohacs
Pecs is the former European capital of culture, it is approximately an hour bus ride from the ship.  We will take a walking tour to see the town center, the underground early Christian Cemetery, the Mosque and have some free time to shop.  Most travelers consider Pecs their second favorite city in Hungary (Budapest is first).

Day 15: May 24: Budapest
Today, we say goodbye to the beautiful AMA Waterways ship and travel to Budapest. Our sightseeing tour will include a visit to Buda Hills, St. Mathias Church, and the Fishermen’s Bastions. Continuing on to the elegant part of Pest, we stop at Hero’s Square. Overnight Budapest.

Day 16: May 25: Fly home
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.  We will transfer to the airport for your return flight home.  (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)