Amadeus Waterways Grand Danube CruiseOverview
Overview Spend 3 nights in Prague, take a 14-night cruise to Romania, stay 1 night in a Black Sea resort and end your vacation with 3 nights in Istanbul
23 Days - Fly from Prague & Return from Istanbul. Celebrate the beauty and history of the Danube, Europe’s second largest river. Journey from Nuremberg across the Continental Divide, and along the way visit charming towns and marvel at beautiful vistas. Enter Austria and cruise through the lush Wachau wine region. Visit charming towns and marvel at beautiful vistas. Enter Austria and cruise through the lush Wachau wine region. Visit three grand old capitals, magnificent Vienna, charming Bratislava adn vibrant Budapest. Continue to Serbia and through the Iron Gates, a very narrow passage dividing the Alps from the Carpathian mountains. Sail along the Romanian/Bulgarian border before ending your grand European journey in what was known for centuries as the world’s greatest city, Istanbul. Brief Itinerary
Your Travel Value Includes
Detailed ItineraryDay 1, Wed. DEPART USABoard your overnight flight. Day 2, Thu. ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring. Day 3, Fri. PRAGUE This morning's sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. In the afternoon why not join the optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII labor camp, now a memorial to those who perished. The evening is free. Day 4, Sat. PRAGUE Today is a free day to stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vlatava River or take the optional tour to Konopiste. Day 5, Sun. PRAGUE - Karlovy Vary - NUREMBERG, GERMANY This morning depart Prague after breakfast and stop in Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Karlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian spa. After lunch, drive through the pastoral countryside to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia. Tonight gather on board for a Gala Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. Day 6, Mon. NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE - RIEDENBURG Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. At lunchtime rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks to Riedenburg . Day 7, Tue. REGENSBURG This morning takes you through the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg. A guided tour will show you the city's highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. In the evening enjoy folklore music on board. Day 8, Wed. PASSAU / LINZ, AUSTRIA After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Or, take an optional full day tour to Salzburg. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on toLinz. After dinner, take a walk through Linz, Austria's third largest city. Day 9, Thu. MELK / VIENNA Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. At lunchtime, continue through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the "City of Music." Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. Day 10, Fri. VIENNA A tour of Vienna includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. Then enjoy a free afternoon to shop, explore or visit one of the cities many museums or palaces. This afternoon continue cruising overnight to Hungary and Budapest. Day 11, Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY This morning is free. In the afternoon your sightseeing tour includes Buda & Pest. Your tour also features the Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica, and much more. Tonight enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner. Day 12, Sun. BUDAPEST The Puszta, is the region of Hungary most widely known throughout the world, 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 brandy and scones. Take a ride in an Ox-cart, see a typical Gypsy village and marvel at the equestrian skills of the riders during the horse show. There will be a light lunch of Goulash, the national dish, before returning to Budapest. Day 13, Mon. MOHACS - PECS EXCURSION (HUNGARY) - CRUISE TO CROATIA This morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for the excursion to Pecs. Founded more than 2000 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 there is a walking tour during which you will see the Synagogue, visit the former Turkish Mosque and Christian Basilica, all accompanied by the traditions and tails of old Pecs brought alive by the local guides. As the ship exits Hungary the river makes up the boundary between Serbia and Croatia. You are leaving the European Union and passing into two countries. Tonight the ship will arrive in Vukovar, Croatia. Day 14, Tue. VUKOVAR-NOVI SAD, CROATIA & SERBIA Situated in Eastern Slavonia at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, Vukovar has a long and often troubled history, fought over by the Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Germans, Croatians and Serbians the city today has a rich history. There will be a bus and walking tour during which you will see the Franciscan Monastery of St.John Capistrano, the Manorhouse Eltz and Churchs St.Philip and St.Roch. At noon cruise to Novi Sad and tour the Petrovaradin fortress. The antiquity of Novi Sad can be traced back to the Romans and Byzantines, but, it was the 13th C Tartar invasion that resulted in the building of the original fortress. Ruled by the Ottoman Turks for 160 years, from the early 16th century, the current fortress was improved and modified by the Hapsburg Austriansm . Day 15, Wed. BELGRADE, SERBIA This morning you arrive in the Capital of Serbia, Belgrade. This cosmopolitan city has fortifications dating back to Celtic times, medieval tombs and Turkish baths. Belgrade is the cultural and religious center of Serbia. See the home of the Patriarch and St.Sava's, the country's largest Orthodox Church. You will also see both old and new towns, Tito's memorial, the Town Hall, Federal Parliament Building, Terazije Sq, Republic Square and Mihajlova street; as well as Belgrade Fort, "Varoš" Gate and you will also visit the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress. Day 16, Thu. CRUISING - IRON GATES Today is a full cruising day through impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrows gorges, as the river winds between the Carpathian Mountains on one side of the river and Balkan Mountains on the other. These natural borders make up the frontier between Serbia and Romania. Day 17, Fri. VIDIN, BULGARIA The "Bada Vida" fortress sits guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin. The 14th century castle has thick walls and dark towers, which contrast with the natural surroundings of the park it sits within. You will also travel overland to see Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th century castle, located in a fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations. Day 18, Sat. GUIRGUI-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Today enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, Capital and largest city in Romania. During the morning city tour you will see the Arch of Triumph, Soseaua Kiseleff, Athenaeum and Library, as well as visit the Parliament Palace - the world's largest palace. Followed by lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon you can choose to have free time for shopping and exploration on your own or visit the open air museum, a museum dedicated to the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. Day 19, Sun. ROUSE - VELIKO TURNAVO - NESSEBAR (BULGARIA) (disembark the ship) This morning you will disembark in Rouse and continue your tour by coach to the Black Sea and Istanbul. First stop this morning is the ancient capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Turnavo. Here you will tour Tsarevets Hill, the old citadel of the city. You will see the old fortress walls, Royal Palaces and the Patriarchal church and Baldwin's Tower. Those pax who wish to shop can instead visit Samovodska Charshia - traditional market street - You will enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch before continuing onto the Black Sea and the town of Nessebar. Day 20, Mon. NESSEBAR-ISTANBUL (TURKEY) Situated on a small peninsula, Nessebar is one of the oldest towns in Europe. It still exudes the spirit of different ages and peoples - Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Byzantines and Bulgarians. Nessebar's greatest wealth are its many churches and the Old and the New Bishops' Residences. During this mornings walking tour you will visit St.Stephan's, Pantocrator church and the 5th-6th century Basilica on the Beach. After free time for lunch, continue to Istanbul, arriving late this afternoon.
Day 21, Mon. ISTANBUL
Day 22, Mon. ISTANBUL
Day 23, Mon. ISTANBUL Cost of This ItineraryTotal of 21 nightsThe least expensive stateroom costs $227 per person per night in low season and $236 per person per night in high season
The most expensive suite costs |
