1200 miles on the Beautiful Blue Danube

After landing at the Otopeni Airport, Bucharest, you will be welcomed by the cruise director in a meet-and-greet at the airport. You will be transferred to a centrally located 4- or 5-star hotel. Get into the mood for your upcoming trip with an atmospheric Welcome Dinner.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin a full day exploration of the capital city of Romania, the “Paris of the East”. Your adventure begins with a panoramic city tour which includes stop at the impressive Parliament Palace. Construction began in 1984 under the Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu, it is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon in the United States. Continue along the city’s broad boulevards, past the opera house and the Triumph Arch – modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue on foot through the historic center of Bucharest.  Visit the Stavropoleos Church (dating back to 1724), which is one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the city, and the Romanian Orthodox Church.  Your afternoon concludes with a transfer to the Danube port of Fetesti, for embarkation.  After settling into your cabin, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail and a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner.

The natural beauty of the Danube Delta is on full display today. Spend the morning cruising Sfantu Gheorghe (Saint George), one of the 3 main channels that make up the Danube Delta. At the meeting of the Black Sea and the Danube, this UNESCO site hosts 27 different ecosystems and is home to many unique species of birds, fish, and other creatures. From the fisherman’s village of Saint George, observe daily life for the people who inhabit this fertile delta. For those wishing to delve further into the scenic waterways, the optional Delta Safari boat excursion awaits. During dinner, enjoy sunset over the waters of the Danube Delta as your vessel departs and begins the journey back up the Danube.

During breakfast arrive in the small Romanian city, Hirsova. Explore the famous ancient Roman Ruins of Carsium, and the Lipovan Church, a unique structure which stands high above the city. In the distance you can see the Cliffs of Danube, the Black Sea Coast, and on a clear day, even Constanta, the oldest continually inhabited city in Romania. Constanta is an important cultural and economic center, home to the famous Genoese Lighthouse, the Archaeology Park, and the Great Mahmudiye Mosque. This evening, enjoy dinner as the vessel continues to Bulgaria.

Spend the day cruising the Danube River through the Bulgarian countryside, dotted with delightful homes and villages. For those wanting to explore a little farther inland, an optional excursion is offered to Veliko Tarnovo, the oldest town in Bulgaria. This pretty town is located on the steep banks of the river Yantra at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. High on a peak is the remains of the medieval town of Tsarevets, where 22 tsars made history in the 2nd Bulgarian empire. The vessel arrives in Svishtov, where guests will rejoin and lunch is served.

The natural beauty of the mighty Danube River is on full display as your AMADEUS vessel makes its way around bends and through the picturesque “Iron Gates”. This beautiful passage is named “Iron Gates” for the two hydroelectric dams that control the waterflow. Watch from the deck as the vessel passes through the narrow gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains which forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Keep an eye out for the many caves and rock sculptures hiding among the steep hills overlooking the Danube. Recount the spectacular day with your fellow travellers over dinner.

After breakfast, arrive in Belgrade, one of the oldest European cities and the capital of Serbia. The city lies at the juncture of the Danube and the Sava Rivers. The “White City” is one of the most historically rich and important places in all of Serbia. From the Kalemegdan-Belgrade fortress, you’ll have an impressive panoramic view over the Danube and the Sava Rivers. Once an important military fortification, it now serves as the central park of Belgrade. Be sure to see the National Museum, the Parliament, the Terazije square, and the palace of Princess Ljubica. Another highlight is the St. Sava Temple, the largest Orthodox Church in Serbia. The city has a bustling pedestrian area with plenty of shops and markets ripe for exploration.

This morning visit the tiny harbor town of Mohács, a melting pot of nations. Two important battles took place in the fields around this town, which had a huge impact on European history. The battle in 1526 was lost and was the beginning of the reign of the Ottoman Empire over the country for the next century and a half. In 1687 the Austrian troops and Habsburg allies overturned the empire and regained the cities of the Danube. This afternoon relax onboard or join the optional excursion to the Puszta to enjoy the scenery of the endless plain, where the sky stretches into the horizon.

Early this morning we dock in Budapest, the capital and largest city of Hungary. A large portion of this city is a World Heritage Site, including the banks of the Danube, Andrassy Avenue, the Buda Castle quarter, Heroes’ Square, and the Millennium Underground Railway. With 80 geothermal hot springs, the third largest Parliament building in the world, and the second largest Synagogue, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy in this bustling city. A visit to the covered market is a feast for the senses. The market is a favorite with the locals for the fresh produce, seafood and spices, including the famous Hungarian paprika. After the day’s explorations, a special Hungarian evening is planned with the traditional music of the country topped with an evening cruise down the Danube to see this beautiful city by night.

Discover the Slovak capital of Bratislava this afternoon. The city is home to the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and the current residence of the president of Slovakia. You can also see Bratislava Castle, high above the city. From Michael’s Gate, take a leisurely stroll through the historic city center, where you can admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Enjoy the Captain’s Gala Dinner onboard this evening.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you again soon!

This exciting journey along the Danube begins in Vienna, where you will embark in the afternoon. After exploring your floating luxury hotel, you have the opportunity of meeting the cruise director at a Welcome Cocktail. Our chef will spoil you with a lovingly prepared Welcome Dinner, after which your ship will weigh anchor and head towards Bratislava.

ou arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava before breakfast. This romantic city with its impressive Gothic and Baroque buildings is best explored in the morning, during the course of a city sightseeing tour, which takes you to all the most beautiful sights. You return to your AMADEUS ship for lunch on board, and thereafter you have the opportunity of visiting the imperial Festchloss Hof, once a residence of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresia, during the afternoon. The sumptuous gardens of this palace are highly recommended. Your ship weighs anchor before midnight and arrives in Esztergom in the morning.

After breakfast, you can join a guided tour to Esztergom and Szentendre – two towns which, though vastly different, are equally fascinating. In the former Hungarian capital of Esztergom you follow the footsteps of Hungarian kings and clerics, while the artists’ town of Szentendre is unique due to the many museums and contemporary galleries housed there. Passengers who choose to remain on board will, in the meantime, continue to Budapest, where those passengers who opted for the tour will rejoin the ship for lunch. In order to enjoy the magnificence of the Hungarian capital, you can go on a city sightseeing tour during the afternoon. In the evening, you will enjoy an atmospheric cruise through Budapest, also known as the “Paris of the East”, which is festively lit up at night, revealing Budapest’s most beautiful side. A folklore show on board will complete the experience.

You arrive in Mohacs early in the morning, and depart again directly after breakfast, heading towards Croatia. Your cruise ship reaches the eastern Croatian town of Vukovar after lunch, and you can take a city sightseeing tour, followed by a breathtaking excursion to the Kopacki Rit nature park. This 18-hectare nature reserve, situated at the confluence of the Drava and Danube Rivers, is home to a diverse bird population and provides a protected environment for many species of plants and animals. Explore this wetland by boat and enjoy the unspoilt beauty of nature before returning to your AMADEUS ship for dinner. Your ship departs for Belgrade during the night.

Enjoy a new day in a new country! You reach Belgrade, the vibrant and distinctly western-influenced capital of Serbia at breakfast time. This metropolis is home to many attractions from various eras and cultures, and you can view these during the course of a morning sightseeing tour. After lunch, you can join an excursion to Topola and Oplenac, where you can see the famous St. George’s Church, which is the final resting place of most of the Serbian royal family. After dinner, night owls get to enjoy an evening excursion to the lively artists’ quarter Skardaljia. The ship will leave the harbor before midnight.

Spend the day on board and enjoy a truly impressive natural spectacle. Your journey takes you through the “Iron Gates”, one of the most imposing gorges in Europe, which also forms the natural border between Serbia and Romania. One of the most beautiful stretches along the route includes the “Cazan” near the town of Orşova, where the riverbed recedes to 200 meters width and 80 meters depth and passengers will be rewarded with a fascinating view of the surrounding Carpathian Mountains and the Balkan mountain range. The small abbey church Mraconia, which is situated on the Romanian side of the Danube at the water’s edge, is equally worth seeing. The monumental rock sculpture of King Decebalus of Dacia reaches skywards at Dubova, and at 40 meters high is the largest in Europe.

Early in the morning you reach the Bulgarian town of Svishtov. Those who wish can take part in an on-land excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, which will include an exciting morning filled with culture and history, as well as lunch in a local Bulgarian restaurant, before returning to the ship, which will in the meantime have travelled to Giurgiu. After lunch, the journey continues downriver and in the evening you can enjoy a festive Gala Dinner with your captain and an evening program which will be an atmospheric close to the day.

Your journey continues through the breathtakingly beautiful Danube Delta, one of the largest wetlands in the world, with a large variety of plant and animal species, which has been declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. You travel along St George’s Canal, also known figuratively as the “end of the Danube” – the so-called “kilometre zero” – where the mighty river flows into the Black Sea. Your destination is the nearby fishing village of St. George, which is the starting point for an exciting Danube Delta boat safari – a great way to discover and get close to the impressive natural landscape and its fascinating flora and fauna. In the afternoon, your AMADEUS ship leaves St. George.

During breakfast you reach the Romanian town of Fetesti, where you leave your floating hotel – but your trip is not over yet! You will be transferred to Bucharest, and check in at a centrally-located 4- or 5-star hotel. Thereafter, you can take part in a city sightseeing tour through this vibrant metropolis, which has 2 million inhabitants and a unique charm thanks to its colorful mix of buildings from different eras. At lunch time, you will dine in Bucharest, while in the evening you can enjoy a stylish farewell dinner in your hotel, while reflecting on your exciting Danube journey.

You can enjoy breakfast in your hotel before checkout and your transfer to the Otopeni airport, where your homeward journey begins. The entire AMADEUS team wishes you a pleasant and safe trip. We hope to welcome you again soon!