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A River Cruise Along the Danube

Program Overview

This extraordinary journey from the Habsburgs’ imperial capital of UNESCO-inscribed Vienna to the captivating Black Sea features two nights in Romania’s elegant capital of Bucharest and a deluxe river cruise through the Iron Gates to discover the eastern Danube River Valley. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-designated castles, palaces, and squares of Budapest; Hungary’s fabled Puszta (plains); the young territories of Serbia and eastern Croatia; and the ancient land of Bulgaria. Enhance your experience with the Vienna Pre-Program and/or Transylvania Post-Program Options.

Program Details

October 7 to 19, 2023 (Amadeus Star)
From $4,795 plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Unique, exclusively chartered, 13-day land/cruise travel program offered exclusively by Gohagan & Company in our tradition of innovative programming and educational travel.
  • Visit seven prominent countries and five capital cities—all excursions included.
  • One of the greatest river journeys in the world, navigating the storied Danube River from Austria to the Black Sea.
  • Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates dividing the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains.
  • Spend two nights in dynamic Bucharest, Romania.
  • See the best of Eastern Europe during autumn, an ideal time of year to visit.
  • Vienna Pre-Program and Transylvania Post-Program Options.

Day 1 - Depart the U.S. or Canada

Day 2 - Vienna, Austria / Embark Amadeus Star

Day 3 - Vienna / Bratislava, Slovakia

Day 4 - Budapest, Hungary

Day 5 - Kalocsa

Day 6 - Vukovar, Croatia / Novi Sad, Serbia

Day 7 - Belgrade

Day 8 - Donji Milonavac for Lepinski Vir / Cruise through the Iron Gates

Day 9 - Nikopol, Bulgaria / Veliko Târnovo / Ruse

Day 10 - Fetești, Romania for Constanța

Day 11 - Fetești / Disembark boat / Bucharest

Day 12 - Bucharest

Day 13 - Bucharest / Return to the U.S. or Canada

View detailed program itinerary >

Amadeus Star

Deluxe Small River Boat

The elegant and meticulously crafted Amadeus Star features all the comforts of a refined and traditional hotel. The 82 stylish staterooms and suites are among the most spacious of any European river boat (172 to 284 square feet). Suites include a private balcony, and select staterooms feature a unique floor-to-ceiling window that lowers to French-balcony height at the touch of a button. Accommodations have two twin beds or one queen bed, individual climate control, sitting area, and private bathroom with shower. Most have a minibar.

Learn more about the Amadeus Star >

Imperial Vienna Pre-Program Option

Start your journey with two nights in Vienna on an itinerary that showcases the dynamic art and history of Austria's capital. Visit an open-air museum of splendid Baroque architecture in its historical center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the famous Ringstrasse, see this remarkable city’s most important landmarks. Visit Hofburg Palace and see the Gothic-style Stephansdom (Saint Stephen’s Cathedral). Learn more about the Austrian Empire in Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Habsburgs’ summer estate. Accommodations are for two nights in the historical, five-star Hotel Imperial Vienna.

Castles of Transylvania Post-Program Option

Extend your tour by three nights to explore the treasures of medieval Transylvania. Highlights include the 19th‑century Peles Castle; the imposing, 14th‑century Bran Castle; the Black Church in Brasov; the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Sighisoara; and UNESCO-inscribed Prejmarthe, the largest fortified church in southeast Europe. Spend two nights in the Aro Palace in Brasov and one night in the five-star Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest.

Pre- and Post-Program Options are available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

Gohagan & Company reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees, promotions and surcharges at any time.

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Program Itinerary

Day 1 Departure

Your trip will begin by departing the U.S. or Canada.

Day 2 Vienna, Austria

Arrive in Vienna. Embark the deluxe Amadeus Star and attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception and dinner this evening.

Day 3 Vienna / Bratislava, Slovakia

In Bratislava, enjoy a walking tour of the Staré Mesto (Old Town). Visit the Gothic 14th-century Cathedral of St. Martin and the elaborate Primate’s Palace, famous for its collection of 17th-century English tapestries. See St. Michael’s Gate.

Day 4 Budapest, Hungary

In Pest, see the Parliament Building, the second largest in Europe. At UNESCO-inscribed Heroes’ Square, admire monuments honoring Magyar chiefs who established the Kingdom of Hungary. Along Andrássy Avenue, see the Hungarian State Opera House. Cross the Chain Bridge linking Pest to Buda. On Castle Hill, visit St. Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion.

Day 5 Kalocsa

Embark on a drive through Hungary’s scenic, protected Puszta grassland plains and visit a horse farm to see a performance of Hungarian horsemanship. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the farm’s restaurant. Continue to Kalocsa to visit the House of Folk Art and Paprika Museum.

Day 6 Vukovar, Croatia / Novi Sad, Serbia

In Vukovar, see 18th-century Eltz Manor and the iconic Grand Hotel, famously purchased by the city’s Labor Movement in 1919. Visit the Baroque Church of Sts. Philip and James. Enjoy a walking tour of Novi Sad’s Old Town to see the Name of Mary Church, Town Hall, and the 18th century Petrovaradin Fortress, Europe’s second largest fortress. Continue to Karlovci to visit the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas and the Patriarchate Court, he historic seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Day 7 Belgrade

Enjoy a tour of Belgrade, featuring Terazije Square and Temple of St. Sava. Visit Kalemegdan Fortress and the famous “House of Flowers” museum dedicated to former Yugoslavia’s leader, Josip Broz Tito.

Day 8 Donji Milanovic / Iron Gates

Visit Lepenski Vir to see the impressive exhibition center of Paleolithic artifacts. Later, enjoy spectacular views of the Danube Gorge and cruise past the Iron Gates.

Day 9, Morning Nikopol, Bulgaria / Veliko Tarnovo / Ruse

Visit Arbanasi’s perfectly preserved Konstantsaliev House and the 15th-century Birth of Christ Church. Continue to Veliko Târnovo’s historical town center and see the 12th-century Tsarevets Fortress.

Day 10 Fetesti / Constanta

In Constanta’s Old Town, see the poet Ovid’s statue in Ovidiu Square, the Great Mahmudiye Mosque, and the Orthodox Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. Enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Reception on board this evening.

Day 11 Fetesti / Bucharest, Romania / Disembark the river boat

Arrive in Bucharest and visit the Palace of Parliament. Check into the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest.

Day 12 Bucharest

Visit the National Art Museum, housing Romania’s finest collection of artistic treasures, and tour the Village Open Air Museum. Enjoy the Farewell Reception this evening.

Day 13 Bucharest / Return to U.S. or Canada

After breakfast, continue on the Castles of Transylvania Post-Program Option or transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S.