Join this extraordinary, 13-day journey along nearly the entire length of the fabled Danube River, from the Habsburgs’ imperial capital of UNESCO-inscribed Vienna to the captivating Black Sea. Cruise for nine nights aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe small river boat Amadeus Star and spend two nights in Romania’s elegant capital of Bucharest. Cruise through the Iron Gates and discover the eastern Danube River Valley. Visit the ancient land of Bulgaria, the young territories of Serbia and eastern Croatia, Hungary’s fabled Puszta (plains) and the UNESCO World Heritage-designated castles, palaces, and squares of Budapest. Vienna Pre-Program and Transylvania Post-Program Options.
Program Details
- 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 - 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 for Arbanasi and Veliko Târnovo / Ruse
Day 10 - Fetești, Romania for Constanța and Adamclisi
Day 11 - Fetești / Disembark boat / Bucharest
Day 12 - Bucharest
Day 13 - Bucharest / Return to the U.S. or Canada
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.
Imperial Vienna Pre-Program Option
The former seat of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is one of Europe’s most beautiful and cultural cities—showcasing an open-air museum of splendid Baroque architecture in its UNESCO-inscribed historical center. Drive along the famous Ringstrasse to see this remarkable city’s most important landmarks and visit the iconic, Gothic-style Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral). Learn more about the Austrian Empire in the Habsburgs’ summer estate at Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accommodations are for two nights in the five-star Hotel Imperial.
Castles of Transylvania Post-Program Option
Enjoy mysterious Transylvania—Latin for “the land beyond the forest”—and central Romania’s rich medieval heritage. Admire the auburn splendor of the Carpathian Mountains, an evocative backdrop of grand medieval castles with soaring spires where the mythical Gothic narrative of Count Dracula is kept alive through local storytelling. Tour the elegant, 19th-century Peleş Castle and the imposing, 14th-century Bran Castle, commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle” and once the beloved Queen Marie’s summer residence. See the Gothic Black Church in Brasov, one of the best-preserved cities in Europe, and tour the UNESCO World Heritage medieval town of Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad Tepes (Dracula). Accommodations for two nights are in the ideally located, deluxe Aro Palace in Brasov and one night in the five-star Athenèe Palace Hilton Bucharest.
Pre- and Post-Program Options are available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.