This extraordinary journey from the Habsburgs’ imperial capital of UNESCO-inscribed Vienna to the captivating Black Sea features 2 nights in Romania’s elegant capital of Bucharest and a 9-night 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
- Exclusively chartered, 13-day, 11-night voyage featuring 2 nights in Bucharest, Romania, and a 9-night luxury cruise along the fabled Danube River—one of the greatest river journeys in the world.
- Visit 7 countries (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania) and 5 capital cities.
- Experience the best of Eastern Europe during an ideal time of year on this exclusive land and river itinerary.
- Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates dividing the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains.
- 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 Home City
Day 2 - Vienna, Austria / Embark Amadeus Silver III
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 / Veliko Târnovo / Ruse
Day 10 - Fetești, Romania for Constanța
Day 11 - Fetești / Disembark boat / Bucharest
Day 12 - Bucharest
Day 13 - Bucharest / Return to home city
Amadeus Silver III
Exclusively Chartered Deluxe River Boat
• Only 84 stylish suites and staterooms, each with a river-view.
• All meals are included on board the river boat, as well as wine and beer served with lunch and dinner.
• Luxury amenities of a stylish deluxe hotel.
Imperial Vienna Pre-Program Option
Start your journey with 2 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 2 nights in the historical, 5-star Hotel Imperial Vienna.
Castles of Transylvania Post-Program Option
Extend your tour by 3 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 2 nights in the Aro Palace in Brasov and 1 night in the 5-star Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest.
Pre- and Post-Program Options are available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.