Itinerary

Vilshofen, Linz, Weissenkirchen, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Mohács, Vukovar, Belgrade, Scenic Cruising through the Iron Gates, Vidin, Rousse – Giurgiu

Description

Pricing based on departure date 24 March 2025.

Selected departure dates available from March to November 2025.

Grand Danube Cruise

Itinerary Map

Why River Cruise with AmaWaterways?

THE HEART OF THE RIVER™

UNPACK ONCE: A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE

ALL EXCURSIONS INCLUDED – CHOOSE FROM UP TO SIX EACH DAY

AWARD-WINNING INCLUDED DINING EXPERIENCES

THE LUXURY OF SPACE - FEWER GUESTS ON BOARD

ENHANCE YOUR BEST SELF

UNPARALLELED PERSONALIZED SERVICE

EXTRAORDINARY CRUISE MANAGERS

LEADERS IN INNOVATION 

STAY CONNECTED  

Itinerary Highlights

DAY 1 and 2

EMBARKATION – VILSHOFEN, GERMANY

Board the ship in Vilshofen for your Grand Danube cruise. In the evening, be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration – an AmaWaterways exclusive. (D)

Enjoy a free morning to walk around the quaint village of Vilshofen. Later, cruise to Passau, where you have the option of exploring it one of three ways. Take a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or choose between a guided bike tour along the Inn River or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. (B,L,D)

DAY 3

LINZ, AUSTRIA

In Linz, diverse excursions await: explore Salzburg's highlights, take a Linz walking or bike tour, or journey to Český Krumlov for a full-day adventure. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

WEISSENKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA

On the Sun Deck, soak in panoramic views cruising through the Strudengau and Wachau Valley. In Weissenkirchen, choose from: a Dürnstein walking tour with Melk Abbey visit, a hike to Durnstein Fortress ruins for stunning vistas, a guided bike tour through the Wachau Valley, or culinary delights like apricot treats and local wine tastings.(B,L,D)

DAY 5

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

The “City of Waltzes” is a treasure trove and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in the UNESCO-designated historic city center and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more. (B,L,D)

DAY 6

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)

DAY 7-8

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Explore Budapest, Hungary today, crossing both the Buda and Pest sides of the Danube. Begin in the Castle District, marveling at Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Opt for an active hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, discover Pest's landmarks like the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes’ Square, and the poignant “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. Later, visit Gödöllő Palace and enjoy lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant. Then, venture to Puszta for a tour of a Hungarian csárda and a captivating performance of Hungarian horsemanship, steeped in centuries of tradition. (B,L,D)

DAY 9

MOHÁCS – PÉCS

Welcome to Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or choose a guided bike tour through Mohács. For wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go instead to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D)

DAY 10

VUKOVAR, CROATIA

Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)

DAY 11

BELGRADE, SERBIA

Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour that includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Or hike to the well-preserved Belgrade Fortress with its conical towers. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Šlivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO’s list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage.” For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

DAY 12

SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES

The Iron Gates are some of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. In the afternoon, visit Golubac Fortress – one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe and enjoy a tasting of locally sourced delicacies. (B,L,D)

DAY 13

VIDIN, BULGARIA

Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle. (B,L,D)

DAY 14

ROUSSE – GIURGIU, ROMANIA

Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Alternatively, you may opt to travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. (B,L,D)

DAY 15

GIURGIU – DISEMBARKATION

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

 Your Ship: AmaBella

Isn’t she lovely? Newly reimagined in 2021, the graceful AmaBella is a stunning river ship, unique in her own right.

The intimate lounge is an inviting place to grab a cocktail and the thoughtfully redesigned reception area, adorned with charming pieces of contemporary art, provides a warm welcome after a day exploring ashore. Most staterooms feature our signature twin balconies so you can enjoy the views however you wish, as well as Entertainment-On-Demand and marble bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads.

Elegant suites feature added enhancements, including a large sitting area and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower. You’ll also find a massage and hair salon on board, a fitness room, specialty coffee station and a gift shop. An expansive Sun Deck with a heated pool offers special moments of pure relaxation.

Mealtimes are a feast for the senses in the Main Restaurant and at The Chef’s Table where you will witness our chefs in action through our glass-walled kitchen. Our new “Café Bistro” is the perfect al fresco setting to play cards, mingle or enjoy a light lunch.

Throughout your journey on the Danube, you may catch sight of AmaVerde, AmaBella’s “secret lover.” The two ships cross paths as they sail opposite directions, catching brief moments together as they rendezvous in select ports along the Danube River.