Luxury Balkans River Cruise

Today, depart for Vienna, Austria.

Meals included: In-Flight

Welcome to the beautiful city of Vienna. Upon arrival, be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Arcotel Kaiserwasser or similar, Vienna

Meals included: None

Embark at 16:00

This morning, enjoy a walking city tour in the ‘Imperial City’ of Vienna with your tour leader.

There is much to see in this vibrant capital city: its imperial palaces, the impressive buildings along the Ringstrasse, Saint Stephen Cathedral and the famous Vienna Opera among many others. In the afternoon, be transferred to the Danube port of Vienna for your cruise embarkation at 16:00 on the brand new 5-star Amadeus Nova ship. The friendly crew of the Amadeus will be awaiting your arrival. Soon after, the Cruise Director will invite you for a welcome cocktail followed by a specially-prepared welcome dinner. The cruise will stay docked in Vienna for the night.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Vienna: Depart 02:00 - Bratislava: 07:00 to 23:00

The ship will depart Vienna at 02:00 and spend the night cruising for an early arrival into the Slovakian capital of Bratislava before breakfast. It's a romantic city, with its impressive Gothic and Baroque buildings. Enjoy time at leisure to experience the city, which is dominated by the imposing Bratislava Castle high above the streets below. Alternatively, join an optional shore excursion - City Tour of Bratislava (not included). Stroll to the historic city centre, where you can admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St Martin’s Cathedral.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Esztergom: 07:00 to 08:30 - Budapest: 12:00 to 21:00

After breakfast, you might like to join an optional 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 who opted for the tour will rejoin the ship for lunch. In order to enjoy the magnificence of the Hungarian capital, you might like to go on a city sightseeing tour during the afternoon (not included).

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.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 12:30 - Depart 22:00

Your cruise ship reaches the eastern Croatian town of Vukovar after lunch. You can take an optional city sightseeing tour, followed by a breathtaking optional excursion to the Kopacki Rit Nature Park. This 23-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. The ship departs for Belgrade during the night.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 08:00 - Depart 23:59

This morning arrive in Belgrade. Known as the 'White City', Belgrade is one of the most historically-rich cities in Serbia, and sits at the juncture of the Danube and Sava Rivers.

Highlights of the city include the Parliament, Terazije Square, the Palace of Princess Ljubica and Saint Sava Temple - the largest Orthodox Church in Serbia. The city has a vibrant pedestrian area with plenty of shops and markets to browse. To sample the local cuisine, head to Skadarska Street (Skadarlija), a popular dining precinct where the spirit of Old Belgrade is alive and well. Explore the city at leisure, or take the opportunity to join the optional shore excursion - Morning city tour of Belgrade (not included). Tonight, continue cruising along the Danube.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Golubac: 07:00 to 10:00 - Donji Milanovac: 13:00 to 14:30

The fortress of Golubac, with its magnificent views, has an equally magnificent past, filled with the spirits and sounds of successful battles to defend the fortress. You might like to take a leap back to the Stone Age on the alternative excursion to the architectural site of Lepenski Vir with its exciting excavations and exhibits.

For an active adventure, you can opt to join a hike through the magnificent Djerdap National Park to its famous Kovilovo viewpoint. Rejoin the ship in Donji Milanovac and spend the afternoon on board for a truly impressive natural spectacle. Take a seat on the sun deck and relax as you cruise through one of the most impressive gorges in Europe, which also marks the border between Serbia and Romania.

In one section, the river narrows to a scant 200 meters wide and 80 meters deep. The majestic views of the Carpathian and Balkan mountains paint a memorable scene.

As you cruise, look for the small monastery church of Mraconia and the enormous 40-meter rock sculpture of the Dacian King Decebalus near Dubova.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Svishtov: 13:00 to 14:00 - Rousse: 18:00 to 20:00 - Giurgiu: 20:30 to 22:00

Admire the changing scenery as the ship makes its way around river bends and through the Iron Gates – a picturesque passage named for the two hydroelectric dams that control the water flow. 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 hidden among the steep hills overlooking the Danube.

Spend the morning cruising the Danube River through the Bulgarian countryside, gazing out upon delightful homes and colourful villages from the comfort of the ship’s deck.

Those who wish, can take part in an on-land optional excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi (not included). The tour will begin from Svishtov, and includes an exciting morning filled with culture and history, as well as lunch in a local Bulgarian restaurant.

The ship will continue to Rousse, where those who opted for the optional tour will meet back up with the cruise.

After lunch, the journey continues downriver. In the evening you can enjoy a festive Gala Dinner with your captain and an evening program which will be a great way to end the day.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 09:00 - Depart 23:00

The natural beauty of the Danube Delta is on full display today. Open your eyes, you're in paradise!

From Hârşova, discover the breathtakingly beautiful Danube Delta, one of the largest wetland biotopes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich variety of flora and fauna. The bus takes you from Hârşova to Tulcea, to your excursion boats, for a delta safari and a voyage of discovery through the beautiful nature reserve (not included, only bookable on board).

In the evening, a folklore program awaits you on board.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 09:00

During breakfast, reach the Romanian town of Fetesti, where you leave your floating hotel.

After disembarking, you will be transferred to Bucharest, and check in at a centrally-located 4-star hotel.

Thereafter, you can take part in a guided sightseeing tour through this vibrant city, which has a population of approximately two million and a unique charm thanks to its eclectic mix of buildings from different eras. Enjoy a guided panoramic bus tour of the capital, which has often been referred to as ‘Little Paris’. See its main attractions, including The Parliament, Arcul de Triumf (identical to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris), Lipscani (a neighbourhood that will remind you of Paris), and more.
The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure.

Overnight: Novotel City Centre Bucharest or similar, Bucharest

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you will be transferred to Bucharest Airport for your return flight home to Australia (or New Zealand).

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Please note: Some flights may arrive +1 day later due to flight scheduling.

Meals included: None

Today depart for Prague, Czech Republic.

Meals included: In-Flight

Welcome to the beautiful city of Prague. Upon arrival, be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Clarion Congress Hotel Prague or similar, Prague

Meals included: None

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walk through Prague, known as the ‘City of the Hundred Spires’. At the heart of the city is the Old Town Square, renowned for its colourful Baroque buildings, Gothic churches, and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated show on the hour. Completed in 1402, the beautiful pedestrian-only Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints. See the city’s most important sights on tour, including Wenceslas Square, the National Theatre, the Lesser Town and Hradčany with Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the former Jewish district, and the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square.

The afternoon is free at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Clarion Congress Hotel Prague or similar, Prague

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Vienna. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure in the Austrian capital city.

Approximately a 365-Km travel say.

Overnight: Hotel Arcotel Kaiserwasser or similar, Vienna

Meals included: Breakfast

Embark at 16:00

This morning, enjoy a walking city tour in the ‘Imperial City’ of Vienna with your tour leader. There is much to see in this vibrant capital city: its imperial palaces, the impressive buildings along the Ringstrasse, Saint Stephen Cathedral and the famous Vienna Opera, among many others. In the afternoon be transferred to the Danube port of Vienna for your cruise embarkation at 16:00 on the brand new 5-star Amadeus Nova ship.

The friendly crew of the Amadeus will be awaiting your arrival. Soon after, the Cruise Director will invite you for a welcome cocktail followed by a specially-prepared welcome dinner. The cruise will stay docked in Vienna for the night.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Vienna: Depart 02:00 - Bratislava: 07:00 to 23:00

The ship will depart Vienna at 02:00 and spend the night cruising for an early arrival into the Slovakian capital of Bratislava before breakfast. It's a romantic city, with its impressive Gothic and Baroque buildings. Enjoy time at leisure to experience the city, which is dominated by the imposing Bratislava Castle high above the streets below. Alternatively, join an optional shore excursion - City Tour of Bratislava (not included). Stroll to the historic city centre, where you can admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St Martin’s Cathedral.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Esztergom: 07:00 to 08:30 - Budapest: 12:00 to 21:00

After breakfast, you might like to join an optional 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 who opted for the tour will rejoin the ship for lunch. In order to enjoy the magnificence of the Hungarian capital, you might like to go on a city sightseeing tour during the afternoon (not included).

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.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 12:30 - Depart 22:00

Your cruise ship reaches the eastern Croatian town of Vukovar after lunch. You can take an optional city sightseeing tour, followed by a breathtaking optional excursion to the Kopacki Rit Nature Park. This 23-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. The ship departs for Belgrade during the night.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 08:00 - Depart 23:59

This morning arrive in Belgrade. Known as the 'White City', Belgrade is one of the most historically-rich cities in Serbia, and sits at the juncture of the Danube and Sava Rivers.

Highlights of the city include the Parliament, Terazije Square, the Palace of Princess Ljubica and Saint Sava Temple - the largest Orthodox Church in Serbia. The city has a vibrant pedestrian area with plenty of shops and markets to browse. To sample the local cuisine, head to Skadarska Street (Skadarlija), a popular dining precinct where the spirit of Old Belgrade is alive and well. Explore the city at leisure, or take the opportunity to join the optional shore excursion - Morning city tour of Belgrade (not included). Tonight, continue cruising along the Danube.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Golubac: 07:00 to 10:00 - Donji Milanovac: 13:00 to 14:30

The fortress of Golubac, with its magnificent views, has an equally magnificent past, filled with the spirits and sounds of successful battles to defend the fortress. You might like to take a leap back to the Stone Age on the alternative excursion to the architectural site of Lepenski Vir with its exciting excavations and exhibits.

For an active adventure, you can opt to join a hike through the magnificent Djerdap National Park to its famous Kovilovo viewpoint. Rejoin the ship in Donji Milanovac and spend the afternoon on board for a truly impressive natural spectacle. Take a seat on the sun deck and relax as you cruise through one of the most impressive gorges in Europe, which also marks the border between Serbia and Romania.

In one section, the river narrows to a scant 200 meters wide and 80 meters deep. The majestic views of the Carpathian and Balkan mountains paint a memorable scene.

As you cruise, look for the small monastery church of Mraconia and the enormous 40-meter rock sculpture of the Dacian King Decebalus near Dubova.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Svishtov: 13:00 to 14:00 - Rousse: 18:00 to 20:00 - Giurgiu: 20:30 to 22:00

Admire the changing scenery as the ship makes its way around river bends and through the Iron Gates – a picturesque passage named for the two hydroelectric dams that control the water flow. 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 hidden among the steep hills overlooking the Danube.

Spend the morning cruising the Danube River through the Bulgarian countryside, gazing out upon delightful homes and colourful villages from the comfort of the ship’s deck.

Those who wish, can take part in an on-land optional excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi (not included). The tour will begin from Svishtov, and includes an exciting morning filled with culture and history, as well as lunch in a local Bulgarian restaurant.

The ship will continue to Rousse, where those who opted for the optional tour will meet back up with the cruise.

After lunch, the journey continues downriver. In the evening you can enjoy a festive Gala Dinner with your captain and an evening program which will be a great way to end the day.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 09:00 - Depart 23:00

The natural beauty of the Danube Delta is on full display today. Open your eyes, you're in paradise!

From Hârşova, discover the breathtakingly beautiful Danube Delta, one of the largest wetland biotopes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich variety of flora and fauna. The bus takes you from Hârşova to Tulcea, to your excursion boats, for a delta safari and a voyage of discovery through the beautiful nature reserve (not included, only bookable on board).

In the evening, a folklore program awaits you on board.

Overnight: Amadeus River Cruises – ‘Amadeus Nova’ ship

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive 09:00

During breakfast, reach the Romanian town of Fetesti, where you leave your floating hotel.

After disembarking, you will be transferred to Bucharest, and check in at a centrally-located 4-star hotel.

Thereafter, you can take part in a guided sightseeing tour through this vibrant city, which has a population of approximately two million and a unique charm thanks to its eclectic mix of buildings from different eras. Enjoy a guided panoramic bus tour of the capital, which has often been referred to as ‘Little Paris’. See its main attractions, including The Parliament, Arcul de Triumf (identical to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris), Lipscani (a neighbourhood that will remind you of Paris), and more.
The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure.

Overnight: Novotel City Centre Bucharest or similar, Bucharest

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Sinaia by bus.

Situated in the historic region of Muntenia, Sinaia was so named after the Sinaia Monastery, around which it was built. The town is characterised by its crayon-coloured wooden houses, contrasted with the ‘wedding-cake’ style of its grander 19th-century buildings. Here you will see the Peleş and Pelişor Castles and the Sinaia Monastery (entrance not included). Once home to Romania’s first king, Carol I, who created a summer retreat here, Peleş Castle is a dream of fairy-tale turrets and hidden passages. Approximately a 190-kilometre day.

Enjoy time at leisure for lunch (not included) and then transfer to the city of Brasov in the Carpathian Mountains of southern Transylvania. The city is home to Bran Castle, better known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’. Enjoy a panoramic city tour by bus and a walking tour with your tour leader, taking in the main attractions of this medieval city. The Rope Street, The Black Church, The First Romanian School, and the old town are just a few of the city’s highlights. After the tour, check in to the hotel.

Overnight: Aro Palace Brasov Hotel or similar, Brasov

Meals included: Breakfast

Following breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the sights of Brasov.

Learn the story behind the Dracula myth with a visit to Bran Castle (entrance included). Be transported back in time with a visit to the village museum, and learn how the farmers of this region used to live in days gone by. Continue the journey to the Rasnov Fortress (entrance not included). From the top of the fortress, you will be able to admire stunning views of the Carpathian Mountains and surrounding villages. In the evening, you might like to enjoy dinner in a local restaurant (not included).

You can opt to taste the restaurant’s mouth-watering fare ranges from ciorba soups to huge portions of meat.

Overnight: Aro Palace Brasov Hotel or similar, Brasov

Meals included: Breakfast

Today after breakfast, depart back to Bucharest and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in the historic city of Bucharest, a dynamic, energetic and fun capital. Approximately 180 kilometres.

Overnight: Novotel City Centre Bucharest or similar, Bucharest

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Today you will be transferred to Bucharest Airport for your return flight home to Australia (or New Zealand).

Meals included: Breakfast

Please note: Some flights may arrive +1 day later due to flight scheduling.

Meals included: None