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Danube Delta to the Austrian Lake District

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Central Europe, where beauty is abundant and traditions hold firm, is yours to discover on this 14-night river cruise vacation along the Blue Danube.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

2024 Tour code: GDR24

About the tour

Refined amenities and a well-planned itinerary featuring some of Central Europe's most dynamic metropolises and historical destinations are hallmarks of this memorable cruise along the Danube River. For fourteen nights, enjoy unparalleled access to some of the continent's most striking landscapes and fascinating cities, with exciting excursions bringing each new stop to life.

Comprehensive touring experiences unveil the landmarks and legends that make cities like Bucharest, Belgrade, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Regensburg so intriguing. Visits to historic locales, including Constanta, founded by the ancient Greeks; mountainside Veliko Tarnovo; and Melk Abbey in the breathtaking Wachau Valley, are experiences you are unlikely to forget. Immerse in rich culture as you traverse the Hungarian Plains and explore the beauty of the Austrian Lake District. While the ports are fantastic, the river offers an unbelievable backdrop for adventure. A safari through the Danube Delta opens your eyes to UNESCO World Heritage-protected waterscapes and wildlife, whereas sailing through the intimidating Iron Gate Gorge gives the perfect example of just how dramatic the Danube's surroundings can be. Pair all this with the excellent cuisine and high-end experience on your five-star Amadeus cruise ship for a vacation you will remember fondly for years to come.

Itinerary is also available from Passau to Bucharest based on your travel preference.

 

Highlights

Register your interest
  • Call to register

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Bucharest

After meeting your group in London, this evening you'll take a direct flight to Bucharest, the lively capital city of Romania. Overnight Bucharest.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Bucharest and embarkation

We set out on a guided city tour on  Day 2, discovering the palaces, remains of medieval homes and 21st century modernist skyscrapers that all mesh together to make for a remarkable and surprising destination. We transfer to our ship this afternoon, the Amadeus Silver II, where we're welcomed with a drink. There's time to settle into your cabin before our first five-course dinner. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Danube Delta safari

We hop aboard some smaller safari boats today for a nature cruise through the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta. This specialist biosphere reserve is jam-packed with wildlife, including many rare and endangered species such as golden jackal, European hoopoe, white-tailed eagle and lesser-spotted woodpecker. Back on board we enjoy a relaxing afternoon sailing back to Fetesti. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Constanta

After breakfast, we're driven by coach to the nearby port town of Constanta for a guided tour. Here we uncover Constanta's ancient history from its Greek origins to its Roman ancestry and Persian influences. Afterwards we begin sailing towards Ruse, in Bulgaria. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Veliko Tarnovo

Docking on  Day 5 for an excursion to Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - 'Iron Gate' Gorge

Day 6 is spent at leisure on board as we make our way towards Belgrade. During the afternoon we pass through the 'Iron Gate' Gorge. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Serbia

We moor in the Serbian capital of Belgrade this morning, heading out on a guided walking tour to see the attractions of a city whose varied history can be documented through its architecture. Afterwards you are free to continue sightseeing, or do a little shopping, independently. Following lunch on board we set sail for Mohács, close to the Hungarian border. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Hungarian Puszta Tour

We embark on a puszta tour by coach on  Day 8. The puszta itself is an area of Hungary defined by its grassland ecosystem set amongst the Great Hungarian Plains, and which has a certain 'wild west' feel to it. Our first visit during our time here is to a paprika house. One of Hungary's most famous and important cooking ingredients, paprika was once known as 'red gold' in this region, and we get to taste it in a variety of dishes while learning about the spice's historic significance. We continue to the former home of a wealthy 19th century family where we are treated to a performance of traditional folk music and dancing before heading out into the great plains themselves to try some more local delicacies, meet Hungarian half-blood horses and experience a wagon ride hauled by these magnificent and powerful creatures. We meet the Amadeus Silver II in Kalocsa, with time to freshen up before tonight's gala dinner. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Exploring Budapest

A city of two halves divided by the mighty River Danube and sewn together by a collection of beautiful bridges, we enter the handsome city of Budapest in the most elegant way possible. You have some free time to go sightseeing and a light lunch will be available on board, though the staff will also be preparing the ship for a new cohort of GRJ adventurers to join us.

This evening we stay aboard the Amadeus Silver II for a Budapest illuminations tour, followed by a traditional Hungarian folklore show in the panoramic bar. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Budapest

Day 10 includes a guided coach tour as well as an atmospheric sailing along the Danube Bend at sunset. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Bratislava

Your morning is at leisure before we moor up early this afternoon. After lunch, we set out on a guided coach tour of the Slovakian capital, a picture-postcard destination which boasts historic Gothic buildings, a wealth of museums and galleries, and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. The historic centre features delightful cobblestoned roads, pedestrianised plazas, 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - Vienna

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive into glorious Vienna for a comprehensive sightseeing tour on Day 12.

Tonight a real treat awaits us on board, where after dinner we are joined by musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for an exclusive, private recital. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - Melk Abbey

Today we reach Austria's Wachau Valley, arriving at the idyllic village of Dürnstein before journeying by coach to Melk Abbey. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - Salzburg or the Austrian Lake District

On  Day 14 there's a choice of excursions. Discover the spectacular scenery of the Austrian lakes, or travel by coach to Salzburg for a guided sightseeing tour. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 - Regensburg

Regensburg is our port of call this morning, which we explore on foot. This medieval town contains many buildings that testify to its history as a trading centre which had a huge influence on the whole region from the 9th century onwards. Back on board tonight, we attend the Captain's gala dinner, a chance to don our evening-wear and celebrate our cruise experience. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 - London

On  Day 16 we disembark after breakfast to start the journey back to the UK by rail. First we travel by rail from Passau to Frankfurt, changing for the service to Brussels where we join the Eurostar service to London.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Train

Eurostar

Ship

MS Amadeus Silver II