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Germany & Eastern Europe

Wonders of the Danube Delta & Iron Gate Gorge

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The blue Danube sets the course for this memorable cruise - a journey that unfurls the history of Eastern Europe, from its riverside cities steeped in heritage to the vast Hungarian Plains.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
202320242025
10 days From $2,345 per person
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

2023 Tour code: GR-DBRA-23

About the tour

Cinematic landscapes carved by the mighty Danube River meet cities whose traditions and heritage span centuries in Eastern Europe. This part of the world is chock-full of adventure, and this thoughtfully planned river cruise vacation offers ten days for you to dip your toe into its wonders. Enjoy visits to major metropolises, including Bucharest, Belgrade, and Budapest, and the history waiting to be discovered in Constanta, founded by the ancient Greeks, and the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo. Unbelievable vistas and fantastic wildlife beckon as you cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Delta. Crossing into Serbia via the Iron Gate Gorge is an experience you are certain to treasure, as the area's dramatic moss-covered cliffs and towering rock face make it one of the most impressive natural wonders on the continent. Pair these highlights with touring of the Hungarian Plains, tastings of paprika, and performances of traditional music and dance to create a journey that truly brings these countries' essences to the surface. 

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

Highlights

View Dates & Pricing

What’s included

Itinerary:

Some departures run a reversed itinerary – View reversed itinerary (GR-DSRA-23)

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Day 1 - Bucharest

After meeting your group in London, you'll take a direct flight to Bucharest, the lively capital city of Romania. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for the night, checking in and enjoying a three course dinner to kick off our adventure. Overnight Bucharest.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Bucharest

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.

You have some free time for lunch and might like to try out one of the many al fresco restaurants tucked away amongst the tangled network of streets and parks. 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 5-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, formed by the river as it splits into thousands of tributaries on its way to the Black Sea.

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. Some of the attractions we'll see include the great mosque, art-nouveau casino and Genovese lighthouse. A short visit to the city's History and Archaeology Museum is also very enlightening, and there's even some time to take a stroll along the pristine beach before we return to our ship. Overnight ship.

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

We begin sailing towards Ruse, in Bulgaria, docking on  Day 5 for an excursion to Veliko Tarnovo. The city was once the cornerstone of Bulgaria's 14th century empire, and boasts impressive medieval churches and an Old Town of timber-framed buildings for us to explore on our guided tour. Overnight ship.

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

Today is spent at leisure on board as we make our way towards Belgrade. During the afternoon we pass through the 'Iron Gate' Gorge. Enjoy the cruise director's informative commentary as we witness towering mossy cliffs interspersed with ornate and detailed carvings hewn straight from the rock face. 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 is documented through its architecture. First up is the Kalemegdan Fortress; the oldest surviving part of the city and dating back to the 3rd century BC, it also offers wonderful views across the Danube and Sava rivers. Next we visit Belgrade's National Museum before seeing the parliament building, Terazije Square and lastly, the Palace of Princess Ljubica. With it's Asian influences this is an unusual building for this part of the world, and was built in the 1800s for the wife of Prince Miloš - the eponymous Princess Ljubica. Following lunch on board we set sail for Mohács. Overnight ship.

 

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

We arrive into the port of Mohács this morning, close to the Hungarian border, and embark on puszta tour by coach that takes us Kalocsa whilst enjoying stops along the way.

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 and how it help shaped the lives of the people who resided here. 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 and have time to freshen up before tonight's gala dinner. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Arrival in 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, enjoying the multitude of impressive sights that line the banks of the river as we sail leisurely through this historic and grandiose capital city. Following a last breakfast, we disembark and make for the train station in time for the train to Stuttgart, via Munich, where we spend the night. Overnight Stuttgart.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Return to London

We travel by rail directly to Paris this morning, where we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras International.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 1 - Numerberg

Begin today at London St Pancras, where you'll meet your Tour Manager as well of the rest of your group, to start your journey to Europe. Board the Eurostar travelling to Brussels, then change for the service to Nuremberg, via Cologne.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Budapest

After breakfast on  Day 2 we transfer to the station and make our way by rail to Budapest via Vienna, on arrival you'll be met at the airport for the transfer to your ship, the Amadeus Silver II and are welcomed with a cocktail in the lounge before dinner. Later take in the illuminated sights as we sail around the city. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Hungarian puszta tour

We arrive into the port of Mohács this morning, close to the Hungarian border, and embark on puszta tour by coach that takes us Kalocsa whilst enjoying stops along the way.

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 and how it help shaped the lives of the people who resided here. 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. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - 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. First up is the Kalemegdan Fortress; the oldest surviving part of the city and dating back to the 3rd century BC, it also offers wonderful views across the Danube and Sava rivers. Next we swing by Belgrade's National Museum before seeing the parliament building, Terazije Square and lastly, the Palace of Princess Ljubica. With it's Asian influences, this is an unusual building for this part of the world, one which was built in the 1800s for the wife of Prince Miloš - the eponymous Princess Ljubica. This afternoon, you return to the ship where you are free to enjoy the passing scenery, or perhaps relax in the lounge. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - The Iron Gate Gorge

Today is spent at leisure on board as we make our way towards Vidin. During the afternoon we pass through the 'Iron Gate' Gorge. Enjoy the cruise director's informative commentary as we witness towering mossy cliffs interspersed with ornate and detailed carvings hewn straight from the rock face.  Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Veliko Tarnovo

We begin sailing towards Ruse, in Bulgaria, docking for an excursion to Veliko Tarnovo. The city was once the cornerstone of Bulgaria's 14th century empire, and boasts impressive medieval churches and an Old Town of timber-framed buildings for us to explore on our guided tour.  Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Constanta

On  Day 7 we have a free morning on board the ship. This afternoon 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. Some of the attractions we'll see include the great mosque, art-nouveau casino and Genovese lighthouse. A short visit to the city's History and Archaeology Museum is also very enlightening, and there's even some time to take a stroll along the pristine beach before we return to our ship. Overnight ship.

 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Danube Delta safari

We hop aboard some smaller safari boats today for a nature cruise through the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta, formed by the river as it splits into thousands of tributaries on its way to the Black Sea.

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 9 - Bucharest

We arrive in Burcharest this morning and set out on a guided city tour, discovering the palaces, remains of medieval homes and 21st century modernist skyscrapers that all mesh together to make for a remarkable and surprising destination.

You have some free time for lunch and might like to try out one of the many al fresco restaurants tucked away amongst the tangled network of streets and verdant parks. We transfer to our hotel for the night. Overnight Bucharest.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Journey Home

Following breakfast on  Day 10, we disembark and make for the airport for your flight back home.

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.

Trains

Eurostar
TGV

Ship

MS Amadeus Silver II
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