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13 day Gems of Southeast Europe river cruise tour

Aug 26 to Sep 7, 2023

Other dates throughout the year also available

Book this amazing river cruise tour vacation with Clarkson Travel and enjoy Pre-Paid Gratuities!

Book now and receive savings of up to $1,200CAD per stateroom – time sensitive offer!

Let us treat you to a private limo ride to Pearson Airport on departure, or enjoy $70 credit

Fares start at C$7,934 pp in double occupancy, Category E – AFTER savings!

All of this is included:

  • 2 nights hotel, including guided touring
  • Transfer from Vienna to Budapest via motorcoach
  • 7 nights aboard AmaBella in luxurious accommodations of your choice
  • Wine and beer with lunch and dinner, plus sip-and-sail cocktail hour before dinner
  • Guided shore excursions in every port of call
  • Transfer from the ship to the airport in Bucharest and fly to Istanbul
  • 3 nights hotel in Istanbul, including guided daily excursions

 

Why we think you will like it!

  • Start touring in imperial Vienna and end in the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul
  • in ViennaTouch history in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, as you sail along the exotic lower Danube.
  • Celtic fortifications, medieval towns and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates, showcase the best of eastern Europe.
  • Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends
  • Bike through Belgrade’s sprawling Kalemegdan Park.
  • Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Ilok, a royal and vinous town.
  • Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent.

“…years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So, sail away from the safe harbour. Explore. Dream.”

Mark Twain

Budapest Hungary
Gems South East Europe Map

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Vienna Austria

Day 1, VIENNA:  Arrive in Vienna and check in to your hotel

Day 2, VIENNA

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. (B)

Day 3, VIENNA – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – EMBARKATION
Transfer from Vienna via motorcoach to Budapest where you’ll be taken on a city tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge. (B,D)

Budapest Hungary

Day 4, MOHÁCS – PÉCS

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. You’ll then visit 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 for wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács. (B,L,D)

Day 5, VUKOVAR, CROATIA – NOVI SAD, SERBIA

Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you’ll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the “Serbian Athens.” Discover Novi Sad on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike through Fruska Gora National Park. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. (B,L,D)

Day 6, BELGRADE, SERBIA

Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family; and then tour the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. Later in the day, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Day 7, SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES

Visit Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one 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, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. (B,L,D)

Gems of SE Europe
Day 8, 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. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. 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 9, 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. Later in the day, 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. (B,L,D)

Day 10, GIURGIU – DISEMBARKATION– BUCHAREST – ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and board a motorcoach to journey through the Romanian countryside to Bucharest. Later, board your flight to Istanbul, where you’ll check into your hotel. (B)

Day 11, ISTANBUL

Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans’ Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th-19th centuries. During your tour, marvel at the private chambers of the Sultans, the Harem (women’s quarters) and the Imperial Treasury’s vast collection, including the jewel-encrusted Topkapi Dagger and the stunning 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond. (B)

Day 12, ISTANBUL

Depart your hotel for an enriching guided walking tour, during which you will explore the Hagia Sophia, formerly a church before becoming a mosque and finally a museum. A beautiful example of Old-World architecture, this museum showcases lovely Christian murals and Islamic symbols throughout. After the Hagia Sophia, visit Istanbul’s similarly beautiful Blue Mosque, named for the Blue İznik tiles that cover its interior. For those who are interested, be guided to the lively Grand Bazaar and venture through the market before returning to your hotel. (B)

Day 13, DEPART ISTANBUL

Bid farewell to Istanbul as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

Why We Love AmaWaterways!

“The trip itself was both spectacular and amazing! I cannot say enough about AMA, it is a first class operation and we felt more like honored guests than passengers. Everything went smoothly, especially transfers, and even when it didn’t, it was handled so fast and professionally that it did not matter at all.

Rachel, our Cruise Director was a big part of that, she was not only so much fun and so energetic and upbeat, she was also truly an amazing person, and any cruise she is on don’t hesitate to recommend, as she is the ‘secret sauce’! The wines were good to excellent and the food was excellent to gourmet, far above a standard cruise. Service was awesome. The crew was great. Truly for us it was the “trip of a lifetime” kind of thing, that trip would be a really, really hard one to top.”

– John and Debby M.

THE EXPERIENCE

With eighteen years of experience on the world’s rivers, AmaWaterways family-owned and operated company has remained focused on what they do best: providing our guests with innovative and unforgettable travel experiences.

We have the passion and knowledge to help you travel better!

Fares are subject to change and space cannot be guaranteed. Book early for best availability and fares!