Grand Danube Cruise (Festive Delights)

Experience more of Bucharest or visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to explore Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, or you may visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings

Excursions:

• Veliko Tarnovo excursion OR Bucharest Excursion OR Ivanovo Rock Hwen Churches & Rousse Highlights

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. Wine-lovers can instead enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, situated just outside of Vidin in the village of Negovanovtsi. Located on the vine-growing and wine-producing Danubian Plain, we will tour this boutique winery and end in the cellar for a tasting that includes traditional Bulgarian wines.

Excursions:

• Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt making OR Vidin bike tour OR Dos Alamos Wine Tasting

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, 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. After your scenic cruise, you will arrive at Golubac Fortress – one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe – for a tour.

Excursions:

• Scenic cruising
• Golubac Fortress Tour

Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor's life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress.

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. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on “The Athens of Serbia” walking tour. Stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall.

Excursions:

• “The City by Two Rivers” tour OR Belgrade Fortress hike
• “Brandies of Belgrade” Tasting OR Guided Bike Tour of Belgrade OR Novi Sad tour

Enjoy an afternoon in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you will have a chance to visit Eltz Manor House and its collection of historic artifacts, paintings and clothing. Alternatively, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. Wine connoisseurs will want to enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines.

Excursions:

• Highlights of Vukovar walking tour OR Vukovar bike tour OR Croatian wine tasting

Visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and 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.

Excursions:

• Pécs excursion OR Szekszárd wine tasting

Visit the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, originally constructed by count Antal Grassalkovich I during the 18th century. This Baroque palace has endured several renovation and renaissance periods throughout its history, including after its elegant contents were cleared out during World War II. It once held Soviet troops, served as a home for the elderly, was a favorite holiday destination of Hungary's Queen Elisabeth (Sis) and was more recently opened as a museum.

During your tour, you will visit the Queen Elisabeth exhibition and learn more about the history of the palace, as well as step inside the elegant Baroque Theatre and stables. You will also have a chance to stroll through the gardens of this stately multi-winged building.

Excursions:

• Royal Palace of Gödöllő Tour

Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city's Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest's Castle Hill.

In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial.

Excursions:

• Buda city tour OR Castle Hill hike
• Pest city tour

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 to Bratislava's gleaming castle.

Excursions:

• “Coronation City of Kings” walking tour OR Tastes of Slovakia OR Castle hike

Vienna offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, Vienna's historic city center, and then visit St. Stephen's Cathedral; or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria.

Excursions:

• “Imperial Vienna” tour OR Vienna city tour by bike
• Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens
• Free time

Enjoy your morning in the lovely Baroque village of Dürnstein. Stroll along Dürnstein's cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower on a walking tour. For a more culinary-focused experience in Dürnstein, enjoy an apricot liqueur and brandy tasting and special apricot treats from a local boutique. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to historic Dürnstein Fortress or cycle through Krems.

During the afternoon, visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube; or get active with either a bike tour along the Danube or a hiking adventure in Spitz. During the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine tasting experience where you'll enjoy some of the region's famous wines, including Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Excursions:

• Dürnstein Walking Tour OR Dürnstein Apricots and Sweets tour OR Dürnstein Fortress hike OR Krems bike tour/dd>
• Melk Abbey visit OR Danube bike tour OR Spitz hike
• Exclusive Wine Experience

For those who love The Sound of Music, enjoy a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael, where the famous wedding scene in the movie was filmed. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city's picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe's largest castle complexes.

Following these full-day excursions, you may also choose to take a brief walking tour in Linz. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or bike along the city's famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube.

Excursions:

• Full-day Salzburg excursion OR Full-day Český Krumlov excursion OR “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour

Join a walking tour and marvel at Passau's Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Or take a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. You can also ride to Wernstein on a guided bike tour. Later in the day, sail to the charming town of Vilshofen, where you'll be treated to an AmaWaterways-exclusive Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration complete with music, beer and pretzels.

Excursions:

• “City of Three Rivers” walking tour OR Passau Castle Hill hike OR River Inn bike tour
• Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration