Hosted by Blair and David
AmaWaterways River Cruise
Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia
AmaWaterways River Cruise
Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia
July 1 Budapest EMBARKATION Board the ship for our Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. (D)
NOTE: We will spend an additional night in Budapest to recover from travel and see more of this remarkable city - details later.
July 2 Budapest, Hungary Scenic cruising
Mohacs: Pécs excursion OR Szekszárd wine tasting OR Guided Bike Ride Along the Danube
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)
NOTE: We will spend an additional night in Budapest to recover from travel and see more of this remarkable city - details later.
July 2 Budapest, Hungary Scenic cruising
Mohacs: Pécs excursion OR Szekszárd wine tasting OR Guided Bike Ride Along the Danube
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)
July 3 Vukovar, Croatia: City tour and Eltz Manor House, OR Croatian wine tasting in Ilok, Croatia: Later, in Novi Sad, Serbia, “The Athens of Serbia”, take a walking tour OR Novi Sad bike tour - in the evening, visit the Petrovaradin Fortress.
Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Manor House. 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. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. (B,L,D)
Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Manor House. 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. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. (B,L,D)
July 4 Belgrade, Serbia: “The City by Two Rivers” tour OR Belgrade Fortress hike
“Brandies of Belgrade” tasting OR Belgrade bike 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 plum 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. (B,L,D)
“Brandies of Belgrade” tasting OR Belgrade bike 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 plum 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. (B,L,D)
July 5 Iron Gates, Serbia: Golubac Fortress visit Scenic Cruising – 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)
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)
July 6 Vidin, Bulgaria: Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting OR Vidin bike tour.
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. (B,L,D)
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. (B,L,D)
July 7 Rousse, Bulgaria: Veliko Tarnovo excursion OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour. Later, Bucharest excursion.
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)
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)
July 8 Giurgiu, Romania DISEMBARKATION
Bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home (Bucharest). (B)
Bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home (Bucharest). (B)
PRICING & DECK PLAN:
Deck Plan for AmaBella
High Window
Cat. E 170 sf Regular Price $3999 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $3223.40 including port charges
Single rate $5022.80
Cat. D 170 sf Regular Price $4298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $3462.40 including port charges
Single rate $5381.60
French Balcony
Cat. C 170 sf Regular Price $5298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $4262.40 including port charges
Single rate $6581.60
Twin Balcony (French balcony plus outside balcony)
Cat. BB 210 sf Regular Price $6098 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $4742.40 including port charges
Single rate $7301.60
Cat. BA 210 sf Regular Price $4298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $4902.40 including port charges
Single rate $7541.60
Larger Twin Balcony (French balcony plus outside balcony)
Cat. AB 235 sf Regular Price $6298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $5062.40 including port charges
Single rate $7781.60
Cat. AA 235 sf Regular Price $6498 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $5222.40 including port charges
Single rate $8021.60
Cat. SS Suite 350 sf Regular Price $7798 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $6262.40 including port charges
NOTE: Only two single cabins are allowed at the reduced rates above. For more than two single cabins the rate is 200% of the double fare
INCLUSIONS: Port fees, Tips, Tours, Wine and beer at lunch and dinner, 1 bottle of wine in cabin
ALSO: reduced deposit of $200 person normally $400 per person
The promo has a very short window and ends on September 30. After September 30, the 20% discount, prepaid tips, and reduced deposit goes away, and I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET IT BACK.
Deck Plan for AmaBella
High Window
Cat. E 170 sf Regular Price $3999 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $3223.40 including port charges
Single rate $5022.80
Cat. D 170 sf Regular Price $4298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $3462.40 including port charges
Single rate $5381.60
French Balcony
Cat. C 170 sf Regular Price $5298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $4262.40 including port charges
Single rate $6581.60
Twin Balcony (French balcony plus outside balcony)
Cat. BB 210 sf Regular Price $6098 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $4742.40 including port charges
Single rate $7301.60
Cat. BA 210 sf Regular Price $4298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $4902.40 including port charges
Single rate $7541.60
Larger Twin Balcony (French balcony plus outside balcony)
Cat. AB 235 sf Regular Price $6298 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $5062.40 including port charges
Single rate $7781.60
Cat. AA 235 sf Regular Price $6498 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $5222.40 including port charges
Single rate $8021.60
Cat. SS Suite 350 sf Regular Price $7798 with $250 group discount and 20% promo discount $6262.40 including port charges
NOTE: Only two single cabins are allowed at the reduced rates above. For more than two single cabins the rate is 200% of the double fare
INCLUSIONS: Port fees, Tips, Tours, Wine and beer at lunch and dinner, 1 bottle of wine in cabin
ALSO: reduced deposit of $200 person normally $400 per person
The promo has a very short window and ends on September 30. After September 30, the 20% discount, prepaid tips, and reduced deposit goes away, and I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET IT BACK.
