Grand Danube Cruise (Giurgiu to Vilshofen)

Our clients ask many questions about the who what and why about Ama Waterways. Let start with your stateroom which may have 2 balconies for AMA River Cruises guests. When in port guests can choose from a list of unique tours all included in your AMA River Cruise price. From a bike tour to a stop for a bratwurst with a beer the optionals are terrific. Clients rave in their AMA Waterways reviews about the personal service aboard their sailing. We receive so many comments about AMA Christmas river cruises. Pavlus Travel provides value all Ama River Cruises sailings. In fact we promise the lowest fare to all clients.
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Grand Danube Cruise (Giurgiu to Vilshofen)



Tour Description:

Journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. Step back in time to explore the history and mystery living in the hillsides while cruising the Danube and through the Iron Gates. Legends of all kinds are waiting to be uncovered—Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders; the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, built into the side of a mountain showcasing well-preserved medieval frescos; and the 14th-century Bran Castle, once home to Vlad the Impaler who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Experience the Romans’ influence firsthand in Pécs, “the city of Mediterranean impressions," and through the taste of wine in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times. From imposing capitals—Bucharest, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague—to towns lost in time, immerse yourself in the colorful folktales and traditions of the extraordinary people and places you visit along the way.

Map for Grand Danube Cruise (Giurgiu to Vilshofen)
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Dates & Pricing

Monday 22 Apr 24 — Monday 06 May 24Starting at $7,198 Get a Quote
Sunday 05 May 24 — Sunday 19 May 24Starting at $8,398 Get a Quote
Monday 20 May 24 — Monday 03 Jun 24Starting at $7,898 Get a Quote
Monday 10 Jun 24 — Monday 24 Jun 24Starting at $7,898 Get a Quote
Monday 17 Jun 24 — Monday 01 Jul 24Starting at $7,898 Get a Quote
Sunday 30 Jun 24 — Sunday 14 Jul 24Starting at $8,698 Get a Quote
Monday 08 Jul 24 — Monday 22 Jul 24Starting at $7,898 Get a Quote
Monday 15 Jul 24 — Monday 29 Jul 24Starting at $7,898 Get a Quote
Monday 05 Aug 24 — Monday 19 Aug 24Starting at $7,898 Get a Quote
Monday 12 Aug 24 — Monday 26 Aug 24Starting at $7,898 Get a Quote
Monday 02 Sep 24 — Monday 16 Sep 24Starting at $8,498 Get a Quote
Monday 09 Sep 24 — Monday 23 Sep 24Starting at $8,498 Get a Quote
Monday 30 Sep 24 — Monday 14 Oct 24Starting at $8,498 Get a Quote
Monday 07 Oct 24 — Monday 21 Oct 24Starting at $8,398 Get a Quote
Monday 28 Oct 24 — Monday 11 Nov 24Starting at $7,598 Get a Quote
Monday 04 Nov 24 — Monday 18 Nov 24Starting at $7,398 Get a Quote
Monday 24 Mar 25 — Monday 07 Apr 25Starting at $5,999 Get a Quote
Monday 07 Apr 25 — Monday 21 Apr 25Starting at $6,299 Get a Quote
Monday 05 May 25 — Monday 19 May 25Starting at $6,899 Get a Quote
Monday 19 May 25 — Monday 02 Jun 25Starting at $6,999 Get a Quote
Sunday 25 May 25 — Sunday 08 Jun 25Starting at $7,799 Get a Quote
Monday 02 Jun 25 — Monday 16 Jun 25Starting at $6,999 Get a Quote
Sunday 22 Jun 25 — Sunday 06 Jul 25Starting at $7,799 Get a Quote
Monday 30 Jun 25 — Monday 14 Jul 25Starting at $6,999 Get a Quote
Monday 14 Jul 25 — Monday 28 Jul 25Starting at $6,999 Get a Quote
Monday 28 Jul 25 — Monday 11 Aug 25Starting at $6,999 Get a Quote
Monday 11 Aug 25 — Monday 25 Aug 25Starting at $6,999 Get a Quote
Monday 25 Aug 25 — Monday 08 Sep 25Starting at $7,299 Get a Quote
Monday 22 Sep 25 — Monday 06 Oct 25Starting at $7,399 Get a Quote
Monday 06 Oct 25 — Monday 20 Oct 25Starting at $7,399 Get a Quote
Monday 20 Oct 25 — Monday 03 Nov 25Starting at $7,199 Get a Quote
Monday 03 Nov 25 — Monday 17 Nov 25Starting at $6,899 Get a Quote
Sunday 23 Nov 25 — Sunday 07 Dec 25Starting at $7,299 Get a Quote


Destination & Sightseeing

ITINERARY

Day 1
GIURGIU, BULGARIA – EMBARKATION. Embark the ship in Giurgiu for your Grand Danube Cruise.

Day 2
ROUSSE, BULGARIA. 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, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. You can opt instead to visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. Or, spend your morning in 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. In the afternoon, journey to a Rousse Wine House and the Leventa complex where you will be treated to a tasting of three wines while learning about the wine making process of this winery. (B,L,D) *Not available with full-day tours

Day 3
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. 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.

Day 4
SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES. 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. In the afternoon, visit Golubac Fortress – one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe and enjoy a tasting of locally sourced delicacies.

Day 5
BELGRADE, SERBIA. 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.

Day 6
VUKOVAR, CROATIA. 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.

Day 7
MOHÁCS – PÉCS. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács and 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. For wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go instead to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago.

Day 8
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater, followed by lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant. Afterward, head for Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain where you will tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-drive world champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition that goes back to the hordes of Magyar tribes conquering Hungary in the 9th century.

Day 9
BUDAPEST. 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.

Day 10
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA. 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 up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.

Day 11
VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The “City of Waltzes” is a treasure trove and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in the UNESCO-designated historic city center and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more.

Day 12
WEISSENKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA - GREIN. Be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Or hike the trail up to the ruins of Durnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where you’ll find spectacular views of the valley, river and village below. You can also choose to cycle through the Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour to Melk. For a more culinary-focused experience, sample wine and special apricot treats from a local boutique. Later in the day, head up to the Sun Deck for panoramic views as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau valleys. In the evening, head ashore in Grein for an exclusive castle visit.

Day 13
LINZ, AUSTRIA. The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll 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. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. Alternatively, you can visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov, a guest favorite located just over the Czech-Austrian border, on a full-day excursion.

Day 14
PASSAU, GERMANY. Discover the city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube River, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration – an AmaWaterways exclusive.

Day 15
VILSHOFEN, GERMANY – DISEMBARKATION. This morning, disembark your ship in Vilshofen.

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

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