Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Gems of Southeast Europe

Included excursions with choice of standard tours, bike tours and hikes
Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships AmaBella and AmaVerde
Guided visits to UNESCO sites, museums and historic landmarks throughout

$7,972 pp twin share

7 nights

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Grand Danube Cruise (Wine Cruise)

Gems of Southeast Europe - route map

When & how much

Choose your departure

3 departures

Mon 19 Oct 2026 → Mon 26 Oct 2026 7 nights · Giurgiu → Budapest · AmaBella Outside $7,747 Balcony $10,446 Suite $13,295 from $7,747 pp twin share Departs in 7 days Select
Mon 2 Nov 2026 → Mon 9 Nov 2026 7 nights · Giurgiu → Budapest · AmaVerde Outside $7,297 Balcony $9,096 Suite $12,845 from $7,297 pp twin share Select
Mon 28 Dec 2026 → Mon 4 Jan 2027 7 nights · Giurgiu → Budapest · AmaVerde Balcony $7,972 from $7,972 pp twin share Enquire

Cruise Snapshot

7 Nights

Eight-day Danube river cruise through five countries, exploring medieval fortresses, ancient cities and natural wonders

Sail through the Iron Gates, Europe's most awe-inspiring natural gorges
Visit medieval fortresses including Golubac, one of Europe's best preserved
Taste wines from centuries-old Croatian and Hungarian wine regions

Trip Details

Departs: Mon 28 Dec 2026
Returns: Mon 4 Jan 2027
Embarks: Giurgiu
Disembarks: Budapest
Ship: AmaVerde
Operator: AMAWaterways

Touch 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. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Croatia. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent.

This river cruise journeys through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary, calling at Giurgiu, Rousse, Vidin, Golubac, Belgrade, Vukovar, Mohacs and Budapest.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaBella and AmaVerde.

On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

$7,972

pp twin share

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Life in transit

AmaVerde

Details · AmaWaterways

AmaVerde

Deck plans: 4

AmaVerde · Deck plans

Piano Deck

Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Day by day

Itinerary

1
Giurgiu
Mon 28 Dec
ARRIVE IN GIURGIU, ROMANIA. Embark the ship in Giurgiu for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise.
2
Rousse
Tue 29 Dec
ROUSSE, BULGARIA. 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.
3
Vidin
Wed 30 Dec
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. 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.
4
Golubac
Thu 31 Dec
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, 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.
5
Belgrade
Fri 1 Jan
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.
6
Vukovar
Sat 2 Jan
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.
7
Mohacs
Sun 3 Jan
MOHÁCS – PÉCS. Visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the UNESCOdesignated 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.
8
Budapest
Mon 4 Jan
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship in Budapest and prepare for your flight home.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Veliko Tarnovo Excursion.
Bucharest Excursion.
Rousse Walking Tour and Rock-Hewn Churches.
Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour.
Banitsa pastry and yogurt making.
Vidin bike tour.

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaBella and AmaVerde.

Stateroom categories available

Suite
Category AA
Category AB
Category BA
Category BB
Category C
Category D
Category E

Legendary Danube stateroom

From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?

This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.

When can I travel?

Departures are currently scheduled between 19 Oct 2026 and 04 Jan 2027, subject to live availability.

Are there different departure options?

Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.

What is generally included?

Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.

What style of accommodation is used?

Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.

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Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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