Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Gems of Southeast Europe (New Year’s Celebration)

Accommodation aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaVerde throughout
Choice of guided tours and active bike excursions at each stop
Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars at Vukovar

$11,196 pp twin share

7 nights

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Best of the Danube (Taste of Christmas)

When & how much

Departure & Pricing

Your departure

Departs Mon 28 Dec 2026 Giurgiu

Returns Mon 4 Jan 2027 Budapest

Duration 7 nights

Ship AmaVerde

From pp twin share $11,196

Upgrades, transfers, accommodation and more can be quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Cruise Snapshot

7 Nights

A seven-night river cruise along the Danube, sailing from Giurgiu to Budapest through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary aboard AmaVerde

Sailing the Danube through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary
Scenic cruising through the Iron Gates gorges on the Danube
Excursions to Bucharest, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin and Belgrade

Trip Details

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

From Bucharest to Budapest, and countless treasures in between, touch history in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary 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 Gate, showcase the best of eastern Europe. Folklore followers will relish the opportunity go to Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history to the 14th-century Bran Castle, home of Prince Vlad Tepes who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula; as well as Sighi?oara, birthplace of Dracula; and to Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans. And the active adventurers will appreciate hiking to the UNESCO-designated Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches and biking through Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Park and Vidin’s Baba Vida castle. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. Note: Select Christmas Markets will be open during select departures and may vary. For full details and dates, visit the tourism website for each city

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

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaVerde.

$11,196

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
EMBARKATION – GIURGIU, ROMANIA. Embark your ship in Giurgiu. Tonight gather on board and meet your fellow passengers.
2
Rousse
Tue 29 Dec
GIURGIU – ROUSSE, BULGARIA. Experience the best of Bucharest, Romania’s capital, known as the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Then 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, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings.
3
Vidin
Wed 30 Dec
VIDIN. 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.
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 Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Alternatively, visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family, and the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Or enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery, followed by a panoramic tour of Avala Mountain. Later in the day, choose from a hike to Kalemegdan Fortress, known for its winding walking paths and incredible river views, or join a guided bike tour.
6
Novi Sad
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, HUNGARY. 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.
8
Budapest
Mon 4 Jan
BUDAPEST – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark your cruise in Budapest.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Bucharest excursion.
Veliko Tarnovo excursion.
Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights.
Belogradchik & Baba Vida Fortress.
Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting.
Vidin bike tour of Vidin.

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaVerde.

Stateroom categories available

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

Melodies of the 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 28 Dec 2026 and 04 Jan 2027, subject to live availability.

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.

Ready to lock in?

Book this cruise

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

Enquire about this cruise