Cruise the Danube through seven countries, exploring winemaking traditions and medieval history from Vienna to the Iron Gates
Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with preserved medieval frescos
Wine tastings in Weissenkirchen, Vukovar, Belgrade, Vidin and Rousse
Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration aboard ship in Vilshofen
Trip Details
Departs
Mon 26 Jul 2027
Returns
Mon 9 Aug 2027
Embarks
Vilshofen
Disembarks
Giurgiu
Ship
AmaVerde
Operator
AMAWaterways
Journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings and immerse yourself in the winemaking traditions of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. 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, like the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, built into the side of a mountain showcasing well-preserved medieval frescos. Experience the Romans’ influence firsthand in Pécs, “the city of Mediterranean impressions," and through the taste of wine in Weissenkirchen, Vukovar, Belgrade, Vidin, and Rousse. From the imposing capitals of Budapest and Vienna to towns lost in time, immerse yourself in the colorful folktales and traditions of the extraordinary people and places you visit along the way.
This river cruise journeys through Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, calling at Vilshofen, Vilshofen, Linz, Weissenkirchen, Weissenkirchen, Vienna, Budapest and Budapest.
You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaMagna, 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.
Life in transit
Your transportsAmaVerde
Details · AmaWaterways
AmaBella
Deck plans
4
AmaBella · 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.
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.
Details · AmaWaterways
AmaMagna
Deck plans
4
AmaMagna · 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
Vilshofen
Mon 26 Jul
EMBARKATION – VILSHOFEN, GERMANY. Board the ship in Vilshofen for your Grand Danube Wine Cruise. In the evening, be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration – an AmaWaterways exclusive.
2
Vilshofen
Tue 27 Jul
VILSHOFEN. Enjoy a free morning to walk around the quaint village of Vilshofen. Later, cruise to Passau, where you have the option of exploring it one of three ways. Take 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 Inn River or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress..
3
Linz
Wed 28 Jul
LINZ. 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. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov – a guest favorite, located just over the Czech-Austrian border on a full-day excursion. In the afternoon, embark on a journey into the fascinating world of whiskey distillation on an exciting guided tour. Not available with full-day excursions
4
Weissenkirchen
Thu 29 Jul
WEISSENKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA. Head up to the Sun Deck for panoramic views as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau valleys. After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to your choice between two excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before tasting some of Weissenkirchen’s famed wines, made with apricots from Austria’s Wachau Valley. For a more active adventure, hike the trail up to the ruins of Dürnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where you’ll find spectacular views of the valley, river and village below. As a reward for completing the hike, enjoy tasting the wines of Weissenkirchen following your descent from the hill.
5
Weissenkirchen
Fri 30 Jul
WEISSENKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA. Today you will have the chance to join our tour of magnificent Melk Abbey. Sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, the Benedictine abbey is one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries, and you will marvel at the beautiful frescoes painted inside. Alternatively, get active on a bike tour through the breathtaking Wachau Valley.
6
Vienna
Sat 31 Jul
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. In the evening, be treated to an evening of Viennese wine and music and a traditional Austrian wine tavern.
7
Budapest
Sun 1 Aug
ESZTERGOM, HUNGARY. Today you have the opportunity to visit Budapest’s Buda (hilly) side of the Danube River. Follow 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.
8
Budapest
Mon 2 Aug
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater. This palace became the favored residence of the much-loved Habsburg Empress and Hungarian Queen Elizabeth, affectionately known as Sissi, 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.
9
Mohacs
Tue 3 Aug
MOHÁCS – PÉCS. Welcome to 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 choose a guided bike tour through Mohács. In the afternoon 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.
10
Vukovar
Wed 4 Aug
VUKOVAR, CROATIA. Explore this historic Croatian city of Vukovar on a city tour, where you may see sites such as the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Manor House. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For a more active excursion, enjoy a guided bike tour of Vukovar. In the afternoon, wine connoisseurs will want to sample Croatia’s famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines during a special tasting excursion. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe.
11
Belgrade
Thu 5 Aug
BELGRADE. Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour that includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. You may also explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on a full-day excursion or join a guided bike tour or hike to the well-preserved Belgrade Fortress with its conical towers. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a taste of the local flavors by sampling wine in Sumadija wine region. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour.
12
Iron Gates
Fri 6 Aug
SCENIC 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.
13
Vidin
Sat 7 Aug
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. Familiarize yourself with Bulgarian wines instead at Dos Alamos, a winery located next to vineyards on a hilly terrain where the sun shines all day long. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle.
14
Rousse
Sun 8 Aug
ROUSSE – GIURGIU, BUCHAREST. Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples, either followed by a wine tasting. For more active exploration, join an unforgettable hike up the iconic Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo. 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. Later in the day, head to the Leventa complex set in a unique fortification dating back almost 200 years where you will be treated to a tasting of three wines and learn more about their winemaking tradition.
15
Giurgiu
Mon 9 Aug
GIURGIU – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home.
What you get for the price
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Exclusive Oktoberfest.
Free Time.
“City of Three Rivers” walking tour.
Danube Bike tour.
“UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour.
“Cultural Mile” bike tour.
Where you’ll stay
Accommodation
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaMagna, AmaBella and AmaVerde.
Stateroom categories available
Category OS
Category GS
Category SA
Category SB
Category AA
Category AB
Category D
Category E
Gems of Southeast Europe stateroom
From the operator
Common questions about this voyage
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 15 days and 14 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 14 Mar 2027 and 15 Nov 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.
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.
