Gems of Southeast Europe By AmaWaterways

Description

Included Tax + Daily Excursions

ITINERARY DETAILS:

Day 1 Giurgiu

Embarkation

Embark the ship in Giurgiu for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise

Day 2 Rousse

Veliko Tarnovo Excursion

Bulgaria’s ancient capital

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.

Choose from a variety of activities to enjoy on your cruise

Veliko Tarnovo Excursion

Bucharest Excursion

Rousse Walking Tour and Rock Hewn Churches

Day 3 Vidin

Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour

Experience Bulgarian traditions like a local

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.

Choose from a variety of activities to enjoy on your cruise

Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour

Banitsa Pastry and Yogurt Making

Vidin Bike Tour

Dos Alamos Wine Tasting

Day 4 Iron Gates

The Iron Gates and Dacia’s legacy

Wander ancient strongholds where history and nature collide.

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.

Choose from a variety of activities to enjoy on your cruise

Scenic Cruising

Golubac Fortress Tour

Day 5 Belgrade

Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade

Marvel at Belgrade’s iconic sites and UNESCO-protected landmarks.

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.

Choose from a variety of activities to enjoy on your cruise

“the City by Two Rivers” Tour

Fortress Hike

“brandies of Belgrade” Tasting

Guided Bike Tour of Belgrade

Novi Sad Tour

Day 6 Vukovar

Vukovar City tour

Manor houses, museums and Croatian wines

Discover Vukovar on a guided city or bike tour, visiting monuments like the Vukovar water tower and the historic Eltz Manor House. In the afternoon, savor Croatian wines in the Old Cellars or explore the Vucedol Museum, where prehistoric culture comes to life.

Choose from a variety of activities to enjoy on your cruise

Vukovar City Tour

Vukovar Bike Tour

Croatian Wine Tasting

Day 7 Mohács

A gateway to Hungary’s storied past

Immerse yourself in Pécs’s Roman roots and UNESCO treasures

Visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and 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.

Choose from a variety of activities to enjoy on your cruise

Pécs Excursion

Szekszárd Wine Tasting

Day 8 Budapest

Disembarkation

Disembark the ship in Budapest and prepare for your flight home.

Ship:

AmaVerde: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amaverde-river-cruise-ship