AMAWATERWAYS
22 Days | Grand Danube
Westbound

BUCHAREST TO PRAGUE

Day 1 | Bucharest, Romania. Arrive in Bucharest and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 | Bucharest. Explore Romania’s sophisticated capital Bucharest, sometimes referred to as the “Little Paris of the East” thanks to its wide boulevards and beautiful Arc de Triomphe. Tour the city’s most impressive sites—including the historic city center and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world. (B)

Day 3 | Bucharest. Sinaia. Brasov. En route to Brașov, stop in the charming town of Sinaia where you will tour Romania’s legendary Peleș Castle, a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture which was once the residence of the royal family. It is considered to be among the most stunning in Europe. Continue on to the lovely village of Brașov, where you will check into your hotel and enjoy a tour. (B)

Day 4 | Brasov, Giurgiu. Embark. Journey through the Romanian countryside via a motorcoach to Bran, where you’ll visit Transylvania’s legendary Bran Castle, which is forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Board your luxury ship in Giurgiu. (B)

Day 5 | Giurgiu. Rousse, Bulgaria. Step back into ancient history by touring Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, and its legendary medieval fortress and orthodox temples. Or opt to venture to the stunning city of Rousse, sometimes called Little Vienna for its breathtaking 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture and then afterwards marvel at the UNESCO-designated Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings and Bulgarian medieval art. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | 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 overlooking the Danube. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. Alternatively, be welcomed into a local home for a demonstration and tasting of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a delicious pastry with filo dough and cheese. Or you can choose to bike through Vidin for a more active adventure and see the castle. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Scenic Cruising on the Danube 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. The banks of the river dazzle with sheer-faced rocks that stretch high overhead along this natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient Serbian king Decebalus is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Belgrade, Serbia. Discover the wonders of Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour with highlights that include the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Later, choose from three intriguing excursions. Visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family; and then tour the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, the first President of Yugoslavia. Alternatively savor a taste of Šlivovitz, Serbian plum brandy, and other delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. Or join a guided bike tour for those wishing a more active adventure. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Novi Sad. Vukovar, Croatia. Enjoy a walking tour of Novi Sad to explore why some have called the city the “Serbian Athens” and see Dunavski Park and Stari Grad, the Old Town center. For a more active adventure, join a guided biking or hiking tour and enjoy a more active exploration. In the evening, you’ll be captivated by the legendary Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. Back on board, cruise to Vukovar, which is a Croatian symbol of resistance. See history come to life as you visit the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Palace. Or you could indulge in a Croatian wine tasting by choosing to visit Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, and sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Pecs, Hungary. Mohacs. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise 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. 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 2000 years ago. (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Budapest. Tradition will be on full display in Puszta, the Great Hungarian Plain. Tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the world champion carriage-drivers, the Lazar brothers. Afterwards, be treated to an unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship and then experience the Hungarians’ warm hospitality, along with a traditional lunch complete with typical Goulash. During the evening, be treated to a special Illuminations cruise past the capital’s glittering river front. (B,L,D)

Day 12 | 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 culinary host to sample traditional Slovakian specialties, as well as learn how to prepare stuffed potato ravioli with an opportunity to taste your own creation. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)

Day 13 | Vienna, Austria. The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and you have two ways to discover them. Join a city tour showcasing its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, you can enjoy leisure time or pedal your way to Klosterneuburg Monastery on a guided cycling tour. (B,L,D)

Day 14 | Durnstein. Melk. After reaching the Wachau Valley in the morning, you’ll have a choice of three excursions in Dürnstein. Partake in a walking tour along cobblestone streets to the luminous blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche, its famed church tower, before enjoying a wine tasting in a local cellar. For a beautiful view of the Wachau Valley, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. Alternatively, visit a local boutique, where you’ll be treated to the region’s finest apricot products. After your morning excursions, you have a choice to cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk or join a bike tour along the Danube. Upon reaching Melk, take a tour of the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. (B,L,D)

Day 15 Passau, Germany. Enjoy a scenic morning sailing to the medieval city of Passau. Join a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress overlooking Passau. (B,L,D)

Day 16 | Regensburg. Explore Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels; or bike to Walhalla where you'll see the neo-Classical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. (B,L,D)

Day 17 | Nuremberg. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Explore the medieval city center with a tour that showcases the Imperial Castle and the famous town wall, as well as Albrecht Dürer’s home and Market Square with its legendary fountain. Or you can take a guided tour of the city’s WWII history, including a visit to the infamous Zeppelin Field, a museum built on the site of former Nazi rallies and the site of the Nuremberg Trials when not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). (B,L,D)

Day 18 | Nuremberg. Disembark. Pilzen, Czech Republic. Prague. Depart the ship after breakfast and drive through the countryside to Pilzen, a city perhaps best known for producing Pilsner beer. You will have free time to explore this lovely town and have lunch before continuing to Prague and checking into your hotel. (B)

Day 19 | Prague. Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square, where you will find the famous Astronomical Clock. (B)

Day 20 | Prague. Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech’s beer some of the very best in the world. (B)

Day 21 | Prague. Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

WESTBOUND ITINERARY 22 DAYS | BUCHAREST TO PRAGUE Click HERE to view 22-day EASTBOUND itinerary.