Grand Danube Cruise 2026 Start Vilshofen, End Giurgiu

Begin your grand Danube cruise in the charming city of Vilshofen. Board your luxurious ship and settle in for an unforgettable journey. In the evening, join in the festive Oktoberfest celebration, an exclusive AmaWaterways event. Enjoy traditional Bavarian music and beer, and get a taste of the local culture. (D)

Spend the morning exploring Vilshofen at your leisure. Later, cruise to Passau, a city renowned for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Choose from a walking tour of the city, a guided bike tour along the Inn River, or a hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Marvel at the stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral and soak in the city's rich history. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Linz and choose from several exciting excursions. Opt for a full-day trip to Salzburg, where you'll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. On the way, stop at Mondsee, home to the Basilica St. Michael. Alternatively, join a walking tour through Linz's old city center and visit the Mozart House, or bike along the city's famed 'Cultural Mile' and the Danube. You can also visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. (B,L,D)

Relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy panoramic views as you cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley. Upon reaching Weissenkirchen, choose from several excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey, or hike up to the ruins of Durnstein Fortress for spectacular views. Alternatively, cycle through the Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour, or sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. In the evening, enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner. (B,L,D)

Discover the 'City of Waltzes', Vienna. 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. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, exploring this iconic city further. (B,L,D)

Explore Bratislava, the 'Coronation City of Kings', on a walking tour. Discover the city's rich history, marked by the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens. Alternatively, join a special 'Tastes of Slovakia' tour or hike up to Bratislava Castle for magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)

Explore both the Buda and Pest sides of the Danube River in Budapest. Start on the Buda side, touring the city's Castle District, Fisherman's Bastion, and Matthias Church. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest's Castle Hill. In the afternoon, admire the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square, and the moving 'Shoes on the Danube Bank' memorial on the Pest side. (B,L,D)

Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace, with its royal stables and Baroque theater. Enjoy lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant before heading to Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain. Tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-driving world champion brothers Lazar. Witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition dating back to the 9th century. (B,L,D)

Welcome to Pécs, a city founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis, St. Peter's Basilica, and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim, one of the city's symbols. Alternatively, choose a guided bike tour through Mohács or visit the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary. (B,L,D)

Spend the morning in Vukovar, where you can choose between a guided city tour, visiting sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar's famous water tower, or an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Alternatively, explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. (B,L,D)

Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour that includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. For a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour or hike to the well-preserved Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, sample a few types of Serbian brandy paired with local appetizers, or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on a walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park, stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center, and explore Liberty Square, dominated by the Old Town Hall. (B,L,D)

Experience one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. In the afternoon, visit Golubac Fortress, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe, and enjoy a tasting of locally sourced delicacies. (B,L,D)

Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities, and its surrounding areas. 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. (B,L,D)

Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. Alternatively, go to Rousse, known for its Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo. You may also opt to 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, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. (B,L,D)

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home. Reflect on the unforgettable journey you've had through the heart of Europe, filled with rich history, diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and memorable experiences. (B)