DETAILS
Join this extraordinary 13-day journey along the fabled Danube River, from the Habsburgs’ imperial capital of Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the captivating Black Sea. Cruise for nine nights aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe Amadeus Star and spend two nights in Romania’s elegant capital, Bucharest. Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates and discover the enchanting eastern Danube River Valley, a mystical region virtually unknown to Westerners. Visit the ancient land of Bulgaria, the young territories of Serbia and eastern Croatia, Hungary’s fabled Puszta (plains) and the UNESCO World Heritage‑designated castles, palaces and squares of Budapest.
- Pricing from
- $4,795
Early booking savings of up to $2,000!
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International River Voyages
- Departure Dates
-
Oct 7, 2023 - Oct 19, 2023
Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 8, 2024
Imperial Vienna – Pre-Program Option
The former seat of the Habsburg Empire and one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural centers, Vienna showcases an open‑air museum of splendid Baroque architecture in its historical center—a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the famous Ringstrasse, see this remarkable city’s most important landmarks. Visit Hofburg Palace and see the Gothic‑style Stephansdom (Saint Stephen’s Cathedral). Learn more about the Austrian Empire in Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Habsburgs’ summer estate. Accommodations are for two nights in the historical, Five‑Star Hotel Imperial Vienna.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $895
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $1,245
Castles of Transylvania – Post-Program Option
Enjoy mystical Transylvania, Latin for “the land beyond the forest,” and learn more about central Romania’s rich medieval heritage. Admire the auburn splendor of the Carpathian Mountains, an evocative backdrop for grand castles with soaring spires where the Gothic narrative of Count Dracula lives on in local lore. Tour the 19th‑century fairy‑tale Peleş Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Europe; the imposing, 14th‑century Bran Castle; and Romania’s beloved Queen Marie’s former summer residence. See the Gothic Black Church in Braşov; visit the UNESCO World Heritage‑designated, 14th-century Sighişoara, the birthplace of Vlad Țepeş; and explore UNESCO‑inscribed Prejmar, the largest fortified church in southeast Europe. Spend two nights in the ideally located, deluxe Aro Palace in BraȘov and one night in the Five‑Star Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $995
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $1,245
-
Mary Werner DeNadai
Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA, is a nationally recognized architect and Trustee Emerita of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Her career spans four decades in the fields of historic preservation and classical architectural design and she has had personal involvement with projects that include the full spectrum of architectural styles, periods and building types. Mary has recently lectured on trips to the Rhine River, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Peru, Eastern Europe, Cuba, the Canary Islands and Morocco. She has been acknowledged and awarded for her achievements by the American Institute of Architects, as well as by other National, State and Local organizations.
CANCELLATION FEES: Final payment due at least 95 days prior to departure. Cancellation fees and penalties apply as follows:
| PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
96 days or more prior* 95-61 days prior 60-45 days prior 44-0 days prior |
FEE
Full refund 50% of program price 75% of program price 100% of program price |
*In the event of a cancellation between 45 and 95 days prior to departure, the refund will be by credit, usable on a future Gohagan & Company trip which commences on or before December 31, 2023. In addition, for all bookings, any applicable airline cancellation fees, optional excursion cancellation fees and administrative fees may apply. Click here for more information.
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
-
day 1
Depart the U.S. for Vienna, Austria
-
day 2
Vienna, Austria/Embark Amadeus Star
Arrive in Vienna the next day and embark the deluxe Amadeus Star. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception and dinner this evening.
-
day 3
Vienna/Bratislava, Slovakia
In Bratislava, enjoy a walking tour of the Staré Mesto (Old Town). Visit the Gothic 14th‑century Cathedral of St. Martin and the elaborate Primate’s Palace, famous for its collection of 17th-century English tapestries. See St. Michael’s Gate.
-
day 4
Budapest, Hungary
In Pest, see the Parliament Building, the second largest in Europe. At UNESCO-inscribed Heroes’ Square, admire monuments honoring Magyar chiefs who established the Kingdom of Hungary. Along Andrássy Avenue, see the Hungarian State Opera House. Cross the Chain Bridge linking Pest to Buda. On Castle Hill, visit St. Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion.
-
day 5
Kalocsa
Enjoy a scenic drive through Hungary’s scenic, protected Puszta grassland plains and visit a horse farm to see a performance of Hungarian horsemanship. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the farm’s restaurant. Continue to Kalocsa to visit the House of Folk Art and Paprika Museum.
-
day 6
Vukovar, Croatia/Novi Sad, Serbia
In Vukovar, see 18th‑century Eltz Manor and the iconic Grand Hotel, famously purchased by the city’s Labor Movement in 1919. Visit the Baroque Church of Saints Philip and James. Enjoy a walking tour of Novi Sad’s Old Town to see the Name of Mary Church, Town Hall and the 18th‑century Petrovaradin Fortress, Europe’s second largest fortress. Continue to Karlovci to visit the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas and Patriarchate Court. Enjoy a honey tasting in the Museum of Beekeeping.
-
day 7
Belgrade
Embark on a tour of Belgrade, featuring Terazije Square and Temple of St. Sava. Visit Kalemegdan Fortress and the famous “House of Flowers” museum dedicated to former Yugoslavia’s leader, Josip Broz Tito.
-
day 8
Donji Milanovac/ Iron Gates
Visit Lepenski Vir to see the impressive exhibition center of Paleolithic artifacts. Later, enjoy spectacular views of the Danube Gorge and cruise past the Iron Gates.
-
day 9
Nikopol, Bulgaria/ Veliko Tarnovo/Ruse
Visit Arbanasi’s perfectly preserved Konstantsaliev House and the 15th-century Birth of Christ Church. Continue to Veliko Târnovo’s historical town center and see the 12th-century Tsarevets Fortress.
-
day 10
Constanţa
In Constanța Old Town, see the poet Ovid’s statue in Ovidiu Square, the Great Mahmudiye Mosque, and the Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Reception on board this evening.
-
day 11
Feteşti/Bucharest, Romania/Disembark river boat
Arrive in Bucharest and visit the Palace of Parliament. Check into the InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest.
-
day 12
Bucharest
Visit the National Art Museum, housing Romania’s finest collection of artistic treasures, and tour the Village Open Air Museum. Enjoy the farewell reception this evening.
-
day 13
Bucharest/Return to the U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S.
Everything you need to know about the tour
Save this information for later by downloading the full tour brochure.
Be prepared with the National Trust Travel Plan
Since 1973, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services has served travelers just like you, to help protect their travel plans