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Gems of Southeast Europe with Vienna and Istanbul

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Gems of Southeast Europe with Vienna and Istanbul

No Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
New Release River Cruise
River View
$6,324
Balcony
$7,823
Suite
$10,323
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
13 Days
 Cruise Starts
Vienna
 Cruise Finishes
Istanbul
13 Day Gems of Southeast Europe with Vienna and Istanbul Itinerary (AmaWaterways)
Countries Explored: Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey
 Cruise Length
13 Days
 Cruise Starts
Vienna
 Cruise Finishes
Istanbul
13 Day Gems of Southeast Europe with Vienna and Istanbul Itinerary (AmaWaterways)
Countries Explored: Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey
Cruise Line
AmaWaterways
No Reviews
Ship
Departures
Passengers
160
Crew
51
Launched
2010
Refurbished
2021
Cruise Code
AJVI
Cruise Line
AmaWaterways
No Reviews
Ship
Departures
Passengers
160
Crew
51
Launched
2010
Refurbished
2021
Cruise Code
AJVI

Overview

From Vienna to Istanbul, and countless treasures in between, touch history in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey as you sail along the exotic lower Danube. Celtic fortifications, medieval towns and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates, showcase the best of eastern Europe. Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends; or to bike through Belgrade’s sprawling Kalemegdan Park. Wine connoisseurs...read more will have a chance to taste history from the centuriesold wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Ilok, a royal and vinous town. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. And the active adventurers will appreciate hiking to the UNESCO-designated Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches and biking through Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Park and Vidin’s Baba Vida castle. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent.
From Vienna to Istanbul, and countless treasures in between, touch history in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey as you sail along the exotic lower Danube. Celtic fortifications, medieval towns and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates, showcase the best of eastern Europe. Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends; or to bike through Belgrade’s sprawling Kalemegdan Park. Wine connoisseurs...read more will have a chance to taste history from the centuriesold wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Ilok, a royal and vinous town. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent. And the active adventurers will appreciate hiking to the UNESCO-designated Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches and biking through Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Park and Vidin’s Baba Vida castle. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent.

Itinerary

Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel.

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna's historic city center. (B)

Excursions:

  • Imperial Vienna tour

Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. During the evening, be treated to an Illuminations cruise. (D)

Excursions:

  • Transfer to Budapest
  • Queen of the Danube tour
  • Embarkation
  • Illuminations cruise
  • Illuminations Cruise

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. You'll then visit 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 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. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Scenic cruising
  • Pécs excursion OR Mohács bike tour OR Szekszárd wine tasting

Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you'll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you'll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the “Serbian Athens.” Discover Novi Sad on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike through Fruska Gora National Park. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Full-day Novi Sad tour OR Highlights of Vukovar tour OR Vukovar bike tour
  • Croatian wine tasting

Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes 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, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Or enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour or hike to Belgrade Fortress. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • “The City by Two Rivers” tour
  • Royal Palace and Tito's Memorial tour OR Quburich Brandy tasting OR Belgrade Fortress hike OR Belgrade bike tour

The Iron Gates is one of Europe's most aweinspiring 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 Serbian king Decebalus is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Full-day scenic cruising

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. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria's natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. 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)

Excursions:

  • Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik with choice to hike OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting OR Vidin bike tour

Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. 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, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Veliko Tarnovo excursion OR Rousse walking tour and Rock-hewn Churches tour
  • Bucharest excursion

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and board a motorcoach to journey through the Romanian countryside to Bucharest where you'll board your flight to Istanbul. (B)

Excursions:

  • Flight to Istanbul

Allow yourself to be led through Istanbul's fascinating Old City, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome, among other iconic sites. (B)

Excursions:

  • City tour

Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th-19th centuries. During your tour, marvel at the private chambers of the Sultans, the Harem (women's quarters) and the Imperial Treasury's vast collection, including the jewel-encrusted Topkapi Dagger and the stunning 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond. (B)

Excursions:

  • Topkapi Palace tour

Bid farewell to Istanbul as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel.

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered on your city tour. See the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna's historic city center. (B)

Excursions:

  • Imperial Vienna tour

Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. During the evening, be treated to an Illuminations cruise. (D)

Excursions:

  • Transfer to Budapest
  • Queen of the Danube tour
  • Embarkation
  • Illuminations cruise
  • Illuminations Cruise

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. You'll then visit 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 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. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Scenic cruising
  • Pécs excursion OR Mohács bike tour OR Szekszárd wine tasting

Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you'll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you'll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines. Back on board, cruise to Novi Sad, sometimes called the “Serbian Athens.” Discover Novi Sad on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center. If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or hike through Fruska Gora National Park. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Full-day Novi Sad tour OR Highlights of Vukovar tour OR Vukovar bike tour
  • Croatian wine tasting

Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes 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, who became the first President of Yugoslavia. Or enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour or hike to Belgrade Fortress. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • “The City by Two Rivers” tour
  • Royal Palace and Tito's Memorial tour OR Quburich Brandy tasting OR Belgrade Fortress hike OR Belgrade bike tour

The Iron Gates is one of Europe's most aweinspiring 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 Serbian king Decebalus is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Full-day scenic cruising

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. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria's natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations. 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)

Excursions:

  • Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik with choice to hike OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting OR Vidin bike tour

Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. 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, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

  • Veliko Tarnovo excursion OR Rousse walking tour and Rock-hewn Churches tour
  • Bucharest excursion

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and board a motorcoach to journey through the Romanian countryside to Bucharest where you'll board your flight to Istanbul. (B)

Excursions:

  • Flight to Istanbul

Allow yourself to be led through Istanbul's fascinating Old City, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome, among other iconic sites. (B)

Excursions:

  • City tour

Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans' Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th-19th centuries. During your tour, marvel at the private chambers of the Sultans, the Harem (women's quarters) and the Imperial Treasury's vast collection, including the jewel-encrusted Topkapi Dagger and the stunning 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond. (B)

Excursions:

  • Topkapi Palace tour

Bid farewell to Istanbul as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

Life Onboard AmaBella

AmaBella
AmaBella

Onboard AmaBella you'll find a massage and hair salon, fitness room, specialty coffee station, gift shop, and a heated pool on the Sun Deck. Read more

All Excursions Included
All Excursions Included

Our guests have different tastes, so we offer a variety of included shore excursions so you can tailor your experience in every port of call. Read more

The Luxury Of Space
The Luxury Of Space

Sophisticated, contemporary and elegantly appointed, your spacious stateroom serves as your personal oasis for rejuvenation. Read more

Award-Winning Dining
Award-Winning Dining

All onboard dining, as well as unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner, is included so you can indulge whenever and however you'd like. Read more

Feels Like Family
Feels Like Family

Our staff are committed to the happiness of our guests and cruise after cruise they tell us of their wonderful experiences the've had with us. Read more

Active Ways To Discover
Active Ways To Discover

All of our guided hikes and bike tours are included in the cruise fare so you have more choices when it comes to how you prefer to explore. Read more

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Brochure

AmaWaterways Danube River Cruises (2025) Brochure

AmaWaterways Danube River Cruises (2025)

Flowing through multiple countries and four iconic capitals – Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Belgrade – the Danube winds through Old-World Europe, where castles were built, kings and queens were crowned, and visionary artists were inspired. With ships cruising the Danube River nearly year-round, no two journeys on this storied waterway are the same....more Plus, we offer an unparalleled variety of included excursions to suit every kind of traveler – in every single season.

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AmaWaterways Heart of the River (2026) Brochure

AmaWaterways Heart of the River (2026)

Step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences, where your journey is our passion. Allow us to share villages that time forgot. Walk along cobblestone streets filled with delights. Pedal through historic town squares. And revel in moments that last a lifetime. When you step aboard AmaWaterways, each day brings a genuine smile that warms the heart....more Every river a new culture that inspires, and each course a moment to savor and share. Experience these wonders and delights with AmaWaterways, the Heart of the River.

Availability USD USD Port charges, taxes and fees included.

Saturday 15 Mar 2025
Thursday 27 Mar 2025
Ship AmaVerde
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$6,174
View Cabins
Balcony
$7,573
View Cabins
Suite
$10,073
View Cabins
Friday 16 May 2025
Wednesday 28 May 2025
Ship AmaMagna
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,474
View Cabins
Balcony
$9,873
View Cabins
Suite
$10,473
View Cabins
Saturday 07 Jun 2025
Thursday 19 Jun 2025
Ship AmaVerde
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,074
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,473
View Cabins
Suite
$10,973
View Cabins
Friday 13 Jun 2025
Wednesday 25 Jun 2025
Ship AmaMagna
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,474
View Cabins
Balcony
$9,873
View Cabins
Suite
$10,473
View Cabins
Saturday 21 Jun 2025
Thursday 03 Jul 2025
Ship AmaBella
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,074
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,473
View Cabins
Suite
$10,973
View Cabins
Saturday 05 Jul 2025
Thursday 17 Jul 2025
Ship AmaVerde
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,074
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,473
View Cabins
Suite
$10,973
View Cabins
Saturday 02 Aug 2025
Thursday 14 Aug 2025
Ship AmaVerde
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,074
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,473
View Cabins
Suite
$10,973
View Cabins
Saturday 16 Aug 2025
Thursday 28 Aug 2025
Ship AmaBella
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,174
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,573
View Cabins
Suite
$11,073
View Cabins
Saturday 30 Aug 2025
Thursday 11 Sep 2025
Ship AmaVerde
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,474
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,873
View Cabins
Suite
$11,373
View Cabins
Saturday 11 Oct 2025
Thursday 23 Oct 2025
Ship AmaBella
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,374
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,773
View Cabins
Suite
$11,273
View Cabins
Saturday 25 Oct 2025
Thursday 06 Nov 2025
Ship AmaVerde
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,074
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,473
View Cabins
Suite
$10,973
View Cabins
Saturday 08 Nov 2025
Thursday 20 Nov 2025
Ship AmaBella
River View
$6,974
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,373
View Cabins
Suite
$10,873
View Cabins
Saturday 09 May 2026
Thursday 21 May 2026
Ship AmaVerde
River View
$7,324
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,823
View Cabins
Suite
$11,323
View Cabins
Friday 15 May 2026
Wednesday 27 May 2026
Ship AmaMagna
River View
$7,724
View Cabins
Balcony
$10,223
View Cabins
Suite
$10,823
View Cabins
Saturday 06 Jun 2026
Thursday 18 Jun 2026
Ship AmaVerde
River View
$7,324
View Cabins
Balcony
$8,823
View Cabins
Suite
$11,323
View Cabins
Friday 12 Jun 2026
Wednesday 24 Jun 2026
Ship AmaMagna
River View
$7,724
View Cabins
Balcony
$10,223
View Cabins
Suite
$10,823
View Cabins
Summer Triple Savings
Saturday 04 Jul 2026
Thursday 16 Jul 2026
Ship AmaVerde
River View
Save $1,000
$6,324
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $1,000
$7,823
View Cabins
Suite
Save $1,000
$10,323
View Cabins
Summer Triple Savings
Saturday 18 Jul 2026
Thursday 30 Jul 2026
Ship AmaBella
River View
Save $1,000
$6,324
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $1,000
$7,823
View Cabins
Suite
Save $1,000
$10,323
View Cabins
Summer Triple Savings
Saturday 15 Aug 2026
Thursday 27 Aug 2026
Ship AmaBella
River View
Save $1,000
$6,424
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $1,000
$7,923
View Cabins
Suite
Save $1,000
$10,423
View Cabins
Summer Triple Savings
Saturday 29 Aug 2026
Thursday 10 Sep 2026
Ship AmaVerde
River View
Save $1,000
$6,724
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $1,000
$8,223
View Cabins
Suite
Save $1,000
$10,723
View Cabins
Saturday 26 Sep 2026
Thursday 08 Oct 2026
Ship AmaVerde
River View
$7,724
View Cabins
Balcony
$9,223
View Cabins
Suite
$11,723
View Cabins
Friday 13 Nov 2026
Wednesday 25 Nov 2026
Ship AmaMagna
*This departure itinerary varies slightly. The finalised itinerary will be provided with final documentation.
River View
$7,324
View Cabins
Balcony
$9,823
View Cabins
Suite
$10,423
View Cabins
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by AmaWaterways. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from AmaWaterways. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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