Five-Star Grand Cruise - Black Sea to the Danube

Bucharest

After meeting your group in London, this evening you'll take a direct flight to Bucharest, the lively capital city of Romania. We set out on a guided city tour on Day 2, discovering the palaces, remains of medieval homes and 21st century modernist skyscrapers that all mesh together to make for a remarkable and surprising destination. We transfer to our ship this afternoon, the Amadeus Silver II, where we're welcomed with a drink and five-course dinner.

Danube Delta & Constanta

We hop aboard some smaller safari boats today for a nature cruise through the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta. This specialist biosphere reserve is jam-packed with wildlife, including many rare and endangered species such as golden jackal, European hoopoe, whitetailed eagle and lesser-spotted woodpecker. Back on board we enjoy a relaxing afternoon sailing to Fetesti.

After breakfast on Day 4, we're driven by coach to the historic city of Constanta for a guided tour. Here we uncover Constanta's ancient history from its Greek origins to its Roman ancestry and Persian influences. Afterwards we begin sailing towards Ruse, in Bulgaria, docking on Day 5 for an excursion to Veliko Tarnovo. Day 6 is spent at leisure on board as we make our way towards Belgrade.During the afternoon we pass through the 'Iron Gate' Gorge.

Serbia and a puszta tour

We moor in the Serbian capital of Belgrade this morning, heading out on a guided walking tour to see the attractions of a city whose varied history can be documented through its architecture. Afterwards you are free to continue sightseeing, or do a little shopping, independently.

Following lunch on board we set sail for Mohács, close to the Hungarian border, embarking on a puszta tour by coach on Day 8. The puszta itself is an area of Hungary defined by its grassland ecosystem set amongst the Great Hungarian Plains, and which has a certain 'wild west' feel to it. We visit paprika house and continue to the former home of a wealthy 19th century family, where we are treated to a performance of traditional folk music and dancing before heading out into the great plains to meet Hungarian half-blood horses. We meet the Amadeus Silver II in Kalocsa, ahead of tonight's gala dinner.

Exploring Budapest

Enter the handsome city of Budapest in the most elegant way possible. You have some free time to go sightseeing and a light lunch will be available. This evening, stay aboard the Amadeus Silver II for a Budapest illuminations tour, followed by a traditional Hungarian folklore show. Day 10 includes a guided coach tour as well as sailing along the Danube Bend.

Bratislava and on to Vienna

Your morning is at leisure before we moor up early this afternoon. After lunch, we set out on a guided coach tour of the Slovakian capital, a picture-postcard destination which boasts historic Gothic buildings and a wealth of museums and galleries. The historic centre features delightful cobblestoned roads, 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. After a calm night of cruising, we arrive in glorious Vienna for a sightseeing tour on Day 12. Tonight we are joined by musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for an exclusive, private recital.

Salzburg or the Lake District

Today we reach Austria's Wachau Valley, arriving at the idyllic village of Dürnstein before journeying by coach to Melk Abbey. On Day 14 there's a choice of excursions. Discover the Austrian lakes, or travel by coach to Salzburg for a guided sightseeing tour.

Regensburg is our port of call on Day 15, which we explore on foot. This medieval town contains many buildings that testify to its history as a trading centre which had a huge influence on the whole region from the 9th century onwards. Back on board tonight, we attend the Captain's gala dinner, a chance to don our evening wear and celebrate our cruise experience. On Day 16 we disembark after breakfast to start the journey back to the UK by rail, or air if you prefer. First we travel by rail from Passau to Frankfurt, continuing on to Brussels, and joining the Eurostar service to London.

London to Passau

Begin today at London St Pancras, where you'll meet your Tour Manager as well of the rest of your group, to start your journey to Europe. Board the Eurostar travelling to Brussels, then change for the service to Nuremberg, via Cologne. 

On Day 2 we make the short walk back to Nuremberg station for the train to Paasau. On arriving in Passau, we meet the Amadeus Queen or Silver II and are welcomed with a cocktail in the lounge before dinner.

Regensburg

Regensberg is our port of call this morning, which we explore on foot. This medieval town contains many buildings that testify to its history as a trading centre and to its influence on the whole region from the 9th century onwards. We enjoy dinner back on board tonight.

Melk Abbey & Salzburg or the Austrian Lake District

Today we have a choice of excursions. You could head further into the countryside for a day spent amidst the spectacular scenery of the Austrian lakes or travel by coach to Salzburg, via Mondsee, for a sightseeing tour.

On Day 5 we reach Austria's Wachau Valley, a famous wine-making region. We arrive in the idyllic village of Dürnstein where you have time at leisure before we begin cruising along the picturesque Wachau Valley. We then enjoy an excursion to Melk Abbey.

The history and music of Vienna

We arrive into glorious Vienna for a comprehensive sightseeing tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria's Imperial heritage, one full of tradition and rich in architectural, artistic and musical heritage. Tonight a real treat awaits us on board, where after dinner we are joined by musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for an exclusive, private recital.

Discovering Bratislava and Budapest

Your morning is at leisure aboard before we moor up early this afternoon. After lunch, we set out on a guided coach tour of Slovakian capital. Located in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava straddles the Danube which neatly divides the city into two parts; the Baroque Old Town (Stare Mesto) and the new city. This picture-postcard city destination historic Gothic buildings, several universities, a wealth of museums and galleries, and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. The historic centre features delightful cobbled stoned roads, pedestrianised plazas, pastel 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. Following our excursion, we return to the ship for another delicious, 5-course dinner.

On Day 8  we arrive at the scenic Danube Bend. This section of the river has a long and fascinating history and from the sun deck or panoramic windows in the bar, you'll be able to see castle ruins, churches, pretty houses hidden in the hills and dense forests.

After lunch on board, we enjoy a guided coach tour of Budapest, introducing us to Budapest's main sights. We pass impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the Danube, including the neo-Gothic Parliament building, the magnificent State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Castle, Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion. Later take in the illuminated sights as we sail around the city. We are also treated to a performance from a local Hungarian folk band in the lounge. On  Day 9 your morning is free to explore Budapest before we rejoing the ship as we cruise to Kalocsa.

Hungarian puszta tour

Embark on puszta (an area of Hungary defined by its grassland ecosystem) tour by coach today, visiting a paprika house, experiencing traditional folk music and meeting some Hungarian half-blood horses.

The Iron Gate Gorge & Serbia

We moor in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on today, heading out on a guided walking tour. Following lunch on board, you are free to continue sightseeing, or do a little shopping, independently. Day 12 is spent at leisure on board. During the afternoon, pass through the 'Iron Gate' Gorge.

Constanta & Veliko Tarnovo

We begin sailing towards Ruse, in Bulgaria, docking for a guided excursion to Veliko Tarnovo. After a free morning on Day 14, you're driven by coach to the nearby port town of Constanta for a guided tour. A short visit to the city's History and Archaeology Museum is also very enlightening.

Danube Delta safari

Hop aboard a smaller safari boat today for a nature cruise through the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta. This specialist biosphere reserve is jam-packed with wildlife, including many rare and endangered species such as the golden jackal, European hoopoe, whitetailed eagle and lesser-spotted woodpecker.

Bucharest

We arrive in Burcharest this morning and set out on a guided city tour, discovering the palaces, remains of medieval homes and 21st century modernist skyscrapers that all mesh together to make for a remarkable and surprising destination.

You have some free time for lunch and might like to try out one of the many al fresco restaurants tucked away amongst the tangled network of streets and verdant parks. We transfer to our hotel for the night.

Following breakfast on Day 17, we disembark and make for the airport for your flight back home.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.