Group Size: Up to 134 guests
Price: Starting from $4,625 double occupancy
Co-sponsored with: Bucknell, Case Western Reserve, National Trust, Rice, Swarthmore, Virginia Museum of Fine Art
Trip Overview
Join this custom-designed, 13-day travel program visiting seven countries, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the enchanting eastern Danube River Valley, a mystical region steeped in natural beauty that remains virtually unknown to Westerners. Cruise for nine nights aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe Amadeus Star from the Habsburgs’ imperial capital of Vienna to the Black Sea. Here, a rich mosaic of medieval cities, charming villages and rugged countrysides await you, from the ancient lands of Bulgaria to the relatively young territories of Serbia and eastern Croatia, the spectacular Carpathian Mountains and Hungary’s fabled Puszta (plains) to the glittering palaces of Budapest. Admire a masterful display of traditional horsemanship in the Hungarian heartland, immerse yourself in the Slavic heritage of medieval Belgrade and cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates, which divide the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Spend two nights in Romania’s elegant capital of Bucharest, known for its splendid architecture. Deepen your knowledge of the Danube with the Vienna Pre-Program Option and see authentic castles of local lore on the Transylvania Post-Program Option.
Schedule by Day
- Oct 10: Depart the U.S.
- Oct 11: Vienna, Austria / Embark Amadeus Star
- Oct 12: Bratislava, Slovakia
- Oct 13: Budapest, Hungary
- Oct 14: Kalocsa
- Oct 15: Vukovar, Croatia / Novi Sad, Serbia
- Oct 16: Belgrade
- Oct 17: Donji Milonavac for Lepinski Vir / Cruising through Iron Gates
- Oct 18: Nikopol, Bulgaria for Arbanasi and Veliko Târnovo/ Ruse
- Oct 19: Fetești, Romania, for Constanta
- Oct 20: Fetești / Disembark ship / Bucharest
- Oct 21: Bucharest
- Oct 22: Bucharest / Return to U.S.
Pricing
Per person double occupancy:
- Category 7: $4,625
- Category 6: $4,925
- Category 5: $5,225
- Category 4: $5,625
- Category 3: $5,925
- Category 2: $6,225
- Category 1: $6,625
- Junior Suite: $7,225
Single occupancy:
- Category 7: $7,400
- Category 6: $7,880
- Category 5: $8,360
- Category 4: $9,000
- Category 3: $9,480
- Category 2: $9,960
- Category 1: $10,600
- Junior Suite: $11,560
Accommodations
- Nine nights aboard the Amadeus Star
- Two nights at the Athenee Palace Hilton in Bucharest
Optional Extensions
OPTIONAL PRE-EXTENSION:
Imperial Vienna: October 8–11, 2022
$895 per person double occupancy
$1,245 single occupancy
OPTIONAL POST-EXTENSION:
Castles of Transylvania: October 22–25, 2022
$995 per person double occupancy
$1,245 single occupancy
What to Expect
Many of the cities and towns being visited were founded centuries ago, and the terrain is rugged. Therefore, a fair amount of walking along narrow cobblestone streets, stone floors or uneven and/or slippery terrain and climbing several flights of stairs (some without railings) is to be expected. Walking excursions often cover distances of at least one mile and are approximately three hours in length.
