CME Cruise Conference

Vienna, Australia -

This exciting journey along the Danube begins in Vienna, where you will embark in the afternoon. After exploring your floating luxury hotel, you have the opportunity of meeting the cruise director at a Welcome Cocktail. Our chef will spoil you with a lovingly prepared Welcome Dinner, after which your ship will weigh anchor and head towards Bratislava.

Bratislava, Slovakia -

You arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava before breakfast. This romantic city with its impressive Gothic and Baroque buildings is best explored in the morning, during the course of a city sightseeing tour, which takes you to all the most beautiful sights. You return to your AMADEUS ship for lunch on board, and thereafter you have the opportunity of visiting the imperial Festchloss Hof, once a residence of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresia, during the afternoon. The sumptuous gardens of this palace are highly recommended. Your ship weighs anchor before midnight and arrives in Esztergom in the morning.

During this tour you will get to know the capital of the young Slovakian Republic. The gorgeous old town has maintained its Gothic-Baroque style. The tour passes St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace and continues up to the hill, where you will have a stunning, panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas.

Afterwards, you have the opportunity to participate in a guided walking tour through the restored old town. From Michael’s Gate you will take a leisurely stroll through the historic city center, where you can admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings, as well as the Academia Istropolitana, the oldest university of the city, which dates back to the 15th century. In addition to numerous palaces, you will also walk past the main square with the old City Hall, the Opera House and Maximilian Fountain.

Duration: approx. 3 hours

From Bratislava the coach takes you to the Castle Hof in Austria. The magnificent complex was built in the early 18th century through the efforts of two of the most important personalities of the Austrian Baroque period. Field Marshall Prince Eugene of Savoy was already a legend in his lifetime. An art enthusiast, he provided almost unlimited funding for the construction of the castle. The brilliant architect Lucas von Hildebrandt created a virtuoso masterpiece comprising a magnificent palace, beautifully designed, terraced gardens and an idyllic country estate. Under its subsequent owner, Empress Maria Theresa, an additional storey was added to the palatial building, which was remodelled in the style of French Classicism in accordance with the tastes of the time. It is unique in Europe and has become a top destination for those who seek to delight in culture, nature and the fascinating world of the Baroque.

After visiting the inside of the castle, you will have enough free time to see the beautiful garden and the Maierhof with its numerous animals.

Duration: approx. 5 hours

Esztergom, Hungary -

After breakfast, you can join a guided tour to Esztergom and Szentendre – two towns which, though vastly different, are equally fascinating. In the former Hungarian capital of Esztergom you follow the footsteps of Hungarian kings and clerics, while the artists’ town of Szentendre is unique due to the many museums and contemporary galleries housed there. Passengers who choose to remain on board will, in the meantime, continue to Budapest, where those passengers who opted for the tour will rejoin the ship for lunch.

In order to enjoy the magnificence of the Hungarian capital, you can go on a city sightseeing tour during the afternoon. In the evening, you will enjoy an atmospheric cruise through Budapest, also known as the “Paris of the East”, which is festively lit up at night, revealing Budapest’s most beautiful side. A folklore show on board will complete the experience.

Esztergom, the former residence of the Hungarian kings and seat of the Archbishop, is one of the highlights of this excursion. Your tour starts with a visit to the vast domed basilica, the largest cathedral in Hungary. Built in the early 19th century, it incorporates an ornate red marble chapel from an earlier church.

After visiting the impressive cathedral, the excursion continues along the Danube to the imposing ruined fortress of Visegrad where you have a glorious view of the “knee” of the Danube. Drive along the banks of the Danube to the artists’ village of Szentendre. The town has been the home of many generations of Hungarian artists since the early 20th century. There are many museums and contemporary galleries representing the rich traditions of the visual arts. One of the most visited museums of the whole country, the Margit Kovács Museum, is also located here. Foetér, the main square, is particularly well worth seeing, as it is surrounded by impressive buildings from the time of the Rococo and the Baroque. From Szentendre you continue south to Budapest along the scenic west bank of the Danube. The towns and villages along this stretch of the river are a popular retreat for the inhabitants of Budapest.

Duration: approx. 5 hours

Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube”, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has managed to retain a charm of its own with the help of renovations in recent years. The Danube flows through the heart of the city, dividing it into two parts: Buda and Pest. The tour first takes you through Pest, past the Great Market Hall with its outstanding gourmet shops and stalls.

You will see splendid Baroque buildings such as the Hungarian State Opera in Neo-Renaissance style and the incomparable parliament building, which was finished in 1904 and has been an emblem of the city ever since then. There’s an opportunity for a photo stop at the Heroes’ Square, famous for its monuments to many Hungarian kings. Continue aross one of the seven bridges into Buda and go up to Castle Hill, where you will visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion (provided that it is open to the public). Enjoy the unforgettable view over the city before returning to the vessel.

Duration: approx. 3.5 hours

Vukovar, Croatia -

You arrive in Mohacs early in the morning, and depart again directly after breakfast, heading towards Croatia. Your cruise ship reaches the eastern Croatian town of Vukovar after lunch, and you can take a city sightseeing tour, followed by a breathtaking excursion to the Kopacki Rit nature park. This 18-hectare nature reserve, situated at the confluence of the Drava and Danube Rivers, is home to a diverse bird population and provides a protected environment for many species of plants and animals. Explore this wetland by boat and enjoy the unspoilt beauty of nature before returning to your AMADEUS ship for dinner. Your ship departs for Belgrade during the night.

Start in Vukovar, named after the small river Vuka and home to the largest cargo port in former Yugoslavia. Drive through its streets,  (its streets) once rimmed with elegant baroque mansions and view damaged factory facilities in use before the war in 1991. Learn about the everyday life of Croatians on your way to Kopački Rit, the largest nature park in Eastern Croatia. Join a boat tour through this beautiful wetland and marshy landscape. (crisscross of ridges, ponds and marshes). Continue to the village of Kopačevo and visit the Rural House for presentation of traditional fishing tools spiced up with humorous fishermen stories. Taste several typical Croatian products: fruit brandy, local wine, smoked pork sausage, ajvar and homemade cakes. Continue to Osijek to stroll through the old town with its baroque military fortress build in the 18th century, now the heart of Osijek’s cultural life. Inside the fortress, the Church of the Raising of the Holy Cross impresses with a richly decorated interior. Take a walking tour to the remaining part of the walls with the so called “Watergate”, the main square containing the largest baroque statue in Croatia, museums, galleries, schools and pubs. Once returned to your coach, continue with a scenic drive back to Vukovar, passing by Croatia's first brewery.

Duration: ca. 4,5 Stunden

Belgrade, Serbia -

Enjoy a new day in a new country! You reach Belgrade, the vibrant and distinctly western-influenced capital of Serbia at breakfast time. This metropolis is home to many attractions from various eras and cultures, and you can view these during the course of a morning sightseeing tour. After lunch, you can join an excursion to Topola and Oplenac, where you can see the famous St. George’s Church, which is the final resting place of most of the Serbian royal family. After dinner, night owls get to enjoy an evening excursion to the lively artists’ quarter Skardaljia. The ship will leave the harbor before midnight.

Belgrade, one of the oldest European cities and the capital of Serbia, lies at the junction of the Danube and the Sava. The city boasts a large number of monuments from different areas and different cultures.

First, the tour takes you to the Kalemegdan fortress, where you’ll have an impressive panoramic view over the Danube and the Sava Rivers. Afterwards, you can see the National Museum, the parliament, the Terazije square and the palace of princess Ljubica. Another highlight is the St. Sava Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in the world. After a refreshment break at a local restaurant, our tour ends with a visit to the pedestrian zone where you will find many shops and art galleries.

Duration: approx. 3.5 hours

The tour leaves Belgrade by coach and heads south through the pictureque landscape of Sumandja to Topola, the site of the initial national uprising against the Turkish Domination in 1804. Karadjordje, the leader of the revolt, built a small fortress with a church at this location.

From Topola you will drive to the nearby town of Oplenac, which stands in a rich agricultural area covered by poplar, maple and oak trees. Here you will visit the Royal Mausoleum of the Serbian dynasty and the inside of the magnificent St. George’s Church, which is made of white marble and decorated with beautiful mosaics. The mausoleum contains about 20 tombs of members of the Serbian and former Yugoslavian royal families.

Duration: approx. 4.5 hours

A coach takes you through Belgrade by night to a hotel in the city center, where you will enjoy a splendid folklore show. The ensemble will invite you for a glass of wine and will perform dances from all parts of the country. The costumes are very colorful and various pieces of Serbian folk music will be performed. Then you will drive to Skadarlija, the famous artists’ quarter, also known as the Montmartre of Belgrade. You will be served Serbian specialities accompanied by live music by a Serbian band.

Duration: approx. 3 hours

Iron Gates, Romania - Spend the day on board and enjoy a truly impressive natural spectacle. Your journey takes you through the “Iron Gates”, one of the most imposing gorges in Europe, which also forms the natural border between Serbia and Romania. One of the most beautiful stretches along the route includes the “Cazan” near the town of Orşova, where the riverbed recedes to 200 meters width and 80 meters depth and passengers will be rewarded with a fascinating view of the surrounding Carpathian Mountains and the Balkan mountain range. The small abbey church Mraconia, which is situated on the Romanian side of the Danube at the water’s edge, is equally worth seeing. The monumental rock sculpture of King Decebalus of Dacia reaches skywards at Dubova, and at 40 meters high is the largest in Europe.

Svishtov, Bulgaria -

Early in the morning you reach the Bulgarian town of Svishtov. Those who wish can take part in an on-land excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, which will include an exciting morning filled with culture and history, as well as lunch in a local Bulgarian restaurant, before returning to the ship, which will in the meantime have travelled to Giurgiu. After lunch, the journey continues downriver and in the evening you can enjoy a festive Gala Dinner with your captain and an evening program which will be an atmospheric close to the day.

The excursion heads towards Veliko Tarnovo in a comfortable coach. Picturesquely located on the steep banks of the river Yantra at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, the houses of this medieval town were built on narrow terraces along the steep, rocky slopes. Pass by the fortress Zarewez, where 22 tsars made history in the 2nd Bulgarian empire. There will be a photo stop, offering a good view of the fortress. You will also visit the 13th-century church St. Peter and Paul, which is one of the few medieval churches which had been kept intact and used for worship since the beginning of XIII century until the earthquake in 1913. At the end of the tour you will also have time to see local arts and crafts in a nearby shopping street.

Duration: approx. 5 hours

Danube Delta -

Your journey continues through the breathtakingly beautiful Danube Delta, one of the largest wetlands in the world, with a large variety of plant and animal species, which has been declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. You travel along St George’s Canal, also known figuratively as the “end of the Danube” – the so-called “kilometre zero” – where the mighty river flows into the Black Sea. Your destination is the nearby fishing village of St. George, which is the starting point for an exciting Danube Delta boat safari – a great way to discover and get close to the impressive natural landscape and its fascinating flora and fauna. In the afternoon, your AMADEUS ship leaves St. George.

Experience the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, which is the second largest delta in Europe.

Your journey begins at the end of the oldest and wildest arm of the Danube at the small fishing village called Sfîntu Gheorghe (St. George). Enjoy an unforgettable tour with our Delta safari boats through the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique flora and fauna. Your trip takes you through the Sahalin Lagoon, the Ciotica Channel and passes by the oldest fish processing centers in the Danube Delta. Discover the unique habitat of waterfowl, fish and a plant world that is still largely untouched in its beauty. In fact, the Danube Delta has the largest reed-covered area in the world.

Duration: approx. 2.5 hours

Fetesti, Romania -

During breakfast you reach the Romanian town of Fetesti, where you leave your swimming hotel – but your trip is not over yet! You will be transferred to Bucharest, and check in at a centrally-located 4- or 5-star hotel. Thereafter, you can take part in a city sightseeing tour through this vibrant metropolis, which has 2 million inhabitants and a unique charm thanks to its colorful mix of buildings from different eras. At lunch time, you will dine in Bucharest, while in the evening you can enjoy a stylish farewell dinner in your hotel, while reflecting on your exciting Danube journey.

This city tour explores the capital city of Romania, also known as the “Paris of the East”.  Driving along the city’s magnificent boulevards, lined with impressive buildings, you will discover its certain Gallic flair. A short guided walk through the newly designed pedestrian area of the historic center will take you back in time 500 years. Among the old commercial streets and buildings, you shall visit Stravropoleos Church which is Romanian Orthodox, dating back to 1724, and is one of the oldest churches in the city. The tour ends with a photo stop at the impressive Palace of the Parliament. The palace, previously known as the “People’s House”, is one of the largest buildings in Europe and was constructed between 1983 and 1989. Enjoy lunch in a Romanian restaurant.

Duration: approx. 6 hours

Bucharest, Romania - You can enjoy breakfast in your hotel before checkout and your transfer to the Otopeni airport, where your homeward journey begins. The entire AMADEUS team wishes you a pleasant and safe trip. We hope to welcome you again soon!

Budapest, Hungary - Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, its extensive World Heritage Sites includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world.