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Ultimate European Journey: Bucharest to Amsterdam 2021
26 DAYS FROM ONLY $10,999

Countries:
Holland (Netherlands), Romania
Embark:
Bucharest
Disembark:
Amsterdam
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Login to your AccountUltimate European Journey: Bucharest to Amsterdam 2021

Enjoy numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the castle-dotted Upper Middle Rhine Valley and magnificent Cologne Cathedral.
From Amsterdam to Bucharest, you’ll visit the best of Europe with its spectacular architecture and stunning history on this truly remarkable journey.
Who will enjoy this cruise/tour? Travelers wishing to discover Europe’s past and present, from east to west, Amsterdam to Bucharest, on one astonishing journey.
Ultimate European Journey is a combination of Highlights of Eastern Europe and European Jewels.
From Amsterdam to Bucharest, you’ll visit the best of Europe with its spectacular architecture and stunning history on this truly remarkable journey.
Who will enjoy this cruise/tour? Travelers wishing to discover Europe’s past and present, from east to west, Amsterdam to Bucharest, on one astonishing journey.
Ultimate European Journey is a combination of Highlights of Eastern Europe and European Jewels.
Day | Activity |
Day 1 | Depart USA |
Day 2 | Bucharest |
Day 3 | Bucharest |
Day 4 | Bucharest, Transfer to Giurgiu (Embark) |
Day 5 | Rousse |
Day 6 | Vidin |
Day 7 | Cruising the Iron Gates, Donji Milanovac, Golubac |
Day 8 | Belgrade |
Day 9 | Vukovar (Osijek), Batina, Mohács |
Day 10 | Budapest |
Day 11 | Budapest |
Day 12 | Budapest |
Day 13 | Cruising the Danube River, Vienna |
Day 14 | Vienna |
Day 15 | Cruising the Wachau Valley, Weissenkirchen (Melk) |
Day 16 | Passau |
Day 17 | Regensburg |
Day 18 | Nuremberg |
Day 19 | Bamberg |
Day 20 | Würzburg (Rothenburg) |
Day 21 | Wertheim |
Day 22 | Frankfurt (Heidelberg) |
Day 23 | Rüdesheim |
Day 24 | Cologne |
Day 25 | Amsterdam |
Day 26 | Amsterdam (Disembark) |
Day | Activity |
Day 1 | Depart USA |
Day 2 | Bucharest |
Day 3 | Bucharest |
Day 4 | Bucharest, Transfer to Giurgiu (Embark) |
Day 5 | Rousse |
Day 6 | Vidin |
Day 7 | Cruising the Iron Gates, Donji Milanovac, Golubac |
Day 8 | Belgrade |
Day 9 | Vukovar (Osijek), Batina, Mohács |
Day 10 | Budapest |
Day 11 | Budapest |
Day 12 | Budapest |
Day 13 | Cruising the Danube River, Vienna |
Day 14 | Vienna |
Day 15 | Cruising the Wachau Valley, Weissenkirchen (Melk) |
Day 16 | Passau |
Day 17 | Regensburg |
Day 18 | Nuremberg |
Day 19 | Bamberg |
Day 20 | Würzburg (Rothenburg) |
Day 21 | Wertheim |
Day 22 | Frankfurt (Heidelberg) |
Day 23 | Rüdesheim |
Day 24 | Cologne |
Day 25 | Amsterdam |
Day 26 | Amsterdam (Disembark) |
Day | Activity / Description |
Day 1 | Depart USA Depart the US on your overnight flight. |
Day 2 | Bucharest Arrive at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel. Meals: Dinner |
Day 3 | Bucharest On today’s agenda—a guided tour of the infamous Ceau?escu Mansion. Venture to the opulent former residence of Romania’s former leader Nicolae Ceau?escu, where you’ll have a guided tour. It’s been thirty years since deposed Romanian president Ceau?escu and his wife Elena were executed by a firing squad on Christmas Day in 1989, but now you can roam the opulent 80-room residence where the couple once lived, situated on 3.5 acres of grounds in one of Bucharest’s most desirable neighborhoods. Meals: Breakfast Excursion |
Day 4 | Bucharest, Transfer to Giurgiu (Embark) Bucharest is a fascinating combination of Communist grandiosity, elegant French-influenced 19th-century buildings and surprising survivors dating from the 1500s. Today in Bucharest you’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour or a walking tour in the old Lipscani district. Later, you'll travel via motorcoach to Giurgiu, where your ship awaits. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Excursion |
Day 5 | Rousse Bulgaria’s foremost Danube port, Rousse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 6 | Vidin Vidin is a port town on the Danube that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests. It’s your base for an unusual excursion today—a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations. Or you can head to a local’s home to bake a traditional Bulgarian dish called banitsa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 7 | Cruising the Iron Gates, Donji Milanovac, Golubac Today’s main attraction will be the spectacular scenery along the Danube, as you cruise a stretch of gorges known as the Iron Gates. Later, head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars and Turks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 8 | Belgrade Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 9 | Vukovar (Osijek), Batina, Mohács Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country, which has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, is noted for its beautiful countryside and thriving folk traditions, as well as simple, delicious local rustic food. You’ll dock in Vukovar, Croatia’s biggest port, at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka rivers. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 10 | Budapest Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multifaceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on our walking tour, cover more ground with a panoramic tour or “Let’s Go” with a guided bike ride. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 11 | Budapest Other passengers are heading home today, but you are only halfway through your marvelous holiday. Today you are invited to enjoy a full-day visit to Hungary's Eger wine region for some lunch and, of course, wine tasting. Excursion |
Day 12 | Budapest Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts— Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube, Hungary’s capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You’ll have two enticing ways to experience the city—a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach with a visit to the Parliament, or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour of the city’s most important landmarks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 13 | Cruising the Danube River, Vienna Today is your day to relax onboard, enjoying the luxuries of your river cruise ship while soaking in the spectacular scenery all around you as your ship heads for Vienna. Come up to the Sun Deck to admire the city’s landmarks strung along the riverbanks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 14 | Vienna Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the City of Waltzes with your choice of excursions. Begin your day with an itinerary highlight—our “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum. Then, you can choose between two different guided tours: a panoramic city tour or our “Do as the Locals Do” walking tour. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 15 | Cruising the Wachau Valley, Weissenkirchen (Melk) Awaken to the spectacular scenery of the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful stretches of river landscape in all of Europe. Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies, including a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 16 | Passau Just before reaching Passau, the ship will pass through the famous Schlögener Schlinge—a “gooseneck” or hairpin turn in the Danube. Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn and Ilz— Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you’ll see on your walking tour. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 17 | Regensburg Today in Regensburg, you can travel through time or get a crash course in making craft beer, then watch high-tech robots assemble the Ultimate Driving Machine. Regensburg is a friendly town with quaint cobblestone streets, historic Roman ruins and a medieval city center. The remnants of Regensburg’s golden age are still on display, but don’t let its illustrious history fool you into thinking the town’s best days are all in the past. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 18 | Nuremberg Arrive in the archetypal medieval German city of Nuremberg. Nuremberg is justifiably famous for its gingerbread and pocket watches, and it was also the site of some key moments in 20th-century history. You’ll choose between two memorable ways of exploring this exceptional city. You can hop aboard a motorcoach and “Do as the Locals Do,” or you can accompany a local expert to the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Nazi Party Rally Grounds—the actual site of the Nazi Party rallies. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 19 | Bamberg Your floating boutique hotel takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life—including a tractor ride. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 20 | Würzburg (Rothenburg) Your ship will dock in the charming Franconian town of Würzburg, where you can visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence, one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 21 | Wertheim After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the town of Wertheim. You’ll meet one of Germany’s best pretzel makers, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate. If you’re more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are welcome to do that as well. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 22 | Frankfurt (Heidelberg) Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe due to its profusion of bankers and soaring skyscrapers, which coexist with the city’s traditional Old Town architecture. Choose a brief tour that gives you an overview of this major European financial and trade center. Alternatively, visit romantic Heidelberg and its Renaissance castle or hike the Philosophers’ Walk. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 23 | Rüdesheim Experience Germany’s fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region’s famous vineyards from the perspective of an aerial cable car, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. The town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse. Experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine later in the afternoon as you cruise past the famous Middle Rhine Valley. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 24 | Cologne Enjoy a delightful tour of Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its stunning Renaissance façade. Wander through the historical center and take in its charming atmosphere and narrow alleyways flanked by old houses. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore the city on your own. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 25 | Amsterdam Enjoy the luxury of a full day in the “Venice of the North,” starting with a delightful tour of the Van Gogh Museum. Afterwards, explore the city with a canal ride or on foot with a local expert. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 26 | Amsterdam (Disembark) Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your flight home. Meals: Breakfast |
Day | Activity / Description |
Day 1 | Depart USA Depart the US on your overnight flight. |
Day 2 | Bucharest Arrive at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel. Meals: Dinner |
Day 3 | Bucharest On today’s agenda—a guided tour of the infamous Ceau?escu Mansion. Venture to the opulent former residence of Romania’s former leader Nicolae Ceau?escu, where you’ll have a guided tour. It’s been thirty years since deposed Romanian president Ceau?escu and his wife Elena were executed by a firing squad on Christmas Day in 1989, but now you can roam the opulent 80-room residence where the couple once lived, situated on 3.5 acres of grounds in one of Bucharest’s most desirable neighborhoods. Meals: Breakfast Excursion |
Day 4 | Bucharest, Transfer to Giurgiu (Embark) Bucharest is a fascinating combination of Communist grandiosity, elegant French-influenced 19th-century buildings and surprising survivors dating from the 1500s. Today in Bucharest you’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour or a walking tour in the old Lipscani district. Later, you'll travel via motorcoach to Giurgiu, where your ship awaits. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Excursion |
Day 5 | Rousse Bulgaria’s foremost Danube port, Rousse is sometimes called “Little Vienna” for its elegant 19th-century mansions and public buildings. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 6 | Vidin Vidin is a port town on the Danube that once played an important role in medieval Bulgarian politics, as the great fortress Baba Vida attests. It’s your base for an unusual excursion today—a visit to the fascinating Belogradchik rock formations. Or you can head to a local’s home to bake a traditional Bulgarian dish called banitsa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 7 | Cruising the Iron Gates, Donji Milanovac, Golubac Today’s main attraction will be the spectacular scenery along the Danube, as you cruise a stretch of gorges known as the Iron Gates. Later, head ashore to explore a Paleolithic site and an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval fortress. All along the way, history lines the banks of the river. Keep an eye out for Trajan’s Plaque, which the ancient Romans erected to commemorate the road they anchored in the steep cliffs above the water, and Golubac Castle, built in the 14th century and attacked successively by the Serbs, Magyars and Turks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 8 | Belgrade Belgrade, the modern-day capital of Serbia, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, dating back some 7,000 years. Signs of its tumultuous history are visible everywhere, juxtaposed with the city’s vibrant modern-day present. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 9 | Vukovar (Osijek), Batina, Mohács Welcome to Croatia! This ancient country, which has made a remarkable recovery from a brutal civil war, is noted for its beautiful countryside and thriving folk traditions, as well as simple, delicious local rustic food. You’ll dock in Vukovar, Croatia’s biggest port, at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka rivers. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 10 | Budapest Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. Explore this dynamic and multifaceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on our walking tour, cover more ground with a panoramic tour or “Let’s Go” with a guided bike ride. Vibrant Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers an enchanting combination of East and West. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 11 | Budapest Other passengers are heading home today, but you are only halfway through your marvelous holiday. Today you are invited to enjoy a full-day visit to Hungary's Eger wine region for some lunch and, of course, wine tasting. Excursion |
Day 12 | Budapest Called the “Queen of the Danube,” in part because of the way the city hugs the banks of the river, Budapest is an enchanting city that vibrantly mixes East and West, medieval and modern. Made up of two parts— Buda (the hills) and Pest (the flatlands)—and divided by the Danube, Hungary’s capital presents an array of architectural styles that reveal its long and varied history. You’ll have two enticing ways to experience the city—a panoramic guided tour aboard a motorcoach with a visit to the Parliament, or discover the Budapest that locals love on a special walking tour of the city’s most important landmarks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 13 | Cruising the Danube River, Vienna Today is your day to relax onboard, enjoying the luxuries of your river cruise ship while soaking in the spectacular scenery all around you as your ship heads for Vienna. Come up to the Sun Deck to admire the city’s landmarks strung along the riverbanks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 14 | Vienna Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the City of Waltzes with your choice of excursions. Begin your day with an itinerary highlight—our “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum. Then, you can choose between two different guided tours: a panoramic city tour or our “Do as the Locals Do” walking tour. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 15 | Cruising the Wachau Valley, Weissenkirchen (Melk) Awaken to the spectacular scenery of the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful stretches of river landscape in all of Europe. Named for its white church, Weissenkirchen may very well be the prettiest village in the Wachau Valley. A local expert will show you around and introduce you to some regional delicacies, including a wine tasting. Prefer to go for baroque? Visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinarily opulent library. Later, you can stretch your legs with a vineyard hike. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 16 | Passau Just before reaching Passau, the ship will pass through the famous Schlögener Schlinge—a “gooseneck” or hairpin turn in the Danube. Located at the confluence of three rivers—the Danube, Inn and Ilz— Passau is well known for its ornate baroque cathedral. Today, the city is unusually well preserved, having been spared the brunt of Allied bombing during WWII, as you’ll see on your walking tour. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 17 | Regensburg Today in Regensburg, you can travel through time or get a crash course in making craft beer, then watch high-tech robots assemble the Ultimate Driving Machine. Regensburg is a friendly town with quaint cobblestone streets, historic Roman ruins and a medieval city center. The remnants of Regensburg’s golden age are still on display, but don’t let its illustrious history fool you into thinking the town’s best days are all in the past. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 18 | Nuremberg Arrive in the archetypal medieval German city of Nuremberg. Nuremberg is justifiably famous for its gingerbread and pocket watches, and it was also the site of some key moments in 20th-century history. You’ll choose between two memorable ways of exploring this exceptional city. You can hop aboard a motorcoach and “Do as the Locals Do,” or you can accompany a local expert to the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Nazi Party Rally Grounds—the actual site of the Nazi Party rallies. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 19 | Bamberg Your floating boutique hotel takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times. Explore the city on foot or opt to head deeper into the Franconian countryside to experience an authentic slice of rural life—including a tractor ride. Like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church tops each one. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 20 | Würzburg (Rothenburg) Your ship will dock in the charming Franconian town of Würzburg, where you can visit the extraordinary Würzburg Residence, one of the most opulent baroque palaces in Europe. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 21 | Wertheim After today, you may never eat a pretzel again without thinking of the town of Wertheim. You’ll meet one of Germany’s best pretzel makers, as well as the owner of a historic wine estate. If you’re more in the mood for a scenic bike ride, you are welcome to do that as well. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 22 | Frankfurt (Heidelberg) Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe due to its profusion of bankers and soaring skyscrapers, which coexist with the city’s traditional Old Town architecture. Choose a brief tour that gives you an overview of this major European financial and trade center. Alternatively, visit romantic Heidelberg and its Renaissance castle or hike the Philosophers’ Walk. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 23 | Rüdesheim Experience Germany’s fabled Rheingau in one of two ways today. Take in spectacular views of the region’s famous vineyards from the perspective of an aerial cable car, or venture within an atmospheric medieval monastery and taste the Rieslings made on site. The town is best known for its narrow avenue of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse. Experience the most spectacular scenery on the Rhine later in the afternoon as you cruise past the famous Middle Rhine Valley. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 24 | Cologne Enjoy a delightful tour of Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its stunning Renaissance façade. Wander through the historical center and take in its charming atmosphere and narrow alleyways flanked by old houses. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore the city on your own. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 25 | Amsterdam Enjoy the luxury of a full day in the “Venice of the North,” starting with a delightful tour of the Van Gogh Museum. Afterwards, explore the city with a canal ride or on foot with a local expert. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Excursion |
Day 26 | Amsterdam (Disembark) Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your flight home. Meals: Breakfast |
The 130-passenger River Duchess is decorated in soft hues of blue and green complemented by soothing earth tones, providing a tranquil and elegant onboard ambiance. Enjoy spectacular and ever-changing views of Europe’s most enchanting waterways in the ship’s stylish Blue Danube Lounge, Palace Restaurant, or the La Motte Sky Lounge.