HALLOWEEN AT DRACULA’S CASTLE IN TRANSYLVANIA (ROMANIA)

FALL COLORS DANUBE RIVER CRUISE OF 5 COUNTRIES
HUNGARY, CROATIA, SERBIA, BULGARIA AND ROMANIA
OCTOBER 23-30,2023

WITH OPTIONAL FREE* FOUR NIGHT POST CRUISE LAND PACKAGE
IN TRANSYLVANIA ROMANIA
VISITING DRACULA’S CASTLE AND HIS CHILDHOOD HOME
OCT. 30-NOV.3,2023

FREE FOUR NIGHT POST CRUISE IN TRANSYLVANIA PROMO EXTENDED TO JULY 25th.

Only 2 cabins left!

PLUS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE IN STYLE WITH A HALLOWEEEN NIGHT COSTUME PARTY
AT DRACULA’S CASTLE ITSELF !!!

Bran Castle (AKA – DRACULA’S CASTLE in TransvLVania Romania)

*Book your cruise space in any cabin category in double occupancy (either with your own roommate, or with our free roommate matching service) with only a $400 deposit by Black Friday Nov. 25th and
RECEIVE THE 4 NT. POST CRUISE DRACULA’S CASTLE HALLOWEEN PACKAGE FREE (A $1200 PER PERSON VALUE…ABSOLUTELY FREE!!

*Or book the cruise in single occupancy in any balcony category cabin and get $1000 off the cruise!
* Or book the cruise in single occupancy in a river view cabin and get a reduced single supplement of only 25% !
*with $400 deposit by Black Friday Nov. 25th

Also, add an optional 2 night Pre cruise in Vienna, if you wish
(Details at the end of the trip itinerary below)

Join us for a most unique cruise

We will Cruise the Danube River from Budapest to Bucharest at the most beautiful time of year – October – to see the Fall Colors along the river.
Enjoy countless treasures and, touch history in Five Countries - Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, as you cruise along the exotic lower Danube River.

See Celtic fortresses still preserved from centuries ago, along with medieval towns and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates, a segment of the river with dramatic cliffs along a narrowing, winding landscape.

Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to see Bulgaria’s natural wonder, Belogradchik, a fairytale stone world of fantastic shapes associated with interesting legends. 

Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine- growing hills dating back to the Romans in the vineyards of llok, as well as tasting sweet plum brandy at a Serbian brandy distillery.
 
We will all be treated to the sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of Eastern Europe.

Enjoy included shore excursions each day, with three groupings to meet everyone’s pace: Active (hiking or bicycling excursions), Standard (bus or walking excursions at a standard pace), or Gentle/Leisurely (Bus, or walking excursions at a slower pace for those who need or desire). 

Most days feature both a morning and an afternoon excursion in a different destination, (All shore excursions are included during your cruise) so you can truly get the most out of your Danube River cruise vacation.

Enjoy unlimited beer, wine & sparkling wine included with each dinner and with each lunch on the ship, as well as mimosas included with each breakfast on the ship.

Also enjoy nightly cocktail parties on the ship with included beer, wine, sparkling wine and the Drink of the Day, prior to dinner each evening.

And when the 7 day cruise ends on October 30th in Romania, join us for the most fun way to celebrate Halloween with a four day post cruise land package, highlighted by a HALLOWEEN PARTY AT THE ONE AND ONLY LEGENDARY DRACULA’S CASTLE IN TRANSYLVANIA !!!

CRUISE/POST CRUISE HALLOWEEN IN TRANSYLVANIA ITINERARY

(B,L,D – All meals included each day onboard ship and breakfast included on the post cruise land package )

Arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on your own flight arrangement.  Transfers from the airport to the ship are available from the cruise line for only $30.

Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europe cruise. (D)

We will be cruising aboard the luxurious and elegant AmaBella of award winning AMA Waterways, the number one rated river boat line in the world.

Isn’t she lovely? Newly reimagined in 2021, the graceful AmaBella is a stunning river ship, unique in her own right. The intimate lounge is an inviting place to grab a cocktail and the thoughtfully redesigned reception area, adorned with charming pieces of contemporary art, provides a warm welcome after a day exploring ashore. Most staterooms feature balconies so you can enjoy the views however you wish, as well as Entertainment-On-Demand and marble bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads. Elegant suites feature added enhancements, including a large sitting area and an expansive bathroom complete with a bathtub and separate shower. You’ll also find a massage and hair salon on board, a fitness room, specialty coffee station and a gift shop. An expansive Sun Deck with a heated pool offers special moments of pure relaxation.

Mealtimes are a feast for the senses in the Main Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or at The Chef’s Table, our more cozy dinner venue, where you will witness our chefs in action through our glass-walled kitchen.  Our new “Café Bistro” is the perfect al fresco setting to play cards, mingle or enjoy a light lunch.

Our group which sailed on the 2022 Fall Colors of the Danube River on this same ship gave fantastic rave reviews for the fabulous food on Amabella

 Throughout your journey on the Danube, you may catch sight of the AmaVerde, AmaBella’s “secret lover.” The two ships cross paths as they sail opposite directions.

Award-Winning Dining of AMA Waterways

Passenger cabins 80
Maximum Passenger count on the ship: 160

Massage Services and Hair Salon

After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage

Fitness Room

Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.

Enriching Entertainment

Whether it’s traditional music of the region by vocals, guitar or other regional instrument, a local quartet or modern piano favorites, with the ship’s own pianist, there is an eclectic schedule of nightly entertainment on board

October 24th, 2023

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. You’ll then visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Our excursion today will visit the UNESCO-designated 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 a unique church which was once the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city.

The Cathedral, also known as the St Peter and St Paul Basilica is dominated by four 60 meter towers, making it one of Pécs’ most impressive buildings. The inside is equally remarkable. Divided by a splendid arch, the cathedral plays host to the famous frescoes of Bertalan Székely alongside a manual organ. You will notice the fascinating blend of both Christian and Muslim influences in its design.

 
You will see a unique church housed in what was once an ancient mosque.

You will also see a unique fountain, with the most iconic part of the monument being the four ox heads which release drinkable water.

Király Street is found in the heart of Pécs. It is a very popular area within the city and is filled with a buzzing atmosphere. This is a great place to visit and is home to a number of stylish shops and cafés. Surrounded by buildings in the baroque style, this street is close to a number of Pécs’ main attractions such as the National Theatre and a former monastery. The Palatinus Hotel with its Art Nouveau style is especially striking.

Kiraly Street – the heart of shopping and lively spirit in Pecs

Or for wine connoisseurs, choose the ship sponsored excursion going to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. Or for the active minded, choose the excursion to take you on an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács.   (B,L,D)

October 25th, 2023

This morning we will be in Croatia and visit the village of Vukovar, a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Castle.

Alternatively, you may wish to choose a wine tasting excursion to Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you’ll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines.

Back on board, after a sumptuous lunch onboard, we will 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.

Or if you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking tour or a scenic hiking tour through Fruska Gora National Park.

After dinner onboard, join us if you wish, for an evening excursion to visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold that no enemy has ever breached.

Numerous legends are associated with Petrovaradin Fortress, the most famous of which is the one with a secret tunnel under the riverbed that connects the Fortress with the left bank of the Danube, and which served as a passage for the last Austro-Hungarian soldier and his fiancée in 1913. Apart from this, there is a well-known legend according to which the builders of the Fortress put live cats into the foundations of the new fortification at the beginning of the 17th century in order to ensure the longevity of the Fortress stemming from the belief that cats have nine lives.     (B,L,D)

Image of the impressive The Petrovaradin Fortress

October 26th, 2023

This morning we will explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Or 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.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a hiking excursion to Belgrade Fortress.

After lunch onboard, enjoy an afternoon tasting of the region excursion to sample Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery.

Or for those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

October 27th, 2023

This morning we will all visit Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River –

After lunch onboard, this afternoon, we will enjoy cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.  The Danube River 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 massive cliffs surrounding the gorges can in some stretches actually reach as high as 1000 feet and are truly an awe inspiring sight, as we cruise through the gorges.  The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.

Other highlights of our cruising through the Iron Gates this afternoon include “ The Cave in the Rock Wall”, the “Cross on the Cliff”  and the Mraconia Monastery built into the rock formation walls of the gorge (B,L,D)

 
The image of the ancient King Decebalus, carved into the mountain,
which we will see as we cruise by it, on this segment of the Iron Gates of the Danube.

October 28th, 2023

Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Choose a walking tour of this delightful town, or Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria along with a visit to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations.  Alternatively, you can choose an excursion to 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 take a bike excursion through Vidin to the castle. (B,L,D)

Baba Vida Fortress

 
The natural rock formations of Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders

October 29th, 2023

After checking out of our hotel in Brasov, we will be driven the short 30 minutes to the village of Bran, where we will enjoy a guided visit of Transylvania’s legendary Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula.   

For those who joined us last night for our Halloween party at the very same castle, you will notice things during this daytime guided tour that you may not have noticed on your nighttime party visit.

Bran Castle in Transylvania is famous for spawning the original vampire legend of Count Dracula. Long before sparkly vampires à la Twilight, the original bloodsucking creature of the night was said to roam the shadowy halls of this Transylvania 'Dracula' castle.

Today you can tread in the footsteps of the night stalker himself. Perched precariously on a rock high above a valley near Brașov in Romania, the castle is a one of a kind landmark.  It even has its own secret passage, connecting the 1st and third floors.

Bran Castle, seen from a distance.  You can see by day, its position perched high upon the rocky hillside.

Later in the day, we will be transferred to Bucharest, the capital of Romania and check into our hotel for the final two nights of our tour. (B)

Bucharest, Romania’s capital, has earned its nickname, the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe.  Today we will enjoy a more extensive visit of this delightful capital city to see the city’s most impressive sites  Today’s tour will include the historic city center and the Palace of the Parliament, housing over 3000 rooms, it is second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world

Alternatively, if you wish, you can choose a walking tour the historic old town. (B)

     
Images of Bucharest, capital of Romania

Nov. 3rd, 2023

TRIP PRICING

CRUISE SEGMENT     OCT 23-30, 2023

ALL CRUISE PRICING INCLUDES:

• ALL SHORE EXCURSIONS ON YOUR CRUISE

• UNLIMITED BEER, WINE, SPARKLING WINE AND SOFT DRINKS DURING LUNCH AND DINNER ONBOARD THE SHIP EACH DAY

• MIMOSAS WITH BREAKFAST ONBOARD EACH DAY

• DAILY COCKTAIL PARTY WITH INCLUDED BEER, WINE, SPARKLING WINE, SOFT DRINKS AND THE DRINK OF THE DAY, BEFORE DINNER EACH EVENING,

• UNLIMTED WIFI  ONBOARD THE SHIP

CATEGORY E – RIVER VIEW WITH WINDOWS

$3798 Per person in double occupancy plus tax of $210 per person  
Total cabin size 170 sq. ft –THIS CATEGORY IS SOLD OUT

CATEGORY D – RIVER VIEW WITH WINDOWS

$4098 Per person in double occupancy plus tax of $210 per person    
Total cabin size 170 sq. feet

CATEGORY C – RIVER VIEW WITH FRENCH BALCONY:

 $4898 per person in double occupancy Plus tax of $210 per person  
Total cabin size 170 sq. feet

CATEGORY BB – RIVER VIEW WITH DOUBLE BALCONY

(One French & One Full Outdoor Balcony)
 $5498 per person in double occupancy plus $210 tax                           
Total cabin size 210 sq. feet

ALL DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PASSENGERS IN ALL CATEGORIES BOOKED WITH A $400 DEPOSIT BY BLACK FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25TH RECEIVE THE FOUR DAY POST CRUISE HALLOWEEN IN TRANSYLVANIA PACKAGE FREE

(So grab a friend…Or Take advantage of our free roommate matching service and don’t miss this opportunity to get the 4 day post cruise Halloween in Transylvania FREE by booking your  space on this unique and exciting trip with just a $400 deposit by Black Friday Nov. 25th!!)

SINGLE OCCUPANCY ON THE CRUISE

CATEGORY D – RIVER VIEW WITH WINDOWS

REDUCED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT OF ONLY 25% ON ALL CAT. D CABINS

CATEGORY C – RIVER VIEW WITH FRENCH BALCONY

REDUCED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT OF ONLY 50% ON ALL CAT.C CABINS

BOOK ANY CAT. C SINGLE OCCUPANCY CABIN BY BLACK FRIDAY NOV. 25TH AND ALSO RECEIVE $1000 OFF YOUR CRUISE!

CATEGORY BB – RIVER VIEW WITH DOUBLE BALCONY

REDUCED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT OF ONLY 50% ON ALL CAT BB CABINS

BOOK ANY CAT. BB SINGLE OCCUPANCY CABIN BY BLACK FRIDAY NOV. 25TH AND ALSO RECEIVE $1000 OFF YOUR CRUISE!

4 DAY POST CRUISE HALLOWEEN IN TRANSYLVANIA

INCLUDES

• Transfer from the ship in Giurgiu to the town of Brașov with guided tour at Peles Castle enroute to Brasov.

• 2 nights hotel in Brașov at the 4 star Kronwell Brașov Hotel (or similar), including Brasov city tour, Sighișoara village excursion and daily breakfast at the hotel

• Transfer from the hotel in Brașov to Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) with guided tour of Dracula’s Castle and then continuing to Bucharest

• 2 nights hotel in Bucharest at the 4 star Radisson Blu (or similar), including city tour and daily breakfast

Pricing for the 4 night post cruise Halloween in Transylvania package:

Single occupancy: $1800

Double occupancy: $1200 per person

(But free for all double occupancy passengers booked in all cruise categories if booked with a $400 deposit by
Black Friday November 25th)

Optional 2 night Pre cruise in Vienna

October 21-23, 2023 

October 21, 2023 – Arrive on your own flight arrangement. 

Transfer from the airport to the hotel can be purchased from AMA Waterways for only $30 per person.

Evening at leisure.

October 22nd, 2023           VIENNA

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)

October 23,2023   Vienna to Budapest  - – EMBARKATION

Transfer from Vienna via private AMA Waterways motor-coach to Budapest where you’ll be taken on a city tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge, before being taken to our ship, the Amabella for embarkation. (B,D) 

This afternoon, meet the rest of your S.C.A.T. Travelers at a group orientation, followed by the ship wide Sip and Sail Cocktail party, the first of Amabella’s nightly cocktail parties, each evening before dinner.

Your Optional 2 night Vienna pre cruise program includes:

• 2 nights at the 5 star Intercontinental hotel or similar with breakfast daily at the hotel

• Vienna city tour

• Transport from Vienna to Budapest with city tour of Budapest, followed by transfer to our ship for embarkation.

$660 per person in double occupancy

$880 per person in single occupancy

TRIP DEPOSIT & BALANCE PAYMENT POLICY

A $400 deposit is due within 7 days of booking your space, so call our office during business hours and we will call in your deposit to the cruise line.

Balance payment due date:

If asking us to assign you a roommate, your balance payment will be due on June 5th, 2023.

If travelling with your own roommate or in single occupancy, your balance payment is due July 10th, 2023.

We will email all passengers a balance due reminder invoice approx.2 weeks before your balance due date.

Cancelation Policy for this cruise:

Any cancelation between the date the $400 deposit is charged and the date the balance payment is due will result in a 50% refund of your $400 deposit ($200) by AMA Waterways and the remaining $200 will be retained by AMA Waterways as a cancelation penalty.

Any cancelations made after the balance payment is charged will forfeit the full trip cost unless replaced by a new passenger taking your spot on the trip and paying in full for that space.

Travel insurance is recommend and available.  Ask us for details if desired.

 BOOK ME A SPACE ON THIS TRIP