Exploring the Danube Cruise (Vilshofen to Budapest)

Your AmaWaterways cruise begins with your arrival in Munich, the Bavarian capital. Your driver will be there to provide a private transfer to your ship waiting in the port of Vilshoften. If you’ve arranged one of the pre-cruise extensions with our travel specialists, which we highly recommend, such as Prague, Czesky Krumlov, or Munich, you’ll enjoy a private transfer from your destination to the beautiful AmaMagna. Settle into your stateroom before enjoying an exclusive AmaWaterways Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration with beer, sausages, and music, this evening.

Meals Included: Dinner

Exclusive AmaWaterways Experience: Bavarian Oktoberfest Evening

Passau is one of Bavaria’s oldest cities, dating back more than two thousand years. Located at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, during the medieval era it was a major trade and shipping center and then became known for its sword-making during the Renaissance. A walking tour reveals its fascinating past through impressive Gothic and Baroque architecture, including 17th Century St. Stephen’s Cathedral, notable for its onion-domed towers. Your more active options include a guided hike to the 1219 AD Veste Oberhaus fortress and a guided cycling tour that will bring you to the town of Wernstein.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– “City of Three Rivers” walking tour
– Passau Castle hike
– River Inn bike tour

Cruising to Linz, you can join a full-day tour to Salzburg, via Basilica St. Michael in Mondsee where the famous “Sound of Music” wedding scene was filmed. Continuing to Salzburg, tour Mirabell Gardens, the Old Market, historic center, and Residenz Square. Or, take a full-day excursion to Český Krumlov, a charming Czechia mountain town with cobblestone streets, a massive castle complex, and Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings. Afterward, choose a walking tour: short and sweet or a bit longer, exploring the historic center and viewing Mozart House, a building Mozart was once a guest and where he wrote the ‘Linz Symphony’  in only three days. Alternatively take a guided bike ride. A visit to Austria’s oldest residential castle, Greinburg Castle, is on the itinerary later.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Full – day Salzburg excursion
– Full – day Český Krumlov excursion
– UNESCO “City of Media Arts” walking tour
– “Cultural Mile” bike tour
– Greinburg Castle visit

This morning take a guided tour to Melk Abbey with roots dating back some 900 years. Set atop the cliffs overing the Danube, it’s quite impressive. Or reach it via guided hike, joining our a tour when you arrive. Avid cyclists can pedal to Marbach. Once back on the ship, continue cruising to Spitz where you can take a guided tour along the cobbled streets of magnificent Dürnstein to see Baroque Stiftskirche, including its famous church tower. Other options include hiking to historic Dürnstein Fortress, biking through Spitz, or hiking from Spitz to Rotes Tor for an impressive view over the town, all followed by an exclusive wine tasting experience this evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Melk Abbey visit
– Melk bike tour
– Benedictine Abbey hike
– Dürnstein walking tour
– Dürnstein Fortress hike
– Spitz hike
– Spitz bike tour

Exclusive AmaWaterways Experience: Exclusive Wine Experience

Reaching the capital of Austria, join the city sightseeing tour that reveals its regal treasures. You’ll get to marvel at the Hofburg Palace, the former Imperial home of the Habsburgs, the magnificent Opera House, and the historic center before visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Alternatively, you can opt for a guided biking tour. This afternoon, you’ll head to the opulent 18th Century Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens. The impressive summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty contains over 1,440 rooms. You’ll get to see the Imperial apartments, the carriage museums and spectacular gardens that reflect the changing interests, aspirations, and tastes of successive Habsburg monarchs.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– “Imperial Vienna” tour
– Vienna by bike tour
– Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens

Learn why the Slovakian capital is called the “Coronation City of Kings” on a guided walking tour of Bratislava. There are a variety of attractions that reflect its rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful architecture, including Bratislava Castle. Set atop a hill it provides stunning views of the city and Danube River. In the Old Town, the narrow cobbled streets are lined with historic buildings and lead to lively public squares like the main square and Michael’s Gate, the only preserved gate from the medieval walls. Alternatively, hike to the castle or join the Tastes of Slovakia tour to sample local bites.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– “Coronation City of Kings” walking tour
– Tastes of Slovakia
– Castle hike

Cruising toward Budapest this morning, you’ll enjoy some of the most scenic views of the trip while passing through the Danube Bend, including some of the oldest settlements in Hungary. Upon arrival to the Hungarian capital, divided into “Buda” on one side and “Pest” on the other by the Danube, you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour to explore the Buda side. That includes the Castle District, home to Fisherman’s Bastion with its iconic storybook-like turrets and panoramic view, and Matthias Church with its exquiste, colorful tiled roof and 15th Century bell tower. The active option is a trek to Castle Hill.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursions Available:
– Buda tour
– Castle Hill hike

Your week on the Danube comes to an end this morning, after one last breakfast onboard. Your driver will meet you upon disembarkation for a private transfer to the airport where you can catch your flight home. If you’d like to spend more time here, our travel experts can create a bespoke addition to your itinerary and providing a private transfer to a local hotel instead. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some blissful relaxation after your cruise at one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths.

Meals Included: Breakfast

N.B. Excursions offered by AmaWaterways may vary from those listed in this itinerary. Full excursion options will be made available to you ahead of travel and upon embarking the ship. While excursions are included on AmaWaterways, there may also be some optional excursions available for a supplement.