Journey along the Danube and see firsthand why this storied river has inspired generations of artists, poets and musicians. Indulge your passion for timeless architecture and art in three magnificent capitals: Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. Let the hills come alive with the sounds of music in Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District. Cruise through the enchanting Strudengau Valley and let the melodies of the Danube carry you from one gem to another on a regal journey through time.

Day 1: Embarkation - Vilshofen

Board the ultra-luxurious AmaMagna. In the evening, be treated to an AmaWaterways - exclusive Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration complete with music, beer and sausages. (B,D)

Day 2: Passau

Join a walking tour and marvel at Passau's Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or take a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. You can also ride to Wernstein on a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Included Tours:

“City of Three Rivers” walking tourORPassau Castle hike

OR River Inn bike tour

Day 3: Linz, Grein

For those who love The Sound of Music, enjoy a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael, where the famous wedding scene in the movie was filmed. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or bike along the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. In the afternoon, you can visit the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov. Later in the day, visit Greinburg Castle, the oldest residential castle in Austria. (B,L,D)

Included Tours:

Full-day Salzburg excursion*

OR 

“UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour

OR

 “Cultural Mile” bike tour

Český Krumlov excursion*

Greinburg Castle visit

*not available with full-day Salzburg

Day 4: Melk, Spitz

In the morning, you can visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube, or get active with a bike to Marbach before returning to Melk and the ship for lunch. During the afternoon, journey to Spitz and take a guided excursion to Dürnstein to stroll along the cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower on a walking tour. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to the historic Dürnstein Fortress, cycle through Spitz, or hike around Spitz up to Rotes Tor. In the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine festival where you’ll enjoy some of the region’s famous wines. (B,L,D)

In the morning, you can visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube, or get active with a bike to Marbach before returning to Melk and the ship for lunch. During the afternoon, journey to Spitz and take a guided excursion to Dürnstein to stroll along the cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower on a walking tour. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to the historic Dürnstein Fortress, cycle through Spitz, or hike around Spitz up to Rotes Tor. In the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine festival where you’ll enjoy some of the region’s famous wines. (B,L,D)

Included Tours:

Melk

Melk Abbey visit

OR 

Melk bike tour

Spitz

Dürnstein walking tour

OR

 Dürnstein Fortress hike

OR

Spitz hike

OR 

Spitz bike tour

OR

Exclusive Wine Experience

Day 5: Vienna

Vienna offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center, and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral; or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, visit the Palace of Schönbrunn, an exquisite example of Baroque architecture and opulence. Built as the summer residence of the Habsburg Emperors and spanning an astounding 1,441 rooms, this Rococo palace soon became one of their favorite homes. Your visit will include a guided tour of the Imperial apartments, the carriage museum and the equally impressive gardens. (B,L,D)

Included Tours

“Imperial Vienna” tour

OR 

Vienna by Bike tour

OR

Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens

Day 6: Bratislava

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike to its gleaming castle. (B,L,D)

Included Tours

“Coronation City of Kings” walking tour

OR

Tastes of Slovakia

OR

Castle hike

Day 7: Scenic Cruising, Budapest

During the morning, sail toward Budapest, passing through the scenic Danube Bend where you’ll see some of Hungary’s oldest settlements, including Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre. Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Visit the Great Market Hall before going to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. As an alternative, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city. (B,L,D)

Included Tours

Danube Bend

Budapest

“Queen of the Danube” tour

OR 

Castle Hill hike