AmaWaterways Melodies of the Danube River Cruise
Indulge your passion for awe-inspiring architecture, timeless music, breathtaking landscapes and culinary delights on AmaWaterways‘ Melodies of the Danube river cruise – 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.
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Melodies of the Danube Itinerary
Day 1: Budapest – Embark
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Budapest
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to 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, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: 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 up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Vienna
The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendours, 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, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Weissenkirchen
After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. For a more culinary-focused experience, join a walking tour in Dürnstein, then enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner and sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held or join a guided bike tour to Melk. Later in the day, sail through the Strudengau Valley to medieval Grein for an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally from above.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Linz
The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll 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. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. During the afternoon, you can also choose to visit charming Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Passau & Vilshofen
Discover the city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Alternately, choose between a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress or a guided bike tour along the River Inn. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration— an AmaWaterways exclusive.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Disembark in Vilshofen
Bid farewell to the ship and prepare for your flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
All Inclusive Cruising
On an AmaWaterways river cruise, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. There’s always a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Included in your cruise fare:
- Luxury stateroom or suite
- On-demand entertainment system
- Fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Delicious regionally inspired cuisine
- Sip and Sail daily cocktail hour
- A variety of included tours
- All port taxes and fees
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard