zChristmas on the Danube - AmaWaterways

Arrive in Budapest and embark upon your river cruise ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a festive Welcome Dinner. Meals D

Your morning sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle, which offers a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river below. Your tour also features the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Meals B,L,D

Arrive this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Later the ship departs for Vienna, the music capital of the world. Onboard you will enjoy a gala Christmas lunch. Meals B,L,D

Savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna during your guided sightseeing tour, which will include the Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The remainder of the day is at your leisure: stroll along the Kärntnerstrasse, sample Vienna’s famous pastries or visit a museum. Or, if you prefer, join an optional tour to Schonbrunn Palace. This evening, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. Meals B,L,D

Arrive in Durnstein early this morning and take a walking tour along the town’s medieval cobblestone streets. You will see 16th-century town houses, wine taverns, the striking blue facade of the baroque Stiftskirche, and the ruins of a hilltop castle where Richard the Lionhearted was once held captive. The ship arrives in Melk later this afternoon, where you will tour the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. The library here inspired Umberto Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose. The ship moors overnight in Melk. Meals B,L,D

This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. Your walking tour will take you along the Landstrasse to the city’s main square. You will also see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, Landestheatre and St. Martin’s, the oldest church in Austria. This afternoon you have the choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” (Lake District) region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will have an opportunity to explore the historic town of Gmunden. The second option is an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third choice is an excursion to Salzburg, where you will have a walking tour of the city’s historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. Enjoy free time here on your own before returning to the ship. Meals B,L,D

This morning, enjoy a scenic cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany. Your city tour takes you on an exploration of this 2,000-year-old fairy-tale city. Highlights include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest pipe organ in the world. After lunch, the ship cruises to Vilshofen, a charming 1200-year-old Bavarian town where you’ll be treated to an “Oktoberfest” celebration held exclusively for AmaWaterways guests. Relax at long tables and benches, sampling local food and beer and enjoying Bavarian folk music and dancing. Meals B,L,D

Your Danube River cruise vacation comes to an end this morning upon disembarkation here in Vilshofen. Or, continue along with us on your choice of carefully chosen extensions to either Prague or Munich!