Wachau Valley
The Sound of Vienna Concert
Salzburg & Mondsee
Budapest Evening Illumination Cruise
Discover the history and culture of central Europe with breathtaking views along the romantic Danube River! Our opulent seven-night cruise aboard an AMADEUS ship includes ports of call in Passau, Germany; Linz, Emmersdorf/Melk, Duernstein and Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Esztergom, Szentendre and Budapest, Hungary. Enjoy a variety of included excursions, such as a day trip to Salzburg, exploring world-famous Melk Abbey, gliding through Wachau Valley, attending The Sound of Vienna concert, and a Budapest evening illumination cruise! While on board, enjoy gourmet meals – including dinners accompanied by beer, wine, or soft drinks, complimentary Wi-Fi, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, port talks, and more.
Things to know: Smart casual attire is appropriate for all meals. For dinner, we recommend slacks and a nice shirt or a casual dress (shorts are not permitted). Jackets and ties are optional. The Captain’s Gala is an appropriate time to dress up, if desired. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, they must be noted at the time of booking. Transfers between the ship dock and airport are not included. All gratuities to shipboard staff must be paid by cash or credit card at the end of the cruise; the recommended amount is 13 euros per guest, per day. Port charges and taxes are included. The electric current on the ship is 230 volts, 50 cycles. Outlets differ from those in North America, so an adapter is required. A voltage converter is only necessary if your device is not compatible with 230 volts. If your device tag states 110–230 volts, a converter is not required. AMADEUS vessels do not maintain services or facilities for children, so we cannot accommodate anyone under 8 years of age. All minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied and share a cabin with a responsible adult over the age of 21.
Trip overview may vary by departure. No other discount, coupons, or promotions may be applied when utilizing the Tour Discount.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
AMADEUS Riva or Cara
Delight in the exclusivity of a boutique hotel with the elegance of a private yacht. The Riva and Cara were designed specifically for providing unsurpassed experiences on European waterways and offer the option of spacious suites featuring private walk-out balconies or comfortable standard cabins, all with upscale bathrooms and walk-in closets. Leisure time on board can be well-spent by savoring locally inspired dishes, participating in cooking demonstrations, getting pampered in the Massage Room, grabbing a coffee from Cafe Vienna, listening to live musical entertainment in the Panorama Bar, or relaxing on the River Terrace with stunning views. Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are yours to enjoy during dinner while the Cruise Director’s expert commentary and staff’s exceptional service elevate this unforgettable journey.
Schonbrunn Palace
Step into the grandeur of Austria’s royal past at one of Vienna’s most stunning landmarks, a former imperial summer residence. Once home to the Habsburg dynasty, this magnificent Baroque palace boasts perfectly manicured gardens with fountains and statues, opulent state rooms, lavishly decorated salons, and the private apartments of Empress Maria Theresa. Looking out from the palace, you can also see the famous arches and columns of Gloriette set on the hillside.
Budapest
Enjoy a guided tour of the Hungarian capital, coined “Queen of the Danube.” Admire the magnificent Parliament Building that shares striking similarities to London’s Westminster Palace, then take in panoramic views at Fisherman’s Bastion and walk Hero’s Square. We also see the Millennium Monument honoring Hungary’s seven founding figures and gaze upon the opulent decor of St. Stephen’s Basilica before leisure time to explore independently.
- Day 1: Board the AMADEUS Riva or CaraEmbarkation begins at 4:00 PM at the riverboat dock in Passau, Germany, and we stay docked overnight. Settle into your accommodations aboard our luxurious AMADEUS ship for the next seven nights with all onboard meals included. Later, we gather for a Welcome Reception and dinner in a reserved dining space. Important arrival details: To ensure you don’t miss embarkation check-in, please plan for an hour to go through Customs at the airport and approximately 15 minutes to transfer from Passau’s train station to the ship dock. The nearby airports with transfer times are: Munich International Airport (MUC), a two-and-a-half-hour train ride with one transfer; Vienna International Airport (VIE), a four-hour train ride with one transfer; and Linz Airport (LNZ), a 20-minute bus ride (line 601) to Linz Hauptbahnhof and an 80-minute train ride from Deutsche Bahn (DB) or Intercity Express (ICE) to Passau. The docking location details will be provided before departure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 2: Passau, GermanyOur day kicks off by exploring Passau, known as the City of Three Rivers because it lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers. Become immersed in over 2,000 years of history on a guided walking excursion that includes St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest cathedral organ. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3: Linz, AustriaWe dock in Linz this morning, then take a scenic motorcoach ride to the beautiful City of Music, Salzburg. Enjoy a guided tour to admire the famous Baroque architecture and well-preserved city center in Old Town, a renowned World Heritage Site. We also view the birth house of Mozart, Salzburg Cathedral, and Getreidegasse, a quaint alley along the river with charming shops. After lunch together, our journey continues to the picturesque village of Mondsee, best known as a filming location for The Sound of Music. Later, we take the motorcoach back to Linz and reboard the ship.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4: The Wachau ValleyThis morning, we dock in Emmersdorf, across the river from Melk. Embark on an included excursion to Melk Abbey, a 900-year-old Baroque-style Benedictine abbey. Visit the modern museum and world-famous library, then stroll Prelature Hall, Marble Hall, and the gorgeous Abbey Park. We return to our ship for lunch and an afternoon of stunning vistas as we glide through the heart of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. Later, we arrive in the charming village of Durnstein for time at leisure to visit a museum or the castle and taste liquor crafted with Wachau apricots.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5: Vienna, AustriaThe grand sights of Vienna await us today. Tour this historic city with views of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the quirky Expressionist house known as Hundertwasserhaus, and the former imperial Hofburg Palace. After lunch, we tour one of the country’s most notable cultural monuments boasting over 1,400 opulent rooms, Schonbrunn Palace. Our evening is filled with ballet dancers, opera singers, and the melodies of famous composers, performed by the Alt Wien orchestra at the Kursalon’s The Sound of Vienna concert.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6: Bratislava, SlovakiaTake advantage of a full day in Bratislava, one of the Danube’s best jewels. Our included excursion features a drive up to Bratislava Castle on the Little Carpathian Mountain range, where we marvel at its grand exterior and take in panoramic views of three countries simultaneously: Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. Next, enjoy a walking tour to see the old city walls and iconic buildings, like the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert hall. The afternoon is yours to explore personal interests, such as lively bars and quaint cafes in the pedestrian-only Old Town. This evening, we enjoy the Captain’s Gala aboard the ship.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7: Esztergom & Szentendre, HungaryDiscover the lovely Hungarian countryside today! Our first port, Esztergom, provides an opportunity to see the third-largest basilica in Europe. This afternoon, we continue to the artists’ village of Szentendre to browse the fabulous art galleries and museums. Tonight, delight in a Budapest illumination cruise as the shimmering lights of this majestic city surround us.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: Disembark in BudapestSavor one last breakfast, then bid farewell to our floating home before 9:00 AM. As the ship stays docked the night prior, you may depart earlier to accommodate flight times if needed. Please plan for 30-45 minutes for your travel time to the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD).
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 7 nights aboard an AMADEUS luxurious ship with complimentary Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment, port charges & taxes included
Attractions & Highlights
- Passau guided walking tour feat. St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Ports of call: Passau, Germany; Linz, Emmersdorf/Melk, Duernstein & Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Esztergom, Szentendre & Budapest, Hungary
- Salzburg guided city tour excursion feat. Mondsee
- Melk Abbey
- The Wachau Valley
- The Sound of Vienna concert at the Kursalon
- Vienna guided city tour feat. Schonbrunn Palace
- Bratislava guided walking tour
- Budapest evening illumination cruise
40 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Reception
- All meals & afternoon tea included aboard the ship
- Beverage package with all dinners
- Captain’s Gala dinner
- Farewell Reception
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
*Land Only - Flights Not Included