Folklore Show
Wachau Valley
The Sound of Vienna Concert at Kursalon
Salzburg & Mondsee
Budapest Evening Illumination Cruise
Highlights
AMADEUS Imperial
Experience an elegant cruise on a ship designed specifically for European waterways! Choose from 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, listening to live music 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 the staff’s exceptional service elevate this memorable 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 ImperialEmbarkation begins at 4:00 PM at the riverboat dock in Budapest, and we stay docked overnight. Settle into your accommodations aboard our elegant river ship, the AMADEUS ship, for the next seven nights with all onboard meals included. Tonight, we get to know our fellow travelers at a lovely Welcome Dinner, and the ship glides through Budapest on a spectacular evening illumination cruise. Important arrival details: Embarkation is from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. To ensure you don’t miss embarkation check-in, please allow up to 90 minutes to clear Immigration and Customs at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD). The AMADEUS riverboat dock is approximately a 45-minute taxi or rideshare transfer from the airport. AMADEUS ships usually dock at Mahart locations near the city center along the Pest side of the Danube, primarily between the Elizabeth Bridge and Margaret Bridge. Final docking location details will be provided prior to departure.
- Day 2: Szentendre & EsztergomTake advantage of one last morning in Budapest to explore or simply relax while sipping your coffee on the ship's River Terrace with scenic views. This afternoon, we disembark and travel by coach to the artist village of Szentendre for free time to admire the fabulous art galleries or museums, then continue to Esztergom, home to one of the largest basilicas in Europe. Following this, we rejoin the vessel and continue our cruise along the beautiful Danube River.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3: Bratislava, SlovakiaWe spend a full day in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia and one of the Danube’s most underrated gems. Our included excursion is a walking tour to see the old city walls and the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. We also visit Bratislava Castle on the Little Carpathian Mountain range, which provides panoramic views of three countries simultaneously: Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. The afternoon is yours to explore personal interests, such as visiting Old Town, a pedestrian-only area from the 18th century known for its quaint cafés and lively bars with world-class beer.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4: Vienna, AustriaThe grand sights of Vienna await us today! Tour the historic city with St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the quirky Expressionist house known as Hundertwasserhaus, and the former imperial Hofburg Palace. After lunch, we admire one of the country’s most notable cultural monuments with over 1,400 opulent rooms: Schonbrunn Palace. This evening, we attend The Sound of Vienna at an opulent concert hall to admire the ballet dancers, opera singers, and the melodies of famous composers.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5: The Wachau ValleyThis morning, we dock in the charming village of Durnstein for time at leisure to taste liqueur crafted with Wachau apricots, visit a museum, or hike to castle ruins where the legend of Richard the Lionheart lives on. This afternoon, we take in stunning vistas as we glide through the heart of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. Later, our ship docks in Emmersdorf for an included excursion across the river to Melk Abbey. We explore the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey’s world-famous library, Prelature Hall, Marble Hall, and Abbey Park.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6: SalzburgWe dock in Linz this morning, then take a scenic excursion to Salzburg, often called the “City of Music." Enjoy a guided tour to admire the famous Baroque architecture and well-preserved city center in Old Town, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. We also view Mozart’s Birthplace, 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 recognized as a filming location for The Sound of Music. Later, we reboard the ship and have time to freshen up before attending the Captain’s Gala dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7: PassauOur day is spent in Passau, the picturesque Bavarian city known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Experience over 2,000 years of history on a guided culinary tour! Walk the cobblestone streets while listening to fascinating stories of Passau’s past and tantalize your taste buds with local cuisine samples along the way. After returning to our ship, we raise a glass to new friendships and unforgettable adventures during a special Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: Disembark in PassauWe savor one last breakfast before bidding farewell to our floating home by 9:00 AM. Since the ship remains docked the night prior, you may depart earlier to accommodate flight times if needed. The dock is approximately 15 minutes by taxi from the Passau train station (Passau Hbf). Nearby airport transfer options include Munich International Airport (MUC), a 2.5-hour train ride with one transfer; Vienna International Airport (VIE), a 4-hour train ride with one transfer; and Linz Airport (LNZ), which requires a 20-minute bus ride (Line 601) to Linz Hauptbahnhof followed by an 80-minute train ride via Deutsche Bahn (DB) or Intercity Express (ICE) to Passau. Final docking location details will be provided prior to departure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 7 nights aboard the AMADEUS Imperial with complimentary Wi-Fi
Attractions & Highlights
- Budapest evening illumination cruise
- Ports of call in Budapest, Esztergom & Szentendre, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna, Durnstein, Melk/Emmersdorf & Linz, Austria; Passau, Germany
- Bratislava guided walking tour feat. Bratislava Castle
- The Sound of Vienna concert
- Vienna guided city tour feat. Schonbrunn Palace & St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Melk Abbey guided tour
- Salzburg guided city tour & Mondsee excursion
- Passau culinary & history walking tour
19 Excellent Meals
- All meals included aboard ship, featuring Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Gala & Farewell Dinner
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
*Land Only - Flights Not Included