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Inspiring Adventures
Budapest Evening Illumination Cruise
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Wachau Valley
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The Sound of Vienna Concert at Kursalon
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Salzburg & Mondsee
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Passau
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Explore the history and culture of central Europe from our luxurious ship, the AMADEUS Imperial. Arrive in Budapest, Hungary for an overnight stay and guided city tour before boarding our stunning cruise ship for seven nights of spectacular cities and breathtaking views along the romantic Danube River. Enjoy several included shore excursions with ports of call in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. Look forward to incredible experiences including a Budapest evening illumination cruise, The Sound of Vienna concert at the Kursalon, a day trip to Salzburg, touring the medieval village of Cesky Krumlov – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and much more. Disembarking in Passau, Germany, our adventure concludes in Prague with two evenings in opulent accommodations while exploring the city’s iconic attractions. All meals, a beverage package, and Wi-Fi are included aboard the ship!
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
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.
Guest photo.AMADEUS Riva
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.
Vienna
Discover the capital of Austria on a guided city tour where history, art, and imperial grandeur come to life. Stand in awe beneath the towering spires of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, admire the colorful and unconventional design of Hundertwasserhaus, and view the opulent Hofburg Palace. Then, enjoy a private Sound of Vienna concert at the magnificent Kursalon, a tribute to the city’s legendary composers.
Guest photo.Prague City Tour
Spend a full day in the enchanting capital of the Czech Republic, also known as the City of a Hundred Spires. Experience the city’s rich history with a local guide, including views of Saint Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane – a famous 15th-century road near Prague Castle. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace. You may enjoy strolling down cobbled streets in Old Town, uncovering the secrets of the astronomical clock, and indulging in world-class Czech cuisine.
- Day 1: Fly to HungaryOur journey begins with an overnight flight across the Atlantic.
- Day 2: BudapestArriving in Budapest, we check in to our beautiful hotel, perfect for relaxation and exploration with many historical landmarks nearby. Tonight, we get to know our fellow travelers at a lovely Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 3: City Tour & Set SailAfter breakfast, we embark on a tour of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. View all of Budapest’s must-see attractions, such as the Parliament building, Millennium Monument in Hero’s Square, the towering dome of St. Stephen’s Basilica, Royal Castle Hill district, the neo-Renaissance Opera House, and the seven stone towers of the Fisherman’s Bastion. This afternoon, we board the luxurious AMADEUS Riva. Enjoy opulent rooms, all meals included, a dinner beverage package, free Wi-Fi, and daily shore excursions as we cruise for the next seven nights. After dinner on board, gaze upon the shimmering lights of this majestic city during an illumination cruise.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4: 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 begin our northbound cruise along the Danube River. We board a motorcoach and visit the artist village of Szentendre, known for its cobblestone streets, galleries, crafts, and local paprika. We then continue to Esztergom, home to one of the largest basilicas in Europe, before returning to the ship.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5: BratislavaWe spend a full day in Bratislava, one of the Danube’s best jewels. 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 6: ViennaThe 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. Afterwards, we return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Take advantage of onboard amenities, such as socializing over cocktails in the Panorama bar or treating yourself to a massage. 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 7: The Wachau ValleyThis morning, we dock in the charming village of Durnstein for time at leisure to independently taste liquor 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 8: 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 9: 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. Our ship stays docked another night, so the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish! This is a great time to venture high above Old Town and visit Veste Oberhaus, one of Europe’s largest fortress complexes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10: Cesky KrumlovThis morning, we say goodbye to our floating hotel and drive to one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov. This medieval village and UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to 1240, offering a plethora of history to discover. Enjoy its Bohemian charm and fairy-tale architecture during our guided walking tour through the historic inner city, including views of Krumlov Castle. Later, we check in to our elegant Prague hotel and have dinner together.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11: PragueAfter breakfast at the hotel, you may choose to take a guided walking tour of Old Town and venture out to Prague Castle, a breathtaking baroque masterpiece overlooking the Vltava River. Alternatively, you may spend all of your time in Old Town with sights of the Royal Palace, historic churches, and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The afternoon is yours to sightsee more of this stunning city. Tonight, we celebrate our incredible adventure at a delicious Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 12: Fly HomeWe return home with treasured memories of our adventures along the beautiful Danube River.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 1 night in Budapest
- 7 nights aboard the AMADEUS Riva with complimentary Wi-Fi
- 2 nights in Prague
Attractions & Highlights
- Budapest evening illumination cruise
- Budapest guided city tour feat. Fisherman’s Bastion & St. Stephen’s Basilica
- Budapest, Esztergom & Szentendre, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna, Durnstein, Melk/Emmersdorf & Linz, Austria; Passau, Germany
- Szentendre & Esztergom excursion
- Bratislava guided walking tour
- The Sound of Vienna concert
- Vienna guided city tour feat. St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Melk Abbey guided tour
- Salzburg guided city tour & Mondsee excursion
- Passau culinary & history walking tour
- Cesky Krumlov guided walking tour
- Prague guided city tour feat. Old Town & Prague Castle
26 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Dinner in Budapest
- All meals & beverage package included aboard the ship
- Captain’s Gala dinner aboard the ship
- Farewell Dinner in Prague
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
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