Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. (D)

Today, you will visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District, where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below, and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes Square, and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. (B, L, D)

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. (B, L, D)

The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems, and your city tour will showcase its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore this iconic city further. (B, L, D)

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 and Wachau valleys to medieval Grein for an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally from above. (B, L, D)

The ship arrives in Linz, where you’ll have several excursion options. 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. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets, marvel at the city’s picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings, and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s
largest castle complexes. Upon your return to Linz, you may choose to take a brief walking tour of the city. You can also join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House, or you can go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. (B, L, D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.

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 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. (B, L, D)

Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home. (B)