Romantic Danube with AmaWaterways
7 night scenic Danube River cruise with shore excursions in Passau, the “City of Three Rivers”; Vienna, the “City of Waltzes”; romantic Bratislava; Budapest, Europe’s most regal city & more
Overview
Style | Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted |
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Departures | March – October 2025 | ||
Themes | Grand Tours, Bucket List, River Cruises | ||
Activity Level | Easy | ||
What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Our 7-night Romantic Danube cruise is perfect for those longing for the romance of Old World Europe. Travel into the heart of four iconic countries; Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Witness the locations where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned, and some of the world’s most incredible music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest forever remain timeless with their historic city centers, towering castles, and medieval monuments and museums. Admire the beauty of Salzburg and the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Ceský Krumlov. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Danube will captivate you with all her regal and romantic splendor.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights aboard 5-star AmaWaterways
- 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; sparkling wine and juices at breakfast
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail, and Gala Dinner
- La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
- Tapas, sandwiches, snacks, and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
- Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
- Choice of daily shore excursions with personal headsets
- Entertainment on board
- Port taxes
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation
- 2 nights Budapest Pre-Cruise, 3 nights Prague post-cruise – please call for details
Why you'll love it
- Spend 7 nights aboard your 5-star AmaWaterways cruise ship.
- Explore Passau, the "City of Three Rivers" on a guided walking tour, or hike to the "Veste Oberhaus" for an active adventure.
- Tour Salzburg's Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market.
- Step into The Sound of Music with a stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael.
- Embark on a scenic cruise through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley.
- Stroll the cobblestone streets of Dürnstein before visiting Melk's Benedictine Abbey.
- For an active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was formally held, or bike ride along the Danube through the Wachau Valley.
- Discover the Opera House and the former Imperial Palace during a walking tour of Vienna.
- Indulge your tastebuds in a special "Tastes of Slovakia" tour.
- Visit both the Buda and Pest sides of the Danube River and admire some of Budapest's most important medieval monuments and museums.
- Enjoy breathtaking city views during an optional hike to Castle Hill.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Some sailings are in reverse order. Please call for details.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your journey begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Vilshofen, Germany
- Arrive in Munich, Germany
- Transfer to Vilshofen
- Embark on your river cruise and set sail
AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaViola, AmaVerde or similar Dinner
Full Day ItineraryUpon arrival in Munich, Germany, you will be met and transferred to your ship for embarkation for your Romantic Danube cruise.
Later this evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 3 Vilshofen
- Enjoy free time in Vilshofen
- Embark on a walking tour of Passau
- Or, hike Passau's Castle Hill
- Or, set off on a River Inn bike tour
AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaViola, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryDay 4 Linz
- Embark on a “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour
- Or, set off on a “Cultural Mile” bike tour
- Or, enjoy a full-day Salzburg excursion
- Have the opportunity to visit charming Český Krumlov
AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaViola, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryArrive in Linz, where you’ll have several exciting excursions to choose from. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and the site of the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. Alternatively, join a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House. For an active adventure, join a guided bike tour along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. Have the opportunity to visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border.
Note: The Český Krumlov excursion is not available with the full-day Salzburg excursion.
Day 5 Scenic Cruising, Wachau Valley and Dürnstein
- Cruise through Strudengau and the UNESCO Wachau Valley
- Join a walking tour in Dürnstein, including Melk's Benedictine Abbey
- Or, visit a local apricot grower and enjoy a sweets tasting
- Or, hike up to Dürnstein Fortress
- Or, pedal through the Wachau Valley on a bike tour
- Enjoy an evening wine tasting at a local winery
AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaViola, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryCruise through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, the gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, have the chance to join a walking tour in Dürnstein along its cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche and then visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey. For the more active adventurer, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held or take a bike ride along the Danube through the Wachau Valley. As an alternative excursion, visit a local apricot grower and enjoy the region’s finest apricot treats. Later in the evening, indulge in a special wine tasting of locally grown, world-renowned Riesling and Grüner Veltliner in Weissenkirchen.
Day 6 Vienna
- Explore Vienna on a city tour
- Or, embark on a guided bike tour
- Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon
AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaViola, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThe “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems waiting to be explored, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. The tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. If you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore this iconic city further.
Day 7 Bratislava
- Explore the “Coronation City” during a walking tour
- Or, indulge your tastebuds on a "Tastes of Slovakia" tour
- Or, hike up to Bratislava Castle
AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaViola, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryHost 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 and admire the magnificent views of the city.
Day 8 Budapest
- Explore Budapest during a city tour
- Or, hike up to Castle Hill
AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaBella, AmaViola, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryYour city tour begins at Budapest’s Great Market Hall, home to various delicious food and shopping. Afterward, visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. See the 19th-century Chain Bridge, which connects the Buda district with Pest, and the UNESCO-designated Castle Hill district, which contains some of Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and museums. As an alternative choice, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below.
Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.
Day 9 Budapest/USA
- Today, you'll be escorted to the airport and board your flight back home
- Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Cruise Ships
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
- What should I know about Austria? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about the Czech Republic? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about Hungary? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about Germany? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about Slovakia? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.