Melodies of the Danube with Budapest and Prague (Wine Cruise)

Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel.

Budapest is one of Europe's most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights are just off the banks of the Danube. Often described as the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is well-known for Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Hill and its magnificent Hungarian Parliament building. However, this sprawling city is full of rich history and culture and offers many “hidden” treasures as you venture further past its river banks. During this excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler. (B)

Excursions:

• “Hidden Budapest” tour

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

Today you have the opportunity to 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)

Excursions:

• Buda city tour OR Castle Hill hike
• Pest city tour

The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases 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 then visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. Later, enjoy wine and live music at a traditional Austrian Heuriger (wine tavern). (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Imperial Vienna” tour OR Vienna city bike tour
• Traditional Viennese Wine and Music Evening

Discover Vienna's lasting royal treasures on this fascinating tour as you make your way to the Imperial Treasury, which holds the glittering jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown and the Holy Lance, as well as the Crown of the Austrian Empire. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike tour Danube River to the nearby town of Klosterneuberg. Later, sail to Krems and enjoy a special wine tasting at Schloss Gobelsburg, formerly a Cistercian monastery, which is one of the oldest wineries in Austria. Visit this beautiful castle and have the opportunity to tour their cellars, learning more about the traditional methods drawn from historical wine-making practices, as well as tasting some traditional Austrian wines. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Royal Treasures tour OR Guided Klosterneuburg bike tour
• Schloss Gobelsburg Cellar tour & wine tasting

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 and be treated to an exquisite wine tasting at Austria's historic Burg Clam located on the cliffs high above the nearby village of Clam. While nestled deep within this majestic and historic setting, enjoy the opportunity to sample a few local vintages. Wines from this region tend to have a pronounced freshness, spiciness, finesse and complexity. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Highlights of Dürnstein and Melk Abbey visit OR Dürnstein excursion with wine and apricot tastings OR Dürnstein fortress hike OR Weissenkirchen to Melk bike tour
• Strudengau Valley and UNESCO Wachau Valley
• Burg Clam with wine tasting

The ship arrives in Linz where you'll have several choices of excursions. For those who love The Sound of Music, enjoy 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 Basilica St. Michael, where the famous wedding scene in the movie was filmed. 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.

Following these full-day excursions, you may also choose to take a brief walking tour in Linz. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or bike along the city's famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Full-day Salzburg excursion OR Full-day Český Krumlov excursion
• “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour

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, go on a bike tour of the city's famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube; or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration— an AmaWaterways exclusive. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “City of Three Rivers” walking tour OR Passau Castle hike OR Passau bike tour
• Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration

Depart the ship and drive to Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities, which you'll discover on a guided walking tour. After touring Regensburg, continue on to Prague. (B)

Excursions:

• Transfer to Regensburg
• UNESCO city highlights tour

Experience the wonders of Prague and its historic city center that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site on your city tour or you can hike to the grand castle. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital's famous Astronomical Clock. (B)

Excursions:

• “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour OR Prague Castle hike

Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country's national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech's beer some of the very best in the world. (B)

Excursions:

• Czech beer tasting

Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)