Melodies of the Danube (Wine Themed)

Overview

Let wine and song carry you along the melodious Danubemuse for musicians, artists and poets for centuries. Explore Prague, Vienna and Budapest, magnificent capital cities with storybook architecture and the tales to match. Visit Salzburg, the setting for the beloved film classic, “The Sound of Music,” complete with a stop in Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael where the movies wedding scene was filmed. Indulge in the flavors of the region, from delicate, apricot-scented wines of Austrias Wachau Valley to the hearty Bavarian beer at a traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest in Vilshofen. Each bend and twist in the river affords new surprises just waiting for you to discover.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Budapest

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

Day 2 – Budapest

Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture, tradition and even a secret labyrinth of caves under the city. Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall before going to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Youll see Heroes Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fishermans Bastion and Mattias Church. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Vienna

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 Viennas historic city center and then visit St. Stephens 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)

Day 4 – Vienna & Krems

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. 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)

Day 5 – Weissenkirchen, Scenic Cruising & Grein

After reaching Weissenkirchen, youll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Drnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Or opt for a walking tour of Weissenkirchen followed by an abbey visit. For a more culinary-focused experience, join a walking tour in Drnstein, 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, join a guided bike tour to Melk or hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. Later in the day, sail through the Strudengau Valley to medieval Grein for an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally from above. While here, enjoy a folklore show and wine reception. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Linz

The ship arrives in Linz where youll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where youll 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. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the citys famed Cultural Mile and the Danube. During the afternoon, you can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, esk Krumlov. (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Passau & Vilshofen

Discover the city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephens Cathedral. Or choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube River, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration an AmaWaterways exclusive. (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Vilshofen

This morning, disembark your ship in Vilshofen. (B)