Arrive at Budapest Airport and gather our luggage. Enjoy an included 2-course lunch at the hotel before an orientation tour of the local area where you will be able to see some of the city’s dazzling sites including Parliament and Liberty Square, Opera House and the river Danube with its iconic bridges. You’ll finish your first day enjoying a 3-course welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Overnight: Mercure Budapest Korona (or similar)

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. Later this morning we will check out of the hotel and have free time to explore before making our way to the Budapest Cruise Dock. Embarkation time is 3:00 pm. We will board the AmaSonata and begin our Melodies of the Danube journey.

Overnight: AmaSonata

Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. 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. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below.

Overnight: AmaSonata

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.

Overnight: AmaSonata

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove 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, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more.

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 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.

Overnight: AmaSonata

The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. 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. 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 city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. In the afternoon, you can also choose to visit charming Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border.

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Overnight: AmaSonata

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 up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress or a guided bike tour along the Danube River. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration – an AmaWaterways exclusive.

Overnight: AmaSonata

After breakfast on board the ship we will disembark and meet our local English-speaking guide and transfer to Prague where we will check in to our hotel for a three-night stay.

This evening will be at your leisure to have dinner (not included) at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Leon D’Oro (or similar)

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. This morning we will be joined by an expert Local Guide for a half-day guided tour of Prague. During our tour we will explore the history of this centenary city and bask in the beautiful sights of the Wenceslas Square, National Opera, and Jewish Quarter amongst others. Entrance to Prague Castle is included during the tour. Following the tour, you will have a chance to explore Prague at your leisure. Dinner will be on your own (not included) this evening.

Overnight: Hotel Leon D’Oro (or similar)

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. Today is a free day to explore Prague as you wish. This evening we will enjoy a concert of classical music in a beautiful historical venue with amazing acoustics. Afterwards, enjoy a flavourful farewell meal to reminisce on the amazing journey to date.

Overnight: Hotel Leon D’Oro (or similar)

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and meet with your Tour Director. This morning we check out of the hotel and make our way to Prague Airport. Depart on our transatlantic flight for Toronto or Montreal. Once we clear customs in Toronto or Montreal we will find our departure gates for our return flights to select Maritime cities (Charlottetown, Halifax, Moncton, or Fredericton). Say goodbye to your Tour Director and your newfound friends from your Melodies of the Danube River Cruise.