Itinerary
OPTIONAL: 2 NIGHT PRE-CRUISE BUDAPEST TOUR
Thursday, November 4 – Saturday, November 6, 2021
Day 1: Thursday, November 4
ARRIVE BUDAPEST
You will be met on arrival at Budapest International Airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. TIP: Tonight stroll down Kazinczy Street and explore the lively Jewish Quarter’s night life. This is Budapest’s version of Bourbon Street with the many “Ruins” bars and night clubs.
Overnight: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (2 nights)
Day 2: Friday, November 5
BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING
Today is at leisure to explore Budapest, arguably central Europe’s most substantive city. Budapest has been a crossroads between Europe and Asia since the time of Genghis Khan. Our tour desk in the hotel will offer optional tours to the Hungarian Parliament and Opera, the Szendtendre Artist Village or an exploration of the city’s many Jewish sites and historical places. Tonight enjoy a Gypsy dinner at the historic Karpatia Restaurant. (B,D)
Day 3: Saturday, November 6
ROYAL PALACE OF GODOLLO / LAZAR EQUESTRIAN ESTATE – EMBARKATION
This morning check out of the hotel after breakfast. We have a uniquely Hungarian sightseeing program today visiting two superb attractions outside the city. The Royal Palace of Godollo was the summer getaway for Emperor Franz Josef and his beloved queen Elizabeth, fondly called “Sisi” by Hungarians. After a tour of the palace visit the extraordinary Lazar Champions Estate. Here brothers Vilmos and Zoltan Lazar raise Hungary’s finest horses, including the beautiful white Lippinzan breed and the enormous Hungarian draft horses. Enjoy a phenomenal riding show by Hungarian hussars in traditional costume, followed by refreshments and an authentic and delicious country lunch. NOTE: Great photo opportunities here! This afternoon board the M/S AmaSonata to begin our Danube cruise program. (B,L,D)
Melodies of the Danube River Cruise
Saturday, November 6 – Saturday, November 13, 2021
Day 1: Saturday, November 6
EMBARKATION – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. During the evening, be treated to a special Illuminations cruise past the capital’s glittering riverfront. (D)
Day 2: Sunday, November 7
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
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. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Monday, November 8
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
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)
Day 4: Tuesday, November 9
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
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. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Wednesday, November 10
WEISSENKIRCHEN – GREIN
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. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Thursday, November 11
LINZ, AUSTRIA
TThe 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. (B,L,D)
*Note: Not available with full-day Salzburg excursion
Day 7: Friday, November 12
PASSAU, GERMANY – 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. 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. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Saturday, November 13
VILSHOFEN: EMBARKATION
Bid farewell to Vilshofen and prepare for your flight home. (B)
OPTIONAL: 3 NIGHT POST-CRUISE TOUR IN PRAGUE
Saturday, November 13 – Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Day 1: Saturday, November 13
DISEMBARKATION – REGENSBURG TOUR — PRAGUE
Disembark the AmaSonata and depart for Prague. Stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, originally founded by the Romans. Enjoy a walking tour and free time to explore the city’s historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Prague, taking in the scenic beauty of the countryside before arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. (B)
Day 2: Sunday, November 14
PRAGUE
Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see Rudolfinum, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Next, see the 1,000 year old Prague Castle while riding a vintage tram up Castle Hill. After our exclusive visit to the Strahov Library, we will walk over to St. Norbert’s Brewery to experience their award-winner beers. At the conclusion of our tour, you can walk back to the hotel via the stunning Charles Bridge and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure. Tonight a private dinner at one of Prague’s elegant restaurants has been arranged for the group. (B,D)
Day 3: Monday, November 15
PRAGUE / OPTIONAL TOURS
Spend a day at your leisure, perhaps to stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vltava River, relax at an outdoor café, or shop for local handicrafts. Alternatively, we have a number of optional sightseeing excursions including Terezin Camp, the art collection at Lobkowitz Palace, the historic U Flecku Brewery & Beer Tasting or Crystal Glass Blowing.(B)
Day 4: Tuesday, November 16
DEPART PRAGUE
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)
PLEASE NOTE:
A reasonable degree of mobility is required for all passengers on this program. Most of the guided tours provided on your cruise are walking tours. Many historic villages in Europe are located on hilltops, where it is necessary to walk up and down hilly, cobblestone streets that may have narrow passageways. Ships docked in port are often rafted side-by-side to another river ship. Passengers are then required to ascend and descend flights of 12 or more stairs to walk up to observation deck, down to gang planks to enter or exit the rafted ships. To participate in tours and get on and off the ship, travelers must be able to walk unaccompanied.
Disabilities and Wheelchairs
Persons with a walking disability or an injury, or who require a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility device, must have another dedicated person traveling with them to assist/push etc. The ship’s crew and other cruise guests are not available to assist persons with limited mobility. On customized pre or post cruise land programs, the Expanding Horizons tour manager is authorized to remove, or ask to leave from the tour, any traveler incapable of, unwilling to, or impeding the overall movement and progress of the tour group.