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OPTIONAL: 3 NIGHT PRE-CRUISE TOUR IN PRAGUE
Friday, July 23 – July 26, 2027
Day 1: Friday, July 23
ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and make your way to your hotel for check-in.
OVERNIGHT: InterContinental (3 Nights) or similar
KEY FOR INCLUDED MEALS: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
Day 2: Saturday, July 24
PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
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. See Rudolfinum and the Dancing House. 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, built in 1399, where the saints go marching in, every hour on the hour! (B)
Day 3: Sunday, July 25
PRAGUE
Venture to a local wine bar, join a tasting of Czech wines led by a local expert and discover the flavors of the region. (B)
NOTE: Tasting may take place on Day 2 or Day 3 of this itinerary
Day 4: Monday, July 26
PRAGUE / REGENSBURG / VILSHOFEN / EMBARKATION
Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you’ll discover on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. After touring Regensburg, continue your journey on to Vilshofen to board AmaVerde, our luxury river ship. Cap the day with a festive Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration in front of the ship. (B,D)
Romantic Danube River Cruise
Monday, July 26 – Monday, August 2, 2027
Day 1: Monday, July 26
VILSHOFEN AN DER DONAU – GERMANY: EMBARKATION
Arrive Vilshofen and make your way to the AmaVerde for embarkation on your luxury cruise ship. Cap off the day with an exclusive festive Oktoberfest celebration (D).
Planning Your Travel: Known as the “Little Three Rivers Town,” Vilshofen is situated at the entrance of the Lower Bavarian-Upper Austrian Danube Gorge.
If booking your own flights: Munich (MUC) is the nearest airport and is locate approximately 2.5 hours from Vilshofen. Three options are available for travel to Vilshofen.
- Coach Transportation: For those arriving into Munich (MUC) on Embarkation day. AmaWaterways offers three transfers to the ship – 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM & 5:30 PM. The fee is $99 per person and must be booked with Expanding Horizons no later than 30 days prior to embarkation.
- Rail: Reservation can be made with RailEurope
- Private Car Transportation: This service is offered by various companies – for example BlackLane Global Chauffeur Services.
- If you arrive prior to July 26, 2027 and you are not participating in the Pre-Land tour, please make your way to the ship.
Services subject to change without notice.
Day 2: Tuesday, July 27
VILSHOFEN / PASSAU, GERMANY
Explore Vilshofen and its beautiful old town before cruising to Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Join a walking tour, or if you prefer to be more active, hike high into the hills for a visit to the “Veste Oberhaus,” Passau’s Castle Hill; or go on a guided bike tour to Wernstein. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Wednesday, July 28
LINZ / AUSTRIA
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. 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. In the afternoon, embark on a journey into the fascinating world of whiskey distillation on an exciting guided tour. (B,L,D)
*Note: Not combinable with other tours on this day
Day 4: Thursday, July 29
WACHAU VALLEY / WEISSENKIRCHEN
Cruise through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, you can choose to join a walking tour in Dürnstein along its cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, Dürnstein’s famed church cloister tower, considered the most beautiful of its kind in all of Austria. For the more active adventurer, you can venture high above the town for a visit to the majestic ruins of Kuenringer Castle, or “Dürnstein” (dry stone) castle from which Dürnstein derives its name. After free time in Durnstein, you will leave for a special wine tasting in Weissenkirchen, nestled in the Wachau Valley. Wines from the Weissenkirchen region tend to have a pronounced freshness, spiciness, finesse and complexity. Locally grown Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners are renowned around the world and you will get to sample a few. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Friday, July 30
WEISSENKIRCHEN / KREMS
Visit the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey (Stift Melk), one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries. Within these walls, you will find frescos painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger, as well as a famed collection of musical manuscripts. After your tour, enjoy free time exploring the picturesque village of Melk, one of Europe’s great cultural heritage sites. Or for the more active cruise, take a guided bike tour through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Sail to Krems, where you will enjoy a special wine tasting at Schloss Gobelsburg, formerly a Cistercian monastery, 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 6: Saturday, July 31
VIENNA / AUSTRIA
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems, and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. In the evening, enjoy wine and live music at a traditional Austrian Heuriger (wine tavern). (B,L,D)
TIP: Take a taxi or public transport and join one of the hourly walking tours (reservations required) of Vienna’s incredible equestrian institution the Spanish Riding School.
Day 7: Sunday, August 1
ESZTERGOM / BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Today in Budapest, you have the opportunity to visit the Buda (hilly) side of the Danube River. Follow 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. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Monday, August 2
BUDAPEST / DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home (B).
Planning Your Travel:
- Transportation to the Budapest (BUD) airport for onward flights may be made on board the ship with the Cruise Manager.
Services subject to change without notice.
OPTIONAL: 2-NIGHT POST-CRUISE TOUR IN BUDAPEST
Monday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 4, 2027
Day 1: Monday, August 2
BUDAPEST
Step ashore in Budapest and travel back in time as you discover Budapest’s ancient Roman ruins, then enjoy a private tasting of Hungarian wine before checking into your 5-star luxury hotel. Surrounded by the city’s architectural splendor and vibrant energy, enjoy a leisurely evening soaking in the beauty and rhythm of this captivating capital. (B)
Overnight: Budapest Dorothea Hotel (2 nights) or similar
Day 2: Tuesday, August 3
BUDAPEST
Discover Budapest’s rich heritage and cultural depth as your guide leads you through lesser-known corners of the city. From charming streets to hidden architectural gems, experience the elegant pulse of the “Queen of the Danube” in a way few travelers see. Or, enjoy an optional tour of Puszta and Godollo. This afternoon is at leisure with free time to explore Budapest on a self-guided experience. (B)
Day 3: Wednesday, August 4
DEPART BUDAPEST
This morning check out of the hotel after breakfast. You will be transferred to Budapest International Airport (code: BUD) for onward flights. (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.