AMAWATERWAYS
16 Days | Magnificent Europe
Westbound

BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM

Day 1 | Depart USA/Canada. Board your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

Day 2 | Budapest, Hungary. Embark Ship. Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship. This evening meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner. (D)

Day 3 | Budapest. This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and St. Stephen’s Basilica. This afternoon, an optional excursion is available, which will take you back to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner before the ship sails a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. (B,L,D)

Day 4 | Bratislava, Slovakia. Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising to Bratislava followed by your choice of a “Communist Tour” in which you will discover architectural landmarks and experience the history of the city. In the alternative, enjoy a walking tour of Bratislava, which reveals the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. The rest of the afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Tonight there is an evening music performance on board. (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Vienna, Austria. Savor the baroque elegance of romantic Vienna during your guided sightseeing tour, including the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to sightsee on your own. In the alternative, join an optional tour to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or join an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Durnstein. Melk. Early this morning, reach the Wachau Valley. Stop in Dürnstein and marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche. Your walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. You will also enjoy a wine tasting, where you will sample several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. After lunch, the ship will cruise to Melk, where you will have a guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries. A guided bicycle tour from Durnstein to Melk is also available (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Linz. Passau, Germany. This morning the ship arrives in Linz, where you will have the choice of two different excursions. The first choice is an optional excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. The tour includes a visit to the Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Square, and much more. In the alternative, remain on the ship and cruise through scenic Upper Austria to Passau. Located where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube, this 2,000-year-old city is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. A walking tour of Passau will take you along the cobblestone streets of Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Regensburg. After lunch, arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. In the alternative, visit the Audi Factory in Ingolstadt, where a member of the Audi team will take you on a guided tour of the Audi Car Museum or Factory Floor (subject to availability). The museum not only takes visitors on a tour of the entire history of the car, but also provides a fascinating look back at the 20th century with its radical changes. In the evening, enjoy a music performance on board. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Nuremberg. This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmühl Valley. The Main-Danube-Canal traverses the Franconian Alps via 16 locks, truly a fascinating feat of modern engineering. In the afternoon, decide to either tour the medieval history of Nuremberg to see the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle, or join the “modern tour” of the city’s role in the 20th-century, which includes the Zeppelin field and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Bamberg. Schweinfurt. This morning, enjoy a walking tour of the enchanting town of Bamberg, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. See the Cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and explore serpentine streets lined with charming houses. Sample some of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer before continuing your cruise to Schweinfurt. Later you can enjoy a free evening in Schweinfurt. (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Kitzingen. Wurzburg. This morning you will arrive in Kitzingen. On your walking tour, you’ll see the famous Leaning Tower, built during the 13th century, the Old Main Bridge, Kitzingen Church and the Renaissance Town Hall. Later, the Aulic Council and Wine Queen will welcome you to Germany’s oldest wine cellar. You will taste several different wines, learning first-hand about wine history and production in the region. In the afternoon, you will have a choice of three different tours. You can choose the Würzburg Tour and Residenz visit, during which you will see the major sights, including the Residenz Palace and gardens, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of Europe’s foremost examples of Baroque architecture and design. In the alternative, take a guided bike tour from Kitzingen to Würzburg (capacity controlled) or enjoy an optional tour to medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled city situated on the Romantic Road. Your walking tour includes entrance to the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Museum. (B,L,D)

Day 12 | Wertheim. Miltenberg. This morning, you will tour Wertheim, located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. The town has retained much of its medieval Franconian character, which you will discover on your walking tour of the historic city center. In the alternative, a guided bike tour from Wertheim (capacity controlled) will take you along the Main River Valley. Cruise during lunch time to Miltenberg, arriving in the afternoon for a guided walking tour along cobble-stone streets lined with gabled, half-timbered houses. Tonight, the ship sails leaving Bavaria, Franconia and the Main River behind. (B,L,D)

Day 13 | Rudesheim. Koblenz. This afternoon, arrive in Rüdesheim and take a mini train to visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time before the ships sails late this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 14 | Cologne. Krefeld. Arrive in Cologne this morning, where you will enjoy a walking tour of Old Town and Cathedral Square. You will visit the spectacular 13th-century Gothic cathedral whose twin spires are amongst the tallest in Europe. Afterwards, you will have free time to linger in the cathedral, browse the many nearby shops or perhaps enjoy a glass of Kölsch, Cologne’s famous beer. Return to the ship for lunch. Late this afternoon, take a motor coach to Venlo, where you will have the unique opportunity to visit the Floriade World Horticultural Expo. Bringing together more than 100 exhibitors from dozens of countries, the Floriade Expo grounds will feature five themed zones connected by wooded areas. Each of the zones contains its own horticultural exhibits, cultural attractions, activities, restaurant, music, dance and theatrical performances. Return to the ship this evening, now docked in Krefeld. (B,L,D)

Day 15 | Amsterdam, Holland. After breakfast, your tour of Amsterdam begins with a scenic canal cruise through the city known as the “Venice of the North.” See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. Then, enjoy a panoramic city tour, where you will see the great landmarks of Amsterdam including a photo stop at a windmill. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Amsterdam before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 16 | Amsterdam. Disembark Ship. Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

WESTBOUND ITINERARY 16 DAYS | BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM Click HERE to view 16-day EASTBOUND itinerary.