AMAWATERWAYS
17 Days | Magnificent Europe
Westbound

BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM

Day 1 | Budapest, Hungary. Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 | Budapest. Once the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire (along with Vienna), Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Today’s tour takes you to another side of Budapest to the Jewish Quarter, where there are some real treasures. The Great Synagogue, the largest Synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world, located in Dohány Street represents the beating heart of this quarter. Other prominent attractions include the Holocaust Memorial, a weeping willow tree with the names of Hungarian Jews killed during the Holocaust inscribed on each leaf; and the Shoes on the Danube, a memorial to the Budapest Jews who were shot by Arrow Cross militiamen between 1944 and 1945. (B)

Day 3 | Budapest. Embark. Check out of your hotel to board your luxurious ship. During the evening, be treated to a special Illuminations cruise around Budapest’s famed Parliament building as at night, the city virtually glitters as these landmarks are awash in lights. (B,D)

Day 4 | Budapest. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture, tradition and even a secret labyrinth of caves and caverns under the city. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river (B).

Day 5 | 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 culinary host to sample traditional Slovakian specialties, as well as learn how to prepare stuffed potato ravioli with an opportunity to taste your own creation. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Vienna, Austria. The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and you have two ways to discover them. Join a city tour showcasing its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or, for a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, you can enjoy leisure time or pedal your way to Klosterneuburg Monastery on a guided cycling tour. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Durnstein. Melk. After reaching the Wachau Valley in the morning, you’ll have a choice of three excursions in Dürnstein. Partake in a walking tour along cobblestone streets to the luminous blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche, its famed church tower, before enjoying a wine tasting in a local cellar. For a beautiful view of the Wachau Valley, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. Alternatively, visit a local boutique, where you’ll be treated to the region’s finest apricot products. After your morning excursions, you have a choice to cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk or join a bike tour along the Danube. Upon reaching Melk, take a tour of the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Passau, Germany. Enjoy a scenic morning sailing to the medieval city of Passau. Join a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress overlooking Passau. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Regensburg. Explore Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties— beer, sausage and pretzels; or bike to Walhalla where you'll see the neo-Classical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Nuremberg. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Explore the medieval city center with a tour that showcases the Imperial Castle and the famous town wall, as well as Albrecht Dürer’s home and Market Square with its legendary fountain. Or you can take a guided tour of the city’s WWII history, including a visit to the infamous Zeppelin Field, a museum built on the site of former Nazi rallies and the site of the Nuremberg Trials when not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Bamberg. Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions. Or taste your way through the city with tastings of smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla, a pastry. And for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Day 12 | Wurzburg. Nestled along the “Romantic Road” lies Würzburg. Join a walking tour of this beautiful city, or visit its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get more active with a hike up to the Marienberg Fortress, the most prominent landmark on the left bank of the Main River in Würzburg. (B,L,D)

Day 13 | Wertheim. Miltenberg. Enjoy a walking tour of Wertheim, which has one of the most beautiful city centers in Germany. Those wishing to learn more about the art of pretzel making can join a demonstration and tasting, and for the more actively inclined, go on a guided bike tour. Later visit Miltenberg, with its fairytale half-timbered houses, Crooked House and Royal Inn. While on your walking tour of Miltenberg, discover why this medieval town seems to leap from the pages of a fairytale; or if you prefer to explore Miltenberg more actively, go on a hike. (B,L,D)

Day 14 | Rudesheim. Rüdesheim is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. With a history stemming from Roman times, Rüdesheim is known for its winemaking, the medieval lane of Drosselgasse, Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Cabinet and Rüdesheimer coffee. You have a variety of ways to explore, depending on your interest. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue. Prefer to indulge in a bit of whimsy, then visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments. You also have the choice to taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with warm brandy. (B,L,D)

Day 15 | Crusing the Rhine Gorge. Cologne. Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, en route to Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and Reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with apple sauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)

Day 16 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Discover Amsterdam’s iconic canals and leaning houses with a scenic canal cruise. Continue with a walk to the Begijnhof and be charmed by its historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Later in the day, set sail. (B,L,D)

Day 17 | Amsterdam. Disembark. Disembark the ship and you prepare for your flight home. (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 17 DAYS | MAGNIFICENT EUROPE Click HERE to view 17-day EASTBOUND itinerary.