Compare Melodies of the Danube by AMA Waterways vs The Beautiful Blue Danube from Passau to Budapest by CroisiEurope
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 3,279 | $ 3,861 |
| Price Per Day | $ 410 | $ 351 |
| Highlights |
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CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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| Trip Style | River cruise | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
10 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Journey along the Danube through four European countries and see first-hand why this fabled river has inspired generations of artists, poets and musicians. Explore the vibrant streets of Budapest and Bratislava and the elegant avenues of Vienna, known to music lovers as the birthplace of the waltz. Cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley, home to picturesque vineyards, charming hamlets and a spectacular 900-year-old Baroque-style abbey. Conclude your adventure in Prague, also known as the “city of a hundred spires” and rich in history. |
Embark on a cruise to the heart of Germany, Austria and Hungary and take advantage of 11 days to discover cities with historic and authentic cultural treasures. Between the Artsetten Castle and the Gödöllö Palace, enjoy a royal journey that will take you back in time. Visit the Sisi Museum for a peek into her private life highlighted by her poems, and the Imperial Capuchin Crypt. |
Day 1: Embarkation – Budapest, Hungary
Meals: Dinner
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. Tonight, the ship will sail a special Illuminations Cruise past the capital’s glittering river front.
Day 2: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in the cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. You will see famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and spectacular views of the Danube.
Day 3: Bratislava, Slovakia – Vienna, Austria
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Enjoy a walking tour of the city’s top sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Later, you will have some free time before the ship cruises to Vienna, the music capital of the world. After dinner, experience a traditional “Viennese Wine and Music” evening in a rustic wine tavern outside the city, where you can enjoy a glass of newly pressed, locally grown wine and Austrian music and hospitality.
Day 4: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, you will have a chance to savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna through your choice of one of three different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, you will visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the world famous Spanish Riding School. The second option is a walking tour of Vienna’s hidden treasures that takes you to secret places and sights like Ankeruhr, a whimsical Art Nouveau clock. Your third option is a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark. This afternoon, you can join a guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery, or explore at your leisure. Be sure to sample some Viennese coffee and pastries.
Day 5: Weissenkirchen – Emmersdorf – Grein
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After reaching the Wachau Valley early this morning, you will have three tour options: A walking tour along Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets followed by a wine tasting, a hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held for ransom, or an Apricots and Sweets tasting. Return to the ship and continue onwards cruising through the gorgeous scenery of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon you will visit the spectacular Benedictine Abbey in Melk, one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see jewel-encrusted crosses containing religious relics, frescoes and richly embroidered vestments, as well as the abbey’s priceless collection of medieval manuscripts. Tonight the ship arrives in Grein, where you may enjoy some free time to explore this charming town.
Day 6: Linz
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The ship arrives this morning in Linz. Enjoy a walking tour of the second largest city in Austria or choose a guided bike tour that will show you around the Old City Center, along the Danube River, and past the ultra-modern Ars Electronica Center. Later, you will have a choice of three different excursions. The first option is an excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center made famous by "The Sound of Music.” The second option is an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third option is a visit to the Austrian Lake District, the scenic Salzkammergut region. All three options are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Day 7: Passau, Germany – Vilshofen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Early this morning, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Enjoy a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets and squares like Rathaus, Domplatz and Residenzplatz, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube from Passau to Erlau, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress overlooking Passau. This afternoon, the ship cruises to the medieval town of Vilshofen, where you will enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration with local beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing.
Day 8: Vilshofen – Disembarkation – Regensburg – Prague
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, disembark your ship in Vilshofen and depart for Prague. Stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, where you will have a walking tour and free time to explore the city’s historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue on to Prague, taking in the scenic beauty of the countryside before arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 9: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
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, 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, Tyn Church and the statue of Jan Husek. The rest of the day is at your leisure, perhaps to enjoy yourself in one of the city’s many charming cafés.
Day 10: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
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.
Day 11: Depart Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight.
Day 1 PASSAU
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 4:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins. At 5.00 p.m. we'll set off cruising along the Danube towards the border between Austria and Germany through the attractive region of Engelhartszell. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail and evening.
Day 2 PASSAU - MELK - VIENNA
Join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Visit the Melk Abbey. We'll return to the ship and cruise on to Dürnstein. Enjoy some free time exploring this picturesque village, and its Baroque-style church - the most famous in the Wachau region thanks to the legend of King Richard the Lionheart. We'll return on board in the afternoon before cruising on to Vienna. After our arrival, join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Tour the illuminated sights of Vienna by night.
Day 2 PASSAU - MELK - VIENNA
Join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Visit the Melk Abbey. We'll return to the ship and cruise on to Dürnstein. Enjoy some free time exploring this picturesque village, and its Baroque-style church - the most famous in the Wachau region thanks to the legend of King Richard the Lionheart. We'll return on board in the afternoon before cruising on to Vienna. After our arrival, join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Tour the illuminated sights of Vienna by night.
Day 3 VIENNA - ESZTERGOM
Join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Visit Schönbrunn Palace.Enjoy a free afternoon to explore this marvelous city at your own pace or take part in our optional excursion (not included in packages): Horse-drawn carriage ride though Vienna. We'll return to the ship and cruise to Budapest, passing Bratislava on the way.
Day 3 VIENNA - ESZTERGOM
Join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Visit Schönbrunn Palace.Enjoy a free afternoon to explore this marvelous city at your own pace or take part in our optional excursion (not included in packages): Horse-drawn carriage ride though Vienna. We'll return to the ship and cruise to Budapest, passing Bratislava on the way.
Day 4 ESZTERGOM - BUDAPEST
Enjoy some time on your own exploring Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary. We'll then spend the afternoon cruising to Budapest. The Hungarian capital lies along the banks of the Danube and is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Enjoy some free time sightseeing the city before returning to the ship. After dinner, join us for the excursion: Budapest by night.
Day 4 ESZTERGOM - BUDAPEST
Enjoy some time on your own exploring Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary. We'll then spend the afternoon cruising to Budapest. The Hungarian capital lies along the banks of the Danube and is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Enjoy some free time sightseeing the city before returning to the ship. After dinner, join us for the excursion: Budapest by night.
Day 5 BUDAPEST
Enjoy a day on your own or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Guided tour of Budapest.In the afternoon, free time or take part in an optional excursion to discover the Gellert Baths and Spa (not included in the packages) or Budapest Market Halls (1) (not included in the packages). After dinner, enjoy another free evening on your own or join us for an evening of traditional dancing in the city.
Day 5 BUDAPEST
Enjoy a day on your own or join us for on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Guided tour of Budapest.In the afternoon, free time or take part in an optional excursion to discover the Gellert Baths and Spa (not included in the packages) or Budapest Market Halls (1) (not included in the packages). After dinner, enjoy another free evening on your own or join us for an evening of traditional dancing in the city.
Day 6 BUDAPEST
Enjoy this day as you please (lunch not included) or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : the Puszta. We'll return to the ship early evening.
Day 6 BUDAPEST
Enjoy this day as you please (lunch not included) or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : the Puszta. We'll return to the ship early evening.
Day 7 BUDAPEST
Enjoy this morning at leisure in Budapest or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Tour to Gödöllö Royal Palace, summer residence of Sissi Empress. We'll then return on board and cruising at towards Bratislava. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
Day 7 BUDAPEST
Enjoy this morning at leisure in Budapest or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Tour to Gödöllö Royal Palace, summer residence of Sissi Empress. We'll then return on board and cruising at towards Bratislava. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
Day 8 BRATISLAVA - VIENNA
We'll arrive in Bratislava in the early morning, join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided Tour of Bratislava.DISCOVERY: Hiking in Bratislava: The Little Carpathians. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava.Our ship will cruise to Vienna.In the evening, join us on an optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Concert of Viennese music (optional and subject to availability.)
Day 8 BRATISLAVA - VIENNA
We'll arrive in Bratislava in the early morning, join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided Tour of Bratislava.DISCOVERY: Hiking in Bratislava: The Little Carpathians. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava.Our ship will cruise to Vienna.In the evening, join us on an optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Concert of Viennese music (optional and subject to availability.)
Day 9 VIENNA
Enjoy some free time this morning for individual sightseeing around Vienna, the imperial city, or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Vienna, the Capuchin Church, and the Austrian National Library. We'll return to the ship. Enjoy a free afternoon, or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion to Hofburg to visit the former palace of the Habsburgs and admire the crown jewels and splendid imperial apartments.Our ship will cruise to Melk.
Day 9 VIENNA
Enjoy some free time this morning for individual sightseeing around Vienna, the imperial city, or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Vienna, the Capuchin Church, and the Austrian National Library. We'll return to the ship. Enjoy a free afternoon, or join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion to Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg's winter residence and its Sisi Museum.Our ship will cruise to Melk.
Day 10 MELK - PASSAU
This morning will be spent cruising along the most beautiful stretch of the Wachau region. Then enjoy some free time in Melk. In the afternoon, join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : to Arstetten Castle, last residence of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand and his wife. We'll return to the ship in Ybbs before cruising off towards Passau. Tonight's our gala dinner and evening.
Day 10 MELK - PASSAU
This morning will be spent cruising along the most beautiful stretch of the Wachau region. Then enjoy some free time in Melk. In the afternoon, join us on an CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : to Arstetten Castle, last residence of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand and his wife. We'll return to the ship in Ybbs before cruising off towards Passau. Tonight's our gala dinner and evening.
Day 11 PASSAU
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
