Danube River Cruise “Celebration of Music”
Best of the Danube (Celebration of Music)
9-nights: 2-nights in Budapest, 7-night cruise roundtrip from Budapest, Hungary
Capture the imperial history of Old-World Europe along the Danube River as it flourished beneath towering fortresses and inspired legendary artists and musicians. As an added feature, these departures have been enhanced as “Celebration of Music” sailings, with specially curated excursions highlighting the rich musical histories of Budapest, Bratislava, Salzburg and Vienna. Deepen your passion for music as you are treated to a variety of included live performances, such as a choir recital in or around Melk’s golden-hued Benedictine abbey and a special evening concert in Vienna. As you glide along the Danube River, you will enjoy many curated experiences that bring to life the iconic musical figures of the past that left their musical mark along this fascinating European waterway.
Itinerary:
July 2, 2028, DEPART U.S.A. for Budapest [B,L,D – Indicates Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included on this day].
July 3, 2028, ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your exceptional hotel, where you will meet your Cruise Manager and fellow guests and retire for the evening in comfort.
July 4, 2028, BUDAPEST. Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities – and many of its most iconic sights are just off the banks of the Danube. Often described as the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is full of rich history and culture and offers many “hidden” treasures as you venture further past its riverbanks. During your “Hidden Budapest” excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser known to the average traveler. (B)
We will celebrate July 4th with an optional (Bon Voyage) dinner in Hungary’s iconic restaurant: Gundel https://gundel.hu
July 5, 2028, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY EMBARKATION Check out of your hotel to board your luxurious ship, perhaps exploring more of the city independently before the evening’s briefings, cocktail hour and dinner. (B,D)
July 6, 2028, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA. Take your time this morning as the ship cruises from Austria to 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. Along the way, be delighted by a few surprise musical performances. If you prefer exploring the world through your tastebuds, join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour to sample traditional flavors from the region, including local beer. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)
July 7, 2028, WACHAU VALLEY – MELK, AUSTRIA. Spend your morning reveling in the postcard-perfect landscapes of Austria’s picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wachau Valley. Later in the day, arrive in Melk. Located above the city on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, Melk Abbey is one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries and a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally founded in the 11th century, the magnificent abbey now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. During your tour you will see some of Melk’s musical manuscripts as well as frescoes painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger. Plus, enjoy a live choir performance in or around the abbey. (B,L,D)
July 8, 2028, LINZ, AUSTRIA. Arrive in Linz, where you’ll have multiple choices for excursions. Fulfill your travel wish list in Salzburg a full-day excursion that includes a tour through the historic center, lovely Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. You will also visit the museum at the famed yellow building known as Mozart Birth House and residence where the legendary composer was born in 1756 and lived until 1773. Alternatively, join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Cesky 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. If you opt not to join the full-day excursions, tour Linz on a guided tour, taking in its contemporary architecture as well as the old city center, the old market and past the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days. As another alternative, pedal through Linz on an exhilarating bike tour. In the afternoon, follow the whiskey distilling process from start to finish, then enjoy a sample of the finished product during a special tasting. (B,L,D)
July 9, 2028, VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Enjoy a full morning of scenic cruising, taking some time to sit back, relax and delight in the ever-changing views. Sleep in late, participate in a complimentary wellness class, treat yourself to a massage and get to know fellow cruisers while exploring all the amenities on board. In the afternoon, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through the historic city center as a traditionally costumed coachman regales you with fascinating stories along your route, offering a new perspective on this sophisticated city. Alternatively, take a thrilling guided bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the city, traversing a bridge, cycling across a meadow and heading to Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse Boulevard. In the evening, join us for a special included concert on shore in Vienna you won’t soon forget. (B,L,D)
July 10, 2028, VIENNA. Following your overnight in the “City of Waltzes,” explore the city of music while following in the footsteps of one or more world-renowned composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, from their past residences to museums to grand monuments. Next, visit the House of Music, an interactive museum where you can feel sound waves, learn more about composers of the Viennese Classical period and even enjoy a virtual simulation where you are the conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra! If you prefer to connect with nature, journey to the town of Cobenzl where you will embark on a hike through the famed Vienna Woods that inspired a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II. (B,L,D) July 8, 2026 AmaWaterways – Marketing Detailed Itinerary
July 11, 2028, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Start your exploration with the treasures of Pest, admire the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. Or revel in an itinerary-exclusive classical music tour of Budapest. This special tour invites you to enter a world of grandeur as your knowledgeable local guide leads you through the exquisitely designed Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest, followed by a stop at the Franz Liszt Memorial Museum, where the renowned Hungarian musician and composer lived for many years. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the Buda side of the Danube, following 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. (B,L,D)
July 12, 2028, BUDAPEST DISEMBARKATION Bid farewell to Budapest and prepare for your flight home.
Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.