We just returned from our Danube River Cruise with AmaWaterways and I had so many questions about our exact itinerary and excursions at each port. Today I’m diving into all those details. If you missed it, I shared my Top 5 Reasons To Book An AmaWaterways River Cruise. I’ve also linked everything I packed for this trip, if you scroll all the way down.
This was a 12 day trip with 2 of those days being travel days. We opted to add add the 2 day/3 night Prague extension through AmaWaterways to our itinerary because when we go to Europe, we like to spend longer than one week there.
Danube River Cruise Itinerary & Excursions
Upon our early evening arrival into Prague (British Airways from DFW to London to Prague), we checked into The Cosmopolitan Hotel and met our AmaWaterways Cruise Manager who was with us the duration of this trip. AmaWaterways has a super easy to use app so that every detail of our trip was right at our fingertips.
Day 1: Prague, Czech Republic & City of a Hundred Spires Tour
After a good night’s sleep, we began our day ready to take in Prague starting at the Prague Castle, the world’s largest ancient castle and it’s quite a sight. Our expert guide took us around the castle grounds and we visited numerous gardens, residences and even a vineyard. From the castle, we walked along the 14th century pedestrian-only Charles Bridge to the Prague’s old city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Prague Old Town Square dates back to the 12th century and is silhouetted by the fabled Tye Cathedral with it’s iconic Gothic twin towers that can be seen from all over Prague. Dominating the square is the Gothic Old Town Hall, home to the world-famous medieval astronomical clock, the third oldest in the world.
Later this afternoon we did a guided Czech Beer Tasting in a traditional Czech restaurant. When in the Czech Republic, you must enjoy a traditional Czech beer and discover why some regard it as the very best beer in the world.
Day 2: Terazín Concentration Camp
Today we visited the Terazín Conctration Camp, located approximately 1.5 hours from Prague, Terazín is a profoundly moving experience. Originally build as a Habsburg fortress in 1780 by Joseph II, Terazín became a concentration camp in 1940 after the Nazi occupation of Czech lands the previous year. The Gestapo used Terazín as a concentration camp for Jews from Czechoslovakia, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Denmark until it was liberated by the Soviet Army in 1945.
This tour was a somber experience and …..
Back in Prague, we explored on our own time, ate some traditional Czech food and found a bar with the most beautiful views of the Old Town Square.
Day 3: Prague to Regensburg to Vilshofen for Embarkation
We departed Prague for a 4 hour coach ride through the Czech Republic into Germany. Our first stop was Regensburg, Germany where we had a guided walking tour of this densely packed city and its colorful history. Regensburg is home to one of the oldest restaurants in the world, The Sausage Kitchen, and you better believe took part in this German dish. The Regensburg Stone Bridge is masterful and is the symbol of the city.
From Regensburg we departed for Vilshofen, Germany, enjoying the scenic beauty of the countryside. Vilshofen is a charming 1200 year old Bavarian town world-renowned for its festive and colorful culture of beer, bratwurst, sausages and “bretzels” (German for pretzels).
We embarked on the AmaWaterways AmaVerde, explored the ship and got settled into our beautiful stateroom.
That evening we were treated to a very special Oktoberfest celebration right outside the AmaVerde. The wonderful holiday of Oktoberfest, along with boisterous music and jovial dance are beloved traits of Bavaria. No matter what time of year your river cruise is booked, all AmaWaterways guests can enjoy this event in Germany. Delicious Bavarian beer and bretzels were served.
Day 4: Passau, Germany Castle Hike
The AmaVerde arrived in Passau, a historic German town with winding little streets and narrow alleyways. It’s nicknamed the “City of Three Rivers, because Passau is situated at the confluence of three rives: the Danube, the Ilz and the Inn rivers. We opted for the AmaWaterways active hike and ventured high into the hills for a visit to “Veste Oberhaus”, Passau’s Castle Hill, which is enthroned 1,214 feet above the Danube and offers the most magnificent views across the Old Town. The historic Veste Oberhuas Fortress was founded in 1219 and was used by Napoleon as a stronghold in his campaign to take Austria.
Day 5: Linz, Austria & Full Day Salzburg Excursion
This stop was what I was most looking forward to and one of the main reasons we booked this itinerary. I have been DYING to visit Salzburg because my very favorite movie, The Sound of Music, was filmed throughout this charming Austrian town. Our coach took us from Linz towards Salzburg, stopping first in the scenic lakeside town of Mondsee, famous as the site of the wedding church from The Sound of Music. I was truly mesmerized!
Once in Salzburg we began the guided walking tour in the historic center famous for it’s religious history, Baroque architecture and as the birthplace of Mozart. We enjoyed touring the landscaped Mirabell Gardens, the Getreidegasse with it’s many decorative wrought iron guild signs, Residenz Square and the Old Market. Our tour guide pointed out all the areas throughout the city that were film scenes from The Sound of Music. I couldn’t get enough!
We enjoyed our free time after the tour to explore a bit on our own, stroll the cobblestone streets and grab a traditional Austrian sausage lunch. On our way out of Salzburg we drove by the Von Trapp mansion and the beautiful tree lined drive made famous by The Sound of Music.
Day 6: Scenic Cruising Through the Wachau Valley & Weissenkirchen Bike Tour
The lush Wachau Valley is spectacular and the views are THE reason you’ll want to take a Danube river cruise. This area is dotted with vineyards, fruit trees, charming villages and unforgettable scenery. The Wachau Valley is one of the most beautiful and famous regions in Austria. Visitors come here from all over the world to enjoy the picturesque landscape and superb wines that grow in this region.
We decided to get right into the heart of the Wachau Valley and booked the guided bike tour round trip from Weissenkirchen. The route took us to neighboring Dürnstein and across the river for a scenic ride along the picturesque Danube.
That evening we were treated to a a special wine tasting in Weissenkirchen at a local Wachau Valley winery.The wines from Weissenkirchen region tend to have a pronounced freshness, spiciness, finesse and complexity. Locally grown Rieslings and Grüner Veltliner are renowned around the world, and we sampled a few plus purchased some bottles to bring back on our ship.
Day 7: Vienna, Austria Bike Tour
The heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna, remains as renowned today as it has throughout history. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site awash with Baroque treasures. Vienna is inextricably linked to the waltz and classical music and was the home to Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms and Mozart.
Today we joined our guide for a thrilling bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the fascinating and bustling city of Vienna. We traversed a bridge, cycled across a meadow and headed to Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse Boulevard, taking in iconic sites as the distinctive domed Karlsplatz Church, the elegant State Opera House and the royal Habsburgs’ Imperal Palace. We passed the local university, Börse Palais Concert Hall and the giant ferris wheel as we cycled back to the ship.
That evening, Don and I decided to have dinner off the ship in beautiful Vienna so we took an Uber back into the heart of old town. We ate at Plachutta (recommended by our Cruise Director) and enjoyed eating Tafelspitz, a traditional Viennese dish. We then strolled through Stadtpark where we marveled at the beautiful statues of Viennese artists, writers and composers.
Day 8: Bratislava, Slovakia & Taste of Slovakia Tour
Bratislava was an unexpected and very pleasant surprise on this itinerary. Experiencing a cultural boom since its years of Communist rule, Bratislava is thriving once again thanks to its rich history and architecture. This Slovakian capital now keeps a whimsical heartbeat, between quirky statues throughout the city and being home to the narrowest house in Europe.
We decided to savor some local Slovakian craft beer and Slovak cheese and sausage at a brew pub. During a brief walk through the heart of Bratislava, we heard about a new wave of independent microbreweries and pubs, often hidden down the back streets and putting the city on the beer-drinkers’ map. This was definitely the tour Don enjoyed!
During our free time, we wandered the narrow alleys and found the famous Ceramel Honey Shop where we purchased some delicious honey and cookies.
Day 9: Budapest, Hungary & Buda/Pest City Tours
Cruising into beautiful Budapest was another highlight of this trip. Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities and many of its sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Budapest is home to the third largest Parliament Building in the world and we were all in awe of its splendor. To see this building virtually glittering at night is something we’ll always remember.
First was the Buda City Tour. We took a short coach ride to the foot of Budapest’s Castle Hill for a walking tour through Dózsa György Square and through the city’s Castle District. The fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion allows you to gaze at the breathtaking panorama of Budapest below. We saw Matthias Church which stands atop Castle Hill since the 11th century and was once used as the coronation site of Hungarian kings. It’s renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof.
That afternoon we explored the treasures of the “Pest” side of Budapest. Untied with “Buda” in 1873 this region of Hungary’s capital city grew to become a thriving center for the country’s administrative affairs and economic expansion.
There are more thermal springs in Budapest than any other city in the world and a bathing culture dating back to Roman times. Although we didn’t plunge into one of the city’s thermal baths, we did happen upon a large one…postcard perfect!
Day 10: Disembarkation & Overnight in Budapest
Today we said farewell to the beautiful AmaWaterways AmaVerde and checked into the stunning Ritz Carlton in Budapest for our last evening on this dreamy trip. Located in a prime area of the city, we strolled through Fashion Street, did some MAJOR shopping, enjoyed a lovely Hungarian dinner including Beef Goulash and slept like babies before our early flight back to Dallas via London, Heathrow.
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Thank you for reading!
What I packed for our Danube River Cruise:
