Magna on the Danube (Christmas) (Vilshofen to Budapest)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – EMBARKATION. Board the ultra-luxurious AmaMagna and settle into your stateroom.

BUDAPEST. Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Visit the Great Market Hall before going to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. As an alternative, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city. During the afternoon, enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Danube Bend as you set out on a scenic cruise from Budapest.

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 special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike to Bratislava’s gleaming castle.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Vienna offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center, and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral; or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria.

Krems – SPITZ, AUSTRIA. Enjoy your morning in the lovely Baroque village of Dürnstein. Stroll along Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower on a walking tour. For a more culinary-focused experience in Dürnstein, enjoy an apricot liqueur and brandy tasting and special apricot treats from a local boutique. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to historic Dürnstein Fortress or cycle through Krems. During the afternoon, visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube; or get active with either a bike tour along the Danube or a hiking adventure in Spitz. During the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine tasting experience where you’ll enjoy some of the region’s famous wines, including Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

LINZ, AUSTRIA. For those who love The Sound of Music, enjoy a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael, where the famous wedding scene in the movie was filmed. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český 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. Following these full-day excursions, you may also choose to take a brief walking tour in Linz. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or bike along the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube.

PASSAU, GERMANY - VILSHOFEN, GERMANY. Join a walking tour and marvel at Passau's Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or take a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress. You can also ride to Wernstein on a guided bike tour. Later in the day, sail to the charming town of Vilshofen, where you’ll be treated to an AmaWaterways-exclusive Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration complete with music, beer and pretzels.

VILSHOFEN – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to the ship and prepare for your flight home.