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

EMBARKATION – VILSHOFEN, GERMANY. Board the ultra-luxurious AmaMagna. In the evening, be treated to a Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration complete with music, beer and sausages.

PASSAU, 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.

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.

GREIN, AUSTRIA. Join us at historic Burg Clam for an exquisite Austrian wine tasting on the cliffs high above the nearby village of Clam. Built in 1149 as a twin towered fortress, Burg Clam has amazingly survived every war and siege from that day to now relatively unscathed, and now functions as a comfortable castle and home to the Counts of Clam who have resided here for over 550 years. While nestled deep within this majestic and historic setting, enjoy the opportunity to sample a few local vintages. Wines from this region tend to have a pronounced freshness, spiciness, finesse and complexity.

MELK, AUSTRIA – SPITZ, AUSTRIA. In the morning, you can visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. Alternatively, you may choose to bike to Marbach before returning to Melk and the ship for lunch. During the afternoon, journey to Spitz and take a guided excursion to Dürnstein to stroll along the cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower on a walking tour. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to the historic Dürnstein Fortress, cycle through Spitz, or hike around Spitz up to Rotes Tor. In the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine festival where you’ll enjoy some of the region’s famous wines.

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, you can enjoy leisure time, exploring Vienna on your own; or you can 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.

ESZTERGOM - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. During the morning, sail toward Budapest, passing through the scenic Danube Bend where you’ll see some of Hungary’s oldest settlements, including Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre. 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.

DISEMBARKATION - BUDAPEST. Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home.