Day 1 : Fly to Hungary

Our trip begins with an overnight flight to Hungary.

Day 2 : Budapest

We arrive in Budapest and check in to our stunning hotel, perfect for relaxation and exploration with many historical landmarks within walking distance. Tonight, we come together and get to know our fellow travelers at a fantastic Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 : All Aboard!

After breakfast, we depart for a tour of Budapest, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. We view all of the must-see attractions including the Parliament building, Millennium Monument in Hero’s Square, the towering dome of St. Stephen’s Basilica, Royal Castle Hill district, the neo-Renaissance Opera House, and the seven stone towers of the Fisherman’s Bastion. This afternoon, we board our luxurious ship, the Amadeus Riva, with opulent rooms and incredible amenities. All meals, a beverage package, free Wi-Fi, and daily shore excursions are included as part of this phenomenal cruise. After dinner on board, delight in an illumination cruise as the shimmering lights of this majestic city surround us.

Day 4 : Szentendre & Esztergom

Enjoy time to explore Budapest this morning or relax while sipping your coffee on the ship's River Terrace and take in the sublime landscapes of this region. Later, we begin our northbound cruise along the Danube River and go ashore to discover the artist village of Szentendre, followed by Esztergom, home to one of the largest basilicas in Europe.

Day 5 : Bratislava

Our morning begins in Bratislava with a delightful city tour. Bratislava Castle, standing on the Little Carpathian Mountain range, provides panoramic views of three countries simultaneously: Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. The afternoon is yours to explore personal interests. You may indulge in a taste of the city’s world-class beer or take a stroll through its picturesque Old Town, a pedestrian-only town from the 18th century known for its lively bars and quaint cafes.

Day 6 : Vienna

We continue our cruise to Austria, where the grand sights of Vienna await us. Tour the historic city centre with famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the quirky Expressionist house known as Hundertwasserhaus, and the former imperial Hofburg Palace. After lunch, we admire Schonbrunn Palace, boasting 1,441 opulent rooms and charming gardens, this palace is known as a paramount cultural monument in Austria. Tonight, we attend The Sound of Vienna concert at the Kursalon, one of Vienna’s most enchanting music venues, to hear the Alt Wien orchestra play waltzes and famous concert melodies.

Day 7 : Melk

Enjoy a leisurely morning aboard the ship to take in the spectacular views or indulge in onboard amenities, such as a lavish spa service. This afternoon, we arrive in the heart of picturesque Wachau Valley, internationally famous for its delicious wine and fruit. Docking in Emmersdorf, we begin our exploration of Melk. Visit the modern Abbey Museum and tour Prelature Hall, Marble Hall, Benedictine Abbey of Melk, and the world-famous Abbey library, known for its extensive historical manuscript collection.

Day 8 : Salzburg

We dock in Linz this morning, then take a scenic motorcoach ride to the beautiful City of Music, Salzburg. Enjoy a guided tour to admire the famous Baroque architecture and well-preserved city center in Old Town, a renowned World Heritage Site. We also view the birth house of Mozart, Salzburg Cathedral, and Getreidegasse, a quaint alley along the river with charming shops. After lunch together, our journey continues to the picturesque village of Mondsee, best known as a filming location for The Sound of Music. Later, our motorcoach brings us back to meet our ship in Passau.

Day 9 : Regensburg & Weltenburg Abbey

Today’s port of call is Regensburg, a medieval city brimming with historic stone buildings. Our walking tour includes a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town with Stadtamhof, the iconic Stone Bridge, and impressive St. Peter’s Cathedral. After lunch on the ship, we are off on our included excursion to Weltenburg Abbey, an ancient Benedictine monastery. Founded around 620 AD, it’s the oldest monastery in Bavaria. Enjoy a tour of Abbey church and taste the famous dark beer of Weltenburg, the world’s oldest monastery brewery. We then take a boat ride through the picturesque Danube Gorge, a narrow section of the Danube River known for its soaring cliff edges. Later, we return to Regensburg and enjoy the Captain’s Gala Dinner on board.

Day 10 : Cesky Krumlov

This morning, we disembark in Passau and take a comfortable motorcoach ride to one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov. This medieval village and UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to 1240, offering a plethora of history to discover. Enjoy its Bohemian charm and fairytale architecture during our guided walking tour through the historic inner city, including views of Krumlov Castle. Later, we travel to Prague and check in to the elegant Corinthia Hotel, followed by dinner together.

Day 11 : Prague

After breakfast at the hotel, you may choose to take a guided tour of Prague Castle and walking tour of Old Town or spend all of your time in Old Town with sights of the Royal Palace, historic churches, and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The afternoon is yours to explore more of this delightful city. Tonight, enjoy one more dinner with current tourmates before the second half of our grand adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 12 : Mount Rigi

Today begins with a flight to Zurich, followed by a train or motorcoach ride to Lucerne, a city known for its medieval architecture and mountain landscapes. Next, a relaxing ferry ride takes us across beautiful blue Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, where we embark on a special cogwheel train journey up Mount Rigi. Upon reaching the highest point, Rigi Kulm, we have time to relax and soak up the breathtaking panoramic views of Swiss Mittlelland. We then descend by cable car and return to Lucerne where we check into this evening’s accommodations. Later, enjoy getting to know some new tourmates over an included dinner.

Day 13 : Lucerne

After breakfast, we begin our day with a walking tour of Lucerne to explore some of the city’s most iconic sights including Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden foot bridge decorated with interior paintings that spans the river Reuss. Next, experience a Swiss folklore lunch at Stadtkeller, a wonderful treat of hearty fare and traditional Swiss music including cow bells, flag throwing, and yodeling by locals dressed in customary outfits. We then travel by motorcoach to Basel and board the luxurious Amadeus Queen. Enjoy a panoramic window, drop-down window, or balcony for beautiful views from the comfort of your stateroom and all meals included onboard. Once settled, we gather for a reception and dinner together.

Day 14 : Strasbourg

Our first port of call is Strasbourg, located on the French border with Germany and home to the European Parliament. We begin with a comfortable motorcoach tour through the city to view incredible architecture, then travel into the historic part of town, where we visit famous Strasbourg Cathedral and the Grand Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour continues with a delightful canal cruise on the river with sights of old half-timbered houses and a former mill in “Petite France.” We also see the Palais de Rohan, Council of Europe, and Ponts Couverts- a set of three bridges and four towers from the 13th century. Later, relax on the sun deck or treat yourself to a massage as we sail to Germany.

Day 15 : Speyer & Heidelberg

We start our day docking in the beautiful town of Speyer. Enjoy sights on a walking tour, the most noteworthy being the Speyer Cathedral, which dominates this city’s setting with its grand structure and beauty. Afterwards, indulge in lunch aboard the ship on our way to Mannheim. We then take a short drive to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest and most famous university town. It’s known for its Baroque narrow streets, picturesque red roof tiled houses, and beautiful 18th-century bridges. Our time here includes an enchanting tour of Heidelberg Castle from the early 1200s, Germany’s most popular castle ruin.

Day 16 : Middle Rhine

This morning’s port is Rudesheim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of Reingau wine region, especially known for its Rieslings. We take an incredible tram ride on the Winzerexpress through the scenic Rhine Valley vineyards to a local winery and indulge in various regional flavors. Afterwards, there’s time for us to stroll down the area’s famous and charming alley, Drosselgasse. This narrow cobblestone walkway has fabulous wineries, markets, and historic buildings. Next, head to the top deck for spectacular views of castles and steep hillsides as our vessel cruises the Middle Rhine through the Rhine Gorge. Later in the day we arrive at Koblenz, one of the oldest and most diverse cities in Germany, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. The architecture of churches, castles, and palaces tell of times gone by as we explore the area. Our sightseeing continues with a cable car ride above the Rhine to the magnificent Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Dating back to 1000 AD, it is one of Europe’s largest preserved fortresses and now houses the Koblenz State Museum with expansive, interesting exhibits.

Day 17 : Moselle River & Cochem

Today we depart Koblenz and take the scenic route along the Moselle River, cruising through one of Germany’s most beautiful river valleys. Gaze upon vineyards, castles, and ruins covering the rolling hillsides, with quaint villages and towns near the riverbanks. Our ship docks in the charming town of Cochem, known for its traditional half-timbered houses, medieval history, and wine culture dating back over a thousand years. Here, we visit 11th-century Reichsburg Castle, famously rebuilt in a fairytale style that sits perched on a rugged rock above the town. Admire its Renaissance and Baroque interior, then look down onto the spectacular vistas of the Moselle Valley below.

Day 18 : Cologne

Our port of call today is 2,000-year-old Cologne. This cultural hub is a landmark of High Gothic architecture, starting with the extraordinary twin-spired cathedral. The city was rebuilt after the World War II bombing and has since become an affluent area boasting numerous museums and art galleries, including many masterpieces by Picasso. While here, enjoy a tasting of Cologne’s famous beer, called Kolsch. This evening, a fantastic dinner awaits us at the Captain’s Gala.

Day 19 : Amsterdam, Volendam & Edam

This morning we embark on a fascinating guided tour of Amsterdam, including the world’s only floating flower market and a delightful canal cruise for unique views from the city’s iconic waterway. Later, our ship takes us on an afternoon excursion to the charming fishing villages of Volendam and Edam. Volendam is known for its vibrant harbor, distinctive music, and time-honored traditions including authentic costumes that can still be seen in Old Town today. We then drive out to the countryside for a local cheese farm visit to learn the process of how Dutch cheese is made and sample some ourselves. The journey back to our ship brings us through Edam, known for its cheese and Carillon tower. Stroll down its narrow cobblestone streets to appreciate the beautiful historic buildings and visit the cheese weighing house.

Day 20 : Rijksmuseum & Haarlem

We disembark in Amsterdam for a morning packed with fine arts on a guided tour of the country’s largest museum, Rijksmuseum. Immerse yourself in 800 years of Dutch history as you stroll the halls decorated with 16th and 17th-century art including works by Vermeer, Frans Hals, and Rembrandt. We then enjoy a walking tour in Haarlem with views of St. Bavo Church before checking in to our accommodations.

Day 21 : Zaanse Schans

After breakfast at the hotel, we step back in time at Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum that brings Dutch heritage to life. Admire the traditional buildings and restored windmills in this recreated 18th and 19th century village. Visit the museum, learn about regional costumes, explore exhibits on chocolate making, and watch artisans make cheese, clogs, and other crafts. Tonight, we gather to celebrate our travels with a Farewell Dinner.

Day 22 : Fly Home

We board our flight home today, returning with incredible memories of our grand adventure down Europe’s spellbinding rivers.