2025 AmaWaterways Best of the Danube River Cruise

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

AmaWaterways has a new cruise for 2025 called the Best of the Danube. It is inspired by the Godfather of River Cruising, Rudi Schreiner, who was born and raised in Austria.

So, let’s learn about this new route.

Overview

Here is how AmaWaterways describes this new route:

• Capture the imperial history of Old-World Europe along the Danube River as it flourished beneath towering fortresses and inspired legendary artists and musicians.

• With an abundance of scenic cruising, a focus on grand cities and popular landmarks, and the ease of traveling roundtrip from Budapest, this special itinerary is our Co-Founder Rudi Schreiner’s top-choice itinerary for 2025 – be among the first to experience it!

• Begin your journey with our pre-cruise land package in majestic Budapest, during which you will immerse yourself in some of the Hungarian capital’s lesser-known heritage and historic sites.

• After embarking on your ship, discover the luxury and beauty of river cruising as you glide through the scenic Wachau Valley, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Throughout your journey you will visit the river’s legendary capitals: Bratislava and Vienna – where AmaWaterways’ Co-Founder Rudi Schreiner, the visionary “Godfather of River Cruising,” was born and raised.

• Encounter fascinating architecture from Melk’s golden-hued Benedictine abbey to Vienna’s magnificent Schönbrunn Palace.

• Plus, follow The Sound of Music through sprawling Salzburg, the incomparable birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Day-by-Day on this route

The route begins and ends in Budapest on this 7-night cruise. The first and last days are like all AmaWaterways cruises, with embarkation time 3:00 PM (1500) where you can look forward to cocktail-hour, safety briefings and the cruise manager explaining upcoming excursions. Then an awesome meal that will make you look forward to more good dining experiences to come during the rest of your trip.

On the last day your departure time off the ship should be 9:00 AM (0900), so the crew can get ready for the new guests. It is very important you are out of your stateroom to ease this transition. If your transportation transfer is not ready by 0900, you can always wait in the lounge until it arrives.

Day 2 Bratislava

• Take your time this morning as the ship cruises from Budapest 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.

• 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, or journey further from the seat of your bike on a guided cycling tour. (B,L,D)

Here are some of our photos to help you see your options here:

Bratislava Castle. There is an option to hike up to the castle as part of the active excursions

St Martin’s Cathedral, Bratislava. This is the coronation church of the Hapsburg Royal Line

Day 3 Wachau Valley and Melk

• 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.

• If you prefer a more active tour, you may hike to Melk Abbey or pedal around town on a guided bike tour.

• Alternatively, venture to the neighboring town of Dürnstein for a walking tour along its charming, cobbled lanes, taking in the beauty of its brilliant blue Stiftskirche tower. (B,L,D)

More of our pictures, to get a better feel for this day’s activities. First, let’s sail the Wachau Valley.

After this scenic cruise you have 2 options. The first is to visit Melk Abbey

The other option is to visit Dürnstein, Austria. This option will require a coach (bus) ride to this walled village of 600.

Dürnstein, Austria. These ruins above the village is where Richard the Lionhart was held for ransom.

Dürnstein, Austria. There is an optional walking tour along its charming, cobbled lanes, taking in the beauty of its brilliant blue Stiftskirche tower. The blue Stiftskirche tower.is a monestary in this tiny village of 600.

Dürnstein, Austria. This is a gate into the walled city.

Day 4 Linz

• Arrive in Linz, where you’ll have two choices for full-day excursions.

• Venture to Salzburg where you’ll tour 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.

• En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael where the wedding scene from The Sound of Music was filmed.

• You may alternatively 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. (B,L,D)

This will be the hardest choice for this cruise. Along with our pictures, here is our blog about these 2 options, to help you make your choice (don’t worry, either will be great!)

2 Great Options

The winding Valtava River in Český Krumlov

Day 5 Vienna

• 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 an overview of Vienna’s history and all its famous landmarks on a city tour showcasing all its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs.

• 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. (B,L,D)

Here are some photos of what you can expect to see on this first day in Vienna:

Day 6 Vienna

• Following your overnight in the “City of Waltzes,” 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.

• 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.

• Later in the day, explore Vienna at your leisure. (B,L,D)

The summer palace is special, but sadly does not allow photo inside:

Day 7 Budapest

• Your cruise last full day starts this morning in Budapest, Hungary, which is split into the sections of Buda and Pest by the Danube River.

• A guided tour of the city begins with the Pest side and a drive along Andrassy Avenue to Heroes’ Square and a drive by Parliament and other sites.

• Explore the Buda side with a drive-up Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; see Fishermen's Bastion with its Neo-Romanesque design and admire the stained glass windows and centuries of history in Matthias Church (may be closed on some days due to services).

• After lunch, spend the rest of the day and evening pursuing what interests you most in this historic, and artistic, city.

• Join us this evening for a farewell toast followed by dinner as your Danube cruise ends.

Some great sites on the Pest (flat) side of Budapest are in these photos:

Our Final Thoughts

For an important look at the best sites near the Danube from Melk to Budapest, this is the cruise for you. Sometimes, it is plain cool to visit sites that changed the world and try and imagine what it was like during the Hapsburg era. We think it does an awesome job and with the chance for a pre or post cruise extra 2 nights in Budapest, you will have seen and experience the Best of the Danube!

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

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