2025 Magnificent Europe on AmaWaterways
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist
AmaWaterways is bring back its Magnificent Europe cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest or reverse from Budapest to Amsterdam. For a long time, there were fears this route might run into some low water situations but restricting the dates it is offered and with two ships sailing in opposite directions, they could overcome this problem by switching ships.
If you could get the absolute best of European Rivers on one cruise, my choice would be the Magnificent Europe 14-day river cruise on AmaWaterways. This voyage goes from Amsterdam to Budapest along the Rhine to the Main River, then to the Main-Danube Canal and finishes on the upper Danube. This cruise combines the best of the two most popular river cruises in Europe—the 7-day upper Danube and the 7-day Rhine. We have never sailed this exact route but have sailed to every destination.
So, let’s learn more about the best 14 days on Europe’s rivers—the Magnificent Europe 14-Day River Cruise!
Overview
The route starts in Amsterdam and ends in Budapest or starts from Budapest to Amsterdam. Cruises start in April and end in June—there are 9 scheduled for 2025. Here are the ports, highlighted by our photos.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
This capital city is ringed by canals, has famed gabled buildings, there are more bicycles than you can even imagine—it is one unique place. Combine this with the free spirit of the residents and you will long remember this special town.
Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Gabled Buildings Amsterdam
Cologne, Germany
Cologne has been a town for over 2,000 years (it used to be a Roman outpost), is the 4th largest city in Germany and is famous for its cathedral. The two 510-foot-high spires dominate the skyline of Cologne and it holds the relics of the Magi. Cologne Cathedral is Germany’s most visited building. We also liked the town squares, where some of Germany’s best Christmas markets fill the squares during the Advent season.
Cologne Cathedral
Fountain in Old Town Square
Cologne Bridge
Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim, Germany
The 65-kilometer Middle Rhine Valley is the best sailing route you will ever find in Europe. There are 30 or so castles, steep riverbanks and it is simply breathtaking! After that most scenic stretch, you will visit Rüdesheim, famed for its coffee drink flavored with Asbach brandy, the winding, narrow, Drosselgasse lane, its fine Riesling wines and a generally friendly, welcoming village.
Marksburg Castle
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle (foreground) & Gutenfels Castle on the Hill
Schönburg Castle on the rock massif above Oberwesel
Reichenstein Castle
The winding, narrow, Drosselgasse lane Rüdesheim, Germany
Siegfried;s Mechanical Musical Museum
Wertheim, Germany
Next up is a visit to Wertheim, known by its nickname as “Little Heidelberg”, and get to see the narrow lanes of this village. Wertheim is located at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers. The two top attractions are the castle and its medieval town square.
Wertheim, Germany
Wertheim, Germany Market Square
Wertheim, Germany Angel Fountain
Würzburg, Germany
Würzburg has several unique architectural buildings but is most famous for the Residenz Palace. The gardens of this palace and interiors are magnificent. This Bavarian town also is a famous wine region.
Residenz Palace Würzburg
Garden statue Residenz Palace
Gardens in Rseidenz Palace
Rothenburg Full Day
As an option, you can take a visit to the walled city of Rothenburg, one of the best preserved walled cities in all Europe.
Translated from German, Plönlein is the small square at a fountain”.
This is probably the most famous picture of Rothenburg.
Market Square Rothenburg
Burger Gate (Castle Gate)
Rothenburg. This gate was built around 1460 and is the western gate entrance. It is the highest gate tower of the town fortifications.
Bamberg, Germany
Bamberg is a 1,000-year-old town with really interesting buildings. The most famous are the town hall, built in the middle of a river and its beautiful cathedral. It is built on seven hills and is located where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. It is also home to a smoky flavored beer.
Bamburg Town Hall
New Residence Rose Garden Bamburg
Nuremberg, Germany
The old walled city of Nuremberg is one of my favorite places in all Germany. It has an impressive castle, is crisscrossed by a river and has some cool old buildings. The central market square, with its, beautiful fountain, is another great place to see. It is also famous for its Christmas markets.
Albert Durer House
Nuremberg Watch Tower
Fountain in Market Square Nuremberg
Regensburg, Germany
The town of Regensburg is located on the northernmost point of the Danube River. It started out as a Roman town, has a medieval bridge the crusaders crossed on their way to the Holy Wars (which is guarded by an impressive watch tower), and has a good old town area. Anne’s favorite hat maker is here, so we find this one of our favorite Bavarian towns.
Watch Tower Regensburg
Old Stone Bridge Regensburg
Passau, Germany
Built on a tapering peninsula of land, the old town portion Passau is right on the German and Austrian border. Three rivers join here—the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz. On the high banks of the Danube, a fortress dating back to the 1400’s, overlooks the old city center. There are several impressive churches worth a visit.
Passau
Passau, where three rivers meet—the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube
Melk Austria
Melk is famous for its impressive, huge abbey. It was built in the 11th century. Later as you cruise through the other great scenic waterways of Europe, the Wachau Valley, you will pass by the charming village of Dürnstein. The blue tower of the Abbey, the cute little shops and the castle ruins on the hillside, make this a favorite of many river cruisers.
Melk Abbey
Chapel in Melk Abbey
Schonbuhl Castle
Dürnstein.
Wachau Valley and the White Church
Vienna
The capital city of Austria, once the capital city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is a city of impressive palaces, great museums and good food. It is also known for the great composers of classical music, and many go to concerts while on their cruise.
Schönbrunn Palace
St. Stephen’s Cathedral Vienna
Budapest
By far the most impressive city on the Danube, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a town we love to visit. It is really two towns—the high town of Buda that overlooks the banks of the Danube and Pest on the flat land. They are united by several bridges, but the chain bridge is the most important and is a symbol of the city. Both have some awesome structures—among them Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion (Buda side) and the Parliament building (Pest side). Once you visit, you will want to come back.
Budapest Parliament at Night
Buda Castle
Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest
Grand Market Budapest
Our Final Thoughts
This is a great cruise—it will provide memories of a lifetime. You will be amazed at how much there is to see in these five countries. Now all 7 of the river cruise companies we follow offer a version of this route, so we have more choices.
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 52 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
