Experience timeless holiday traditions and elegant pageantry in five countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. Let iconic capital cities—Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna—decked in holiday finery with glittering Christmas trees illuminated by thousands of lights, bells pealing from cathedral towers and children dressed as angels singing Christmas carols, dazzle you. Delight your palate with a wine evening in Spitz - exclusive with AmaWaterways! Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Christmas Markets, including the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, shopping for handcrafted toys and gifts, sipping hot mulled wine and inhaling the fragrance of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Cherish all the glory and magic of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Danube during this festive time of the year.
Experience timeless holiday traditions and elegant pageantry in five countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. Let iconic capital cities—Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna—decked in holiday finery with glittering Christmas trees illuminated by thousands of lights, bells pealing from cathedral towers and children dressed as angels singing Christmas carols, dazzle you. Delight your palate with a wine evening in Spitz - exclusive with AmaWaterways! Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Christmas Markets, including the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, shopping for handcrafted toys and gifts, sipping hot mulled wine and inhaling the fragrance of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Cherish all the glory and magic of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Danube during this festive time of the year.
COUNTRIES:
Austria, Germany, Hungary, SlovakiaAustria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic
RIVERS:
Danube
Magna On The Danube (Christmas)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Arrive in Budapest and board the luxurious AmaMagna. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 2 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour and Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market |
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| Scenic Cruising | Danube Bend |
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Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, you’ll visit Vörösmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in Budapest. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour with Christmas Market visit |
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| | OR Bratislava hike with Christmas Market visit |
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| Vienna | Rathaus Christmas Markets |
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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. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. Tonight, explore Vienna’s splendid Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas Market. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Christmas markets |
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| | OR Vienna city tour by bike |
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| | Schönbrunn Christmas Markets |
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The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Following your city tour, you’ll visit the beautifully decorated Maria Theresaplatz Christmas market. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, visit the market at Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Krems | Dürnstein walking tour |
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| | OR Dürnstein Apricots and Sweets tour |
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| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike |
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| Scenic Cruising | UNESCO Wachau Valley |
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Krems, gateway to the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley, is your starting point for a visit to 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 brandy liqueur tasting and special apricot treats from a local boutique. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to historic Dürnstein Fotress, or cycle from Krems to Dürnstein and back for lunch. During the afternoon, cruise through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley—one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe, where some of Austria’s finest white wines are produced—to Spitz. Once in Spitz, you can visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube; or get active with either a Spitz- Ememersdorf -Spitz bike tour or hiking adventure. During the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine festival where you’ll enjoy some of the region’s famous wines. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Linz | “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour and Christmas Market |
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| | Half-day Český Krumlov excursion |
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| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
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| | OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with Hellbrunn Palace Christmas Markets |
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Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of excursions. The first is a full-day visit to Salzburg where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. Alternatively, you can choose a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. Later in the day, visit the charming Czech mountain town of Cesky Krumlov. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf |
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| | OR guided bike tour from Passau to Wernstein |
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| Vilshofen | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
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During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride along the Danube to Wernstein or hike to the Mariahilf pilgrimage church and monastery, enthroned high above Inntstadt, a suburb that offers magnificent views across the old town and surrounding countryside. Later, sail to Vilshofen, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Vilshofen | DISEMBARKATION |
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Bid farewell to the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Budapest | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Budapest and check into your hotel.
Day 2 | Budapest | “Hidden Budapest” tour |
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Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Often described as the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is well-known for Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Hill and its magnificent Hungarian Parliament building. However, this sprawling city is full of rich history and culture and offers many “hidden” treasures as you venture further past its river banks. During this excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler. (B)
Check out of your hotel to board your ship in Budapest. (B,D)
Day 4 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour and Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market |
|
| Scenic Cruising | Danube Bend |
|
Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, you’ll visit Vörösmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in Budapest. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour with Christmas Market visit |
|
| | OR Bratislava hike with Christmas Market visit |
|
| Vienna | Rathaus Christmas Markets |
|
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. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. Tonight, explore Vienna’s splendid Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas Market. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Christmas markets |
|
| | OR Vienna city tour by bike |
|
| | Schönbrunn Christmas Markets |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Following your city tour, you’ll visit the beautifully decorated Maria Theresaplatz Christmas market. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, visit the market at Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Krems | Dürnstein walking tour |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Apricots and Sweets tour |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike |
|
| Scenic Cruising | UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
Krems, gateway to the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley, is your starting point for a visit to 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 brandy liqueur tasting and special apricot treats from a local boutique. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to historic Dürnstein Fotress, or cycle from Krems to Dürnstein and back for lunch. During the afternoon, cruise through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley—one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe, where some of Austria’s finest white wines are produced—to Spitz. Once in Spitz, you can visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube; or get active with either a Spitz- Ememersdorf -Spitz bike tour or hiking adventure. During the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine festival where you’ll enjoy some of the region’s famous wines. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Linz | “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour and Christmas Market |
|
| | Half-day Český Krumlov excursion |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with Hellbrunn Palace Christmas Markets |
|
Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of excursions. The first is a full-day visit to Salzburg where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. Alternatively, you can choose a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. Later in the day, visit the charming Czech mountain town of Cesky Krumlov. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour and Christmas Markets |
|
| | OR Hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf |
|
| | OR guided bike tour from Passau to Wernstein |
|
| Vilshofen | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
|
During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride along the Danube to Wernstein or hike to the Mariahilf pilgrimage church and monastery, enthroned high above Inntstadt, a suburb that offers magnificent views across the old town and surrounding countryside. Later, sail to Vilshofen, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Vilshofen | DISEMBARKATION |
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| Regensburg | UNESCO city highlights tour |
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Depart the ship and drive to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, which you’ll discover on a guided walking tour. After touring Regensburg, continue on to Prague. (B)
Day 11 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour |
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Discover Prague on a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)
Day 12 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
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Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)
Day 13 | Prague | Return flight home |
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Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)