AmaBella Danube river cruise

Cruise the Danube River

Wachau Valley in Austria with the Danube River

Cruise the Danube River

The Danube River in Budapest, Hungary

Cruise the Danube River

Sail Through Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary

Days: 8 | From: $3,379/per person

  • Cruise on a boutique ship on some of Europe's most scenic rivers
  • Discover the cuisine and culture of three countries: Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary
  • Explore with local guides, granting you insider access

Experience the imperial grandeur of Old-World Europe along the Danube River, where medieval fortresses, grand capitals, and timeless artistry shaped centuries of history. Travel roundtrip from Budapest on an itinerary featuring scenic cruising through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley and visits to legendary cities such as Bratislava, Vienna, and Salzburg. Explore architectural treasures from Melk’s golden Benedictine Abbey to Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, and follow The Sound of Music through the charming streets of Mozart’s birthplace.

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

5-Star Reviews

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Budapest
    1 night: embark your ship and begin sailing down the scenic Danube
  • Bratislava
    1 night: tour this eclectic Slovakian and sample regional cuisine
  • Wachau Valley
    1 night: discover Austrian castles, abbeys, and monasteries
  • Linz
    1 night: tour Linz, the Austrian countryside, Salzburg, and sleepy Czech villages
  • Vienna
    2 nights: get to know Austria's capital city with its picturesque gardens, palaces, and culture
  • Budapest
    1 night: explore this timeless, charming city before disembarking

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Embark in Budapest

Welcome to Budapest! Here you’l board your luxurious river cruise ship, perhaps exploring the city independently before the evening’s briefings, cocktail hour, and dinner.

Accommodations: AmaBella , 7 nights

The AmaBella is a refined European river cruise ship designed for about 162 guests, featuring spacious twin-balcony staterooms with marble bathrooms and modern amenities. Guests can dine in the main restaurant, the open-kitchen Chef’s Table, or the al-fresco Café Bistro, each serving regional and international cuisine with fine wines. Leisure facilities include a heated pool and whirlpool on the sun deck, a putting green, giant chessboard, fitness room, sauna, and massage services, as well as bicycles available for guided or independent shore excursions. The ship’s elegant design emphasizes comfort and space, offering an intimate, boutique cruising experience.

*Includes: Dinner

Day 2: Bratislava, Slovakia

Enjoy a leisurely morning as your ship cruises from Austria to Slovakia. Arriving in Bratislava, once the site of coronations for 11 Hungarian kings and queens, explore the city on a guided walking tour through its historic center. For a more immersive experience, join the “Tastes of Slovakia” excursion to sample regional specialties and local beer. Active travelers may choose to hike up to Bratislava Castle for sweeping city views or set out on a guided bike ride through the surrounding area.

Accommodations: AmaBella , 7 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Austrian Castles, Monasteries, and Abbeys

Spend the morning cruising through Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its storybook villages, terraced vineyards, and castle ruins. Later, arrive in Melk, home to one of Europe’s most impressive Baroque monasteries. Perched high above the Danube, Melk Abbey dates back to the 11th century and today houses a museum and a remarkable library filled with medieval manuscripts. On your tour, see the abbey’s musical manuscripts and admire the frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger.

Accommodations: AmaBella , 7 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Linz and Salzburg

Arrive in Linz, where you can choose from several excursions. Take a guided tour through the city’s blend of modern architecture and historic charm, visiting the old town, market square, and the Mozart House, where the composer wrote his Linz Symphony in just three days. Or explore on two wheels with a guided bike tour through the city.

For those wishing to visit Salzburg, enjoy a full-day excursion through its historic center, including Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. Alternatively, travel to the Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov to wander its cobblestone streets, admire Baroque and Renaissance architecture, and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s largest castle complexes. In the afternoon, join a guided whiskey distillery tour for a look into the craft of local production.

Accommodations: AmaBella , 7 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Vienna by Bike or Horse Carriage

Spend a leisurely morning on board as the ship cruises along the Danube. Sleep in, join a complimentary wellness class, enjoy a massage, or simply relax on deck and take in the scenery. In the afternoon, experience Vienna from a different angle with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic center, as your coachman shares stories of the city’s past. For a more active option, join a guided bike ride along the Danube Canal and through Vienna, crossing bridges and meadows before arriving at the city’s grand Ringstrasse Boulevard.

Accommodations: AmaBella , 7 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Explore Vienna

After an overnight stay in the “City of Waltzes,” visit the UNESCO-listed Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the grand 18th-century summer residence of the Habsburgs. This 1,441-room Baroque masterpiece stands as one of Austria’s most significant architectural and cultural landmarks. For a more active experience, travel to Cobenzl for a guided hike through the Vienna Woods, said to have inspired one of Johann Strauss II’s waltzes. Later, enjoy free time to explore Vienna at your own pace.

Accommodations: AmaBella , 7 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Budapest

Budapest offers a remarkable blend of culture, history, and timeless charm. Begin your day on the Buda side of the Danube with a guided tour through the Castle District. Admire the storybook towers of Fisherman’s Bastion, take in sweeping city views, and visit Matthias Church, known for its colorful tile roof and elegant spire. For a more active option, hike up Castle Hill for panoramic views.

In the afternoon, explore the Pest side, home to the grand Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square, and the poignant “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. In the evening, enjoy the glow of Budapest’s illuminated landmarks from the Sun Deck or on a leisurely stroll through the city.

Accommodations: AmaBella , 7 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Disembark in Budapest

Bid farewell to Budapest and prepare for your flight home or to your onward destination.

*Includes: Breakfast

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