Magnificent Europe
15 Day River Cruise
From Amsterdam to Budapest, and in many exciting stops along the way, experience the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise vacation. Amsterdam is Holland’s lively capital—both historical and modern. This colorful city is loved for its vibrant mix of sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten. On to Germany for a guided city walk in Cologne—the stunning 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and stop in the charming wine town of Rüdesheim. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Volkach, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and sail the Main Danube Canal, which connects the Main and Danube Rivers. Your first stop in Austria is the lovely town of Melk. Visit its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Your local experts will also introduce you to two capital cities: Vienna, Austria, also known as “The City of Music” for inspiring the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss; and lively Budapest, Hungary, with its unique energy and countless must-see sites. This truly is a river cruise to remember!
Countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands
River(s): Danube, Main, Rhine
Pricing
River cruise starting at $8,567* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
15 Days – Amsterdam to Budapest (similar reverse itinerary available)
Your stateroom includes
- Comfort Collection Beds with choice of mattress firmness
- Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
- Bathrobes & slippers
- Premium L’Occitane bath products
- Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
- Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
- Individual climate control and in-room safe
- USB Ports
Onboard amenities
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Panoramic windows
- Elegant, contemporary design & décor
- Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
- Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
- Covered Observation Lounge
- Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Excursions
- CLASSIC – Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
- DISCOVERY – We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests – from cooking classes, to painting workshops – to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
- ACTIVE – Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go!
Health & Fitness
- Bikes
- Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
- Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
- Fitness and wellness activities
- Fitbits®
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Meals
Dinner
Description
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
Spend free time exploring the colorful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam—with its many cafés and art galleries.
Overnight docking in Amsterdam
Day 2
Amsterdam
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Classic – Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.
Afternoon/overnight cruise to Cologne
Day 3
Cologne, Germany
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland – Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Active – Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure, OR;
Discovery – Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR;
Classic – Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
Overnight cruise to Rüdesheim
Day 4
Rhine Gorge – Rüdesheim
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country – This morning cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see the famous rock of the Lorelei.
Active – Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR:
Discovery – Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.
Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
Afternoon/overnight cruise to Main River Village
Day 5
Main River Village
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Beauty on the Main River – Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
Classic – Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village.
Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores.
Evening/overnight cruise to Würzburg
Day 6
Würzburg
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road
Classic – Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco.
Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery.
Overnight docking in Würzburg
Day 7
Volkach
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Storybook Settings – You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists.
Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity.
Active – Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic – Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets.
Evening/overnight cruise to Bamberg
Day 8
Bamberg
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The City of Seven Hills
Active – Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic – Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.
Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening.
Afternoon/overnight cruise to Roth
Day 9
Roth – excursion to Nuremberg
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Legends and History Lessons – Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
Active – Explore Roth’s Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic – Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth—with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR;
Classic – Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR;
Classic – Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
Discovery – Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas.
Afternoon/overnight cruise to Regensburg
Day 10
Regensburg
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle
Active – Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic – Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg.
Alternatively, spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.
Evening/overnight cruise to Passau
Day 11
Passau – Linz, Austria
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
Classic – Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”
You may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz.
This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
Overnight cruise to Melk
Day 12
Melk – Wachau Valley – Vienna
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
Active – Join your Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk’s beautiful countryside, OR:
Classic – Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey.
Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon.
Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube – Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening.
Overnight docking in Vienna
Day 13
Vienna
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions
Active – Explore Vienna’s Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic – Explore the Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg family or choose a Guided Optional Excursion to fascinating Bratislava.
Consider a tram ride to Vienna’s Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.
Evening/overnight cruise to Budapest
Day 14
Budapest, Hungary
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Pearl of the Danube
Active – Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic – Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
This afternoon choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or enjoy Budapest on your own. Indulge in a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafés. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube.
Overnight docking in Budapest
Day 15
Budapest
Breakfast
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Reverse Itinerary
This trip also runs in reverse from Budapest to Amsterdam.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Magnificent Europe” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
Similar Trips
Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia along the Danube
18 day river cruise
Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia along the Danube
11 day river cruise
*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.