From Budapest to Vilshofen · Europe (River) · 7 nights
From Budapest to Vilshofen
AmaMagna represents an innovative ship design for the Danube, the same length but twice the width of a standard river cruise vessel, with more space, larger staterooms and more dining options. AmaRudi will follow the same double-width design and will launch in 2027.
The extra space on board AmaMagna and AmaRudi means large,
luxurious, ocean-type staterooms averaging over 300 square feet,
lots of dining options, and expansive spa and fitness areas. There
is also a pool and whirlpool on the Sun Deck and a full-size
pickleball court.
Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's most appealing cities, a vibrant and welcoming capital that straddles the Danube. The history of Budapest has been somewhat turbulent - ransacked by the Mongols in 1241, occupied by the Ottoman Turks for over a century, and almost flattened by the Soviets in 1945 - but plenty of older buildings survive, including the imposing Parliament and iconic St Stephen's Basilica. Although a pedant might point out that Budapest has only really existed since 1873; up until then the city's two distinct halves, Buda and Pest, were separate towns.
Bratislava, Slovakia’s quaint little capital, straddles the Danube close to the border with Austria and Hungary. The compact old town is the best place to begin your exploration, before heading up to the hilltop castle for commanding views of the city and surrounding countryside.
Formerly the centre of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is as grand a European capital as you can imagine, jam packed full of thrusting, bombastic buildings that stand as a reminder of Austria’s glorious imperial heyday.
Krems sits on the river Danube at the eastern end of the beautiful Wachau Valley, surrounded by vineyards. It’s an attractive old town, with pretty cobbled streets and a good selection of galleries and museums, as well as some excellent restaurants.
The city of Linz is included on river cruise itineraries due to its proximity to Salzburg, which is where you’ll most likely be headed. Salzburg’s Altstadt attracts millions of visitors every year with its fairytale skyline of domes and spires, and the city is renowned as both the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for ‘The Sound of Music’.
The pretty Bavarian town of Passau, situated close to Germany’s border with Austria, enjoys a unique setting at the confluence of three rivers: the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube. The narrow cobbled streets of the handsome old town, the Altstadt, are quite delightful.
Vilshofen an der Donau is known as the ‘Little Town of Three Rivers’, situated at the point where the Vils and Wolfach flow into the Danube. At its heart is the delightful old town, home to several interesting buildings including the Church of St John the Baptist, the Benedictine Abbey of Schweiklberg and the iconic clock tower.
