DAY 1 / PRAGUE 

Arrive in Prague, Czech Republic, and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring the landmarks and monuments of this cultured European capital.

DAY 2 / PRAGUE 

Your morning sightseeing excursion reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city centre that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see Rudolfinum, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Next, visit the thousand-year-old Prague Castle and the Gothic-style St. Vitus Cathedral before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you’ll find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, and the statue of Jan Husek. The rest of the day is yours to discover this storied city.

DAY 3 / PRAGUE 

Spend a day at your leisure in the historical capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia—stroll through one of Prague’s many museums or galleries, wander along the banks of the Vltava River, visit a local artisan market to shop for handicrafts, or tour one of the city’s famous breweries and sample the beer.

DAY 4 / PILZEN / EMBARKATION / NUREMBERG 

Set off from Prague after breakfast via motor coach and enjoy a stop in Pilzen, a city perhaps best known for its Pilsner beer, a pale gold-hued lager. After a walking tour of local highlights, such as the Brewery Museum and Republic Square, enjoy a drive through the idyllic countryside en route to Nuremberg*, where you’ll join your ship and settle into your cabin. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. Mooring overnight in Nuremberg.

DAY 5 / NUREMBERG  

Today, choose from two excursion options. Take a tour of the city’s medieval highlights, including Nuremberg Castle, the 900-year-old ramparts surrounding the city, Town Hall, Notre Dame, and the house of artist Albrecht Dürer. Or, join a WWII tour and see the Coliseum, Nazi Parade Grounds, and the Justice Palace courtroom where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Later, the ship cruises the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg.

DAY 6 / REGENSBURG 

This morning’s cruising takes you through the scenic final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal en route to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. A guided walking tour will show you the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD.

DAY 7 / PASSAU / LINZ 

After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the Inn and Ilz rivers flow into the Danube. You may choose to join a walking tour of Passau’s Old Town, passing the old city fortifications, Rathaus, Domplatz and Residenzplatz squares, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral. More adventurous guests may join either a guided bike tour along the Danube from Passau to Erlau or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress overlooking Passau. Return to the ship this afternoon and cruise to Linz, Austria’s third largest city and a major river port.

DAY 8 / MELK / VIENNA 

Early this morning, cruise to Melk. Here, choose between a guided tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries, or a guided bike tour along the Danube. Return to the ship for lunch before cruising through the verdant Wachau Valley with its vineyard-covered slopes. After dinner, arrive in Vienna, where you’ll have a free evening to explore the magnificent Austrian capital.

DAY 9 / VIENNA

This morning, experience the Baroque elegance of Vienna. You may choose between three different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna, guiding you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall, and Vienna University. Afterwards, you’ll visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben, and the world-famous Spanish Riding School. The second option is a walking tour of Vienna’s hidden treasures, revealing little-known sights such as Ankeruhr, a whimsical Art Nouveau clock. Finally, you may choose to join a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark.

In the afternoon, embark on a guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery, or explore Vienna at your leisure, making sure to sample some Viennese coffee and pastries.

DAY 10 / BUDAPEST  

Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in the cities of Buda, on the west bank of the river, and Pest, on the east bank. You will see the famed Heroes’ Square and UNESCO-listed Castle Hill. Home to Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, Castle Hill also boasts spectacular views of the Danube. After dinner, you’ll be treated to a special Illuminations Cruise past the city’s glittering riverfront.

DAY 11 / BUDAPEST / DISEMBARKATION  

Bid farewell to Budapest as you prepare for your journey onward.

*Note: For cruise-only guests, the program begins with embarkation in Nuremberg.

• 3 nights hotel in Prague at the InterContinental or Hilton Old Town (or similar), including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Transfer Prague to the ship in Nuremberg
• 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom – most staterooms offer French balconies or revolutionary twin balconies
• Shore excursions in every port with personal headset included
• Limited Edition Tours
• Entertainment on demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library and English language TV stations
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
• Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding
• Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
• Multiple dining venues
• Unlimited red and white wines from Europe’s great wine regions, beer and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board
• Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner
• Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and piano music
• Bicycles to explore on your own and guided bicycle tours
• Services of professional Cruise Manager
• All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• Transfers between hotel and ship are included with the purchase of cruise and land package; airport transfers are included with the purchase of airfare from AmaWaterways
• All local taxes

Travel Documents / Visas

1. Passport

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the last date of travel to enter European Union (EU) countries which include all destinations on this itinerary.

Citizens of other countries should consult with their travel agent or our office.

2. Visa

No visa is required for citizens of Canada travelling to any country on the Danube itinerary.

Packing List

A handy checklist of what to bring on your trip can be downloaded here.

Insurance

We very strongly recommend the purchase of appropriate travel insurance for any trip outside of Canada. Information on travel insurance options can be found here.

Smoking

Not permitted anywhere indoors. There are designated areas on the outside decks.

Weather

The weather will vary somewhat depending what part of the Danube you are travelling on.

In the early spring (March-April), the weather will likely be in the 10s but some cooler evenings may be expected. Occasional rain is normal.

In May, June and September, temperatures will typically be in the low 20s during the day and in the high 10s during the night time.

In July and August, temperatures are usually in the mid 20s but could range up to the high 20s or low 30s. Evenings typically in the low 20s.

In November and December the temperatures will typically be in the low 10s during the day and in the 0s (but usually above freezing) during the night.

Arrival / Departure

Upon booking, we will provide detail instructions on how to meet your ship on embarkation day. If you have not made any pre or post tour arrangements with us, you will have to arrange your own transportation to and from the port of embarkation. We are happy to provide advice or to assist in arranging transfers.

The ship will not be ready for check-in before mid-afternoon. If you have luggage that you need to deposit so you can enjoy some free time in port, the purser may be able to accommodate you provided we know in advance.

The cruise will finish in the morning (usually around 9am) on the final day. It is necessary to have settled your onboard account and to have disembarked by this time as instructed by the cruise director on the day before.

Money

The currency in Germany, Slovakia and Austria is the EURO. In Czech Republic, the Czech Crown or Kronor is used (CZK), although many shops will accept Euros. In Hungary the local currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF) and similarly, many shops will accept Euros.

Credit cards are acceptable for larger purchases in retail shops, but often not in restaurants or cafés.

ATM’s accepting most international debit and credit cards can be found in abundance.

Gratuities (Tipping)

Gratuities suggested by the cruise line are:

EUR 3.00 per guest per day for the cruise director

EUR 12.00 per guest per day to be divided amongst the entire crew.

Laundry

Laundry service is available onboard at a nominal additional cost. Unfortunately dry cleaning services are not available.

Excursions

Most of our programs include a full complement of excursions. Some additional excursions may be available on board at an extra cost. Please check with us or consult the purser onboard for additional information.

Excursions will usually involve a lot of walking, often on cobblestone streets. If you have difficulty walking any distance, please let us know in advance and we will advise how best we can accommodate you.

Regrettably, most of our excursions are not suitable for those in a wheelchair.

Activity Level / Strenuousness

Light – At most, participation in the shore excursions requires the ability to walk reasonable distances and some stairs.

Food

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your cruise fare so you shouldn’t be too hungry. It is worthwhile to sample the local cuisine, though.

In Prague, depending on the time of year, local kiosks on the main squares will offer delights such as ‘Trdelnik’, a tube-shaped sweet pastry with various fillings. You may also wish to give the Prague Ham a try, which is a very tasty variation of black forest ham. If you do get the chance for a full meal, roast duck, red cabbage and dumplings is probably one of the most typical Czech meals.

In Germany, particularly in Nuremberg, try the ‘Lebkuchen’ (gingerbread) which is absolutely delicious. A fast food favourite in the whole country is the famous ‘Currywurst’ which is a sausage served with a curry mustard sauce.

Austria is of course famous for its pastries, particularly in the coffee shops of Vienna. You can’t not try a ‘Sachertorte’ (chocolate cake with apricot jam). The home of the ‘Wiener Schnitzel’ is also here with the original version being a breaded veal cutlet and the more common version being made with pork.

Hungary is known for its delectable ‘Gulasch’ soup, made usually with beef chunks. ‘Letscho’, a zesty red sauce with sweet peppers is another favourite, often served with shishkebabs and on a bed of rice.

Language

Your shipboard staff all speak English of course, but when you are wandering through the shops in small villages, the local folk may not speak so much English, particularly in the former eastern European states (i.e. Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia etc.) A phrasebook or translation app would come in very handy.

Medical Facilities

There are no medical personnel onboard the ship. However, the purser can contact onshore medical people for emergency and non-emergency situations and rapid evacuation can easily be facilitated in the most urgent cases.

Phone & Internet

There is a phone in each cabin. As is typical, the charges for overseas calls are relatively high.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the main public areas of the ship but not necessarily in all cabins. As internet is provided through a mobile network, bandwidth (speed) will vary depending on the number of concurrent users, the proximity to a cell tower and other factors.

If you would like to have regular data and phone connection, we suggest either arranging an overseas roaming plan with your mobile operator, or pick up a local SIM card if you have an unlocked phone.

Health / Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations required to travel to the EU. As always, we recommend being in good health prior to any long distance travel. Consult your physician with any specific concerns in regard to this program.

Safety & Security

Despite recent events in Europe, these countries are all extremely safe. Particularly the small cities and towns on this voyage, you should have nothing to be concerned about. This being said, being constantly aware of your surroundings and not taking unnecessary valuables with you is always recommended. Leave your passport, extra money and any other belongings you do not need during the day in the safe in your cabin.

You can access current information about the security situation in Europe by referring to the Canadian government travel advisory site at https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/

Suggested Reading

Danube

The Danube

Danubia A personal history of Habsburgs Europe