Travel Dates
Departing 14th May 2026
Package Provider: AmaWaterways
Package Type: Package
Region: Europe
Duration: 18 Nights
Follow the route of emperors, kings and queens on a magnificent European journey along three rivers and through five fascinating countries. The natural wonders of the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers yield way to countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Cologne’s Gothic Cathedral, the Würzburg Residenz Palace, the charming Old Towns of Bamberg and Regensburg, and the Melk Abbey—to name a few. Connoisseurs of fine wines get to taste the difference between German and Austrian Rieslings; and gourmets get to indulge in Western and Eastern European specialties. And for active enthusiasts, you will get to hike and bike through breathtaking scenery in Passau and Vienna. All of this and more awaits on one all-encompassing magnificent journey.
Your Fly, Stay & Cruise Package Includes:
Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 14 May – 01 June 2026
Solo traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel.
Day 2: Amsterdam
Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture.
Day 3: Amsterdam - Embarkation
Check out of your hotel and, before transferring to your ship, visit Zaanse Schans, where you can observe life as it used to be lived in the Netherlands. Authentic windmills, houses and ships were relocated to this picturesque area, creating a typical 17th- to 18-th century village.
Day 4: Amsterdam
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
Day 5: Cologne, Germany
Cologne is home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Old Market and the Heumarkt. Plus, taste the city’s famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne. Active adventurists will instead want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine.
Day 6: Rhine Gorge – Rüdesheim
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching Rüdesheim. There you may drink up the stunning views of the vineyards during a gondola ride. Alternatively, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you, or savour the Rüdesheimer Coffee that the town is famous for.
Day 7: Wertheim
Enjoy Wertheim, considered to have one of Germany’s most beautiful city centers. While here, join a walking tour, hike to the ruins of Wertheim Castle or delight in a scenic bicycle ride along the Main River Valley.
Day 8: Würzburg
Enjoy a city tour of Würzburg, bursting with Baroque splendour. Or visit Würzburg’s Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. Or stretch your legs while hiking to Würzburg Castle. Alternately, go on a full-day excursion to Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road.
Day 9: Eltmann - Bamberg
Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions. Or taste your way through the city sampling smoked beer, pralines, and Hornla, a pastry. And for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour.
Day 10: Nuremberg
Depart the ship for a guided tour of Kaiserburg, Nuremberg’s Imperial castle and one of the most important palaces of the Old Holy Roman Empire. While wandering through this historical fortress towering high above the city centre, you will pass by an exhibition of military artifacts, from weapons to suits of armor, as well as architectural models that show the castle through the ages. Following your Kaiseburg tour, we will head to the former home of Albrecht Dürer, arguably Germany’s most famous artist and Nuremberg’s most famous resident. It is within these walls where he lived and worked for nearly 20 years in the early 16th century, and you will be able to view some of his and other artists’ works during your tour.
Day 11: Nuremberg
You have three choices of excursions while in Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided tour through this well-preserved medieval city, showcasing the Imperial Castle, famous town wall and the legendary fountain of the Market Square. Or turn back the pages of a darker history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the coliseum. You’ll also visit the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam and Courtroom 600, if the courtroom is not in session. Alternatively, partake in a traditional Franconian specialties tasting of famous Nuremburger bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later in the day, cruise through the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal.
Day 12: Regensburg
For those who love The Sound of Music, enjoy a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic centre, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. Alternatively, you can discover Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour to Wertheim, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress.
Day 13: Passau
For those who love The Sound of Music, enjoy a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. Alternatively, you can discover Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour to Wertheim, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress.
Day 14: Melk, Austria
Cruise to Melk where you can visit its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries. For a more active adventure, you can join a hike to Melk Abbey or pedal along the Danube River on a guided bike tour.
Day 15: Vienna
The heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna, remains as renowned today as it has throughout history. The entire city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site awash with Baroque treasures. Your city tour showcases its regal splendours, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude in Vienna’s historic city centre and then visit the majestic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which has stood watch over Vienna for 700 years and is one of the most important and beloved landmarks in Austria. Or, if you prefer to go on a more active adventure, then join a guided bike tour through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more.
Day 16: Budapest, Hungary
Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colourful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial.
Day 17: Budapest - Disembarkation
Disembark the ship and check into your hotel.
Day 18: Budapest
Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its iconic sights are just 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 traveller.
Day 19: Depart Budapest
Bid Farewell to Budapest and prepare for your flight home.
Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.