15 August 2024 15:15 depart from Melbourne.

Flight from Melbourne to Doho was about 14 hours, arriving on time at Doha’s Hamas airport, 100ºF/ 37ºC outside on landing. A very large airport with internal train. At 02:20 depart Doha for Budapest Hungary, arriving 07:00.

Day 1 Budapest, Hungry
(16 August 2024)
Embark Ship

Day 2 Budapest
(17 August 2024)
Morning tour of Budapest taking in historic monuments, This afternoon, set sail for Vienna. Had a tour of Budapest on the Pest side. Visited Heroes Square showing the history of Hungary.

The city was founded by the Hungarians in the late 9th century, and it has been an important centre of power, culture, and trade ever since. In the Middle Ages, Budapest was a key hub for trade and commerce, and its strategic location on the Danube River made it a vital transportation hub.

The city has been ruled by various empires and dynasties throughout history, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Soviet Union. During World War II, Budapest was a key centre of resistance against the Nazi occupation of Hungary. The city was heavily damaged during the war, but it was rebuilt in the post-war period.

In 1956, the city was at the centre of the Hungarian Revolution, which aimed to overthrow the Soviet-backed government of Hungary. The revolution was brutally suppressed by the Soviet army, and it left a lasting impact on the city and its people. Today, Budapest is a thriving metropolis with a vibrant cultural scene, modern infrastructure, and a rich history that is still visible in its architecture and landmarks.

After Heroes Square stop, we took the bus to visit St Stephen’s Basilica, Hungary’s most important church building.

After our Budapest City tour, we sailed on the Danube past the famous parliament buildings.

In the afternoon we had a scenic sail through the “Danube Bend”. Later the AmaReina sailed through the night to Vienna, Austria.

Day 3 Vienna, Austria
(18 August 2024)
Continue sailing to Vienna. On arrival, take in city’s many landmarks along the Ringstrasse, including St Stephen’s Cathedral.

After dinner, we were treated to a Viennese Waltz demonstration.

Day 4 Vienna, Austria, Slovakia
(19 August 2024)
Morning activity was a visit to Slovakia’s Bratislava. 

After dinner, we went to Liechtensteins’s City Palace in the heart of Vienna, for a cocktail party and a recital of classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss.

Day 5 Durnstein, Melk, Austria
(20 August 2024)
We arrived in Durnstein before breakfast. After breakfast we boarded the Choo-Choo train and had a tour of the local vineyards then into the village of Durnstein.

Back on board for lunch while the AmaReina departs for Melk. We sailed along the Danube river through Wachau Valley, Austria. Lots of historic ruins and countryside featuring grape vines and apricot trees.

We arrived in Melk and boarded a bus for a tour of the Melk Abbey. It is one of the finest attractions in Austria and one of Europe’s great cultural heritage sites. It began as the residence of the Babenberg family and since 1089 it has been home to the Benedictine monastery, founded by Leopold II.

After our visit to Melk, we went back to our boat and had a special seven course dinner in a separate restaurant at the rear of the boat called The Chef’s Table.

Day 6 Linz, Salzburg, Passau, Germany
(21 August 2024)
We left the boat from Linz in Austria and boarded bus to travel to Salzburg. While we travelled to Salzburg, the boat sailed to Passau in Germany.

We enjoyed a guided tour of Salzburg, a magnificent Baroque town, situated by the river Salzach, with an altitude of approximately 430 m.

Back on the bus and we travelled to a lovely alpine restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain, located 1,000 metres above sea level. We enjoyed lunch followed by the ‘Sound of Music’ show.

Reboard our bus and drive to Passau, Germany.

Day 7 Regensburg
(22 August 2024)
We spent the morning sailing along the Danube arriving around midday. We saw swans with cygnets as well as beautiful Bavarian scenery.

We walked into the World Heritage-listed city centre of Regensburg, named after the Regen river that joins up with the Danube. Regensburg was a Roman fort, later it was taken over by the Bavarians. It is a medieval town with lots of narrow alleys, some high quality shops with lots of bike traffic and tourists. Bavarian food, sausages, sauerkraut and mustard is a local speciality.

Day 8 Nuremberg
(23 August 2024)
Journey through Nuremberg’s World War II sites or focus on Nuremberg’s medieval history.

Day 9 Bamberg
(24 August 2024)
Visit World Heritage-listed city of Bamberg.

Day 10 Wurzberg
(25 August 2024)
Visit the fairy-tale town of Rottenburg.

Day 11 Miltenberg
(26 August 2024)
Guided tour of Miltenberg.

Day 12 Rudesheim, Andernach
(27 August 2024)
Gondola ride or visit Siegfrieds Mechanical Musical Museum.
Cruise through Rhine Valley to Andernach.

Day 13 Andernach
(28 August 2024)
Visit Namedy Castle for a morning tea and piano recital.
Afternoon spent sailing to the Netherlands.

Day 14 Amsterdam, Netherlands
(29 August 2024)
Cruise the canals of Amsterdam in a glass-top boat or visit Zaane Schans.
Captain’s farewell dinner.

Day 15 Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam
(30 August 2024)
Transfer to airport.