The Classic Blue Danube Cruise

Your journey towards the Blue Danube begins as you arrive in Munich, Germany. This southern city is wrapped in Bavarian charm and is filled with centuries-old buildings and sprawling squares. Admire them as you make your way through Munich to the railway station to join your train to Passau. Because you have an open ticket, you may select the train that best aligns with your arrival and sightseeing goals. Head to the shoreline from the train station and join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers in boarding our luxurious Amadeus cruise ship. Enjoy a warm welcome with a cocktail in the lounge and time to find your cabin ahead of tonight's multi-course dinner. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we begin our relaxing cruise downstream. Drifting through beautiful scenery into Austria, we get our first sight of amazing river landscapes. Rising hills covered with vineyards and orchards create a picturesque backdrop, occasionally revealing charming villages, medieval castles and centuries-old monasteries that cling to the hilltops. We arrive in Linz later this afternoon. The town is known for its gorgeous old town as well as its mix of baroque and modern architecture. We spend the night here amongst the vibrant atmosphere with picturesque views.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Choose your adventure in Austria today. Upon docking back in the stunning city of Passau this morning, you may choose from two guided excursions that explore the surrounding region's wonders.

First, you could head further into the countryside for a day spent amidst the spectacular scenery of the Austrian lakes. Enjoy a stop in UNESCO-listed Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed villages. Its traditional pastel-hued houses meet a pictorial landscape created by a tiny plain between the surrounding mountains and Hallstättersee Lake. You will also stop in Mondsee, a village perched on a lake of the same name. As you tour, you may recognize Mondsee's 15th-century parish church from the wedding scenes in "The Sound of Music."

Alternatively, you could travel by coach to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. This journey ventures to the city by way of Mondsee, allowing you to see the village and its famous church before continuing to Salzburg. On arrival, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour that explores this Baroque city's most impressive sites, including Getreidegasse Street, famous for its timeless shops and metal signs, and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A day of incredible beauty lies ahead as the ship heads into Austria's Wachau Valley. This part of the country is renowned for its dramatic landscapes composed of ancient strongholds, hilltop vineyards, and storybook forests. Charming villages and historical sites abound, including Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey. Our journey along the Danube pauses, and we disembark to be transferred to the abbey by coach. On arrival, you will be impressed by the sweeping views over the Wachau Valley and the Danube from the terrace and the Abbey Church, built in the 1700s and widely considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

We return to the ship and enjoy lunch surrounded by breathtaking views of the Wachau Valley. Later this afternoon, we approach the idyllic village of Dürnstein in the heart of Austria's wine-making region. Disembark the ship with free time to visit the local vintners and wine shops or simply wander along the narrow, cobblestone streets. Dürnstein Castle, a medieval fortress that once imprisoned Richard I of England, and the monastery are amongst the village's most enticing attractions, and both are within walking distance of the ship docks. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A calm night of cruising guides us along the river to the Imperial gem that is Vienna. This metropolis is wrapped in grandeur and is a showcase of culture and elegance. Experience these elements and more as we embark on a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city. Alongside our guide, we take to the city's famous Ringstrasse, a 3-mile boulevard decked in opulence. Look upon many of Vienna's most impressive buildings, including the Hofburg Palace, the Opera House, and the imposing Parliament Building. Between focal points, some of Vienna's most famous museums and beautiful parks continue to mark the circular byway with beauty. You are welcome to continue exploring the city at leisure upon the tour's conclusion. Perhaps tour one of the museums highlighted on our excursion or venture into the city center to find a traditional Viennese café. Vienna's city center also has much in the way of sightseeing, including St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Dinner is served aboard the ship, and once the meal concludes, we are treated to a private recital by former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Find yourself whisked away by the music as moving performances of well-known classical pieces fill the night. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A leisurely morning aboard the ship welcomes you to look over the passing scenery from the Sun Deck or to play chess or shuffleboard with your fellow travelers. Sit back and relax as we wind through Slovakia, mooring in its capital city, Bratislava, after lunch. Located in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, this grand city is neatly divided in half by the Danube, creating two distinct parts, the Baroque Old Town and the new city, which we explore today on a guided tour. Embrace the cosmopolitan nature of the new town, with its museums and art galleries, and the old-world undertones of Stare Mesto, where cobbled streets, pedestrian plazas, 18th-century Rococo buildings, and historic Gothic structures abound. You may even glimpse its 9th-century castle before reboarding the ship and continuing along the Danube to Hungary. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A true highlight of our cruising experience comes this morning as the ship enters the scenic Danube Bend. This section of the river is chock-full of history and natural beauty, all brought to life through castle ruins, pretty houses hidden amongst the hillsides, woodlands filled with dense forestation, and riverside churches. Grab a spot in the Panorama Bar or Sun Deck to watch the idyllic vistas unfold. We moor in Budapest early this afternoon, and after having lunch aboard the ship, we begin our discovery of this iconic city on a sightseeing tour that introduces both Buda and Pest. We pass impressive buildings and monuments, including the Neo-Gothic Parliament building and the State Opera House, and venture to Buda Castle, whose surrounding district is home to a number of impressive structures, including Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Each landmark is more impressive than the next in this UNESCO World Heritage-recognized city.

Enjoy another incredible multi-course dinner aboard the ship this evening, followed by a memorable performance of local Hungarian folk songs in the ship's lounge. But the day's excitement does not conclude with the performance; instead, you are treated to a sightseeing encore as we cruise along the banks of Budapest, marveling over its most prominent sites illuminated in lights. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a week sailing between idyllic riverside destinations, your Danube cruise comes to a close this morning. Disembark the ship and make your way to Budapest's international airport or train station for your journey home.

• Breakfast