Danube River Cruise 2028
Clifford "Kip" Cranna, PhD
Kip Cranna is Dramaturg (Scholar in Residence) Emeritus of San Francisco Opera, where he was on staff for 40 years. He holds a PhD in musicology from Stanford University and writes and lectures frequently on classical music. He teaches courses on opera appreciation at Stanford Continuing Studies, the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) at U.C. Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and Dominican University. He has served as musical docent for San Francisco Opera patron travel as well as for Smithsonian Tours. He is the recipient of several awards, including the San Francisco Opera Medal in 2008
Tom Taffel and Bill Repp
Tom and Bill have organized and hosted 88 group cruises.
7-Night Cruise With 2 Nights Budapest Pre-Cruise ~ Roundtrip Budapest
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Capture the imperial history of Old-World Europe along the Danube River as it flourished beneath towering fortresses and inspired legendary artists and musicians. With an abundance of scenic cruising, a focus on grand cities and popular landmarks, and the ease of traveling roundtrip from Budapest, this special itinerary is our Co-Founder Rudi Schreiner’s top-choice itinerary for 2025 – be among the first to experience it! Begin your journey with our pre-cruise land package in majestic Budapest, during which you will immerse yourself in some of the Hungarian capital’s lesser-known heritage and historic sites. After embarking your ship, discover the luxury and beauty of river cruising as you glide through the scenic Wachau Valley, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout your journey you will visit the river’s legendary capitals: Bratislava and Vienna – where AmaWaterways’ Co-Founder Rudi Schreiner, the visionary “Godfather of River Cruising,” was born and raised. Encounter fascinating architecture from Melk’s golden-hued Benedictine abbey to Vienna’s magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. Plus, follow The Sound of Music through sprawling Salzburg, the incomparable birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
COUNTRIES: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia ~ RIVERS: Danube ~ Best of the Danube
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
July 2, 2028 Departure for Budapest
July 3, 2028 Budapest Hotel check-in Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel.
July 4, 2028 Budapest “Hidden Budapest” tour Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights are just off the banks of the Danube. Often described as the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is full of rich history and culture and offers many “hidden” treasures as you venture further past its riverbanks. During this excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler. (B)
Optional Group Dinner at: Gundel – the iconic home of Hungarian gastronomy where kings, queens, presidents and the Pope have dined.
July 5, 2028 Budapest EMBARKATION Check out of your hotel to board your luxurious ship. (B,D)
July 6, 2028 Bratislava or Bike tour Scenic cruising ~ Bratislava walking tour ~ or “Tastes of Slovakia” ~ Bratislava Castle hike ~ Take your time this morning as the ship cruises from Austria to Slovakia. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. If you prefer exploring the world through your tastebuds, join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour to sample traditional flavors from the region, including local beer. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city, or journey further from the seat of your bike on a guided cycling tour. (B,L,D)
July 7, 2028 Melk Scenic cruising ~ Melk Abbey visit Spend your morning reveling in the postcard-perfect landscapes of Austria’s picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wachau Valley. Later in the day, arrive in Melk. Located above the city on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, Melk Abbey is one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries and a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally founded in the 11th century, the magnificent abbey now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. During your tour you will see some of Melk’s musical manuscripts as well as frescoes painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger. (B,L,D)
July 8, 2028 Linz Distillery tour “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour ~ or “Cultural Mile” bike tour ~ or Full-day Salzburg city tour ~ or Full-day Cesky Krumlov excursion ~ Arrive in Linz, where you’ll have multiple choices for excursions. In the morning, step off the ship into Linz, taking in its contemporary architecture as well as the old city center, the old market and past the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days. As another alternative, pedal through Linz on an exhilarating bike tour. If you would rather fulfill your travel wish list in Salzburg, join our tour through the historic center, lovely Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. Alternatively, join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city’s picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s largest castle complexes. In the afternoon, embark on a journey into the fascinating world of whiskey distillation on an exciting guided tour. (B,L,D) Full-day excursions not combinable with other tours on this day.
July 9, 2028 Vienna or Vienna by bike “Imperial Vienna” carriage tour ~ Scenic cruising ~ Enjoy a full morning of scenic cruising, taking some time to sit back, relax and delight in the ever-changing views. Sleep in late, participate in a complimentary wellness class, treat yourself to a massage and get to know fellow cruisers while exploring all the amenities on board. In the afternoon, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic city center as a traditionally costumed coachman regales you with fascinating stories along your route, offering a new perspective on this sophisticated city. Alternatively, take a thrilling guided bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the city, traversing a bridge, cycling across a meadow and heading to Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse Boulevard. (B,L,D)
July 10, 2028 Vienna Free time or Vienna Woods hike ~ Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens ~ Following your overnight in the “City of Waltzes,” visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. If you prefer to connect with nature, journey to the town of Cobenzl where you will embark on a hike through the famed Vienna Woods that inspired a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II. Later in the day, explore Vienna at your leisure. (B,L,D)
July 11, 2028 Budapest or Castle Hill hike ~ Pest tour ~ Free time Buda city tour ~ Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Start your exploration of the city on the Buda side of the Danube, 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 colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admire the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. In the evening, head up to the Sun Deck or stroll around town, delighting in the way Budapest’s magnificent landmarks illuminate against the night sky. (B,L,D)
July 12, 2028 Budapest DISEMBARKATION Bid farewell to Budapest and prepare for your flight home. (B) Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents. A tour of the spectacular Budapest opera house, and dinner (and/or lunch) at Hungary’s most famous restaurant: “Gundel” ~ https://gundel.hu 130-year-old Gundel Palace – the iconic home of Hungarian gastronomy!” would be part of our pre-cruise or post-cruise itinerary.
Gundel – the iconic home of Hungarian gastronomy where kings, queens, presidents and the Pope have dined.
Gundel is more than a restaurant – it is one of the most well-known symbols of Hungarian hospitality, which has preserved and represented Hungarian culinary traditions for more than 130 years.
At Gundel, everything is about respecting traditions and nurturing heritage: the timeless elegance of the 19th-century palace building, Károly Gundel's iconic recipes and the unparalleled hospitality that has defined the uniqueness of the moments spent here for generations.
Gundel is the only restaurant to be awarded the Hungaricum Award, and it is also the most famous Hungarian restaurant, which is deservedly on the bucket list of many. Its special location also raises its rank: it awaits its guests in the heart of Budapest, at the gate of the City Park, in the immediate vicinity of Heroes' Square!
The upstairs halls of the 130-year-old building serve as one of the most prestigious event venues in the capital, where weddings, balls, corporate events, conferences and trainings can also take place in a worthy environment – in the style of Gundel, with elegance in keeping with traditions.
Hungarian State Opera House - Magyar Allami Operahaz Opened in 1884 ~ UNESCO World Heritage Site The capacity is 1,000 guests The Hungarian State Opera House "Magyar Alami Operahaz" is a historic opera house located in central Budapest, on Andrassy Avenue. Known as the Hungarian Royal Opera House, Construction began in 1875, funded by the city of Budapest and by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, and the new house opened to the public on the 27 September 1884. Many important artists were guests here including the composer Gustav Mahler, who was director in Budapest from 1888 to 1891 and Otto Klemperer, who was music director for three years from 1947 to 1950.
In the 1970s the state of the building prompted the Hungarian State to order a major renovation which eventually began in 1980 and lasted till 1984. The reopening was held exactly 100 years after the original opening, on the 27 September 1984. It is a richly decorated building and is considered one of the architect's masterpieces. It was built in neo-Renaissance style, with elements of Baroque. Although in size and capacity it is not among the greatest, in beauty and the quality of acoustics the Budapest Opera House is considered to be amongst the finest opera houses in the world. The auditorium is horseshoe-shaped and - according to measurements done in the 1970s - has the third best acoustics in Europe after La Scala in Milan and the Palais Garnier in Paris. Although many opera houses have been built since, the Budapest Opera House is still among the best in terms of the acoustics. In front of the building are statues of Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt. Liszt is the best known Hungarian composer. Erkel composed the Hungarian national anthem, and was the first music director of the Opera House; he was also founder of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year the season lasts from September to the end of June and, in addition to opera performances, the House is home to the Hungarian National Ballet.
B U D A P E S T
Buda + + + + + + + + + + ++ + + + + + + + + + Pest
Hilly - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Flat
Hiking, biking, garden parties - - - - - - - - - -Cultural
Neighbors are closely tied - - - - - - - - - - - -Theaters, movies, opera, museums, cafes, restaurants, ruin bars
Higher-richer/shower lifestyle - - - - - - - - -Faster lifestyle
Mathias Church, Royal Palace - - - - - - - - - Heroes' Square, Parliament (3rd largest in the world: 700 rooms,
Castle Bazar, Funicular Railway - - - - - - - -224 statues, 80 pounds of 22 carat gold. The Shoes memorial,
Royal Palace, Castle Bazar Gardens - - - - -(2005 Holocaust Memorial), St. Stephen's Basilica with its 360
Turkish (Thermal) Baths, Citadel - - - - - - -degree panorama (1905), The Great Synagogue (1859, the
Liberty Statue - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -second largest synagogue in the world (NYC is the largest).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Opera House (1884 - financed by Emperor Franz Joseph -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -seen in the movie "Evita." Szechenyi Bath (1913 steambath).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Central/Grand Market Hall (1896 - Paprika, fruits & vegetables).
Across the Chain Bridge: stroll on the Promenade, cross the Chain Bridge and take the Funicular uphill For a panoramic view of the city by the Royal Palace - near the Matthias Coronation Church.
Stroll on Pest: Walk on the Promenade, pedestrian area. Pass the Basilica and continue to the Parliament. Stroll from the ship to the Market Hall, across the (green) Liberty Bridge up to Gellert Bath, ending at the Chappel in the Rock.
Try the Hungarian lard, spread on bread, bone marrow served in the bone, and famous liver dumplings in soup. Paprika chicken, Goulash, Langosh, Chimney cakes and strudels. Check out Hungary's world renown Herend china dating back to 1826 and Hungary's most famous Vass shoes.