Cruise Along the Danube on AmaMagna

Imagine stepping onto your own personal balcony while cruising on the Danube River, on board AmaWaterways’ award-winning flagship, the innovative AmaMagna, to views of the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary.

This past November, I had the pleasure of making this dream a reality – sailing through grand capitals and charming villages of old-world Europe, where castles were built, kings and queens were crowned, and some of the most renowned classical music was written and performed.

AmaMagna’s cruises on the Danube River highlight timeless cities such as Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna, and offer a variety of included excursions and exclusive experiences that suit every kind of traveler, including multigenerational families that are all ages and activity levels.

Twice the width of traditional European river ships, AmaMagna offers the luxury of space with five bars, four unique restaurants and an expansive Zen Wellness Studio featuring innovative outdoor spin bikes, two massage rooms and a juice bar. Best of all, a majority of the ship’s accommodations are ultra-spacious suites with both a French balcony and an outside balcony where you will enjoy fresh air and breathtaking scenery.

You will indulge in awe-inspiring architecture, timeless music, breathtaking landscapes and culinary delights on this beautifully curated itinerary specifically designed by Co-Founder Rudi Schreiner, the “Godfather of River Cruising.” With plenty of daytime scenic sailing, you will be able to enjoy the extraordinary AmaMagna to its fullest – from al fresco dining to a game of pickleball on the top deck as you journey through the Danube’s spectacular landscapes and breathtaking scenery.

AmaWaterways offers several Special Interest itineraries, and we were so happy that this particular sailing was made even more special because it was a wine itinerary, which means that we were accompanied by a winemaker from Napa who brought his wines for us to experience and compare to similar wines from the Danube region. We also had added wine tasting excursions that took us to Burg Clam castle, which dates back to the 12th century, as well as other wine tastings along the way.

Aboard the AmaMagna, we stopped in 1-2 towns each day of our 7-day journey where we had the opportunity to explore, learn and experience local culture. We began our journey in Budapest, set sail to Vienna, home to a treasure trove of Baroque splendors, including the grand Schönbrunn Palace, offering a glimpse into bygone grandeur. While touring the city we had the opportunity to trace the paths of the most renowned classical musicians, and view the famed Opera House. We spent a day in Austria’s stunning Wachau Valley where we indulged in an epicurean experience of Apricot brandy and chocolate tasting, we took a guided tour of Passau, the charming Bavarian city where the Ilz and Inn Rivers join the Danube River. At the end of our journey, we enjoyed Oktoberfest in Vilshofen, Germany, an intimate celebration of the festival that occurs exclusively year-round just for AmaWaterways guests!

At every stop along our journey, AmaWaterways offered multiple activity options for every type of traveler from food and wine lovers to history buffs, as well as active guests who will enjoy taking in the fresh air while pedaling among the city’s monuments, walking tours through vineyards, and active hikes to fortresses and gorgeous views of the Wachau Valley.

The AmaMagna itineraries includes both grand capitals and charming villages, and are great for first-time river cruisers. With such a wide variety of excursions and itineraries, as well as sailings in every season, the Danube River is also a highlight for repeat guests, who can experience the region in a whole new way. Additionally, it’s easy to combine sailings for a journey of 14 nights or more (and save 10% on each consecutive sailing with combination cruise savings!).

AmaWaterways also offers optional add-on Land Packages, which include Budapest, Prague and Munich. Discover hidden treasures from the fairytale-like Fisherman’s Bastion to the magnificent Hungarian Parliament in Budapest; choose from a city tour or castle hike in the UNESCO-designated “City of a Hundred Spires,” plus enjoy a Czech beer tasting in Prague. Affectionately referred to as the City of Spires, the Czech Republic’s capital city of Prague boasts a rich character through its beautiful UNESCO-designated city center and Franz Kafka memorial; explore the Bavarian capital of Munich through your taste buds, the perfect place to find delicious regional dishes of Weisswurst (white veal sausage) and schnitzel (breaded and fried meat cutlets). After a morning in the city on your walking tour, enjoy some local hospitality, at one of Munich’s many beer halls. Taste a famous German pretzel – a perfect pairing for a refreshing pint of beer.

I highly recommend this cruise experience! It is easily accessible, beautiful, and the perfect way to explore a magical region of Europe. I would love to turn this extraordinary trip into a reality for you too!