12 Night Melodies of the Danube (Wine Cruise) Cruise and Land Tour from Budapest

Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel.

Once the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire (along with Vienna), Budapest is one of Europe's most regal and storied cities-and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Today's tour takes you to another side of Budapest to the Jewish Quarter, where there are some real treasures. The Great Synagogue, the largest Synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world, located in Dohany Street, represents the beating heart of this quarter. Other prominent attractions include the Holocaust Memorial, a weeping willow tree with the names of Hungarian Jews killed during the Holocaust inscribed on each leaf; and the Shoes on the Danube, a memorial to the Budapest Jews who were shot by Arrow Cross militiamen between 1944 and 1945. (B)

Check out of your hotel to board your luxurious ship. During the evening, be treated to a Welcome Aboard Wine Toast and a special Illuminations cruise around Budapest's famed parliament building as at night, the city virtually glitters as these landmarks are awash in lights. (B,D)

Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. You will meet your fellow passengers at an evening Welcome Aboard Wine Toast. (D)

Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes' Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture, tradition, and even a secret labyrinth of caves and caverns under the city. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. (B,L,D)

The heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna, remains as renowned today as it has throughout history. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site awash with Baroque treasures. Your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna's historic city center. You'll 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. (B,L,D)

Discover more of Vienna's on your "Royal Treasures" tour, or for a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley en route to Krems, the wine capital of this region. While in Krems, you will discover the town's rich array of wine-related history and culture with a visit to Schloss Gobelsburg wine cellar, dating back several centuries. Some of the finest vineyards in Austria belong to Schloss Gobelsburg, so you'll be in for a real treat tasting some of its vintages, including Riesling and Gruner Veltliner. (B,L,D)

After reaching Weissenkirchen in the heart of the Wachau Valley, you'll be treated to several choices of excursions. Choose a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of Durnstein followed by a wine tasting. For those who would like a more culinary-focused experience, visit a local boutique where you'll enjoy a tasting of special apricot treats. Prefer more active adventures? Join a guided hike to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive. Afterwards, you have a choice to tour the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey or go on a guided bike tour from Durnstein to Ybbs along the famous Danube bike path. You'll then sail to Grein, known during the Middle Ages as the "golden city"; and today, it continues to shine. The city is home to both Austria's oldest residential castle, Greinburg Castle dating back to 1488, and its oldest municipal theater, Stadttheater, built in 1791. Be treated to an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally above the village, and while here, enjoy a folklore show along with a wine reception. (B,L,D)

The ship arrives in Linz where you'll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you'll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and site of the wedding scene in "The Sound of Music". Alternatively, you can go on a guided bike tour along the city's famed "Culture Mile" and the Danube. During the afternoon, you have three more options of excursions. Choose a half-day excursion to Salzburg or take a scenic drive through the beautiful Austrian Lake District with a stop in St. Wolfgang. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, Cesky Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. (B,L,D)

Discover the 2,000-year-old city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephan's Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube River, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress. Later, the ship cruises to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration with local beer, Bavarian folk music, and dancing-an AmaWaterways exclusive. (B,L,D)

This morning, disembark your ship in Vilshofen. (B)

Depart the ship and drive through the countryside to Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities, which you'll discover on a guided walking tour showcasing the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. After touring Regensburg, continue your journey on to Prague. (B)

Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities, with a historic city center that's recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle, and Old Town Square, where you will find the famous Astronomical Clock. (B)

Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, while Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country's national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world per capita. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech's beer some of the very best in the world. (B)

Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)