Relax on a stunning cruise vacation along one of Europe’s most diverse rivers, admiring the Danube’s natural beauty and the elegant cities lining its banks

Your elegant Danube cruise vacation begins in the Bavarian city of Munich. On arrival, make your way to the airport's train station between Terminals 1 and 2, and using your Bayern Pass flexible ticket, board the train to the pretty border town of Passau in southern Germany.

Transfer independently from the railway station to the banks of the Danube, where our luxurious Amadeus ship awaits boarding. You are greeted on board by the friendly crew and can enjoy a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views from the lounge. After settling into your cabin and familiarizing yourself with the ship's facilities and amenities, meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and together, we indulge in our first five-course dinner of our cruise in the ship's restaurant. Overnight ship.

After breakfast this morning, we set out on a guided tour of Passau, a lesser-known gem of Bavaria. Dubbed the "Three Rivers City," it sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers. The delightful Old Town is filled with Baroque architecture, including St. Stephen's Cathedral, and lies in the shadow of the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress.

Back on the ship in time for lunch, we begin our relaxing cruise along the Danube. Drifting through beautiful scenery into Austria, we get our first sight of rising hills covered with vineyards and orchards. The ever-changing landscapes create a picturesque backdrop, occasionally revealing charming villages, medieval castles and centuries-old monasteries that cling to the hilltops.

Our destination today is the Austrian city of Linz, where we arrive this evening and moor for the night. Overnight ship.

Waking in Linz, there are two excursions to choose from after breakfast. The first is a day trip to Salzburg, a striking city overlooked by hilltop Hohensalzburg Fortress. En route, we stop in the Austrian Lake District for a photo opportunity before arriving in Salzburg. During a guided tour, we explore Getreidegasse, the street on which Mozart was born. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with stunning Baroque architecture, beautiful churches, quaint squares and charming alleyways that we can admire on our explorations.

Alternatively, join an excursion to Český Krumlov, a small Czech town that looks like something straight out of a fairytale. On a tour, we explore the palatial castle, perched high above a bend on the Vltava River, and soak up the views from the Cloak Bridge. A guided walk around the UNESCO-listed Old Town, followed by time at leisure, reveals picture-perfect squares and idyllic cobbled streets, many hiding a surprising history.

We return to our ship for dinner and set sail for an overnight cruise further into Austria. Overnight ship.

Docking in Emmersdorf this morning, we set out for a visit to Melk Abbey after breakfast. This 11th-century Benedictine abbey stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. On our guided tour, we see the abbey's church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

Back on the ship, we enjoy lunch as we sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley - truly a highlight of the Danube. This scenic area of green valleys and vineyards is dotted with attractive riverside towns and commanding fortresses. It is also one of Austria's most famous wine-making regions, specializing in Grüner Veltliner.

Arriving in the riverside village of Dürnstein, we have free time to sample the local produce or wander the charming streets, admiring its powder blue Baroque church tower. Dürnstein is also home to the hilltop castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the 12th century, and we get a great view of it from the riverside. After dinner, we continue sailing toward Vienna. Overnight ship.

The noble city of Vienna beckons today as we embark on a guided tour to uncover Austria's imperial heritage. With our expert guide, we make our way to the illustrious Ringstrasse. Here, we see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings, including the world-renowned Opera House and the imposing Parliament.

After the tour, you have some time to explore the city at leisure. It is a delight to stroll amongst its scenic streets, marveling at the striking St. Stephen's Cathedral or entering one of the countless museums and galleries that bring the city's history to life. You may choose to visit Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the ruling Habsburg family, or have a seat at a grand coffeehouse to indulge in a slice of Sachertorte, a famous and delicious Viennese cake.

Tonight, a real treat awaits us in the lounge, as we are joined by four previous members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra who whisk us away with their performances of well-known classical pieces. Overnight ship.

After a relaxed overnight sailing, we make our way to Slovakia's capital and are welcomed by views of Bratislava Castle's gleaming white walls. Arriving this morning, we set out on a guided tour of the Baroque old town and castle district.

Despite being a national capital, Bratislava is nicknamed the "Little Big City" due to its compact size. Wandering the charming streets, where each corner reveals delightful new views, we admire attractive squares, idyllic streets, grand palaces and historic churches. Keep an eye out for some of Bratislava's quirky statues, including a sculpture commemorating Schöne Náci, an eccentric local character, and Čumil, a subterranean worker peeking out of a manhole. From the hilltop castle, soak up views across the terracotta roofs of the Old Town and the SNP Bridge - also known as the UFO bridge because of its futuristic design.

Later this afternoon, we continue downstream to Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary until the mid-13th century, where we berth for the night. Overnight ship.

As we sail onward this morning, we navigate the scenic Danube Bend, passing the village of Visegrad and its striking hilltop castle.

Arriving in Budapest, we get an overview of the "Pearl of the Danube" during a visit to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion on the Buda side of the city, enjoying incredible views. After lunch onboard, we continue our explorations in Pest, admiring impressive landmarks, including the State Opera House and St. Stephen's Basilica. A performance by a traditional Hungarian folklore troupe accompanies dinner onboard this evening.

Afterward, we embark on a nighttime cruise along the Danube, taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest. From the piercing spires of the neo-Gothic Parliament building to Buda's Baroque castle, the state buildings lining both banks are lit up, as well as the Chain Bridge. Whether you choose to relax in the lounge or take in the panoramic views from the sun deck, this is the best way to see this beautiful city as the lights cast a magical glow across the Danube - the perfect ending to our cruise. Overnight ship.

This cruise vacation has showcased the beauty of the Danube from Passau to Budapest. As we sailed in five-star luxury, we enjoyed views of natural wonders, such as the Wachau Valley and Danube Bend, with pretty villages lining the river's banks. In its iconic cities such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, we have uncovered imperial history and grand landmarks. Throughout this cruise from Bavaria to Hungary, the spectacular Danube has revealed the treasures of central Europe.

After breakfast this morning, it is time to say goodbye to our crew and disembark for the final time and begin your travels home.

Joining the fleet in 2023, the MS Amadeus Riva is a 'masterpiece of design' and offers impeccable cabin spaces with 67 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites. Made up of 4 decks, the ship features several facilities including the panorama bar, restaurant, river terrace, as well as a wellness centre where you can book a relaxing massage, or arrange one of many beauty treatments. Each bedroom onboard comes with a spacious ensuite bathroom, a mini bar, a flatscreen television, walk-in wardrobe, and either a double or twin bed. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows or a balcony.

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Great Rail Journeys would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.