Tauck
Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat - Southbound
Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat – Southbound
Cruise along the River Danube from Budapest to Amsterdam on an amazing journey past grand cathedrals, medieval monasteries, castles and vineyards…
Pass through five countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, and explore legendary cities such as Amsterdam, Vienna, Köln, Nürnberg, Bratislava and Budapest. Tauck’s all-included private shore excursions take you to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic districts of Budapest, Vienna, and Bamberg, and the Wachau and Rhine valleys. In Vienna, take your choice of visits to Schönbrunn Palace or the Sisi Museum at the Hofburg, and attend a grand Imperial Evening in a traditional palace. In Amsterdam, tour the famed Rijksmuseum. Visit Köln Cathedral, Melk Abbey, medieval towns like Regensburg, Budapest’s Heroes’ Square and much more!
| Day 1 |
Amsterdam, the 17th century capital of Holland, is often called the "Venice of the North" due to its numerous, boat-navigable canals. Truly rich in history, the oldest part of this populous, multicultural city is Sloten, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Apart from the canals, attractions in Amsterdam include the Van Gogh Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, the Heineken Experience, the Anne Frank House, and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Nightlife abounds as well, with many visitors drawn to its vibrant network of nightclubs, theaters and festivals. Starting in 2014, the city has undergone an urban renewal effort, focused on expanding the city center and involving the construction of artificial islands. This is a one-of-a-kind city that begs to be explored by bicycle or boat tour! |
| Day 2 |
Amsterdam, the 17th century capital of Holland, is often called the "Venice of the North" due to its numerous, boat-navigable canals. Truly rich in history, the oldest part of this populous, multicultural city is Sloten, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Apart from the canals, attractions in Amsterdam include the Van Gogh Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, the Heineken Experience, the Anne Frank House, and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Nightlife abounds as well, with many visitors drawn to its vibrant network of nightclubs, theaters and festivals. Starting in 2014, the city has undergone an urban renewal effort, focused on expanding the city center and involving the construction of artificial islands. This is a one-of-a-kind city that begs to be explored by bicycle or boat tour! |
| Day 3 |
This cultural capital and university city holds more than 2,000 years of history and is the cultural hub of Germany. Marvel at the gorgeoust twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, known for its gilded medieval reliquary and sweeping river views, or lose yourself in one of Colonge's many museums for a few hours. Cologne boasts of having most pubs per person in Germany, so make sure you sit down for a refreshing regional Kölsch beer during your travels! |
| Day 4 |
This city in the Rhine Gorge is known for its winemaking, dramatic landscapes and 15-minute cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument (celebrating the German victory over France in 1871). Don't miss the Bavarian buildings and Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, which houses automated musical instruments. Wine lovers will also appreciate the Rheingau Wine Museum, where the exhibits focus on the craft of winemaking through the ages. |
| Day 5 |
The Main River winds through the heart of Germany, offering a scenic journey through picturesque towns, rolling vineyards, and historic cities. Flowing for over 500 kilometers (310 miles), it passes through major destinations such as Frankfurt, Würzburg, and Bamberg. The riverbanks are lined with medieval castles, half-timbered villages, and lush countryside. One of the highlights along the Main is Würzburg. The Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a masterpiece. Farther along, the town of Miltenberg showcases well-preserved medieval buildings and one of Germany’s oldest inns, Zum Riesen, which has been welcoming guests since the 12th century. The Main River region is also famous for its wine culture, particularly in Franconia, where rolling vineyards produce some of Germany’s finest white wines. Visitors can enjoy a glass at local wine taverns while taking in the peaceful riverside scenery. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Main offers plenty of opportunities for cycling and river cruising. The well-maintained Main Radweg cycling route follows the river for hundreds of kilometers, passing through charming villages and lush landscapes. River cruises provide a relaxing way to explore the region, with stops at historic towns and cultural landmarks along the way. |
| Day 6 |
Raise a glass and toast Würzburg, an enchanting, Franconian wine-producing area on the Main River, and one of Germany's oldest cities. Wine bars and cellars abound here, but there's also plenty of wonderful history and striking Baroque and rococo architecture to behold. The Würzburg Residence, a glorious palace, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visitors are encouraged to walk its gardens. Downtown, the rococo Falkenhaus, once damaged badly in WWII, now homes a library and tourism office. The Gothic Marienkapelle church is a must-see, as is the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main River Bridge), which provides a stunning view of the cloud-touching ancient Fortress Marienberg. |
| Day 7 |
Intended by Henry II, Duke of Bavaria to be the "second Rome", Bamberg is a gem of a UNESCO World Heritage site! The medieval layout of the city is still very well preserved, including the Altes Rathaus, which occupies an island in the Regnitz reached by arched bridges. |
| Day 8 |
Nurnberg is in Germany. |
| Day 9 |
Regensburg, Germany’s medieval gem, will transport you to a bygone era. The site of both Celtic and Roman settlements, Regensburg flourished in the Middle Ages. Its Gothic-style and medieval structures, homes, and churches remain well-preserved to this day, having escaped the ravages of World War II. Nestled on the banks of the iconic Danube River, this small Bavarian township will enchant you. Regensburg’s unspoiled environs have earned the town its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and rightly so. Historic buildings abound in the city center; an easy walk through this square will give you access to some of Regensburg’s most famous landmarks, must-see destinations for any history lover! The Gothic spires of St. Peter’s Cathedral beckon you. Journey inside the cathedral to find soft light streaming through stunning stained glass and a resonant organ played for summer concerts. Steps from St Peter’s lies Regensburg’s thirteenth-century Altes Rathaus, the vibrant yellow Old Town Hall which once hosted parliamentary meetings. The unassuming exterior of nearby Alte Kapelle basilica, built circa the ninth century, conceals an ornate gold-laden church interior within. Sumptuously painted murals decorate this basilica’s vaulted ceilings and archways. Regenburgs’ remarkable relics of days past, as well as its picturesque restaurants, cafés, museums, and botanical gardens, will captivate your imagination with an old-world charm. |
| Day 10 |
This popular river cruise stop sits at the German-Austrian border and is the last major German city on the Danube before entering Austria. Passau sits on the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz, so it is fitting that it is known as "the Dreiflüssestadt", which means the “City of Three Rivers.” The historical center offers a cathedral, churches and museums to explore, and the embankment is perfect for a romantic stroll. For those looking to get the blood pumping, there is a cycling path from Passau all the way to Vienna. |
| Day 11 |
Nestled along the south bank of the Danube, this historical Austrian city bursts with charm. A favorite stop on European river cruises, the city's most famous attraction is Melk Abbey, which dates back to the 11th century. The original Benedictine structure was lost to fires and foreign invasion, then rebuilt during the 18th century in lavish Baroque style, including a library and inner church covered in magnificent frescoes and gilded fixtures. |
| Day 12 |
Classical music, palaces, exhilarating art... and did we mention the coffee? Vienna, Austria is a city of elevated tastes and a must-see experience for any European traveler.
Set on the Danube River, Vienna's attractions include Schönbrunn Palace, The Hofburg, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the public park Prater, which boasts a giant ferris wheel. This modern capital of Austria can be navigated on foot and via public transportation. Though it endured heavy damage during World War II, the character of Vienna lures visitors in, and stays with them long after they depart. |
| Day 13 |
This charming little capital town of Slovakia is the perfect destination for those who want a European experience with a quieter and less crowded feel. You could spend hours strolling the cobblestone streets of the Gothic old town, or the beautiful Bratislava Castle, a restored Baroque castle. |
| Day 14 |
The capital and largest city in Hungary, Budapest is a favorite European destination for millions of tourists each year. Once the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this cosmopolitan city and UNESCO World Heritage site has plenty of historical and cultural landmarks to explore.
The prominent Chain Bridge, built in 1849, connected the former villages of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest, separated by the glistening Danube, and led to the establishment of today’s Budapest. Despite extensive destruction to the city during World War II, major efforts to restore historic castles and build new hotels led to an influx of tourists in the decades that followed. Visitors will marvel at the stunning architectural beauty of Budapest’s many cathedrals, basilicas, and synagogues. Climb to the top of famed St. Stephen’s Basilica in Pest to find a spectacular panoramic view of the city, or visit Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue on the continent and a paradigm of Moorish Revival architecture. A cruise down the mighty Danube will provide ample sightseeing opportunities for many of the city’s most famous attractions. Find the striking Buda Castle, crafted in a Baroque style and once home to Hungarian royalty, in the “Castle District” of Castle Hill and old-town Budapest, not to mention a host of galleries, museums, and the Hungarian National Library. The Hungarian Parliament building, resembling the Neo-Gothic architectural style of London’s Parliament building, lies across the Danube from Buda Castle. Here, guests can visit the crown jewels and regalia of Hungary’s royalty and take guided tours of the building’s many halls. Even the ruins of Budapest have become exciting tourist attractions, including one of many “ruin bars,” Szimpla Kert, which doubles as a flea market and nighttime music bar. Lovers of theater and the arts will appreciate tours of the opulent Hungarian Opera House or authentic folk dancing shows at Danube Palace Theater. |
| Day 15 |
The capital and largest city in Hungary, Budapest is a favorite European destination for millions of tourists each year. Once the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this cosmopolitan city and UNESCO World Heritage site has plenty of historical and cultural landmarks to explore.
The prominent Chain Bridge, built in 1849, connected the former villages of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest, separated by the glistening Danube, and led to the establishment of today’s Budapest. Despite extensive destruction to the city during World War II, major efforts to restore historic castles and build new hotels led to an influx of tourists in the decades that followed. Visitors will marvel at the stunning architectural beauty of Budapest’s many cathedrals, basilicas, and synagogues. Climb to the top of famed St. Stephen’s Basilica in Pest to find a spectacular panoramic view of the city, or visit Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue on the continent and a paradigm of Moorish Revival architecture. A cruise down the mighty Danube will provide ample sightseeing opportunities for many of the city’s most famous attractions. Find the striking Buda Castle, crafted in a Baroque style and once home to Hungarian royalty, in the “Castle District” of Castle Hill and old-town Budapest, not to mention a host of galleries, museums, and the Hungarian National Library. The Hungarian Parliament building, resembling the Neo-Gothic architectural style of London’s Parliament building, lies across the Danube from Buda Castle. Here, guests can visit the crown jewels and regalia of Hungary’s royalty and take guided tours of the building’s many halls. Even the ruins of Budapest have become exciting tourist attractions, including one of many “ruin bars,” Szimpla Kert, which doubles as a flea market and nighttime music bar. Lovers of theater and the arts will appreciate tours of the opulent Hungarian Opera House or authentic folk dancing shows at Danube Palace Theater. |
Nurnberg
Nurnberg is in Germany.
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
09/07/25 - 09/21/25 |
Starting At $9,790 |
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|
10/05/25 - 10/19/25 |
Starting At $9,590 |
Get A Quote |
Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
