Name: Iconic Christmas Markets (Smithsonian Journeys)
Brand: AmaWaterways

Overview

Pack your bags for Northern Europe and Baltic Sea - AmaLea departs Budapest on this 7-night cruise with AmaWaterways. Along the way, you'll visit Bratislava, Weissenkirchen, and Passau, exploring a new destination almost every day. The pacing of this itinerary is spot on: enough ports to feel adventurous, enough sea days to truly unwind. Book this Northern Europe and Baltic Sea cruise from just £2,879 per person for a truly unforgettable holiday.

AmaWaterways

Luxury cruise line, AmaWaterways, has a fleet of 23 custom-designed, five-star river ships which sail to destinations all over the world, across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

On board AmaWaterways, passengers can learn Thai Chi as they sail the Mekong river, or enjoy sunrise yoga on the serene waterways of Europe.

Cruise Itinerary

Days 1-2

Budapest

Many Danube cruises start or end in Budapest, and the Hungarian capital remains a highlight for passengers. It’s a crowd-pleaser of a city, with something for everyone – muscle-melting thermal spas for those seeking relaxation, museums packed with artefacts for the culturally curious and ruin bars for travellers searching for an offbeat adventure.

Day 3

Bratislava

Known as 'the little big city', Bratislava is smaller than most other European capitals, but still has plenty to do. From castles and clock towers to cocktail bars and 'the UFO Bridge', it's full of mysteries you'll want to unravel.

Day 4

Vienna

The Austrian capital is full of old-world charm. Art lovers marvel at the works of the old masters while the musically inclined head to a gilded concert hall to listen to a world-class orchestra or a ballroom for a Viennese Waltz workshop. For foodies, there's plenty to surprise and delight, from the high-ceilinged coffeehouses to the traditional wine bars that embody gemütlichkeit (the Austrian answer to hygge).

Day 5

Grein

Day 5

Weissenkirchen

Day 6

Linz

Linz is a charming stop on a Danube cruise for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it's home to Austria's largest cathedral. Secondly, it has an impressive array of art and science museums. Last, but certainly not least, it's the home of the delicious Linzertorte, which is especially popular around Christmas.

Day 7

Passau

Owing to its position at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz, this German city has enjoyed a long history as a religious and commercial centre. Today, you can peer into its storied past and learn about its prince bishops' courts and mysterious guilds. Also, St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the biggest organ outside of the USA.

Days 7-8

Vilshofen

Days 1-2

Budapest

Day 3

Bratislava

Day 4

Vienna

Day 5

Grein

Day 5

Weissenkirchen

Day 6

Linz

Day 7

Passau

Days 7-8

Vilshofen

156

Passengers

Crew

2018

Launched

5000t

Tonnage

135m

Length

11.5m

Width

11kts

Speed

Decks

EUR

Currency

AmaLea

Designed with a soft palette of elegant pale pinks and blues and appointed with our signature twin balconies in most staterooms, AmaLea is a sleek river ship created with luxury yachts in mind.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

Brilliant loved the ship food and crew

Welcoming crew lots to do food was excellent and entertainment was superb

AmaWaterways AmaMora

Reviews

Customer Review

An autumn Danube river cruise was a tempting idea, so we chose and booked an AMA waterways river cruise on AMA Verde, especially when we could fly from a regional airport to join this charming ship. We had to get the inevitable tests at a local pharmacy , wear masks for the journey , and do the extra health questionnaire paperwork , but small prices for the joy of being back on water. The flights were painless, as were the transfers to join the ship. Our vaccination records were checked at several points. We saw nobody without masks at airports , and it was clear that Europeans took travelling safely very seriously. We happily joined the ship at Linz, and noticed that several other river ships were lit up, and had guests. We were welcomed aboard Verde with a pleasant sparkling wine and plates of canapés. Formalities were few, and we were directed to our cabin. To our surprise our chosen cabin was unavailable and we were shown to one on a higher deck, with a huge French window. The cabin was a marvel of planning, the bed comfortable , with cosy bedding, two chairs by the window for watching the river flow by, a well planned bathroom and plenty of storage space. We decided to explore the ship, discovering a beautiful sun deck with shaded area and two small pools, one deep for diving tuition, a busy bar, and stairs leading to a higher area overlooking the river, plenty of comfortable loungers ,for which a crew member would bring beautiful thick blankets. The interior spaces were magnificent, very classical in style with galleried tiers, curved staircases and charming decor. Tables were assigned as guests entered the dining area, busy waiters bustling around. Daily menus were varied and excellent; dining far exceeded our expectations, meals beautifully prepared and presented, and accompanied by quality wines , generously poured. Low key evening entertainment was in the comfortable lounge , with an excellent pianist who played wonderful classical and popular selections, and a talented duo who sang popular show music. The bar was kept busy serving all evening, and guests helped themselves to hot drinks from a high tech machine tucked in one corner. After busy days touring and sightseeing, most guests retired fairly early and the ship moored for the night. Daily tours departed through the days that followed, when the ship moored in the pretty towns of the region interspersed between sailing along the busy river and navigating the complicated Danube locks . There was always so much to see along the banks of the river, so much to watch as the ship sailed upstream , so many choices of places to visit and activities to sample at the daily moorings. We couldn’t have chosen a better river to sail in late autumn, with beautiful autumnal colours, fascinating river life, all on a pretty, welcoming, ship.

AmaWaterways AmaVerde