Experience the Danube “Rudi's Way” on Award-Winning AmaMagna Without the Crowds

New “President's Choice” Best of the Danube itinerary sails roundtrip from Budapest

13 August, 2024

Sydney, Australia – In honour of “Rudi's favourite cruise,” AmaWaterways has announced a new Best of the Danube itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Budapest, with 15 departures in 2025 and 14 in 2026. Special early-season sailings (Rudi's favourite time to see the Danube) are departing on 23 February and 2 March, 2025 and 8, 15, 22 February and 1 March, 2026 on AmaWaterways' Flagship, the award-winning AmaMagna. Later season departures in 2025 and 2026 will sail on AmaBella, AmaReina, AmaViola and AmaLea.

AmaWaterways President Rudi Schreiner—a lifelong advocate of river cruising and lauded industry innovator—began his deep connection with rivers growing up in Vienna, alongside the Danube. So, when asked to pick a favourite route, Rudi answered with ease, “The Danube flows through the heart of Europe, offering a river cruise that combines the charm of three capital cities—Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava—with the stunning beauty of the Wachau Valley,” said Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and president of AmaWaterways. “These cities are close to each other, ensuring short cruising distances and ample time to explore. Vienna, with its rich history, classical music scene, charming wine villages, coffee houses, and imperial sites like Schönbrunn and Hofburg Palace, is a highlight. Easily accessible with roundtrip flights to Budapest, it's a year-round itinerary, ideal for any season."

The seven-night itinerary takes guests through the capital cities of three countries - Austria's Vienna, Slovakia's Bratislava and Hungary's Budapest - spending full days in each. Excursions are plentiful with bike and walking tours, food tasting opportunities, visits to cathedrals and palaces, hikes, and time to freely explore some of Europe's most popular sites – without the crowds. Highlights include sampling the traditional foods and beers of Slovakia; touring the UNESCO site of Melk Abbey, one of the world's most famous active monasteries dating back to the 11th century; a thrilling guided bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the city, heading to Vienna's famous Ringstrasse Boulevard; and exploring the many treasures of Budapest with the city's Castle District and breathtaking panorama views on the Buda side and the neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building on the Pest side.

Onboard the state-of-the-art AmaMagna (23 February and 2 March sailings), guests can relax in the heated sun deck pool and whirlpool, participate in various exercise and relaxation classes led by AmaWaterways' dedicated Wellness Host, play a round of pickleball at the ship's onboard court, enjoy a soothing onboard massage or salon service at the spacious Zen Wellness Studio, and much more. Guests can extend their river cruise experience with a two-night pre-cruise land package in Budapest that is fully escorted by AmaWaterways' Cruise Managers. 

Cruising with AmaWaterways includes fine dining in multiple venues, including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour with wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks, a daily variety of small group excursions, including hiking, biking and special interest tours, high-quality Wi-Fi, a complimentary Wellness Program in Europe and on the Mekong with a variety of host-led fitness classes, and much more.

For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, or contact AmaWaterways on 1800 867 126 (AU) or 0800 005 636 (NZ) or visit amawaterways.au or amawaterways.nz.

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About AmaWaterways

Family-owned and operated for 22 years, AmaWaterways offers unparalleled river cruise experiences with 29 custom-designed ships sailing Europe's major rivers; Southeast Asia's Mekong River; Africa's Chobe River; Egypt's Nile River and Colombia's Magdalena River (from 2025). Co-founded by pioneering river cruise executives Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, the company is renowned for its warm and welcoming crew; innovative and sustainable ship design; wellness activities (including a wide choice of included small group shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options); and award-winning, locally sourced cuisine paired with complimentary fine wine. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, most AmaWaterways ships welcome an average of just 150 guests and feature onboard amenities such as a stunning Main Lounge, specialty Chef's Table restaurant, hair and massage salons, Sun Deck walking track, and heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation, highlighted by the launch of the revolutionary AmaMagna. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travellers and families, as well as group and charter options. In 2024, AmaWaterways elevated its commitment to the Australian and New Zealand travel trade by establishing a local presence in Sydney to serve the market's burgeoning interest in luxury river cruising.