Amy Olmsted

Ultimate Travels

Eggler on the Danube

Oct 27, 2025 to Nov 3, 2025
Danube River
 

Our pre-cruise land tour is officially ready, and we are now accepting reservations!

Please see below for more information.

 

Meet Your Hosts: 

*UPDATE!

More wine talent on our Celebration of Austrian Wine cruise! California winemaking legend Rob Davis—the genius behind Jordan’s iconic Cabernet for four decades—will be joining Austrian wine authority Thomas Eggler and well-known wine writer Sara Schneider (wine editor for Sunset magazine for many years) on October 27, 2025, to sail the Danube through one of the Old World’s best-kept secrets of a wine region. Taste alongside these California experts, for their Golden State perspective on great Old World wines!

Thomas Eggler has been delighting guests and educating them about Austrian wines for many years. Third-generation owner of the four-star ski hotel Arlberghaus in the alps of western Austria, Thomas has developed a deep love of Austrian wines as he has selected them to pair with the delicious cuisine in his own restaurant. Drawing on that expertise—and relationships built through decades with Austrian winemakers—he has launched wine tastings in the hotel, which fill up quickly with European and international guests alike.

As we cruise the Danube through Austrian wine country, including the acclaimed Wachau Valley, Thomas will entertain you—as he does his hotel guests—with tales of local winemaking, introduce you to some of his favorite winemakers, curate exceptional bottles for tastings onboard and, working with our chef, pair them with a grand wine dinner.

Keep scrolling for information on our exciting pre-cruise extension!

 

Your ship - the AMABella

 

Enjoy delicious dining

 

Catch up with friends or watch the gorgeous scenery in the lovely lounge

Enjoy local entertainment

Take a dip in the pool

 

Complimentary bikes are available if you'd like to pedal your way through town

After a long, exciting day, relax in your comfortable cabin!

AMA Bella at a glance

 

 

YOUR ITINERARY!

         

         

DAY 1

Budapest EMBARKATION
 
 
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. (D)

DAY 2

Budapest Buda city tour
 
 

 

  OR Castle Hill hike
 
 

 

  Pest city tour
 
 
Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. (B,L,D)

DAY 3

Bratislava Scenic cruising
 
 

 

  “Coronation City” walking tour
 
 

 

  OR Tastes of Slovakia
 
 

 

  OR Bratislava Castle hike
 
 
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

Vienna “Imperial Vienna” tour
 
 

 

  OR Vienna city tour by bike
 
 

 

  Free time
 
 
The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)

DAY 5

Weissenkirchen Highlights of Dürnstein and Melk Abbey visit
 
 

 

  OR Dürnstein with wine and apricots
 
 

 

  OR Dürnstein fortress hike
 
 

 

  OR Weissenkirchen to Melk bike tour
 
 

 

Scenic Cruising Strudengau Valley
 
 

 

Grein Exclusive Greinburg Castle visit
 
 
After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. For a more culinary-focused experience, join a walking tour in Dürnstein, then enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner and sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held or join a guided bike tour to Melk. Later in the day, sail through the Strudengau Valley to medieval Grein for an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally from above. (B,L,D)

DAY 6

Linz Full-day Salzburg excursion*
 
 

 

  OR Český Krumlov excursion*
 
 

 

  OR “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour
 
 

 

  OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour
 
 
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 Basilica St. Michael. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Cesky Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city's picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe's largest castle complexes. Following these full-day excursions, you may also choose to take a brief walking tour in Linz. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. (B,L,D)

*Note: Not combinable with other tours on this day.

DAY 7

Passau “City of Three Rivers” walking tour
 
 

 

  OR Passau Castle hike
 
 

 

  OR Passau River Inn bike tour
 
 

 

Vilshofen Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration
 
 
Discover the city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Alternately, choose between a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress or a guided bike tour along the River Inn. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration— an AmaWaterways exclusive. (B,L,D)

DAY 8

Vilshofen DISEMBARKATION
 
 
Bid farewell to Vilshofen and prepare for your flight home. (B)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUDAPEST AND THE GREAT WINE REGIONS OF HUNGARY

An exclusive pre-cruise tour for guests joining Douglas Schneider on AmaWaterways’ October 27 Celebration of Austrian Wine cruise on the Danube

Join a small group of fellow travelers for an insider’s look at some of Budapest’s hidden gems. Then head out to two of Hungary’s most important wine regions—Eger and Tokaj—to taste legendary wines and sample delicious regional cuisine, with a credentialed wine expert as your guide.

Day 1, October 23: Arrive in Budapest and be transferred to your 5-star hotel. Enjoy dinner on your own in Budapest.

Day 2, October 24: After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby. Hear stories of Budapest’s history and culture, as a private coach transports your group through the city to visit lesser-known sights (not included in the official city tour on Day 1 of the cruise). Highlights include a tour of the Opera House with a short concert; a visit to the 14th Century, late-Gothic Matthias Church in Holy Trinity Square; and the view from the Fisherman’s Bastion at the heart of Buda’s Castle District. Stop for lunch and some legendary cake at Central Café. Tonight, join your hosts and fellow travelers for a hosted welcome dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3, October 25: Board the bus for the Baroque city of Eger, known for its ancient wine caves and some of the most famous modern cellars in Hungary. (Back story: Legend has it that when the town was stormed in the 16th Century, during the Ottoman Empire, troops stained their beards and armor with the local wine, leading their enemies to believe they drank the blood of bulls.) If you have any experience with the Bull’s Blood of old—famously “rugged” red wine, back in the day—leave your memories on the bus; today’s producers of Egri Bikavér, as the red blend is also known, are making refined and beautifully balanced versions. Learn how to pronounce Kékfrankos and Kadarka (grape varieties that join Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah in a typical Bull’s Blood blend) while you taste at Gál Tibor winery and find out how beautifully the wines pair with hearty fare over lunch and more tasting at Thummerer Winery. Drive to Tokaj and check into your hotel, where we’ll enjoy a lovely wine dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 4, October 26: Explore the undulating vineyards and cellar labyrinths of the Tokaj region, nestled in the foothills of the Zemplén Mountains, where winemaking dates back over a thousand years. Here, the legendary wine is a late-harvest white—left on the vine until sugar levels spike through the roof and the berries are shriveled and dehydrated, delivering only a precious few drops of juice per cluster. The resulting wines are hauntingly sweet but bright with acidity, and prized throughout the wine world. At Oremus Winery, taste the rare Essencia, stop for lunch at Kardos Supreme Bistro, and wind up the day’s tasting at smaller Balassa before heading back to our hotel in Budapest. Enjoy dinner on your own in the city. (B,L)

Day 5, October 27: After breakfast, be transferred from your hotel to the AMABella, to embark on your Celebration of Austrian Wine cruise with AmaWaterways, hosted by Austrian hotelier and wine expert Thomas Eggler. (B)

 

NOTE: The price of this tour includes premium hotels for 4 nights; local guide; all transportation, sights and experiences described on the itinerary; wine tasting; and all meals as listed (B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = Dinner). 

Solo occupancy: $2100 (for 1 person / 1 room)

Double occupancy: $3600 (for 2 people / 1 room)

Please let us know if you would like to join us no later than March 31, 2025. We will collect deposits after that date.

amy@ultimate-travels.com or 714-345-9293

 

 


Available Packages

Cat.SS
Available until March 31, 2025

$7,388.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Suite   350 sq. ft
Violin Deck    French Balcony & Outside balcony
All beds can be made singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways 
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Cat. AA
Available until March 31, 2025

$6,088.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Cat AA    235 sq. ft
Violin Deck    French Balcony & Outside balcony
All beds can be made singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways 
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Cat. AB
Available until March 31, 2025

$5,888.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Cat AA    235 sq. ft
Cello Deck    French Balcony & Outside balcony
All beds can be made singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways 
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Cat. BA - SOLD OUT
Unavailable as of December 31, 2024

$8,528.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Cat BA   210 sq. ft
Violin Deck    French Balcony & Outside balcony
All beds can be made singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways  
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Cat BB
Available until March 31, 2025

$5,488.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Cat BB   210 sq. ft
Cello Deck    French Balcony & Outside balcony
All beds can be made singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways  
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Cat. C - SOLD OUT
Unavailable as of September 30, 2024

Starting At: $4,558.40
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Cat C   170sq. ft
Violin & Cello Deck    French Balcony
Please note that a French Balcony consists of a sliding door that
opens to allow for fresh air.  Chairs are positioned inside the room.
There is NO outside deck.  If you would like an outside deck, please
consider category BB or higher.
All beds can be made as singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways   
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair
 

Cat. D
Available until March 31, 2025

$3,788.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Cat C   170sq. ft
Piano Deck    Fixed Window
All beds can be made singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways    
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair
 

Cat. E
Available until March 31, 2025

$3,489.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

Cat C   170sq. ft
Piano Deck    Fixed Window
All beds can be made singles upon request.
AmaWaterwaysAmaWaterways    
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair
 

Extra Options

Exclusive pre-cruise tour for guests of Doug Schneider!
Available until March 31, 2025

$1.00

Join a small group of fellow travelers for an insider’s look at some of Budapest’s hidden gems. Then head out to two of Hungary’s most important wine regions—Eger and Tokaj—to taste legendary wines and sample delicious regional cuisine, with a credentialed wine expert as your guide. 
 
Image result for budapest images
4 nights pre cruise October 23 - 27, 2025; includes hotel, transportation, meals as noted, tours, wine tastings and local guide.
$2100 per person, single occupancy
$1800 per person, double occupancy