Cruise & Walk the River Danube

7 nights accommodation

Availability Oct 2026

2 Itineraries available

Full Board

Grades 3 details

Flights included

Non-members From

£2,902

pp

Members From

£2,852

pp

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
Sail into the heartlands of Europe on a luxury small-ship Danube cruise aboard MS Amadeus Amara or MS Amadeus Aurea. This dramatic waterway carves a picturesque path between vineyard-clad hills, forested slopes, and imposing fortresses as we journey through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Guided walks range from gentle riverside strolls and rewarding castle climbs, to tours of historic cities such as Budapest and Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace gardens, with every step revealing a story from Europe’s past.

Accommodation

Cabin Facilities

Each cabin features a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, luxurious Rituals bath products, and a hairdryer, along with a fixed panoramic window or drop-down panoramic window that fills the space with natural light. Thoughtful touches like a comfortable bed, generously-sized wardrobe, secure in-room safe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control and direct dial telephone ensure a restful and well-equipped stay.

Ship Facilities

Indoor swimming pool

Restaurant

Panorama lounge bar

Massage room

Fitness room

Lift between the Haydn and Mozart decks (sun deck not accessible by lift)

Shop

Amadeus Club with 24 hour tea and coffee station

Chess board, shuffleboard and loungers on sun deck

Ship Technical Details

Construction: 2025

Flag: Germany

Length x Width 135m x 11.4m

Draft: 1.3m Decks: 4

Cabins/Suites: 70/12

Max.passenger: 164

Crew members: approx. 46

Speed: 25 km/h

rf_sup_cafevienna_amara_amadeus_02_2025.jpg

What You’ll Love

  • Smaller ships for a more intimate experience and relaxed feel on board
  • Daily small-group guided walks and sightseeing with expert local leaders, exclusively for HF guests
  • Fully escorted from the UK by an HF Tour Manager
  • Sailing from Germany through Austria and Slovakia to Hungary 
  • Guided walking tour of Passau and up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress
  • Guided walks to the Pöstlingberg Peak in Linz, on the Danube near Bratislava, and to the Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest
  • Sailing through the UNESCO Wachau Valley in Austria
  • A guided stroll through Schönbrunn Palace gardens in Vienna

What's Included

  • Return flights from the UK with baggage and transfers
  • Fully escorted from the UK by an HF Holiday Tour Manager
  • 7-night river cruise with accommodation in an en-suite river view cabin
  • Sailing from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary 
  • Full board dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunch and dinner with menu choices, afternoon tea and late-night snack
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
  • 24-hour complimentary tea and coffee available in the Amadeus Club
  • Welcome cocktail reception and dinner and gala dinner
  • Guided walking excursions as described in the itinerary
  • Onboard entertainment as described in the itinerary

Reviews


Gallery

Itinerary

Amadeus Amara

Fly to Munich and take a private transfer to your river cruise ship, Amadeus Amara or MS Amadeus Aurea, moored in Passau in Germany. Embark, unpack, and settle in before enjoying a welcome cocktail and special dinner. The ship remains in Passau overnight, giving you time to relax and begin your journey in comfort. 

Passau sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz. Join a guided walking tour, including a climb to Veste Oberhaus Fortress for panoramic views of the old town and its rivers. Enjoy free time this afternoon before a Bavarian-themed evening onboard with regional dishes and live music as we sail towards Linz. 

Arriving in Linz in Austria, we walk along the Danube before climbing to Pöstlingberg Mountain for sweeping views of the city and distant Alps. The ship remains in Linz until evening, giving you time to explore further at leisure before we continue our journey along the Danube. 

This morning, we arrive in Emmersdorf where you are free to explore at leisure. Known as the Gateway to the Wachau Valley, this charming riverside town boasts cobbled streets, cosy cafés, and views over the Danube. After free time to explore, enjoy lunch on board as we sail into the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley to visit the wine-growing village of DürnsteinTake a guided walk through its cobbled streets and up to Kuenringerburg Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was once held for insulting Pope Leopold V. Impressive views over the Danube reward your climb before heading back to the shipIn the afternoon, we depart for Vienna, arriving late evening. 

Travel by coach to Schönbrunn Palace for a guided stroll through its UNESCO-listed gardens, rich in Habsburg history. The afternoon is free to explore Vienna  perhaps ride the Ring tram, savour coffee and cake in a traditional café, or climb St Stephen’s Cathedral. The ship remains in Vienna until late evening when it departs for Bratislava. 

Arriving in Bratislava in Slovakia, we head to Devin for a scenic walk near its hilltop castle overlooking the Danube and Morava rivers. The afternoon is free to explore the Old Town or climb to Bratislava Castle for sweeping views. Tonight, enjoy a Viennese Waltz performance onboard and learn a few steps yourself. 

Relax onboard as we sail into Hungary, passing iconic sights like the Chain Bridge and Parliament Building. This afternoon, join a guided walk to Fisherman’s Bastion for stunning views over Budapest. Tonight, enjoy an illuminated city cruise, gala dinner, and folklore show—a perfect finale to your Danube adventure. 

Bid farewell to the crew and transfer to the airport for your flight home from Budapest, taking with you unforgettable memories of Europe’s great river and the walks that brought its history to life. 

Amadeus Aurea

Fly to Munich and take a private transfer to your river cruise ship, Amadeus Amara or MS Amadeus Aurea, moored in Passau in Germany. Embark, unpack, and settle in before enjoying a welcome cocktail and special dinner. The ship remains in Passau overnight, giving you time to relax and begin your journey in comfort. 

Passau sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz. Join a guided walking tour, including a climb to Veste Oberhaus Fortress for panoramic views of the old town and its rivers. Enjoy free time this afternoon before a Bavarian-themed evening onboard with regional dishes and live music as we sail towards Linz. 

Arriving in Linz in Austria, we walk along the Danube before climbing to Pöstlingberg Mountain for sweeping views of the city and distant Alps. The ship remains in Linz until evening, giving you time to explore further at leisure before we continue our journey along the Danube. 

This morning, we arrive in Emmersdorf where you are free to explore at leisure. Known as the Gateway to the Wachau Valley, this charming riverside town boasts cobbled streets, cosy cafés, and views over the Danube. After free time to explore, enjoy lunch on board as we sail into the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley to visit the wine-growing village of DürnsteinTake a guided walk through its cobbled streets and up to Kuenringerburg Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was once held for insulting Pope Leopold V. Impressive views over the Danube reward your climb before heading back to the shipIn the afternoon, we depart for Vienna, arriving late evening. 

Travel by coach to Schönbrunn Palace for a guided stroll through its UNESCO-listed gardens, rich in Habsburg history. The afternoon is free to explore Vienna  perhaps ride the Ring tram, savour coffee and cake in a traditional café, or climb St Stephen’s Cathedral. The ship remains in Vienna until late evening when it departs for Bratislava. 

Arriving in Bratislava in Slovakia, we head to Devin for a scenic walk near its hilltop castle overlooking the Danube and Morava rivers. The afternoon is free to explore the Old Town or climb to Bratislava Castle for sweeping views. Tonight, enjoy a Viennese Waltz performance onboard and learn a few steps yourself. 

Relax onboard as we sail into Hungary, passing iconic sights like the Chain Bridge and Parliament Building. This afternoon, join a guided walk to Fisherman’s Bastion for stunning views over Budapest. Tonight, enjoy an illuminated city cruise, gala dinner, and folklore show—a perfect finale to your Danube adventure. 

Bid farewell to the crew and transfer to the airport for your flight home from Budapest, taking with you unforgettable memories of Europe’s great river and the walks that brought its history to life. 

Daily Walk Options

Grade 3

Medium Walks

Walks follow well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged coastal footpaths. These may be rough or steep in sections and will require reasonable fitness.

Accommodation

Amadeus Amara: Departing on 26 Jun and 07 Oct 2026

Cabin Facilities

Each cabin features a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, luxurious Rituals bath products, and a hairdryer, along with a fixed panoramic window or drop-down panoramic window that fills the space with natural light. Thoughtful touches like a comfortable bed, generously-sized wardrobe, secure in-room safe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control and direct dial telephone ensure a restful and well-equipped stay.

Ship Facilities

Indoor swimming pool

Restaurant

Panorama lounge bar

Massage room

Fitness room

Lift between the Haydn and Mozart decks (sun deck not accessible by lift)

Shop

Amadeus Club with 24 hour tea and coffee station

Chess board, shuffleboard and loungers on sun deck

Ship Technical Details

Construction: 2025

Flag: Germany

Length x Width 135m x 11.4m

Draft: 1.3m Decks: 4

Cabins/Suites: 70/12

Max.passenger: 164

Crew members: approx. 46

Speed: 25 km/h

Amadeus Aurea: Departing on 17 Oct 2026

Cabin Facilities Each cabin features a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, luxurious Rituals bath products, and a hairdryer, along with a fixed panoramic window or drop-down panoramic window that fills the space with natural light. Thoughtful touches like a comfortable bed, generously-sized wardrobe, secure in-room safe, flat-screen TV, individual climate control and direct dial telephone ensure a restful and well-equipped stay. Ship facilities Heated swimming pool and Lido bar on sundeck Restaurant Panorama lounge bar Massage room Fitness room Lift between the Strauss and Mozart decks (Haydn and sun decks not accessible by lift) Shop Amadeus Club with 24 hour tea and coffee station Putting green, chess board, shuffleboard and loungers on sun deck Ship Technical Details Construction: 2026 Flag: Germany Length x Width 135m x 11.4m Draft: 1.5m Decks: 4 Cabins/Suites: 67/12 Max.passenger: 158 Crew members: approx. 46 Speed: 25 km/h

More Information

Vaccinations & health information

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see whether any health precautions are needed for your trip. Health advice and requirements can change, so we recommend doing this in good time before travel.

As a general rule, travellers should ensure they are up to date with routine UK vaccinations and boosters, including, for example, MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Some countries may require you to have specific vaccinations such as Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. Please check with your GP if you are unsure.

Please note that the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is restricted or banned in certain countries. If you will be carrying medication, you should check with the relevant embassy or consulate before travelling. As an extra precaution, we recommend keeping medication in its original packaging, carrying a copy of your prescription, and, where possible, asking your pharmacist to provide the medication name in the language of the country you are visiting.

For further country-specific health advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk. If you are travelling from outside the UK, please consult your own doctor and check local entry requirements.

 

Passport & Visa information

This information is for those travelling with a full ‘British Citizen’ passport; for all other nationalities or passport holders, please check with your local consulate for advice.

Passport Requirements

This information applies to travellers holding a full British Citizen passport. Entry requirements vary by destination and can change at short notice. For most EU and worldwide destinations, passports must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Some countries also require a minimum period of validity remaining on your passport (often up to 6 months beyond your return date), even if you are not staying that long.
We strongly recommend ensuring your passport has at least six months’ validity remaining at the time of travel to avoid any issues.

If you hold a different type of British passport or a passport issued by another country, you must check the requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government website.

Visa Requirements

Visa rules depend on your nationality, destination, length of stay, and purpose of travel, and they can change frequently. It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa before travelling.
British passport holders should check the latest entry, passport validity and visa requirements for their destination on the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 

 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore, if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so before you travel.

For more information about healthcare and its costs, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/

Drinking Water

Drinking Water

Standards for drinking water vary widely around the world. In many destinations, tap water may not be safe to drink, brush your teeth with, or use for making ice. Where advised, you should drink only bottled or treated water and ensure that bottle seals are intact before use. If bottled water is unavailable, water should be boiled or filtered.

Staying well hydrated is particularly important in hot climates and during active holidays. Carry water with you and drink regularly. 

If you are unsure about local water safety, check official country-specific health advice before travel, or ask your accommodation or local guides for guidance once you arrive.

Useful information

Luggage

To facilitate the transportation of your luggage to/from the ship, we ask you to affix a clearly visible luggage label on the outside.

Wi-Fi

Complimentary wireless internet access is available on board the ship.   Please note that the connection during your cruise may be weaker within certain sections of the route and does not meet the standard of a land-based internet connection. In addition, downtimes may occur on board, as international borders are often crossed during the cruise.

Laundry

Washing and pressing services are available onboard at a nominal fee and are handled through your cabin staff.  Self-service laundry facilities, iron and ironing boards and dry-cleaning services are not available.

On board currency and payments

The currency on board is the EURO. You can pay on board with cash, debit card and credit card (Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express). There are no ATMs on board and often only a limited number in the smaller towns along the rivers.

Useful information

Dress Code On Board Ship

There is a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere on board. Smart casual clothing is acceptable for all meal times; jackets and ties are not required for meals. The Captain‘s Dinner is an opportunity to dress up should you wish.

Optional Excursions On Board

A small-group guided excursion is included every day exclusively for HF Holidays guests. In addition the ship offers a range of optional excursions which can be booked and paid for onboard. Details will be provided by your Cruise Director.

Tipping

Gratuities for the Amadeus onboard crew are included in the price of your holiday. You are not required to pay any additional tips for onboard services. Gratuities for local guides and drivers are not included in the price of your holiday. Should you wish to tip them for excellent service, it is customary to tip local guides between €2 and €5 per person and drivers €1 to €2 per person for a 1/2 day tour.

Carbon Footprint

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: RMD07-LBL09

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Dates & availability

Cruise & Walk the River Danube

Members save an additional £50 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership

2026

7 Oct - 14 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

17 Oct - 24 Oct 2026

7 nights. Trip notes

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Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

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Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

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Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

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Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

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Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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