Pickleball on the danube
MARCH 7 - march 14, 2027
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Seven nights aboard AmaMagna from Budapest to Bavaria — imperial cities, Wachau Valley vineyards, and a pickleball court above the river.
A luxury river cruise through the heart of Central Europe.
Watercolor travel advisor Christi Ramares hosts this sailing, joined by special guest Colleen Riddle — pickleball coach, author, and wellness coach. Colleen will lead clinics on AmaMagna's top-deck court during the ship's daytime cruising, when available. Connecting and coaching the beginner and the seasoned player is all part of the game.
Your Hosts:
Day 1 - Sunday, March 7
Embarkation in budapest
Embarkation begins in the afternoon. Get settled into your stateroom aboard AmaMagna, then join Christi, Colleen, and your fellow travelers for a welcome reception followed by dinner this evening. Overnight in Budapest.
Day 2 - Monday, March 8
budapest
Budapest is really two cities facing each other across the river, and today you'll see both. Begin on the hilly Buda side in the Castle District, where your guide leads you past the white turrets of Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church, known for its ornate tower and patterned tile roof. Those who want a more active morning can hike up to Castle Hill instead. In the afternoon, cross to flat Pest for the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square, and the quiet "Shoes on the Danube Bank" memorial along the water. Overnight in Budapest.
Day 3 - Tuesday, March 9
BRATISLAVA
We cruise upriver into Slovakia this morning — a good window for your first session on the Sun Deck court with Colleen before we reach port. Eleven Hungarian kings and queens were crowned in Bratislava between 1536 and 1830, and your walking tour follows that history through the old town's "Coronation City of Kings" route. You may instead choose a "Tastes of Slovakia" tour for the region's food and drink, or hike up to the city's white castle for the view back over the Danube. Overnight in Bratislava.
Day 4 - Wednesday, march 10
VIENNA
Day 5 - Thursday, March 11
KREMS & SPITZ — THE WACHAU VALLEY
Spend your morning in Dürnstein, a small Baroque village of cobblestone streets and one of the most photographed church towers on the river. Walk the town with your guide, or take the culinary route — an apricot liqueur and brandy tasting with apricot treats from a local boutique. More active options include the climb to the ruined Dürnstein Fortress above the village or a cycle through Krems. In the afternoon, visit 900-year-old Melk Abbey on the granite cliffs above the Danube, ride the bike path along the river, or hike in Spitz. The stretch between them is the Wachau, terraced with vineyards on both banks and worth staying on deck for. This evening, an exclusive wine experience featuring the region's Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Overnight in Spitz.
Here's what our itinerary has in store:
The Danube Awaits!
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DISEMBARKATION IN VILSHOFEN
Day 7 - Saturday, March 13
Bid farewell to the ship and prepare for your flight home.
PASSAU & VILSHOFEN
Vienna's city tour takes in the Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before finishing in the historic center at St. Stephen's Cathedral. If you'd rather cover more ground, see the city by bike. In the afternoon, visit Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the Habsburgs' main summer residence and a UNESCO World Heritage site — a Baroque palace of 1,441 rooms built in the 18th century, with formal gardens climbing the hill behind it. Overnight in Vienna.
Today offers two full-day excursions. Sound of Music fans can head to Salzburg for the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. The alternative is Český Krumlov, a Czech mountain town of cobbled lanes and Baroque and Renaissance buildings, anchored by Krumlov Castle — one of the largest castle complexes in Europe. If you'd rather stay closer to the ship, walk the old city center of Linz and the Mozart House, or bike the city's "Cultural Mile" along the Danube. In the afternoon, a guided tour into the world of whiskey distilling. Overnight in Linz. **Full-day excursions are not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 6 - Friday, March 12
LINZ
Passau sits where three rivers meet, and its walking tour covers Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's Cathedral. You can also hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress above the city, or ride to Wernstein on a guided bike tour. Later in the day we sail for Vilshofen — a last stretch of open deck time and a final round on the court — where the evening brings an AmaWaterways-exclusive Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration with music, beer, and pretzels. Overnight in Vilshofen.
