Arriving in Budapest early the morning before embarkation gave me time to settle into the time zone and refresh after the long journey from Brisbane, without having to worry about airline delays. TRIBE Hotel at Budapest Airport was conveniently located just 500 metres from the arrivals hall, which was very welcome on a 35-plus degree day after nearly 30 hours of travel.
With Budapest inaccessible by ship due to low water levels, we began our week-long adventure with a stay at the Dorothea Hotel in Budapest. Perfectly located near the Chain Bridge, this hotel is frequently used for AmaWaterways pre- and post-cruise land extensions and it was a beautiful place to begin the journey. Our Cruise Manager was with us throughout the trip, welcoming us over dinner and preparing us for what to expect in the week ahead.
After waking rested and refreshed, we boarded the coaches and began making our way to Melk to meet AmaSofia. Even with the low water levels, AmaWaterways wanted us to experience as much of the original itinerary as possible, so we stopped in Bratislava, Slovakia, officially marking country number two of our adventure. A city tour took us through the beautiful and whimsical Old Town, with some free time for shopping, lunch and a cold drink. It also broke up the coach journey to Melk perfectly.
Having only ever experienced ocean cruising, boarding AmaSofia was unlike anything I had done before. We were greeted with cold towels, had our passports checked, then one of the crew escorted us to our cabin and showed us around before we were free to explore the ship or cool down in the air conditioning.
Country number three, Austria, was the destination we explored most during the journey. AmaSofia remained docked in Melk for three days, serving as a hub for a variety of included tours. Our first morning took us to Melk Abbey, which towered above the forest beside the ship. This stunning Baroque monastery offered breathtaking views, beautiful artwork and a world-famous library that would make Belle swoon. Think Beauty and the Beast, but in real life!
After a brief stop back on the ship for lunch and a cold drink or two, it was on to our afternoon excursion through the Wachau Valley to the charming town of Dürnstein. Following a short tour through the medieval cobblestone streets, we sat down for a wine tasting with Böhmer Winery and learnt about this character-filled, family-run vineyard, which grows across four steep hectares.
The next few days in Austria included a visit to Vienna. Our Imperial Vienna tour introduced us to many of the city’s highlights, including the majestic Opera House, the famed Ring Road and a stop near the Spanish Riding School. From there, I joined a guided tour of the Sisi Museum and took in the beauty of Hofburg Palace. I still had plenty of time for some shopping afterwards, which meant ticking another item off the extensive souvenir list, a silk tie for my husband!
Then, finally, AmaSofia was on the move and we were on our way to Linz. Over the next couple of days there were a number of excursions to choose from, including a visit to the Baroque St Florian Abbey, a sombre visit to the Mauthausen Memorial or, for the more active among us, a Cultural Mile bike tour. We rounded things out with a short walking tour of Linz and a whistle-stop tour of all the places we could buy the famous Linzertorte.
One of the absolute highlights was our shore excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic. This Bohemian fairytale city is an eclectic mix of architecture, history and art, and the castle even has bears! For those keeping count, this was country number five.
After departing Linz, we were on the home stretch of the journey, with our next port and country being Passau, Germany. Sailing into Passau was one of the most scenic parts of the cruise and well worth enjoying with a morning coffee on the top deck. Known as the ‘City of Three Rivers’, this is where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers converge. Passau is also home to one of the largest pipe organs in the world. So many fun cathedral facts came home with me after all these churches!
Following our morning in Passau, we continued to our final stop, Vilshofen. This charming Bavarian town is where AmaWaterways hosts its exclusive Oktoberfest Celebration. Guests can enjoy local hospitality, Bavarian beer, pretzel towers, folk music and dancing, along with a stein-holding competition if you’re game!
With all the ports and countries covered, it was time to focus on the star of the show, AmaSofia. Each evening, the next day’s agenda was loaded into the app, along with information about the port, tips from the Cruise Manager and the all-important cocktail of the day for the Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour.
Entertainment on board was a mix of local performers, a fantastic pianist and a DJ who kept things going well into the evening, including an impromptu karaoke night.
Being coeliac, food is always my first concern when cruising with a new brand. Within minutes of speaking with the maître d’, my worries were gone and I knew I was in safe hands. Each meal was freshly and carefully prepared for me and nothing was ever too difficult for the team. I was able to safely enjoy Viennese schnitzel, German spätzle, apple strudel and even a late-night ham and cheese croissant, along with many other delicious dishes that now fill my camera roll.
Everything about AmaWaterways reflected its motto, ‘Ama means love’. The crew, guides and overall experience felt like travelling with family, while giving us the chance to experience each destination like a local, even if only for a short time.
