2024 Pickleball Extension and
Classical Danube River Cruise
Amadeus Pickleball - Lake Balaton Exclusive Tours
ABOUT CENTRAL EUROPE – FROM $3,600.00 USD PER PERSON
Exclusive Lake Balaton – Pickleball Tour Includes:
- First night (1) at a 4 – 5 star hotel
- Welcome Dinner in Budapest
- Transportation to Lake Balaton area for Pickleball play
- Indoor Pickleball play with local Hungarians
- Special authentic Hungarian dinner prepared by your Hungarian Pickleball hosts.
- Overnight Lake Balaton (1) Hotel Annabella
- Lunch in Tihany
- Visit Csopak with Lunch at a local winery
- English speaking guide for the duration of your tour
- Beginner, intermediate & advance play
- ** Pickleball play in Budapest
- ** Pickleball play in Vienna
- ** Pickleball play in Bratislava
Join us for one of these three cruise dates:
August 8 – 17, 2024
September 9 – 18, 2024
After the Lake Balaton Pickleball tour many other advantages await you on board the beautiful Amadeus Cara.
(Category B1 Strauss Deck with drop-down panoramic window 188sq ft.)
As a family business, we know how important it is to have a place where you feel at home and can unwind. For this reason, we place the highest value, not only on our outstanding service, but also on a friendly, welcoming atmosphere on board, allowing you to enjoy your cruise along Europe’s most beautiful rivers without a care in the world.
Cruise Inclusion:
- Large, outside river-view staterooms, with spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, & walk-in wardrobe.
- Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, beer & soft drinks
with every lunch and dinner onboard - Gourmet dining onboard
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Services of an experienced English-speaking onboard Cruise Director
- 24 hour coffee and tea station
- All onboard entertainment including talks, cooking demonstrations, musical performances and nightly piano music
- Fitness room (open 24 hours)
- Bottled water in every stateroom
- In-stateroom infotainment center
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
- Complimentary use of onboard bicycles
- Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for optional excursions
- All local taxes & port charges included
Danube Cruise Day 1 Budapest
Welcome to your Danube cruise! Your journey begins in Budapest, with an afternoon embarkation. This evening, join us for a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner. A romantic evening cruise through beautifully illuminated Budapest, as well as a Hungarian folklore show, make for a perfect beginning!
Day 2 Budapest
Discover the beautiful sights and attractions of the Hungarian capital. This morning, explore the city which straddles the beautiful Danube, with its Fisherman‘s Bastion on the Buda side, overlooking the river, and the Pest side with its grand, Neo Gothic style Parliament House.
Depart from Budapest after lunch by coach on an excursion to the Hungarian countryside to explore the artists‘ town of Szentendre, and the former imperial residence and capital of Hungary, Esztergom. Should you choose to remain on board, enjoy an afternoon relaxing on deck as the vessel cruises through the Hungarian landscape, before arriving in Esztergom for dinner, where your fellow passengers rejoin the vessel.
Day 3 Bratislava
In the morning, we call at our next capital city ̶ Bratislava. Explore the city during a walking tour, or on your own. See the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and the current residence of the president of Slovakia.
This afternoon‘s optional excursions offer a choice – first, the opportunity to visit impressive Schloss Hof with its aristocratic palace, terraced garden and tranquil estate farm. The palace was acquired in 1726 by Eugene of Savoy and redesigned for the Empress Maria Theresia. Wine lovers will want to explore the wine country of Slovakia in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains, on the Small Carpathian wine route. Enjoy dinner on board before the vessel departs from Slovakia late this evening and crosses into Austria.
Day 4 – Vienna & Pickleball Play
There is much to see in Imperial Vienna: Palaces, a Museum Quarter displaying works by artists Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, the historic buildings along the Ringstrasse, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the famous Vienna State Opera among others.
This afternoon, choose to venture to Schönbrunn Palace, the sumptuous summer palace and gardens of Empress Maria Theresia and the Habsburg Empire. This evening take the chance to attend the “Sound of Vienna” and listen to the “Alt Wien” orchestra play popular pieces from Vienna’s classical era ̶ a perfect end to your Vienna experience, before the vessel departs.
Day 5 Vienna – Durnstein – Melk Abbey
The romantic Wachau Valley is one of the most beautiful landscapes of Austria. In the morning your AMADEUS ship docks in Dürnstein, with its picturesque blue medieval abbey on the edge of the Danube river. Wander through this quaint village or join a walking tour featuring a visit to the Dürnstein Abbey.
Alternatively, if you wish to explore the wines of the Wachau, a visit to the Krems winery estate to learn about the history and enjoy a tasting is a must. During lunch on board, your cruise continues to Emmersdorf. Spend the afternoon discovering this typical small town in Lower Austria or opt to travel across the river to nearby Melk and its magnificent Benedictine abbey ̶ the largest in Austria. In the evening, your ship leaves the Wachau and heads for Linz.
Day 6 Linz- Passau
Arrive in the erstwhile cultural capital of Linz, where your vessel makes a short stop for the departure of today‘s excursions ̶ the walking tour of Linz with a scenic drive to Aschach to rejoin the vessel for lunch, or a full day tour to the Mozart town of Salzburg with lunch at a local restaurant.
Late in the afternoon, the vessel arrives at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz Rivers, in the three-rivers city of Passau, which you can explore on a commented walking tour. This evening, celebrate at the Captain’s Gala Dinner with multi-courses of regional specialties.
Day 7 Regensburg
After a leisurely breakfast, arrive in the Bavarian city of Regensburg, which is one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts architecture from many centuries, reflective of its varied history. The stone bridge, built in 1135—1146 and the Cathedral of St. Peter are a few of the highlights seen on the guided walking tour.
This afternoon, offers two wonderful options – an excursion to the Danube Gorge and Weltenburg Abbey or a visit to the Thurn & Taxis Palace – both excursions offer the opportunity to sample the local brew. A traditional Bavarian dinner is served as your ship departs for Passau.
Day 8 Passau
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you again soon!
COST – CATEGORY B1: **FROM $3,600.00 PER PERSON
Category B1 Strauss Deck with drop-down panoramic window 188sq ft.
PICKLEBALL CRUISE EXTENSION: Travel with fellow pickleball players from all over the USA, play friendly games with local European players, and experience the culture and hospitality of 4 different countries. You will be accompanied by a Pickleball Pro.
European hosts include the President of the Hungarian Pickleball Federation, the Hungarian Pickleball Ambassador, and Men’s Doubles Champion – who will be opening up his private estate in the Lake Balaton region where you will play against local players.
*3 opportunities for Pickleball at local clubs included during the cruise.
ADD THE PICKLEBALL PRE CRUISE EXTENSION FOR: TBA PER PERSON | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: TBA
Rates in USD per person in double occupancy. Save $150 per person Early Booking Discount on the regular cruise rate for bookings made by 30 November, 2023.
Single cabin supplement per person for all dates: C-4, C-1: 15% | B-4: 30% | B-1: 50% | A-1: 60% | Suite: 100% of cruise rate.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents.
Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
Sneak Preview!
2025 exclusive sailing in
conjunction with the
Hungarian Pickleball Open
(players can participate in the open!)
Date: August 10 -18, 2025
