Mark Abeytia
From the Spires of Prague to the Palaces of MunichAn indulgent passage through Central Europe aboard AmaWaterways, where every moment is poetry in motion.
Europe awakens beneath a veil of morning mist, its old-world beauty shimmering to life in Prague, the fabled “City of a Hundred Spires.” Cobbled lanes glisten after rain, Baroque domes rise above the Vltava River, and the scent of warm trdelník fills the air. Here, our journey begins — not as tourists, but as privileged guests stepping into a living masterpiece.
At the Andaz Prague, history and design intertwine with modern elegance. We sip cocktails inspired by Czech legends while city lights flicker across amber rooftops. That evening, a candlelit dinner cruise beneath Charles Bridge feels like Prague’s soul set to music — violins echoing against the castle walls.
Morning brings the chime of the Astronomical Clock. With our private guide, we trace centuries of history through Old Town Square and the grand courtyards of Prague Castle, before pausing for coffee where Kafka once wrote. Later, we cross the river into Mala Strana and retreat to the Mandarin Oriental Prague, a former monastery transformed into a haven of serenity. Dinner by the river glows in golden light — Prague’s graceful farewell.
The next day, our driver carries us through rolling Bohemian hills to Vilshofen, where our floating sanctuary, AmaWaterways’ AmaMora, awaits. Stepping aboard, we’re surrounded by understated luxury — gleaming wood, fresh flowers, and impeccable service. The voyage begins with a private Oktoberfest celebration, laughter and music flowing like the first toast of a grand adventure.
At dawn, the ship glides into Passau, the “City of Three Rivers.” We stroll pastel lanes and hear the mighty organ resound through St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Linz, a full-day excursion leads us to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where domes and melodies shimmer against the Alpine skyline.
The Wachau Valley, a UNESCO treasure, unfolds in sunlit splendor. Vineyards cascade to the river’s edge, and legends linger in the stones of Dürnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held. We raise a glass of Grüner Veltliner to the sunset and the rhythm of the river below.
Then, Vienna — a city of waltzes and empire. The Hofburg Palace and State Opera House reflect centuries of grandeur, while a slice of Sachertorte in a gilded café captures its timeless soul. Downriver, Bratislava charms with medieval squares and royal echoes, the perfect counterpoint to Vienna’s opulence.
And then, Budapest — radiant, romantic, unforgettable. The Parliament, Chain Bridge, and Castle Hill blaze in golden light as our ship glides beneath the bridges one last time. Exploring both Buda and Pest, we feel the pulse of a city alive with history, art, and resilience — the perfect crescendo to our voyage.
When morning comes, we travel onward to Munich, Bavaria’s crown jewel. At the Mandarin Oriental Munich, contemporary refinement meets old-world grace. Outside, the Marienplatz hums with life, the Glockenspiel chimes above, and the aroma of pretzels and roasted almonds fills the crisp air.
Our guide unveils the city’s grandeur — the Residenz Palace, Nymphenburg Gardens, and the tranquil English Garden, where locals surf the river’s steady current. Later, we dine at Tantris, Munich’s Michelin-starred culinary icon, where each course is a work of art.
The following day, the Bavarian Alps rise before us. Through emerald forests, Neuschwanstein Castle appears — ethereal, snow-white, impossibly romantic. Inside, gilded halls whisper of King Ludwig II’s dreamlike vision, the fairy tale that inspired them all.
Returning to Munich, we share one last evening beneath the vaulted ceilings of the Hofbräuhaus, steins raised in laughter and memory.
This was more than a voyage — it was a passage through centuries. From Prague’s Gothic towers to Vienna’s imperial splendor, from Budapest’s radiant bridges to Munich’s regal avenues, every moment flowed in rhythm with the river. A journey written in stone and riverlight, in music and memory — Europe at its most enchanting, experienced in ultimate AmaWaterways style.