We plan a 2015 river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Looking for a scenic itinerary back to Amsterdam. Don't want to drive. Suggestions??

How much time do you have? If you have a short period of time and a fat bank account, take the Orient Express from Budapest to Brussels.

time needed is essential of course but here is a general route - Budapest
Prague
Munich
The Rhine/Mosel river valleys (between Mainz, Koblenz and Cochem)
Cologne
Amsterdam

If going by train check www.bahn.de/en - the German railways schedule site for trains all over Europe; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (download their free online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of suggested rail itineraries in this area; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

There is no especially 'scenic' route back to Amsterdam - I highlighted scenic cities plus the Rhine Gorge and Mosel Valley are amongst the most scenic places in Europe!

Cochem could be the picture postcard small-town base most folks only dream of staying in but rarely do - it has good train service too! It also has the quintessential medieval castle sticking out of vineyards near the town center - OK the castle is Ersatz, being rebuilt in the late 1800s - one reason why it is so dreamy and in mint-like condition.

https://www.google.com/search?q=coch...w=1455&bih=978

If OP is doing a river cruise I dare say they will see plenty of the Rhine on the way to Budapest.

Can you give an indication of time you want to spend getting back. Would you be prepared to fly as well as train?

Oops well yes and probably or maybe the Mosel as well. Scratch the Rhine/Mosel areas!

Heidelberg to me is one of the nicest romantic towns in Germany - smack on the way to Amsterdam from Budapest I would think - one of the few towns not destroyed in WW2 - supposedly some say because the Allies wanted to use it for their post-war base - there is still a huge American military presence in the area.