Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way.
Begin in Budapest, where guided sightseeing acquaints you with the highlights of the vibrant capital of Hungary. Heroes Square, Fishermen’s Bastion, Chain Bridge—the famous sights that make this city come to life! Set sail on the Danube, take pictures of the impressive Parliament Building as you leave Budapest, and head for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Here, enjoy a guided walk through the delightful Old Town and visit the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Vienna, Austria, makes an immediate impression with its lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House. Take in the local culture with a stop in a classic Viennese Coffee House and stroll along the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse. Enjoy the magnificent views as your river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. Visit the impressive Benedictine Abbey of Melk and enjoy a tasting of some of the renowned local wines. In Linz, walk around the Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square, which forms the center of the city. Take a guided walk around Passau, Germany, known for its maze of narrow cobblestone streets and St. Stephen’s Cathedral—a masterpiece of baroque architecture.
Guided sightseeing in Regensburg, Germany, shows you the Old Town Hall, Porta Pretoria—gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD—and mansions with high towers denoting the status and wealth of their early owners. Enjoy some local sausages before heading to beautiful Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. Here, you’ll be amazed at St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, a unique and intricate piece of art unlike anything else in the world.
Your day-by-day itinerary indicates in UPPERCASE all inside visits, special features, and guided sightseeing. All included guided sightseeing is conducted by a Certified Local Guide. Choose the sightseeing pace that suits you
Leisurely, Traditional, or Independent (where available).
Welcome to Budapest-Hungary’s Captivating Capital. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafes, and confections. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (D)
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe. CLASSIC – Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafes and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA (B,L,D)
Classic and Contemporary-from Cathedrals and Castle Walls to Art Gallery Halls. CLASSIC – Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and fantastic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Enjoy some free time to take Nordic walking sticks from the ship and hike to Bratislava Castle. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte. DISCOVERY – Join us for a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including the Kuntskammer’s remarkable collection of more than 2,100 valuable objects, which were collected through the centuries by the emperors and archdukes of Habsburg. CLASSIC – Later, choose a complimentary ticket for a local Viennese Museum Visit, or continue exploring with additional Guided Sightseeing. You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace-the former imperial summer home and vast gardens with a history spanning 300 years of the Habsburg monarchy. In your free time why not stroll through pedestrian Karntnerstrasse-the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna. Take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local cafe to enjoy authentic Austrian confections of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. Later this evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DURNSTEIN (B,L,D)
Fairytale Castles, Kings, and Cobblestones. CLASSIC – Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart-who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades, OR: ACTIVE – Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below. Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Melk. MELK: Striking Frescoes and Breathtaking Views of the Wachau Valley. CLASSIC – Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ (B,L,D)
Fall in Love with Linz-Legendary Art, Music, and the Linzer Torte! CLASSIC – Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz-Austria’s largest medieval square-and the towering white-marble Trinity Column. Consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or visit the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Feel free to enjoy the afternoon on your own to bike along the banks of the Danube with a picnic from the ship, or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Postlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MELK (B,L,D)
Go for Baroque in Passau-Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet. This morning, cruise through the Schlogen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. CLASSIC – Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” ACTIVE – Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River. Spend a little free time before sailing to Deggendorf to walk the cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley or peek into St. Stephen’s Cathedral to possibly catch a concert rehearsal. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DEGGENDORF (B,L,D)
Magical Regensburg-Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle. CLASSIC – Join a Guided City Walk in Regensburg and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. Take free time to enjoy a hearty lunch and a local beer, then step back in time through historic lanes and squares of today’s modern and vibrant Regensburg. Continue on to the Golden City of Prague. (B)
Bridges, Books, Crystal & Chocolate-Simple Pleasures and Grand Surprises Around Every Corner. CLASSIC – Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradcany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock. Later, you may join a Guided Optional Excursion to reveal the secrets of Prague as your expert local guide takes you to Charles Bridge and Mala Strana-two of Prague’s most romantic and picturesque spots. Consider sampling delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River. Mingle with the locals and be mesmerised by street performers in Wenceslas Square, or browse the market stalls at Charles Bridge. In the evening, you might like to join an Optional Folklore Dinner Show, sampling traditional Czech cuisine in an authentic Prague setting. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
