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Europe River Cruises - Here is a sample of the many river cruises available:

Danube Dreams – Cruise Only Eastbound

8 Day River Cruise Deggendorf to Budapest

Vacation Overview

Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way.

Passau, Germany, is called the “City of Three Rivers” as it lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Walk through the city with a Local Guide and admire the Patrician houses and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Linz, Austria, walk around the Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square.

Enjoy the magnificent views as your river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. Stop in Melk to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Dürnstein to see the famous blue and white Stiftskirche and taste some of the local wines. Vienna, the “City of Music,” makes an immediate impression with its lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House. Enjoy a guided tour of this magical city and then take time to explore on your own. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a guided walk takes you through the delightful Old Town and to the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral.

In Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, a local expert shows you all the must-see sights. Then to round out this timeless European river cruise, take a stroll along Váci utca—the main shopping street—enjoy a cream cake at the renowned Gerbeaud Café, or take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion, which provides the best panoramic views of Budapest.” Your Danube River cruise is sure to make your dream a reality and fulfil your wish to experience the Danube’s legendary beauty and remarkable destinations along the way.

Itinerary

 

Day 1DEGGENDORF, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Germany

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Board your Avalon Suite Ship® for a welcome reception.

EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU
 

DinnerDinner

Day 2PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW

Go for Baroque in Passau–Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers meet

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 the Ilz River.

Spend a little free time before sailing to Linz to walk the cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley or peek into St. Stephen’s Cathedral to possibly catch a concert rehearsal.

This afternoon, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON CRUISE TO LINZ
 

Breakfast Breakfast

LunchLunch

DinnerDinner

Day 3LINZ, AUSTRIA

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 Pöstlingberg for a bird’s–eye view of the city and river below.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
 

Breakfast Breakfast

LunchLunch

DinnerDinner

Day 4MELK–WACHAU VALLEY

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.

Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Dürnstein.

DÜRNSTEIN

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, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
 

Breakfast Breakfast

LunchLunch

DinnerDinner

Day 5VIENNA

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 Schönbrunn 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 Kärntnerstrasse–the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna. Take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café 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 DOCKING IN VIENNA
 

Breakfast Breakfast

LunchLunch

DinnerDinner

Day 6BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Classic and Contemporary–from Cathedrals and Castle Walls to Art Gallery Halls

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.

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.

Be our guest at a Farewell Dinner before cruising to Budapest.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
 

Breakfast Breakfast

LunchLunch

DinnerDinner

Day 7BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

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 cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
 

Breakfast Breakfast

LunchLunch

DinnerDinner

Day 8BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
 

Breakfast Breakfast

Vacation Highlights

Day 1 Deggendorf (Embarkation): onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Passau: guided walk

Day 3 Linz: guided sightseeing

Day 4 Melk–Wachau Valley–Dürnstein: guided visit of the Benedectine Abbey in Melk; cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided walk, or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; wine tasting

Day 5 Vienna: guided tour, see Kunstkammer collection; choice of additional sightseeing, or a complimentary museum ticket

Day 6 Bratislava: guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral

Day 7 Budapest: guided tour, see Heroes’ Square

Day 8 Budapest (Disembarkation): your vacation ends this morning

 

  • In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
  • Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

 

 

 

 

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