Duration: 15 Days
From Amsterdam to Budapest, and many exciting stops along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise holiday. Amsterdam is Holland’s lively capital—both historical and modern. This popular city is set amongst sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten.
On to Germany where there’s a guided city walk in Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River, and stop in the charming wine town of Rüdesheim. There’s guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and you’ll sail the Main Danube Canal connecting the Main and Danube Rivers. First stop in Austria is Melk for a visit of its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. And in the last days of your holiday, local experts will introduce you to two capital cities: Vienna, Austria, also known as “The City of Music” for inspiring the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss; and lively Budapest, Hungary, with its unique energy and countless must-see sites. This truly is a river cruise to remember!
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
Spend free time exploring the colourful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam-with its many cafes and art galleries.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)
Canals of colourful Amsterdam
CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure, OR;
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR;
CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years!
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rudesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei-where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors.
ACTIVE Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee, OR:
DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee.
Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG (B,L,D)
Beauty on the Main River
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn.
Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Wurzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz-with the largest known ceiling fresco.
Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WURZBURG (B,L,D)
Storybook Settings
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists.
Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity.
ACTIVE Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
The City of Seven Hills
ACTIVE Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.
Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)
Legends and History Lessons
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth-with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR;
CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR;
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal-linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
Bavaria's Medieval Miracle
ACTIVE Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg.
Alternatively, spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers."
You may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz.
LINZ, AUSTRIA
Legendary, Lovely Linz
This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a walk along the Danube river and around Melk, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk's Benedictine Abbey.
Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon.
VIENNA
Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions
ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC After a short walk of Vienna, join a Guided Visit of Austria's largest museum, the legendary Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), OR:
CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace-summer home of the Habsburg family or choose a Guided Optional Excursion to fascinating Bratislava.
Consider a tram ride to Vienna's Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby.
Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
The Pearl of the Danube
ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes' Square.
This afternoon choose among the Optional Guided Excursions available or enjoy Budapest on your own. Indulge in a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafes. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
