Duration: 16 Days
HOOKED ON OUTLANDER? BOOK A CRUISE WITH ITS AUTHOR, CELEBRITY STORYTELLER DIANA GABALDON!
A NOVEL HOLIDAY… Bound to be the most memorable trip of 2024 (or a lifetime), author of the No. 1 New York Times-bestselling OUTLANDER series, Diana Gabaldon, is personally hosting a Storyteller cruise with Avalon Waterways on the Danube River in 2024. It’s your once-in-a-lifetime chance to sail with a small group of fellow fans and get exclusive OUTLANDER insights, with your favourite author… FOR A WEEK!
Diana Gabaldon has added to the rich tapestry of our lives while also inspiring travel with her stories. In her OUTLANDER series of novels and novellas – now an award-winning series on STARZ – she has brought to life the backdrops of Scotland, North America, France, and Germany as well as dozens of fascinating historical sites across the globe. OUTLANDER can be found in 114 countries and 38 languages, with millions of copies in print worldwide.
On board your Suite Ship, from Vilshofen to Budapest, this renowned storyteller will share an inspired cruise – and daily excursions – with an intimate group of her fans, including conducting a book-signing, Q&A, plus countless opportunities to interact at dinners, Happy Hours and while sailing through the winding, bending, picturesque landscapes of Europe.
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. Visit Passau, Germany—called the “City of Three Rivers” at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Explore the city with a Local Guide and admire the patrician houses and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Linz, Austria, see the Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square that forms the center of the city. Enjoy the magnificent views as your river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. In Dürnstein, 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. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a guided walk takes you through the delightful Old Town and to the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Visit Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube,” and experience the beauty and history of the Balkan States of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania—from ancient archaeological sites to amazing architecture and art. Your cruise concludes with a visit to the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Called the “Paris of the East,” its lovely tree-lined boulevards include the Arc de Triomphe and the Royal Palace Square. We look forward to sharing this fantastic journey with you on the Danube River from Germany to Romania.
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Munich must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Explore your ship and enjoy dinner on your first evening onboard.
EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU (D)
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers".
Before sailing to Linz, take a little free time to explore Passau's cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists' Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen's Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal.
This afternoon, cruise to Linz through the Danube's dramatic horseshoe bend called Schlogen Oxbow.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an exclusive book-signing with your Storyteller Host Diana Gabaldon.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ (B,L,D)
Legendary and Lovely Linz
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
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 to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube or hike through Linz's beautiful nature trails to Postlingberg for a bird's-eye view of the city and river below.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO YBBS (B,L,D)
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
CLASSIC Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle, OR:
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 Durnstein.
ACTIVE Alternatively, experience the Wachau Valley from a unique perspective, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along some of Wachau's bike trails.
DURNSTEIN
A King's Ransom and Castle Ruins
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, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart-who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)
Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, 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 grand historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral, 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).
You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace-the former imperial summer home of the Habsburg monarchy.
Spend free time strolling in the 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 Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.
This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin's Cathedral.
Enjoy free time to discover on your own Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city centre.
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Q&A session delivered by your Storyteller Host Diana Gabaldon.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
War Heroes and Wonderful Hills
ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes' Square.
This afternoon, choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying some free time 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
Take free time to enjoy Budapest's famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city's cafes and restaurants.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHACS (B,L,D)
Hungarian History in a harbour Town
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Explore Mohacs by foot as you follow the lead of your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohacs-the quiet Danube harbour town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill-one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of nearby Pecs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You'll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK (B,L,D)
History and Culture in Croatia
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard.
NOVI SAD, SERBIA
Heritage and Hilltop Vintages
ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B,L,D)
Fortresses and Folklore
ACTIVE Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade-where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge-and see the city's many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava-one of the world's largest Orthodox churches. DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street-Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafes, shops, and cultural spots. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAC (B,L,D)
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You'll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir-with unique views of the Danube Gorge.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge-a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B,L,D)
Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride around this town, OR:
CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements, OR:
DISCOVERY Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you'll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (B,L,D)
Fortresses and Folklore
ACTIVE Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Avalon Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo-with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA (B,L,D)
The "Paris of the East"
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe-honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square-the scene of the city's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Spend some free time exploring on your own to visit shops and museums. See the beautiful home, and churches along Victory Avenue. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursions available. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
