Duration: 16 Days
Your breath taking river cruise begins on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland. For beer enthusiasts, a knowledgeable Beer Expert joins the first portion of your cruise from Basel to Nuremberg to host lectures, beer tasting, and food-and-beer-pairings for an authentic German and France river cruise experience. You’ll sail to Breisach, your starting point for a Black Forest excursion, and to the city of Strasbourg, France, along the way. Sail to Rüdesheim and through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. The modern and charming city of Frankfurt is also on your route along the Rhine, and you’ll sail on the Main River to visit an authentic village. Visit Würzburg, and take a guided tour of Bamberg or enjoy a hop garden tour while tasting also a local beer, before reaching Nuremberg, from where you will take a full-day excursion to Munich. Sail from Nuremberg to Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Cruise next to Passau, with its narrow streets and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey. Take in the breath taking views before continuing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to the romantic sights of Vienna, the “City of Music.” Your European river cruise ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore this vibrant city on your own.
Day
1
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Zurich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board as you sail to Breisach.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)
Day
2
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning.
Later in the evening, enjoy onboard a beer lecture hosted by your Beer Expert while cruising.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
Day
3
STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
CLASSIC Join a City Tour of Strasbourg's sights, including Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line-the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace's wine country today.
Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city centre.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
Day
4
RUDESHEIM, GERMANY-RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, OR:
DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee, OR:
ACTIVE Take an open-air Cable Car Ride to the Niederwald Monument, then ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee.
This afternoon, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Boppard.
BOPPARD
A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge
Enjoy some free time to relax, or explore the Rheinallee Promenade for delicatessen fare with a cup of German coffee or glass of Riesling wine.
Later, enjoy onboard entertainment while sailing to Frankfurt.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)
Day
5
FRANKFURT
Charm in Frankfurt
DISCOVERY Venture beyond the traditional pilsner on this exciting guided brewery tour featuring an introduction to some of Frankfurt's most delicious craft beers, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city's cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods.
In the evening, enjoy onboard a beer lecture hosted by your Beer Expert while cruising.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WERTHEIM (B,L,D)
Day
6
WERTHEIM
Beauty on the Main River
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Wertheim, located right on the border with Bavaria.
This evening enjoy an onboard food and beer pairing dinner hosted by your Beer Expert.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
Day
7
WURZBURG
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.
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.
Enjoy live entertainment on board as you set sail for Bamberg.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
Day
8
BAMBERG
The City of Seven Hills
DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy an onboard beer and cheese tasting hosted by your Beer Expert.
ACTIVE Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Discover a very special family run hop garden where you will also taste a local beer, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.
After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer).
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
Day
9
NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH
A King's Palace and Town Halls
CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace-a former residence of German monarchs, along with the old and new Town Halls of Marienplatz.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,D)
Day
10
ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG
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 Take 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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
Day
11
REGENSBURG
Bavaria's Medieval Miracle
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)
Day
12
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."
Alternatively, join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg-the city of Mozart-or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
Sail to Linz this afternoon, or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion.
LINZ, AUSTRIA
Legendary, Lovely Linz
Enjoy a free afternoon to linger in Linz. Take a bicycle from the ship and cycle along the Danube, or follow one of Linz's many nature trails for a bird's-eye view of the city and river below.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)
Day
13
MELK-WACHAU VALLEY
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk's beautiful countryside, 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.
Enjoy a coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Vienna.
VIENNA
Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
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 (B,L,D)
Day
14
VIENNA
Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a 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, 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).
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace- summer home of the Habsburg Empire.
Enjoy free time to take a tram to visit Vienna's Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from ship to explore Vienna's square or the banks of the Danube.
Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
Day
15
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
War Heroes and Hot Water
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, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free time soaking in one of Budapest's famous thermal baths. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest's cafes, pubs or nightlife.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
Day
16
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departure Date:
2025-10-07
Return Date:
2025-10-22
Single :
21165NZD
Twin :
14106NZD
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