Duration: 8 Days
Why dip your toes in the Danube when you can explore and adore its landmarks, legends, customs and cuisine in the most interactive ways? Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises on the Danube invite dreamers and doers to activate their curiosities. To look closer, dive deeper, and forage further into the hamlets and hills of Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
Uncover ancient traditions and local flavours in immersive ways. Enjoy leisurely sightseeing or on-your-own discoveries. Whether you walk through winding alleyways, hike to a castle, bike to a palace or row to your own sanctuary of scenery, our diverse offering of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the Danube redefines the rules of engagement.
Move.
Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising holiday when you:
- Sink your teeth into Count Dracula’s Visegrád prison tower on a hike to new heights.
- Paddle a canoe on an excursion through the picturesque Bend region.
- Pedal along the postcard-perfect Wachau Valley.
And Be Moved.
Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:
- See the ancient jousting skills of the St. George Knightly Order at Visegrád Castle.
- Savour a merry morning walk, Vienna’s infamous café culture and VIP access to an art museum.
- Meet the Count of Clam at Austria’s 12th-century and beautifully preserved Clam Castle.
Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.
Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Danube.
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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ENGELHARTSZELL (D)
Memories and Beer in the Making
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the "House by the stream" (Haus am Strom) and walk across the Danube Power-Station Jochenstein, OR:
CLASSIC Visit the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and explore its Sensory Garden-complete with stone labyrinth, herb garden, and vineyard. Sample cheese and beer made by the resident Trappist monks.
ACTIVE This afternoon, enjoy a scenic Guided Hike along the Danube's Schlogen Oxbow- a dramatic bend carved by centuries.
Enjoy free time on the Sky Deck this afternoon while you sail through the amazing horseshoe bend of the Danube's Schlogen Oxbow on your way to Linz.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ (B,L,D)
History Lessons and Monastic Life
ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the Danube and discover how fertile this area is. Stop at a local farm and learn more about farming life and flood protection, OR:
CLASSIC Visit the 9th-century St. Florian Monastery-the largest monastery in upper Austria and home to Augustine monks, OR:
CLASSIC Join a sobering Guided Tour of Mauthausen Memorial, one of the largest and most brutal Nazi camps of WWII.
In the afternoon sail to Grein.
GREIN
Theatre History and Modern-Day Castles
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.
DISCOVERY See Burg Clam on a Guided Visit, and meet the Count of Clam during your tour.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPITZ (B,L,D)
Paddle a Canoe or Pedal a Bike in Austrian Wine Country
ACTIVE Paddle a canoe on a Guided Tour to see the Austrian waterways and shoreline scenery from a unique perspective, OR:
ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour from Spitz to Krems, stop in Durnstein to see the beautiful blue Stiftskirche, and sample local specialties, OR:
DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR:
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Tour that showcases the production of regional fruits, vegetables, wine, or other products.
Relax this afternoon as you cruise toward Vienna.
This evening consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte
ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the famed Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues of Vienna to see the city's highlights from a unique perspective, OR:
DISCOVERY Get an Insider's Tour of Vienna to get behind the scenes of her sights and attractions. You will meet locals, have the chance to prepare some food, and enjoy other surprises, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including a tour of Belvedere Palace to see Gustave Klimt's renowned "Kiss" painting.
Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the pedestrian Karntnerstrasse then take a break for a piece of Sachertorte.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
A Feast for the Soul
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
DISCOVERY Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese cafe, OR:
CLASSIC Dive into one of the world's most important museums with a Guided Tour of the Habsburg family's private art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and enjoy Italian or Dutch master works, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by the Military Museum, commemorating the past of the Habsburg Empire.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VISEGRAD (B,L,D)
Jousting Tournaments and Dracula's Tower
ACTIVE Visit Count Dracula's prison tower on a hiking tour in Visegrad, OR:
ACTIVE Take a Canoe Excursion through the picturesque Bend Region of the Danube for a unique perspective of one of the river's most beautiful stretches, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Excursion to the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrad's Lower Castle, featuring targeting and fighting demonstrations by members of the St. George Knightly Order.
This afternoon, relax on the Sky deck while sailing into Budapest and enjoy magnificent views of the beautiful Parliament Building.
BUDAPEST
The Pearl of the Danube
Take some free time this afternoon to explore the vibrant and stunning city of Budapest.
Enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board your ship this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
