Duration: 8 Days
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. A Master of Wine will also travel with you on your cruise to host lectures, tastings, and tips on food–and-wine pairing. Visit Passau, Germany—called the “City of Three Rivers” at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Take a guided walking tour to 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 Danube River cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. Stops include 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 take time to explore on your own. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, take a guided walk 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, or take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion for the best panoramic views of Budapest. This Danube River cruise explores the legendary beauty and remarkable destinations you’ll never forget.
About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honoured to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognised globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!
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 on board.
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.
DISCOVERY Join an onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine while sailing to Linz.
This afternoon, cruise to Linz through the Danube's dramatic horseshoe bend called Schlogen Oxbow.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
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.
DISCOVERY Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.
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 here during the Crusades, OR:
DISCOVERY Discover the fascinating world of wine with a visit to a local wine cellar. While sipping a selection of different wines, you will learn how the wine production developed over the centuries till nowadays.
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-Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the grand 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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
War Heroes and Hot Water
ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes' Square and a visit to a unique wine cellar system where you can taste Hungarian wines in a very special way.
This afternoon, choose from a wide selection 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)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
