Duration: 16 Days
Your Danube River cruise begins with an evening cruise from Budapest to Vienna, followed by Dürnstein and Melk in Austria’s beautiful Wachau Valley. Cruise from Austria to Germany as you sail to Passau, then the Bavarian city of Regensburg to see the 12th-century Old Town Hall. For beer enthusiasts, a knowledgeable Beer Expert joins the second portion of your cruise to host lectures, beer tasting, and food-and-beer-pairings for an authentic German and France River cruise experience.
Cruise to Nuremberg to choose from three guided excursions—a guided tour of Roth, a Nuremberg city sightseeing, or a tour of the notorious Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII. In the afternoon enjoy a hop garden tour while tasting also a local beer. From Nuremberg, join a full-day excursion to Munich before sailing to Frankfurt for guided sightseeing. Later enjoy a local beer tour. Cruise to Rüdesheim and through the magnificent Rhine Gorge. Your European river cruise stops in splendid Strasbourg, France, with its Gothic cathedral towering above its stained-glass and murals, before cruising to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the magical Black Forest. Enjoy a day of storybook surroundings, sumptuous bakery specialties (such as Black Forest Cake), and a glimpse into generations of authentic Bavarian life. Your river cruise on the Danube, Rhine, and Main Rivers concludes in Basel, Switzerland.
Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafes, and confections.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (D)
Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view.
This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
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 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.
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace- summer home of the Habsburg Empire.
Enjoy free time this afternoon 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 the ship to explore Vienna's square or the banks of the Danube.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DURNSTEIN (B,L,D)
A King's Ransom and Castle Ruins
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart-who was imprisoned in the castle above the village during the Crusades.
Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.
ACTIVE Alternatively, join your Avalon Adventure Host for a bike along the Danube River from Durnstein to Melk.
MELK
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board.
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."
Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg-the city of Mozart-or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
Bavaria's Medieval Miracle
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
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.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)
Legends and History Lessons
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.
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 Sightseeing of Nuremberg-with its 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.
EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,D)
The City of Seven Hills
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
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 historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.
DISCOVERY Discover a very special family run hop garden where you will also taste a local beer.
After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer).
Later in the evening, enjoy onboard a beer lecture hosted by your Beer Expert while cruising.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road
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.
ACTIVE Explore Wurzburg's charm by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: 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 live entertainment on board while sailing tonight.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG (B,L,D)
Beauty on the Main River
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard beer tasting hosted by your Beer Expert.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)
Charm in Frankfurt
ACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour to Seligenstadt-one of Germany's oldest towns and home to the Einhard Basilika-dubbed "minor basilica" in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, 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.
DISCOVERY Venture beyond the traditional pilsner on this on this exciting guided brewery tour featuring an introduction to some of Frankfurt's most delicious craft beers.
Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BOPPARD (B,L,D)
A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge
This morning, relax on the Sky Deck with views of the spectacular Rhine Gorge en route to Rudesheim.
RHINE GORGE-RUDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your 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.
This evening enjoy an onboard food and beer pairing dinner hosted by your Beer Expert.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURGV(B,L,D)
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
DISCOVERY Onboard beer and cheese tasting hosted by your Beer Expert.
CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city's Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,L,D)
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends this morning with breakfast.
Departure flights should not leave ZUrich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
