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.
Passau, Germany, is called the City of Three Rivers as it lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Walk through the city with a local guide and 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 river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. Stop in 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 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 then take time to explore on your own.
In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a guided walk takes you through the delightful Old Town and to the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In Budapest 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, which provides the best panoramic views of Budapest. Your Danube River cruise is sure to make your dream a reality and fulfil your wish to experience the Danube’s legendary beauty and remarkable destinations along the way.
V146 Operated by Avalon Waterways
.
Deggendorf - Budapest
Day 1 - Deggendorf (Germany)
Embark ship in Deggendorf. Evening cruise to Passau. (D)
Day 2 - Passau - Schlögen Oxbow
Join a guided city walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along the Ilz River. Spend a little free time before sailing to Linz to walk the cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley or peek into St. Stephen’s Cathedral to possibly catch a concert rehearsal. This afternoon, cruise to Linz through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. Dock overnight in Linz. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Linz (Austria)
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 visit the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Alternatively, feel free to enjoy the afternoon on your own to bike along the banks of the Danube with a picnic from the ship, or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Pöstlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. Evening and overnight cruise to Melk. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Melk - Wachau Valley - Durnstein
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 Dürnstein. Join a guided walk and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades, or join a guided hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. Overnight cruise to Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Vienna
Venture into 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 historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the former imperial summer home and vast gardens with a history spanning 300 years of the Habsburg monarchy. In your free time why not stroll through pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna. Take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy authentic Austrian confections of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. Later 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. Dock overnight in Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Bratislava (Slovakia)
Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Bratislava. Take a guided city walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall and fantastic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Enjoy some free time to take Nordic walking sticks from the ship and hike to Bratislava Castle. Overnight cruising to Budapest. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Budapest (Hungary)
Enjoy a guided city sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. Dock overnight in Budapest. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Budapest
Disembark after breakfast. (B)
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. Key: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner
Budapest - Deggendorf
Day 1 - Budapest (Hungary)
Embark your ship in Budapest. (D)
Day 2 - Budapest
Enjoy a guided city sightseeing tour, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. Evening and overnight cruising to Bratislava. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Bratislava (Slovakia)
Take a guided city walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall and fantastic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Enjoy some free time to take Nordic walking sticks from the ship and hike to Bratislava Castle. Overnight cruising to Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Vienna
Venture into the Habsburg empire with a morning guided city tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You may decide to take a guided optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer home and vast gardens with a history spanning 300 years of the Habsburg monarchy. In your free time, why not stroll through pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse - the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna, or take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy authentic Austrian confections of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. Later 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 cruising to Durnstein. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Dürnstein - Wachau Valley - Melk
Join a guided walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades, or join a guided hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube and the Wachau Valley below. Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Melk. Take a guided tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library and ornate pipe organ. Evening and overnight cruising to Linz. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Linz
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 visit the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Feel free to enjoy the afternoon on your own to bike along the banks of the Danube with a picnic from the ship, or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Pöstlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. Dock overnight in Linz. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Schlögen Oxbow - Passau (Germany)
This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. Join a guided city walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along the Ilz River. Spend a little free time before sailing to Deggendorf to walk the cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley or peek into St. Stephen’s Cathedral to possibly catch a concert rehearsal. Evening and overnight cruising to Deggendorf. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Deggendorf
Disembark in Deggendorf. (B)
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. Key: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner