Danube Dreams

Home  ›  Experiences  ›  Activity  ›  Cruising and Boating  ›  River Cruising  ›  Danube Dreams
enquire now 8 Days From NZD $3,340 pp twinshare
 Cruise
 Terms & Conditions apply

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. 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.

Please note: Itinerary is based on 2023, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2023.

ITINERARY 

  • DAY 1:   DEGGENDORF, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
    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)
  • DAY 2:   PASSAU-SCHLOGEN OXBOW
    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. 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)
  • DAY 3:   LINZ, AUSTRIA
    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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO YBBS (B,L,D)
  • DAY 4:   YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK-WACHAU VALLEY
    Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below CLASSIC – Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Admire the fine architecture of the Babenberger and its romantic old town, 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. 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)
  • DAY 5:   VIENNA
    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-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 monarchy. Spend free time strolling on 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)
  • DAY 6:   HAINBURG, AUSTRIA
    Natural Beauty in Austria Enjoy some free time in the village of Hainburg or take a Guided Optional Excursion to discover the natural beauties of this area. During lunchtime enjoy a short cruise to Bratislava. BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA: 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. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
  • DAY 7:   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 choose among a wide offer 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)
  • DAY 8:   BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

INCLUSIONS 

Meals
Breakfast: 7 Lunch: 6 Dinner: 7
Transport
State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities
Accommodation
Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
HighLights
  • Dürnstein & Melk
  • Vienna
  • Bratislava
  • Budapest

Images courtesy of Avalon Waterways and Globus Family of Brands 

AVW – WDB

Related experiences


enquire now

Best of Turkey

15 Days From NZD $3,675 pp twinshare
 Small group
 Terms & Conditions apply

Get your Turkish delights on a 15-day adventure in Istanbul. This trip is a mix of ancient ruins and modern cities, Islamic mysticism and Ottoman influence, inland discoveries and coastal cruising, and everything in between! Discover Gallipoli on a guided … Continue reading →

enquire now

NEW! World Voyage I

180 Days From NZD $136,000 pp twinshare
 Cruise
 Terms & Conditions apply

180 Days | 83 Guided Tours | 37 Countries  Circumnavigate the world Traverse the globe on an unforgettable voyage across vast oceans to destinations on six continents. From Ft. Lauderdale, discover faraway lands in the South Pacific and Asia. Witness … Continue reading →