Magnificent Europe

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enquire now 15 Days From NZD $8,052 pp twinshare
 Cruise
 Terms & Conditions apply

From Amsterdam to Budapest, and many exciting stops along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise holiday. Amsterdam is Holland’s lively capital—both historical and modern. This popular city is set amongst sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten.

On to Germany where there’s a guided city walk in Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River, and stop in the charming wine town of Rüdesheim. There’s guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and you’ll sail the Main Danube Canal connecting the Main and Danube Rivers. First stop in Austria is Melk for a visit of its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. And in the last days of your holiday, local experts will introduce you to two capital cities: Vienna, Austria, also known as “The City of Music” for inspiring the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss; and lively Budapest, Hungary, with its unique energy and countless must-see sites. This truly is a river cruise to remember!

ITINERARY

  • DAY 1:   AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
    Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding . Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Spend free time exploring the colourful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam-with its many cafes and art galleries. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)
  • DAY 2:   AMSTERDAM
    Canals of Colorful Amsterdam CLASSIC – Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
  • DAY 3:   COLOGNE, GERMANY
    Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE – Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY – Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR; CLASSIC – Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
  • DAY 4:   RHINE GORGE-RUDESHEIM
    Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country This morning cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see the famous rock of the Lorelei. ACTIVE – Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR: DISCOVERY – Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat. Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B,L,D)
  • DAY 5:   MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
    Beauty on the Main River Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC – Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village. Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 6:   WURZBURG
    A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road 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 the city on your own or visit a local winery. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WURZBURG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 7:   VOLKACH
    Storybook Settings 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. Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity. ACTIVE – Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC – Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 8:   BAMBERG
    The City of Seven Hills 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 former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches. Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)
  • DAY 9:   ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG
    Legends and History Lessons Visit the Adventure centre for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. 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 Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: CLASSIC – Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich. 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 10:   REGENSBURG
    Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)
  • DAY 11:   PASSAU
    Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC – Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” You may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz. LINZ, AUSTRIA: Legendary, Lovely Linz This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)
  • DAY 12:   MELK-WACHAU VALLEY
    Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below ACTIVE – Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk’s beautiful countryside, OR: CLASSIC – Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey. Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon. VIENNA: Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
  • DAY 13:   VIENNA
    Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions 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 family or choose a Guided Optional Excursion to fascinating Bratislava. Consider a tram ride to Vienna’s Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
  • DAY 14:   BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
    The Pearl of the Danube ACTIVE – Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC – Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. This afternoon choose among the Optional Guided Excursions available or enjoy Budapest on your own. Indulge in a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafes. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
  • DAY 15:   BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

INCLUSIONS 

Meals
Breakfast: 14 Lunch: 13 Dinner: 14
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
  • Amsterdam
  • Rhine Gorge
  • Nuremberg
  • Regensburg
  • Vienna
  • Budapest

Images courtesy of Avalon Waterways and Globus Family of Brands 

AVW – WAB

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