Magnificent Rivers of Europe

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enquire now 16 Days From NZD $8,221 pp twinshare
 Cruise
 Terms & Conditions apply

From Budapest to Amsterdam, and in many exciting stops along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless European river cruise holiday. You’ll begin by visiting three of Europe’s vibrant capital cities: Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Vienna (Austria). A Local Guide will show you the must-see sites in each city and you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own. See the famous Heroes’ Square in Budapest, stroll through Bratislava’s Old Town with its winding streets and bronze sculptures, and stop in a classic Viennese café for a decadent treat.

Sail through the picturesque views of the Wachau Valley and the dramatic Rhine Gorge. Visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Würzburg’s baroque Bishop’s Residenz. Enjoy a tasting of wonderful local Wachau wines. Explore quaint towns like Dürnstein with its blue and white baroque Stiftskirche; Passau, known for its narrow cobblestone streets and the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral; and Bamberg, with its town hall straddling the River Regnitz. Enjoy guided tours in historic Nuremberg, Volkach, Würzburg, and Regensburg—one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. In the charming Rhine Valley town of Rüdesheim, enjoy a stroll through its famous cobblestone Drosselgasse lined with shops, restaurants, and lively taverns. Straddling both sides of the Rhine River is Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic architecture. Here, enjoy a guided walk and see its famous twin-spired cathedral. This European river cruise would not be complete without a visit to Holland’s lively capital of Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten.

ITINERARY 

  • DAY 1:   BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
    Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 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. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (D)
  • DAY 2:   BUDAPEST
    The Pearl of the Danube Visit the Adventure centre for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. 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 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 CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA (B,L,D)
  • DAY 3:   BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
    Castles, Vineyards, and Cosmopolitan Culture ACTIVE – Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR: CLASSIC – Join a Guided Walking Tour of Old Town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the Gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cathedral-Hungary’s centuries-old coronation church. Alternatively, in your free time take a bicycle and a picnic from the ship to explore the local sights along the Danube. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)
  • DAY 4:   VIENNA, AUSTRIA
    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 empire. Consider a tram ride to Vienna’s Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DURNSTEIN (B,L,D)
  • DAY 5:   DURNSTEIN-WACHAU VALLEY
    A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins ACTIVE – Take 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 above the village during the Crusades. 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. MELK: Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below ACTIVE – Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a 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. DISCOVERY – Later, enjoy a Wine Tasting on board as you prepare to sail to Passau. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)
  • DAY 6:   PASSAU, GERMANY
    Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC – Join an afternoon Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Alternatively, 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 7:   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. Spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner as you cruise toward Roth. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)
  • DAY 8:   ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG
    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. 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. Tonight, relax onboard with live entertainment as you sail to Bamberg. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 9:   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. DISCOVERY – Attend an onboard lecture to learn about European history and culture. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VOLKACH (B,L,D)
  • DAY 10:   VOLKACH
    Storybook Settings 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. 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. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing afternoon while cruising to Kitzingen. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KITZINGEN (B,L,D)
  • DAY 11:   WURZBURG
    A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road ACTIVE – Enjoy an easy bike ride along the river 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. This afternoon enjoy a leisurely sailing afternoon. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B,L,D)
  • DAY 12:   MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
    Beauty on the Main River Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC – Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment as you cruise to Rudesheim. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
  • DAY 13:   RUDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE
    Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country ACTIVE – Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, 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. This afternoon cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see the famous rock of the Lorelei-where mythological siren lured ill-fated sailors to shore. DISCOVERY – Enjoy a remarkable classical music concert in a lovely baroque venue at Engers Castle, home to the Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate National Foundation, one of Germany’s largest music institutions. AFTERNOON CRUISE TO ENGERS (B,L,D)
  • DAY 14:   COLOGNE
    Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host 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. Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
  • DAY 15:   AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
    Colorful Canals of Amsterdam ACTIVE – Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: CLASSIC – Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” In the afternoon you may join an Optional Culinary Walk through Amsterdam to sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties. Or choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. You might also consider a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Spend free time on your own to explore the colourful cafes, galleries, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
  • DAY 16:   AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

INCLUSIONS 

Meals
Breakfast: 15 Lunch: 14 Dinner: 15
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
  • Budapest
  • Vienna
  • Nuremberg
  • Rhine Gorge
  • Amsterdam Canal cruise

 

Images courtesy of Avalon Waterways and Globus Family of Brands 

AVW – WBA

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