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 Krems. 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. Sail to Esztergom for a visit to its Basilica and a Palinka tasting, then continue to Visegrad for a canoe excursion along the Danube river or a hike in the Danube-Ipoly National Park. 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.

1. Day 1
   VILSHOFEN, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

   Thu, Sep 03, 2026

   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)
   
   
2. Day 2
   PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW

   Fri, Sep 04, 2026

   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 Schlögen Oxbow.
   
   Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
3. Day 3
   LINZ, AUSTRIA

   Sat, Sep 05, 2026

   Legendary and Lovely Linz
   
   Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
   
   ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along the Danube, OR:
   
   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 Pöstlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below.
   
   This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
   
   OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
4. Day 4
   MELK–WACHAU VALLEY

   Sun, Sep 06, 2026

   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.
   
   Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Krems.
   
   KREMS An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley
   
   ACTIVE Experience Wachau valley by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
   
   CLASSIC Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.
   
   OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
   
5. Day 5
   VIENNA, AUSTRIA

   Mon, Sep 07, 2026

   Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
   
   ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the famed Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues of Vienna to see the city’s highlights from a unique perspective, OR:
   
   DISCOVERY Take an Insider’s Tour of Vienna to get behind the scenes of her sights and attractions. You will meet locals, have the chance to prepare some food, and enjoy other surprises, OR:
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including a tour of Belvedere Palace to see Gustave Klimt’s renowned “Kiss” painting.
   
   Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse then take a break for a piece of Sachertorte. Or enjoy an optional excursion in Schönbrunn.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
6. Day 6
   VIENNA

   Tue, Sep 08, 2026

   Feast for the Soul
   
   DISCOVERY Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café, OR:
   
   CLASSIC Dive into one of the world’s most important museums with a Guided Tour of the Habsburg family’s private art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and enjoy Italian or Dutch master works.
   
   This evening consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
   
   OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
7. Day 7
   BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

   Wed, Sep 09, 2026

   Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
   
   Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
   
   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.
   
   Enjoy free time to discover on your own Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city center.
   
   Later, relax on board with live entertainment.
   
   OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ESZTERGROM
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
8. Day 8
   ESZTERGOM, HUNGARY

   Thu, Sep 10, 2026

   Mountains Views and Pàlinka
   
   ACTIVE Take an E-bike Guided Tour and explore the surroundings of the Pilis Mountains Region. Enjoy the view from the lockout point at Dobogókő, OR:
   
   CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour into the scenic Carpathian Basin for a visit of the ancient Esztergom Basilica that includes the traditional Pàlinka tasting in its impressive cellar.
   
   Enjoy a brief cruise to Visegrad during lunchtime.
   
   VISEGRÁD
   
   Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s Tower
   
   ACTIVE Explore Hungary’s beautiful Danube-Ipoly National Park and visit Count Dracula’s prison tower on a Hiking Tour, OR:
   
   ACTIVE Take part in a Canoe Excursion through the picturesque Bend Region of the Danube for a truly unique perspective of one of the river’s most beautiful stretches, OR:
   
   DISCOVERY Join a Guided Visit to the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrád’s Lower Castle, featuring targeting and fighting demonstrations by members of the St. George Knightly Order.
   
   Spend free time after your selected activities to explore Palotaház, where stonemasons, smiths, potters, and paper-makers produce their traditional items using age-old techniques.
   
   This evening, enjoy a sailing into Budapest and magnificent views of the beautiful Parliament Building.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
   
   
9. Day 9
   BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

   Fri, Sep 11, 2026

   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 cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
10. Day 10
    BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

    Sat, Sep 12, 2026

    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
    
    (B)