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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.
- Day 1VILSHOFEN, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)Wed, May 19, 2027Welcome 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 2PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOWThu, May 20, 2027Where 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)
- Day 3LINZ, AUSTRIAFri, May 21, 2027Legendary and Lovely LinzVisit 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. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK(B,L,D)
- Day 4MELK–WACHAU VALLEYSat, May 22, 2027Frescoes 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 ValleyACTIVE 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.This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA(B,L,D)
- Day 5VIENNA, AUSTRIASun, May 23, 2027Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte Viennese Waltzes on the Blue DanubeACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by Bike with your Adventure Host, 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)
- Day 6VIENNAMon, May 24, 2027Feast for the SoulDISCOVERY Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café.Spend free time to explore the city on your own. You might take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.This evening consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA(B,L,D)
- Day 7BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIATue, May 25, 2027Cathedral 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)
- Day 8ESZTERGOM, HUNGARYWed, May 26, 2027Mountains Views and PàlinkaACTIVE 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 TowerACTIVE 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)
- Day 9BUDAPEST, HUNGARYThu, May 27, 2027War Heroes and Hot WaterACTIVE 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)
- Day 10BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)Fri, May 28, 2027Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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Inclusions
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
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Ship Information
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This was my fourth river cruise with Avalon, and I love everything about them! The ships, the rooms, the staff, the food - all excellent. The staterooms have every imaginable convenience. The variety and quality of the meals are top notch. The staff was incredibly helpful and cheerful, and they are welcoming to solo travelers, like myself. I would happily book a fifth European cruise with them, until I run out of rivers!
Had a wonderful time. Everything was to our expectations and more. Will do it again.
Avalon had all details worked out, never felt confused or unsure of the daily activities. Worry free vacation
Our Cruise Director Yony was fabulous our waiter/waitress
all was great
Nina was just terrific, very informed about traveling with tips to help novice travelers. Any questions we had she answered promptly, found all the discounts she could which made the tip more affordable for us. I would highly recommend her as we are going to use her to book again for our next adventure.
Overall a great trip since my wife and I did a lot of things on our own with the Captain's blessing like riding bikes along the Danube and meeting the boat at the next port. If you are looking for an active trip with lots to do, Avalon's Active Discovery cruise would be for you.
We were very pleased with everything. Only one area that was somewhat disappointing. Our train ride for our extended days in Paris. There were four couples, eight people. We all had first class tickets and two couples, four people were in one car and were offered two meals; breakfast, lunch and drinks. Two couples, four people (us in our car) were not offered any food. So upon arrival two couples were able to start touring immediately. We had to find something to eat first at our own expense.
Sailing with Avalon was fantastic. The ship was really nice - like new even thou it was 4 years old, The food and drinks provided were gourmet cuisine. The tour director Monica was wonderful- extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The crew was great - so friendly and bent over backwards to serve us with a smile. Avalon did a great job getting people to feel comfortable and interact with each other. We all felt like good friends at the end of the trip. The included tours were excellent - led by knowledgeable persons native to the countries who shared much local history. Since the Danube was low we were unable to start our cruise in Nuremburg as planned, but Avalon took us all at no additional cost to a great classical concert in Vienna which was an optional excursion previously. The optional excursions were also excellent - a good variety led by knowledgeable locals who really wanted to share with us everything they could to help us understand the history as well as the present day political and economic situations in these various countries. I admit the great weather may have helped our overall great experience, but I cannot say enough good things about traveling with Avalon. I would definitely recommend them to friends and would love to travel with them again soon.
Best experience ever! From booking to traveling, just what was expected.
Avalon provides great service, excellent meals and a beautiful ship to travel on.
Everything was well done - including late breakfast!
The cruise director was was excellent. The entire staff on the Avalon Impression was amazing!
These Avalon guys are great! Food, accommodations, people - hard to find fault with anything. We saved quite a bit by booking an early season cruise and could see why. The weather was okay, but not great, and the flowers in The Netherlands were a little short of their peak.
Avalon continues to provide a superior class service for the price. Our river cruise boat had a large cabin with ample space, and a bathroom big enough that two people could use it at the same time when getting ready. The personal service by not only the cruise director, but all the staff on board, was excellent. I would not hesitate to use Avalon in the future.
The hotel in Prague was not near the city center, requiring a subway ride to get to the historic area. The hotel was very nice, but staying in the historic area has benefits. Also the choice of restaurants at the hotel we stayed at were limited.
Absolutely a wonderful trip! The Capitals of Europe River Cruise was excellent, and we added Berlin to our experience. I would recommend Avalon Waterways as the "only" way to travel down the Danube. We are looking forward to another River Cruise in the future!
Everything was great with the exception of the last part of the trip, we were supposed to be staying at the intercontinental hotel in Prague and to our surprise we were at the Hilton and we had extended our time in Prague and had to switch hotels. Other than that it was a great trip!
Staff on the boat were great ! We had a serious problem with luggage on the trip. No luggage for 4 days. The staff helped in any way they could. Because of Easter we were unable to shop for anything and they washed clothes for free and gave us some badly needed toilet articles.
Great service. All done quickly & efficiently. Great cruise. Great price