Take in the views your way on your European river cruise from the Danube Delta through the Balkans, Austria, and Germany. Embark from the “City of Three Rivers” in Passau, Austria, and visit the lovely city of Linz. Sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. You may choose to enjoy a wine tasting with a Wine World Experience to discover the secrets of winemaking and its history. Next, sail to Vienna—the City of Music—for a guided city tour of its landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Continue to Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube,” followed by the historic Hungarian towns of Mohács and Pécs. Cruise through remarkable landscapes of the Balkan states of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek, and attend a performance by students of the Franjo Kuhač music school. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, and visit Lepenski Vir to discover ancient archaeological finds and the amazing Danube Gorge before cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge. You’ll cruise through Bulgaria with guided sightseeing in Vidin, Rousse, Veliko Târnovo, and Arbanassi. Marvel at Belogradchik’s remarkable rock formations; ancient stone cliff houses above the Yantra River. Your cruise concludes in Oltenita. Drive to Bucharest for sightseeing, including the Royal Palace Square and Romanian soldier remembrances.
Continue your European vacation after your cruise with 2 nights in Brasov. Take a guided tour of the city by day, and a tour of Dracula’s Bran Castle by night. Visit Peles Castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Legends and legendary views fill your Balkan adventure!
Take in the views your way on your European river cruise from the Danube Delta through the Balkans, Austria, and Germany. Embark from the “City of Three Rivers” in Passau, Austria, and visit the lovely city of Linz. Sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. You may choose to enjoy a wine tasting with a Wine World Experience to discover the secrets of winemaking and its history. Next, sail to Vienna—the City of Music—for a guided city tour of its landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Continue to Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube,” followed by the historic Hungarian towns of Mohács and Pécs. Cruise through remarkable landscapes of the Balkan states of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek, and attend a performance by students of the Franjo Kuhač music school. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, and visit Lepenski Vir to discover ancient archaeological finds and the amazing Danube Gorge before cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge. You’ll cruise through Bulgaria with guided sightseeing in Vidin, Rousse, Veliko Târnovo, and Arbanassi. Marvel at Belogradchik’s remarkable rock formations; ancient stone cliff houses above the Yantra River. Your cruise concludes in Oltenita. Drive to Bucharest for sightseeing, including the Royal Palace Square and Romanian soldier remembrances.
Continue your European vacation after your cruise with 2 nights in Brasov. Take a guided tour of the city by day, and a tour of Dracula’s Bran Castle by night. Visit Peles Castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Legends and legendary views fill your Balkan adventure!
Save up to £2,500pp on 2020 cruises when you book before 21 February.
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Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are three types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
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.
EVENING CRUISE TO LINZ
Day 2 LINZ–MAUTHAUSEN, AUSTRIA
Fall in Love with Legendary Art, Music, and the Linzer Torte
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
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, OR:
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
Join a Guided Hike up to Mount Pöstlingberg to get an incredible bird’s-eye view of Linz and the mighty Danube River.
Enjoy a brief sailing to Mauthausen while having lunch.
You may choose to join an Optional Excursion to Mauthausen Concentration Camp.
Enjoy sailing on your way to Ybbs tonight. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN YBBS
Day 3 WACHAU VALLEY–KREMS
An Ancient Village and Wachau Valley Vintages
Relax on board this morning and enjoy the picturesque Wachau Valley scenery as you cruise to Krems.
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world, OR:
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting.
AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VIENNA
Day 4 VIENNA
A Feast for the Soul in Vienna
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Venture into the Habsburg empire with a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex — the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Optional tours today include a Guided Tour of magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence of Habsburg royalty. You may also choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
Alternatively, you can choose to spend your free time strolling through Kärtnerstrasse, the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna; stop in a local café to enjoy authentic Austrian confections of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
Day 5 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Classic and Contemporary—from Cathedrals to Castles
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and fantastic St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
Grab Nordic walking sticks and follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a Hike to Bratislava Castle.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
Day 6 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
Take free time to enjoy Budapest’s famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city’s cafés, pubs, and nightlife at your leisure.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS
Day 7 MOHÁCS
Archaeology, Architecture, and an Ancient Watermill
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill—one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Take a Guided Tour of nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You’ll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK
Day 8 OSIJEK, CROATIA
History and Culture of Croatia
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of the city of Osijek, located at the confluence of the Danube and Drava Rivers. Visit Tvrđa, the most well preserved fortress of Croatia, home of many educational institutions.
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Attend a musical concert performed by the talented young artists of the music school of Osijek at Franjo Kuhac.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
Day 9 BELGRADE, SERBIA
Fortresses and Folklore of Serbia Past and Present
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship before dinner.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC
Day 10 DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR— IRON GATES GORGE
Ancient Art, Archaeological Artifacts, and Gauntlet of the Iron Gates
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. For the most part, the fortress was a sort of “a border control” of the past and couple of time was a knot of conflicts between Serbia, Habsburg Monarchy and Ottoman Empire.
Enjoy a brief sailing to Donji Milanovac.
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir—an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
Day 11 VIDIN, BULGARIA
Rocks and Ruins—Things of Beauty in Bulgaria
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
Day 12 ROUSSE. EXCURSION TO VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI
Cliff Houses, Castle Ruins, Fortresses, and Folklore
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR:
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
Join a Jog through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
Day 13 OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST
Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest.
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
After the visit drive to Brasov for the night.
Day 14 BRASOV
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture.
In the evening depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore.
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location.
Day 15 BRASOV–SINAIA-BUCHAREST
A Night in Bucharest—the “Paris of the East.”
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle,— the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.
Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest and spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.
Day 16 BUCHAREST
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Start sooner, stay longer. Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.
