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£2,462pp

Prices shown exclude flights and transfers

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Overview

What entices you most about a river cruise through Central Europe? Does visiting historical sites pique your interest? How about architecture preserved from the 14th century or cities virtually untouched since Roman times? Maybe it’s walking down narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses or enjoying Germany’s famous beers? From Prague to vibrant Budapest, this Danube river cruise vacation takes you to four countries. Sail through a winter wonderland and revel in the Advent season as each town is festively lit and decorated, and Christmas markets selling traditional wares, abound.

Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany after 2 nights in Prague, and visit this thousand-year-old city with a Local Guide. The Christmas market is one of Europe’s oldest—be sure to try the traditional gingerbread for which the city is famous. Next, reach Regensburg—the only German city not bombed during WWII. Here, you’ll taste some of Germany’s famous beers and sausages. Next stop is Passau, known for its narrow wind-ing streets lined with patrician houses, and the magnificent Italian baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which forms a perfect backdrop for the delightful Christkindlmarkt. In Melk, visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Ab-bey, and enjoy a traditional Austrian cookie tasting as you cruise through the wintry Wachau Valley to roman-tic Vienna. Here, where Christmas markets are scattered around the city, you may opt for a culinary walk through the markets to taste some of the local traditional specialties. Your European river cruise vacation ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore one more Christ-mas market and buy last-minute gifts.

Book your cruise with or without flights

Cruise prices are shown without flights included in case you wish to book them separately, or aren't ready to return home when you disembark! Or we can book your flights for you from most UK airports, with overseas transfers and ATOL protection included. The choice is yours!

Book your cruise with or without flights

Itinerary

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:

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.

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.

Classic

<p>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.</p>

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.

Day 1 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Welcome to the Golden City of Prague—Explore the City of 100 Spires
Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City and its surrounding countryside. Consider sampling delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River.

Day 2 PRAGUE

Meals included:
Breakfast

Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Great Cuisine

Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock.

Take time to mingle with the locals, watch street performers in Wenceslas Square, or browse the market stalls at Charles Bridge.

Day 3 PRAGUE–NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

The Secret Romance of Picturesque Prague
The morning is free to explore Prague on your own to enjoy the stunning architectural beauty of the city.
This afternoon, board your Suite Ship® in Nuremberg and enjoy a dinner on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

Day 4 NUREMBERG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Living Heritage and History Lessons

Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:

Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner while sailing to Regensburg

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

Day 5 REGENSBURG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Magical Regensburg—Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning

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.

Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

Day 6 PASSAU

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Go for Baroque in Passau–Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

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 and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas. Sail to Linz this afternoon, or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion.

LINZ, AUSTRIA

The Linzer Torte and a Legendary Love of Art and Music
Enjoy a free afternoon to linger in Linz. Take a chance to get off your feet and warm up in one of the many pastry shops and cafés.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

Day 7 MELK–WACHAU VALLEY

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Striking Frescoes and Breathtaking Views of the Wachau Valley

Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

Enjoy an Austrian Cookies Tasting while sailing to Vienna.

During lunchtime sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Vienna.

VIENNA

Vienna Waltzes and the Beautiful Blue Danube
This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

Day 8 VIENNA

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Royal Collections, Amusing Attractions, and Culinary Confections

Venture into the Habsburg empire on 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, OR:

Join a Guided Culinary Tour of Vienna’s magical Christmas Advent Markets to sample Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—a Habsburg Empire summer home for 300 years.
Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening.
Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

Day 9 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe

Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, and don’t miss the unique Christmas markets that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

Day 10 BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Questions? Our travel specialists can help with any queries, quotes or special requirements. Request a callback or email us.

Notes

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.
Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.

Start sooner, stay longer

Start sooner, stay longer. Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.

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Festive Season on The Legendary Danube with 2 Nights in Prague