Iconic Rivers of Europe - the Rhine, Main & Danube with Bucharest and Transylvania

Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Spend free time exploring the colorful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam—with its many cafés and art galleries.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam.

• Classic: Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
• Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's “Golden Age.”

This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland.

Join your Adventure Host for today's special 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.

Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country.

En route to Rüdesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors.

• Active: Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
• Classic: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:
• Discovery: Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden - barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.

Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG

Beauty on the Main River

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

• Active: Enjoy a Bike Tour with your Adventure Host to explore this charming medieval town and surrounding area, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half - timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG

A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road.

• Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco.

Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery. This evening, enjoy on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WÜRZBURG

Storybook Settings

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. Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity.

• 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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO 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.

Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH

Legends and History Lessons.

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

• Active: Join your Adventure Host for a walk to discover the surrounding neighboring, OR:
• 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.
• Classic: 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.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO 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. Alternatively, spend free time exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet.

• Active: Join 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.”

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. Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz. LINZ, AUSTRIA Legendary, Lovely Linz. This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

• Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a walk along the Danube River and around Melk, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk's Benedictine Abbey.

Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon. VIENNA: Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube. Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

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.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg family. Consider a tram ride to Vienna's Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

The Pearl of the Danube

This morning, while sailing into Budapest, enjoy beautiful views of the city from the Sky Deck.

• Active: Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, 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 cafés. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

Time to Capture Photographs, Coffee, and Confections.

Take free time to shop in the Great Market Hall, take photos on the Royal Palace grounds, or visit Budapest's famous thermal bath spas.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR

History and Beer.

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

• Discovery: Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.

Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard. ILOK, CROATIA History and Culture in Croatia.

• Classic: Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR:
• Active: Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok's city walls, into the central church, and the towns' museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NOVI SAD

The Athens of Serbia.

• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.
• Active: Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:
• Discovery: Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping at the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE

Fortresses and Folklore.

• Active: Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: 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: 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. This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ

Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates.

• Classic: Visit the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You'll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire. Continue to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views 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

Rocks, Ruins, and Balkan Beauty.

• Active: Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:
• Classic: Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, 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, OR:
• Discovery: Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you'll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE

Fortresses and Folklore.

• Active: Explore the old town in Rousse old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: 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: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church. Later, enjoy a short scenic drive to explore the rock - hewn churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA

Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest.

• Classic: 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.

Transylvania Tales.

• Classic: 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: Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location.

The “Paris of the East.”

• Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle, the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.

Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest; On the way, enjoy a local lunch. 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.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.