Home > All River Cruises > Europe River Cruises > Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)

Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)

9 Days Budapest to Vilshofen
Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)
Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)
Active & Discovery on the Danube with Budapest (Westbound)

Overview

Avalon
Cruise Operated By:
 (494) Reviews Total No. of River Cruises 168
Why dip your toes in the Danube when you can explore and adore its landmarks, legends, customs and cuisine in the most interactive ways? Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises on the Danube invite dreamers and doers to activate their curiosities. To look closer, dive deeper, and forage further into the hamlets and hills of Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

Uncover ancient traditions and local flavors in immersive ways. Enjoy leisurely sightseeing or on-your-own discoveries. Whether you walk through winding alleyways, hike to a castle, bike to a palace or row to your own sanctuary of scenery, our read more diverse offering of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the Danube redefines the rules of engagement.
Save 34%
Our Price From
A$5,092 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $2,639 per person
Check Availability
Trip Length
Trip Length

9 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Budapest

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Vilshofen

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Countries Visited
Rivers Sailed:
Cruise Ship
Cruise Ship
Avalon Illumination+2
Trip Reviews
2 Trip Reviews
Avg. Rating: 5/5
Passengers
Passengers

166

Crew
Crew

47

Ship Launch
Launched

2014

Cruise Code
Cruise Code

WBLQ

Itinerary

Welcome to Budapest—Hungary's Captivating Capital.

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe's shining city on the Danube.

The Pearl of the Danube.

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
  • Active: See the sights from a different perspective by joining a Guided Bike Tour along the bike paths and pedestrian areas of the city, OR:
  • Discovery: Join a local Hungarian for an unforgettable introduction to the local people, places, and experiences that makes Budapest so special, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Budapest to see the city's most iconic sites.
Spend free time shopping for Hungarian paprika or handcrafted souvenirs, or savor a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafés. Enjoy a Hungarian Dinner on board during a scenic cruise through the Danube Bend.

EVENING CRUISE TO VISEGRÁD

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Jousting Tournaments and Dracula's Tower.

  • Active: 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.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte 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. This evening, consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A 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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pedals and Paddles in Austria's Wine Country.

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
  • Active: Paddle a canoe on a Guided Tour to see the Austrian waterways and shoreline scenery from a unique perspective, OR:
  • Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour from Krems to Spitz, and enjoy a stop in Dürnstein to see the mesmerizing blue Stiftskirche, and to sample local specialties, OR:
  • Discovery: Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR:
  • Discovery: Enjoy a Guided Visit to a vineyard or apricot orchard to try your hand at harvesting practices and preparing local specialties.
  • Discovery: As we sail through the scenic waters, join an authentic Austrian experience with a live cooking demonstration of the iconic Mozart Balls.
Relax on board this afternoon to enjoy the picturesque Wachau Valley scenery as you cruise to Grein. GREIN: A Modern-Day Castle and the Count

  • Discovery: See Burg Clam on a Guided Visit, and meet the Count of Clam during your tour.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GREIN

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Theater History... Alive and Well in Grein.

  • Classic: Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.
Take a mid-morning cruise to Mauthausen. MAUTHAUSEN: History Lessons and Monastic Life
  • Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour along the Danube and discover how fertile this area is. Stop at a local farm and learn more about farming life and flood protection, OR:
  • Classic: Visit the 9th-century St. Florian Monastery—the largest monastery in upper Austria and home to Augustine monks, OR:
  • Classic: Join a sobering Guided Tour of Mauthausen Memorial, one of the largest and most brutal Nazi camp of WWII.
This afternoon sail to Linz arriving this evening. LINZ: Legendary, Lovely Linz. Tonight, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ENGELHARTSZELL

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Memories and Beer in the Making

  • Active: Bike your way to a local Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell and follow the Danube along the riverbank, OR:
  • Discovery: Join a Guided Tour to a cider cellar where an expert sommelier will reveal the secrets of Upper Austria's beloved ciders, OR:
  • Classic: Visit the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and explore its Sensory Garden—complete with stone labyrinth, herb garden, and vineyard. Sample cheese and beer made by the resident Trappist monks.
Relax on the Sky Deck this afternoon while you sail through the amazing horseshoe bend of the Danube's Schlögen Oxbow on your way to Vilshofen.
  • Active: This afternoon, enjoy a scenic Guided Hike along the Danube's Schlögen Oxbow, a dramatic bend carved by centuries.

EVENING CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Life On Board

Avalon
 (494) Reviews
Total No. of River Cruises 168
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities more that help you tailor your experience.

Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Avalon Illumination
Avalon Illumination

Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more

Our Vision. Your View.
Our Vision. Your View.

With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more

Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Exclusive Meets Inclusive

Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more

Avalon Choice
Avalon Choice

Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more

Active & Discovery
Active & Discovery

Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more

From View to Table
From View to Table

Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more

River Cruise Reviews (2)

Avalon River Cruises Reviews
Reviews 2 Reviews
Average Rating 5 out of 5
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Best Vacation EVER   1 , IL, United States, Aug 2025
Perfect from start to finish. Globus covered all the details needed to start this fantastic journey. Avalon picked up right with Globus finished up. Our trip was perfect from the moment we met our transfer ride at the airport, to meeting our cruise director Carlos at the hotel, to getting on the boat and all the excursions. Everything was planned read more so well - even when our schedule had to be changed due to water levels on the Danube River. The excursions were fantastic, but the best part of the trip were the friendships we made. It was a sad to say good bye to our new friends the last evening aboard. Looking forward to working with Global Journeys on our next adventure.
The very best sailing the Danube 3 , New Zealand, Jul 2024
Avalon were exceptional. Our cabin on the top floor and closer to front is important as too near the back is more noisy and fumes.
Our biggest disappointment was that we were totally unaware that the first day we were staying at a hotel and not on the boat. Also there was available an additional staying after in Prague which again we were not aware of.
Play Youtube Video

Download Brochure

Avalon River Cruises (2026) Brochure

Avalon River Cruises (2026)

At Avalon, we are redefining river cruising by charting a different course than the big ships - no crowded tourist ports
or rushed schedules, just immersive journeys that keep you in the heart of each destination. Our modern Suite Ships sail
the world’s legendary rivers and waterways, placing you just steps from vibrant cities, charming villages, more and breathtaking scenery. Wake to Vienna at your doorstep, watch Budapest sparkle at night, or take in 360-degree views of the Rhine Gorge and Wachau Valley from the Sky Deck. Cycle through Cologne or Paris, savour fine cuisine in Lyon, or sample sweets in Linz, then retreat to your spacious suite without missing a moment.

From Southeast Asia and Egypt to the Amazon and Galápagos, Avalon offers a front-row seat to the world’s most extraordinary places—all while unpacking once. Backed by nearly a century of Swiss heritage, we infuse precision, care, and timeless craftsmanship into every journey. Welcome aboard the wideopen wonder of Avalon. Your journey begins here.

Dates & Pricing AUD AUD

Welcome Back Credit

Travelled with Avalon before? We'll automatically apply any travel credits to your booking.

GJ Loyalty Discount

Save even more if you're a past client of Global Journeys!

Cabin Layout Options:

Select Cabin Preference:

From $5,092
From $7,225
From $8,971
Friday 26 Jun 2026 26 Jun 26 Budapest
Saturday 04 Jul 2026 04 Jul 26 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Illumination
Exclusive Savings
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Monday 06 Jul 2026 06 Jul 26 Budapest
Tuesday 14 Jul 2026 14 Jul 26 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Impression
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$5,092
Save $2,639
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Monday 14 Sep 2026 14 Sep 26 Budapest
Tuesday 22 Sep 2026 22 Sep 26 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Impression
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$7,469
Save $1,062
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday 03 Oct 2026 03 Oct 26 Budapest
Sunday 11 Oct 2026 11 Oct 26 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Expression
Exclusive Savings
River View
Sold Out
Unavailable
Sold Out
Tuesday 27 Apr 2027 27 Apr 27 Budapest
Wednesday 05 May 2027 05 May 27 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Impression
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$6,036
Save $1,567
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Tuesday 11 May 2027 11 May 27 Budapest
Wednesday 19 May 2027 19 May 27 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Impression
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$6,327
Save $1,576
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Monday 31 May 2027 31 May 27 Budapest
Tuesday 08 Jun 2027 08 Jun 27 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Illumination
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$6,836
Save $1,067
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Tuesday 06 Jul 2027 06 Jul 27 Budapest
Wednesday 14 Jul 2027 14 Jul 27 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Impression
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$5,163
Save $2,240
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday 04 Sep 2027 04 Sep 27 Budapest
Sunday 12 Sep 2027 12 Sep 27 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Illumination
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$7,054
Save $1,249
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday 18 Sep 2027 18 Sep 27 Budapest
Sunday 26 Sep 2027 26 Sep 27 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Illumination
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$7,054
Save $1,249
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Wednesday 06 Oct 2027 06 Oct 27 Budapest
Thursday 14 Oct 2027 14 Oct 27 Vilshofen
Details
Avalon Expression
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$6,715
Save $1,588
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

Similar River Cruises

10 Day Danube Dreams with Prague (Eastbound) (Avalon)

10 Days Prague Budapest

Operated By: Avalon

From 5,005
Save 2,669
8 Day Paris to Normandy (Avalon)

8 Days Paris Paris

Operated By: Avalon

From 4,232
Save 2,655
10 Day Christmastime from Nuremberg to Basel (Avalon)

10 Days Nuremberg Basel

Operated By: Avalon

From 9,708
Save 976
10 Day Burgundy & Provence with Paris (Southbound) (Avalon)

10 Days Paris Arles

Operated By: Avalon

From 7,349
Save 2,718