Overview
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 offerings of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the Danube redefines the rules of engagement.
Move. Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you: Sink your teeth into Count Dracula’s Visegrád prison tower on a hike to new heights. Paddle a canoe on an excursion through the picturesque Bend region. Pedal along the postcard-perfect Wachau Valley.
And be moved. Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you: See the ancient jousting skills of the St. George Knightly Order at Visegrád Castle. Experience inspiring and interactive culinary and cultural adventures with an insider’s tour of Vienna. Meet the Count of Clam at Austria’s 12th-century and beautifully preserved Clam Castle.
Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.
Start sooner with a one-night hotel stay in Budapest! Avalon Choice sightseeing is the perfect highlight of your stay. Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Danube.
A Journey That Changes with the Seasons. From the energy of summer to the softer rhythms of fall and spring, this iconic journey on the Danube reveals something special in every season. Depending on when you sail, you may explore Austria’s cherished farming traditions with a visit to a vineyard or apricot orchard to discover culinary customs passed down through generations. It’s the same iconic Danube – beautifully shaped by the season in which you experience it.
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.
This evening, enjoy a Hungarian Dinner on board and a scenic cruise through the Danube Bend.
EVENING CRUISE TO VISEGRÁD
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 papermakers produce their traditional items using age-old techniques.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
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 to Schönbrunn.
This evening, consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
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
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS
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: 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
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
Memories and Beer in the Making
- Active: Bike your way to a former 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: Join a guided visit to the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and marvel at its opulent high altar and enchanting frescoes. In this former Trappist monastery, sample cheese and locally produced Engelszeller Klosterbräu beer.
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
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am.
Life On Board
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Avalon features all the right inclusions which complement your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
River Cruise Reviews (2)
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.
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Avalon River Cruises (2027)
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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.
