In Melk, visit majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, and enjoy a tasting of some of the Wachau Valley’s famous Austrian wines. Take a guided walk through Passau, with its narrow streets and beautiful Patrician houses. Further up the Danube River, you’ll arrive at the medieval walls of Regensburg—the only German city not bombed during WWII. Your last stop is the thousand-year-old city of Nuremberg, where you’ll marvel at the medieval fortifications, extraordinary Gothic churches, and the Imperial Castle. Your Danube River cruise concludes in Nuremberg.
One Legendary Route. Seasonal Ways to Enjoy It. 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 can join a seasonal cooking class to prepare fresh spring or summer dishes using locally inspired ingredients. It’s the same Blue 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 in the Heart of Europe
- Classic: 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 or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.
Time for Coffee and Confections.
With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest's famous thermal bath spas, then lunch in a garden or rooftop eatery before boarding your Suite Ship®
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
Vienna Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
Enjoy a relaxing day on board sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view.
Arrive this evening in Vienna, where you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions
- Active: Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR;
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided Visit to House of Strauss and embark on an interactive journey through Vienna's illustrious past at an immersive audio - visual experience. After the tour, enjoy a coffee and homemade cake, OR:
- Classic: Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a 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.
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire.
Enjoy free time this afternoon to take a tram to visit Vienna's Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from the ship to explore Vienna's square or the banks of the Danube.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS
An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley.
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: Experience Wachau valley by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Discovery: Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR:
- Classic: Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.
Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.
MELK: Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below.
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
- Discovery: Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking 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.”
Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
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Bavaria's Medieval Miracle.
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Explore Regensburg's rich Jewish history with a guided tour of the Old Jewish Quarter, synagogue, and museum, uncovering centuries of culture, resilience, and heritage in this UNESCO city, 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 a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH
Legends and History Lessons.
- 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.
- Active: Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, 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 Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
- Discovery: Enjoy an onboard beer tasting.
EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
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 (1)
The food was excellent and we really enjoyed just sitting on the deck or in the cabin, and taking in the beautiful sites as we sailed along the Danube. We are not cruise junkies, but this exceeded our expectations and if we do take another trip, it will certainly be with Avalon.
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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.
