Overview
Guided sightseeing in Vidin is followed by a guided tour of Belogradchik, with its ancient fortress and tremendous rock formations on the Balkan Mountains. After cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge, visit Lepenski Vir for a guided tour with ancient archaeological read more finds. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, including one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, and see the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek. You’ll also attend a stirring performance by young students of the Franjo Kuhač music school. Tour the historic town of Pécs before sightseeing in the Hungarian capital of Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube.” You’ll take a guided walk through Bratislava, Slovakia before cruising to Vienna—the “City of Music.”
Enjoy guided sightseeing in Vienna’s historic Habsburg Empire—including the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit delightful Dürnstein and Melk—charming towns in the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley. Take a guided tour and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart in Dürnstein, and tour the magnificent Benedictine Abbey high above Melk. Visit Austria’s lovely city of Linz with a tour of the city’s historic sites, then pass through the horseshoe bend of the Danube—the beautiful Schlögen Oxbow—on your way to Passau. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Germany’s “City of Three Rivers before cruising to Vilshofen, Germany, for the conclusion of your Danube River cruise.
Itinerary
Your Balkan Adventure Begins
Flights into Bucharest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Explore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna”
- Active: Join a bike tour in Rousse with your Avalon Adventure Host, 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, 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, as well as Bulgarian revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi.
Sail to Svistov or join your ship there if you opted for the full-day tour.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
Rocks, Ruins, and Balkan Beauty
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
- Active: Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour to Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature's elements. Then, visit the mighty Baba Vida Fortress in nearby Vidin.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
Before lunch on board, you'll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir—an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge. Continue to the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
Fortresses and Folklore
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- 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 sites, including Saint Sava—one of the world's largest Orthodox churches.
You may choose to spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.
- Discovery: Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD
A Capital of Culture.
- 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 walking tour in Novi Sad along the narrow streets that climb slowly to the top of the hill above the city to Petrovaradin Fortress, OR:
- Discovery: Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK
Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages.
- Discovery: Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar with stories of Croatian tradition.
Enjoy a short sailing to Vukovar during lunchtime. VUKOVAR, CROATIA The Heroic Town on the Danube.
- Classic: Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS
Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music.
- Classic: Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill—one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You'll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
Hungary's Captivating Capital
- 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
The Pearl of the Danube.
- Active: Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host.
Alternatively, take a free day to explore, with time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest's famous thermal bath spas, then dine in a garden or rooftop eatery.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle.
- Active: Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the site of royal coronations at fantastic St. Martin's Cathedral.
This afternoon, enjoy free time to discover on your own Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city center. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte.
- 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—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the former imperial summer home of the Habsburg monarchy. Spend free time strolling in the Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna or take a bike ride to a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN
A King's Ransom and Castle Ruins.
- Active: Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.
Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Ybbs.
- Active: Alternatively join your Adventure Host for a bike along the river.
YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below.
- Discovery: Enjoy sweet interactive experiences and tastings of local Austrian products as you visit a pastry - baking workshop and an Austrian bee farm, OR:
- Classic: Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ
Legendary, Lovely Linz.
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
- Classic: Take a Guided Walk through the city's historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria's largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.
- Active: Experience Danube's cycle path, follow your Adventure Host for a bike ride around the area of Linz.
Alternatively, consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg - the city of Mozart - or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet.
This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river.
- Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”
Before sailing to Vilshofen, take a little free time to explore Passau's cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists' Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen's Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal. Enjoy a short sailing to Vilshofen.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VILSHOFEN
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am.
Life On Board
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.
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 compliment 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
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Avalon River Cruises (2026)
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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.
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