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Cruise the Danube through beautiful Austria

Heart of the Danube

Westbound - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Avalon Artistry II
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This European river cruise through Hungary, Austria, and Germany begins in the Hungarian capital of Budapest and sail to Vienna—the “City of Music.” Visit famous tourist destinations such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria’s Wachau Valley, Benedictine Abbey of Melk, medieval sights in Regensburg, the notorious Nuremberg Rally Grounds and many more before concluding your Danube trip in Frankfurt. 
Admire beautiful evening lights of ViennaMelk Abbey, Lower AustriaSunset over PassauSunset over the red roofs of NurembergExplore the unique architecture of BambergCruise the Danube through beautiful Austria
Highlights
  • Experience Bavaria’s largest wine-producing area and taste their beer
  • Explore the beautiful Benedictine Abbey in Melk
  • Join a guided city sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square
  • Enjoy the guided tour and visit the Bishop’s Residenz
Activities
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Budapest, Hungary | Embark

Welcome to Hungary. Your suite ship is ready for boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections.

Day 2: Vienna

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a morning stretch with your Avalon adventure host.

Enjoy 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.

This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an optional excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

Day 3: Vienna

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Venture into 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 historic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Join a guided optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—a Habsburg Empire summer home for 300 years.

This afternoon, enjoy free time to take a tram to visit Austria’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also decide to borrow a bike from the ship to explore the streets and squares of Vienna or ride along the banks of the Danube at your leisure.

Day 4: Dürnstein

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle above the village during the Crusades, OR:

Active: Join a hike up to the castle ruins with your adventure host for a spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below.

Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.

MELK
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.

Day 5: Passau

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 6: Regensburg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided city walk and see the 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.

Day 7: Roth

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Discovery: 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.

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 choose a guided sightseeing tour of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle OR take a guided tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

Discovery: Later, indulge in a beer tasting on board.

Day 8: Nuremberg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Classic: Take a full-day guided tour of the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of German monarchs, along with the old and new Town Halls of Marienplatz.

Day 9: Bamberg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Enjoy free time this afternoon strolling through the city.

Discovery: Later, indulge in a beer tasting on board..

Day 10: Volkach

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a walking tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets.

During lunch enjoy a relaxing cruise to Kitzingen.

KITZINGEN
Classic: Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour and hear the legend of a Countess, a shepherd, and a monastery. Explore Bavaria’s largest wine-producing area.

Day 11: Würzburg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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

Active: Enjoy incredible views over the northern Bavaria city of Wurzburg on a hike up to mighty hilltop Marienberg Castle.

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. Alternatively, you may enjoy free time to take in the charm and culinary specialties of Würzburg.

Day 12: Main River

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided walking tour of a picturesque Bavarian village.

This afternoon relax on the Sky Deck while passing along the beautiful villages on the Main River shores.

Day 13: Frankfurt | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Frankfurt airport before 10 am.

Ship/Hotel

Avalon Artistry II

Avalon Artistry II Bar
Avalon Artistry II Panorama Lounge
Avalon Artistry II Club Lounge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Avalon Artistry II Deluxe Staterooms
Select a Date
Cat. E
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets, Extra blankets, Hairdryer, and Spacious 3-door closets.
Avalon Artistry II Deluxe Staterooms
Select a Date
Cat. D
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets, Extra blankets, Hairdryer, and Spacious 3-door closets.
Avalon Artistry II Panorama SuiteAvalon Artistry II Panorama Suite
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Cat. B
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Avalon Artistry II Panorama SuiteAvalon Artistry II Panorama Suite
Select a Date
Cat. A
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets
Avalon Artistry II Panorama SuiteAvalon Artistry II Panorama Suite
Select a Date
Cat. P
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Avalon Artistry II Royal Suite
Select a Date
Royal Suite
Royal Suite: 300 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds,Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, Marble countertops in bathroom, Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Luxurious mattress toppers, European-style duvets.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, maps, canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
  • Wifi
  • Complimentary fresh fruit available daily
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
  • Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
  • Panoramic windows
  • Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
  • Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or on board your vessel
  • Port Fees
  • Porterage
  • Passport or Visa fees

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
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