Illuminations on the Danube (Eastbound)

Arrive in Germany. Board the Suite Ship in Munich. Flights should arrive by 2 pm. All guests must be on board by 5 pm. After boarding, take time to explore the ship and have dinner on the first evening.

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

Active Excursion
Hike from Oberhaus down to the valley and along the Ilz River with an Avalon Adventure Host.

Classic Excursion
Take a guided city walk to learn about the “City of Three Rivers.”

Before sailing to Linz, there is free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and Artists’ Alley, or visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral to hear a concert rehearsal.

In the afternoon, cruise to Linz through the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow.

Evening entertainment is available on board.

Legendary and Lovely Linz

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

Active Excursion
Experience Danube's cycle path, follow your Adventure Host for a bike ride around the area of Linz, OR:

Classic Excursion
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.

Consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart, or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.

You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Pöstlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below.

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

• Classic Excursion- Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Krems.

Krems
An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley

• Active Excursion- Experience Wachau valley by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic Excursion- Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

• Active Excursion- 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 Excursion- 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 Excursion- 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.

Overnight docking in Vienna

Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Schönbrunn Palace, Cultural Gem of Austria
Visit magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former summer residence of the Habsburg imperial family.
3h 30m

Hit the Trail Hike: Cobenzl & Heurigen Dinner
Enjoy a scenic guided hike and a traditional dinner at a Heurigen wine tavern, with music, entertainment, and wine from the latest harvest!
4h 0m
 

Feast for the Soul

• Discovery Excursion- Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café, OR:
• Classic Excursion- 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.

This evening consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
Overnight cruise to Bratislava

Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Classical Concert
Enjoy a spellbinding evening of classical works by Mozart and Johann Strauss, performed brilliantly by professional Salon Orchestra Alt-Wien musicians in one of Europe's prettiest venues.
2h 45m

Austrian Chef for a Day: Viennese Specialties
Join an expert chef and learn how to create a lunch of authentic Viennese specialties, then savor the delicious final product afterward!
3h 0m

Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

• Active Excursion- Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:
• Classic Excursion

Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral.

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.

Later, relax on board with live entertainment.

Mountains Views and Pàlinka

• Active Excursion- Take an E-bike Guided Tour and explore the surroundings of the Pilis Mountains Region. Enjoy the view from the lockout point at Dobogókő, OR:
• Classic Excursion- Join a Guided Tour into the scenic Carpathian Basin for a visit of the ancient Esztergom Basilica that includes the traditional Pàlinka tasting in its impressive cellar.

Enjoy a brief cruise to Visegrad during lunchtime.

Visegrad
Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s Tower

• Active Excursion- Explore Hungary’s beautiful Danube-Ipoly National Park and visit Count Dracula’s prison tower on a Hiking Tour, OR:
• Active Excursion- 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 Excursion- 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.

This evening, enjoy a sailing into Budapest and magnificent views of the beautiful Parliament Building.

War Heroes and Hot Water

• Active Excursion- Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic Excursion- Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

This afternoon, choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying some free time 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.

Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Bites & Highlights of Budapest
Experience some of Budapest's most famous sights and most delectable foods on this unique guided foodie tour!
3h 30m

Art & Architecture of Budapest
Travel back to the Golden Age of Budapest's Belle Époque on this captivating guided excursion featuring Andrássy Avenue where you will visit the crown jewel of Budapest: the incomparable Hungarian State Opera House!
3h 0m

Wine Tasting in the Hungarian Countryside
Travel into the beautiful Hungarian countryside for an enriching half-day discovery of the Etyek wine region, including two wine cellar visits with wine tasting.
3h 15m

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.