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12 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Prague to Budapest 2026(WKBQ)
Illuminations on the Danube with 2 Nights in Prague
Starting from $4,545Ship(s): Avalon Expression, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Impression, Avalon Tranquility II
River Cruise Description
Your European vacation begins with two nights in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. Guided sightseeing shows you its best-known treasures. See the Astronomical Clock, Hrad?any Castle, and St. Vitus Cathedral. Regensburg is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Guided sightseeing will show you the Old Town Hall, the Porta Pretoria and many mansions with high towers denoting the status and wealth of their early owners. Transfer to Vilshofen where your Danube River cruise begins. Passau, Germany, the "City of Three Rivers" lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Explore the city with a Local Guide and admire the Patrician houses and baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral. In Linz, Austria, see the Hauptplatz, Austria's largest medieval square that forms the center of the city. Enjoy the magnificent views as your river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of Wachau Valley. Stops include Melk to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Krems. Vienna, the "City of Music," makes an immediate impression with its lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a guided walk takes you through the delightful Old Town and to the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. Sail to Esztergom for a visit to its Basilica and a Palinka tasting, then continue to Visegrad for a canoe excursion along the Danube river or a hike in the Danube-Ipoly National Park. In Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, see the must-see sights with a local expert. In your free time stroll along the main shopping street of Váci utca, or take pictures from Fisherman's Bastion, for the best panoramic views of Budapest. From the Golden City of Prague to the Pearl of the Danube in Budapest, your European river cruise is an experience not to be missed!Thanks for your interest!
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I'm sorry, but an error has occurred. Try Again| Departure Date | Ship | Priced From (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2026 | Avalon Impression | $4,545 | Call Us! |
| Jun 2, 2026 | Avalon Expression | $4,845 | Call Us! |
| Aug 1, 2026 | Avalon Tranquility II | $4,845 | Call Us! |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Avalon Illumination | $5,345 | Call Us! |
Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
- Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.
River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Welcome to the Golden City of Prague—Explore the City of 100 Spires
Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City and its surrounding countryside at your leisure.
Day 2 PRAGUE
Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Great Cuisine
Classic
Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock.
(B)
Day 3 REGENSBURG, GERMANY–VILSHOFEN (EMBARKATION)
Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle
After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to Regensburg.Classic
Join a Guided City Walk in Regensburg and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU
(B,D)
Day 4 PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
Active
Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail 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".
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ
(B,L,D)
Day 5 LINZ, AUSTRIA
Legendary and Lovely Linz
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
(B,L,D)
Day 6 MELK–WACHAU VALLEY
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.
KREMS
An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley
Classic
Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
(B,L,D)
Day 7 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte Viennese Waltzes 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
(B,L,D)
Day 8 VIENNA
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, OR:
Classic
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, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by the Military Museum, commemorating the past of the Habsburg Empire.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
(B,L,D)
Day 9 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.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 sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ESZTERGROM
(B,L,D)
Day 10 ESZTERGOM, HUNGARY
Mountains Views and Pàlinka
Active
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
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.
VISEGRÁD
Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s Tower
Active
Explore Hungary’s beautiful Danube-Ipoly National Park and 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
(B,L,D)
Day 11 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
War Heroes and Hot Water
Active
Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
(B,L,D)
Day 12 BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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