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16 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Basel to Budapest 2025(WZB)
River Cruise Description
Your breathtaking river cruise begins on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland. You'll sail to Breisach, your starting point for a Black Forest excursion, and to the city of Strasbourg, France, along the way. Sail to Rüdesheim and through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. The modern and charming city of Frankfurt is also on your route along the Rhine, and you'll sail on the Main River to visit an authentic village. Visit Würzburg, and take a guided tour of Bamberg, before reaching Nuremberg, from where you will take a full-day excursion to Munich. Sail from Nuremberg to Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Cruise next to Passau, with its narrow streets and baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral. In Melk, you will visit Austria's majestic Benedictine Abbey. Take in the breathtaking views before continuing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to the romantic sights of Vienna, the "City of Music." Your European river cruise ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore this vibrant city on your own.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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2025 | Avalon Tranquility II | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| Oct 7, 2025 Beer Lovers(WZB-T1) For beer enthusiasts, a knowledgeable Beer Expert joins your cruise to host lectures, beer tasting, and food-and-beer-pairings for an authentic Holland and Belgium River cruise experience. | Avalon Imagery II | Waitlist | 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 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board as you sail to Breisach.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
(D)
Day 2 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR: Classic
Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
(B,L,D)
Day 3 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.Classic
Join a City Tour of Strasbourg’s sights, including Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 4 RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY–RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
Active
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
Discovery
Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:
Active
Take an open-air Cable Car Ride to the Niederwald Monument, then ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.
BOPPARD
A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge
Enjoy some free time to relax, or explore the Rheinallee Promenade for delicatessen fare with a cup of German coffee or glass of Riesling wine. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment while sailing to Frankfurt.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
(B,L,D)
Day 5 FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT
Charm in Frankfurt
Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods, OR:
Discovery
Take a Guided Tour to Seligenstadt—one of Germany’s oldest towns and home to the Einhard Basilika—dubbed “minor basilica” in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
(B,L,D)
Day 6 MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
Beauty on the Main River
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. Classic
Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
(B,L,D)
Day 7 WÜRZBURG
A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road
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.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
(B,L,D)
Day 8 BAMBERG
The City of Seven Hills
Classic
Take a Guided Walking Tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
(B,L,D)
Day 9 NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH
A King’s Palace and Town Halls
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
(B,D)
Day 10 NUREMBERG
Legends and History Lessons
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.Active
Start your day with a bike ride together with your Adventure Host around the port area of Nuremberg, 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 Tour of Nuremberg’s 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 Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
(B,L,D)
Day 11 REGENSBURG
Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU
(B,L,D)
Day 12 PASSAU
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
Classic
Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”
LINZ, AUSTRIA
Legendary, Lovely Linz
Enjoy a free afternoon to linger in Linz. Take a bicycle from the ship and cycle along the Danube, or follow one of Linz’s many nature trails for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below.Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
(B,L,D)
Day 13 MELK–WACHAU VALLEY
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
Active
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk’s beautiful countryside, 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.
VIENNA
Viennese Waltzes on the Blue DanubeThis evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
(B,L,D)
Day 14 VIENNA
Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions
Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activitiesActive
Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, 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, OR:CLASSIC After a short walk of Vienna, join a Guided Visit of Austria’s largest museum, the legendary Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts).
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
(B,L,D)
Day 15 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 16 BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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