River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 DEGGENDORF, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Munich must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Explore your ship and enjoy dinner on your first evening onboard.
EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU
(D)
Day 2 PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW
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.
Before sailing to Linz, 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.
This afternoon, cruise to Linz through the Danube’s dramatic horseshoe bend called Schlögen Oxbow.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ
(B,L,D)
Day 3 LINZ, AUSTRIA
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.
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO YBBS
(B,L,D)
Day 4 YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK–WACHAU VALLEY
Classic
Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Admire the fine architecture of the Babenberger and its romantic old town, 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.
Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Dürnstein.
DÜRNSTEIN
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:
CLAS SIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
(B,L,D)
Day 5 VIENNA
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-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the grand historic 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 pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna. Take a bike ride through the city and stop in 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 DOCKING IN VIENNA
(B,L,D)
Day 6 HAINBURG, AUSTRIA
Enjoy some free time in the village of Hainburg or take a Guided Optional Excursion to discover the natural beauties of this area.
During lunchtime, enjoy a short cruise to Bratislava.
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
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 BUDAPEST
(B,L,D)
Day 7 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
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.
This afternoon, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free time soaking in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs and nightlife.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
(B,L,D)
Day 8 BUDAPEST
Take free time to enjoy Budapest’s famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city’s cafés and restaurants.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS
(B,L,D)
Day 9 MOHÁCS
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
Active
Enjoy an easy bike ride in Mohacs with your Adventure Host, OR:
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 of 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK
(B,L,D)
Day 10 ILOK, CROATIA
Classic
Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard.
NOVI SAD, SERBIA
Active
Enjoy a relaxing walk in Novi Sad with your Adventure Host, OR:
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
(B,L,D)
Day 11 BELGRADE
Active
See 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 sights, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.
Discovery
Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ
(B,L,D)
Day 12 GOLUBAČ–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–IRON GATES GORGE
Classic
Visit the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You’ll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire.
Enjoy a brief sailing to Donji Milanovac.
Active
Explore Donji Milanovac by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Tour to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir—with unique views of the Danube Gorge.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
(B,L,D)
Day 13 VIDIN, BULGARIA
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Active
Enjoy an easy hiking experience in Vidin with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
(B,L,D)
Day 14 ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Active
Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host, 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 (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
(B,L,D)
Day 15 OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST
The “Paris of the East"
Classic
Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Spend some free time exploring on your own to visit shops and museums. See the beautiful home, and churches along Victory Avenue.
(B)
Day 16 BUCHAREST
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(B)