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8 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen 2026(WBL)
Active & Discovery on the Danube
Starting from $2,730Ship(s): Avalon Expression, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Impression, Avalon Tranquility II
River Cruise Description
Why dip your toes in the Danube when you can explore and adore its landmarks, legends, customs and cuisine in the most interactive ways? Avalon's Active & Discovery cruises on the Danube invite dreamers and doers to activate their curiosities. To look closer, dive deeper, and forage further into the hamlets and hills of Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Uncover ancient traditions and local flavors in immersive ways. Enjoy leisurely sightseeing or on-your-own discoveries. Whether you walk through winding alleyways, hike to a castle, bike to a palace or row to your own sanctuary of scenery, our diverse offering of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the Danube redefines the rules of engagement. Move.Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:*Sink your teeth into Count Dracula's Visegrád prison tower on a hike to new heights.*Paddle a canoe on an excursion through the picturesque Bend region.*Pedal along the postcard-perfect Wachau Valley. And be moved.Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:*See the ancient jousting skills of the St. George Knightly Order at Visegrád Castle.*Savor a merry morning walk, Vienna's infamous café culture and VIP access to an art museum.*Meet the Count of Clam at Austria's 12th-century and beautifully preserved Clam Castle. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely "you" ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Danube.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 5, 2026 | Avalon Impression | $3,330 | Call Us! |
| Jun 13, 2026 | Avalon Illumination | $3,080 | Call Us! |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Avalon Illumination | $2,830 | Call Us! |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Avalon Impression | $2,730 | Call Us! |
| Aug 26, 2026 | Avalon Tranquility II | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Avalon Impression | $3,630 | Call Us! |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Avalon Impression | $3,730 | Call Us! |
| Oct 4, 2026 | Avalon Expression | $3,380 | 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 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)–DANUBE BEND
Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.Enjoy a Hungarian Dinner on board during a scenic cruise through the Danube Bend. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.EVENING CRUISE TO VISEGRÁD
(D)
Day 2 VISEGRÁD
Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s Tower
Active
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.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
(B,L,D)
Day 3 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte 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 4 VIENNA
A 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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS
(B,L,D)
Day 5 KREMS
Pedals and Paddles in Austria’s Wine Country
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.Active
Paddle a canoe on a Guided Tour to see the Austrian waterways and shoreline scenery from a unique perspective, OR:
Active
Take a Guided Bike Tour from Krems to Spitz, and enjoy a stop in Dürnstein to see the mesmerizing blue Stiftskirche, and to sample local specialties, OR:
Discovery
Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR:
Discovery
Enjoy a Guided Visit that showcases production of regional fruits, vegetables, wine, or other products.
GREIN
A Modern-Day Castle and the Count
Discovery
See Burg Clam on a Guided Visit, and meet the Count of Clam during your tour.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GREIN
(B,L,D)
Day 6 GREIN
Theater History...Alive and Well in Grein
Classic
Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.
MAUTHAUSEN
History Lessons and Monastic Life
Active
Take a Guided Bike Tour along the Danube and discover how fertile this area is. Stop at a local farm and learn more about farming life and flood protection, OR:
Classic
Visit the 9th-century St. Florian Monastery—the largest monastery in upper Austria and home to Augustine monks, OR:
Classic
Join a sobering Guided Tour of Mauthausen Memorial, one of the largest and most brutal Nazi camp of WWII.
LINZ
Legendary, Lovely Linz
Tonight, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ENGELHARTSZELL
(B,L,D)
Day 7 ENGELHARTSZELL–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW
Memories and Beer in the Making
Active
Bike your way to a local Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell and follow the Danube along the riverbank, OR:
Discovery
Join a Guided Tour to a cider cellar where an expert sommelier will reveal the secrets of Upper Austria’s beloved ciders, OR:
Classic
Visit the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and explore its Sensory Garden—complete with stone labyrinth, herb garden, and vineyard. Sample cheese and beer made by the resident Trappist monks.
Active
This afternoon, enjoy a scenic Guided Hike along the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow, a dramatic bend carved by centuries.
EVENING CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN
(B,L,D)
Day 8 VILSHOFEN (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am.(B)
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