Danube Dreams

Danube Dreams

From: $3,629 / person

Location: GERMANY - AUSTRIA - SLOVAKIA - HUNGARY

  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Cost
  • Map

Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way. Visit Passau, Germany—called the “City of Three Rivers” at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Take a guided walking tour to admire the Patrician houses and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Linz, Austria, walk around the Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square. Enjoy the magnificent views as your Danube River cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. Stops include Melk to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Dürnstein to see the famous blue and white Stiftskirche and taste some of the local wines. Vienna, the “City of Music,” makes an immediate impression with its lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House. Enjoy a guided tour of this magical city and take time to explore on your own. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, take a guided walk through the delightful Old Town and to the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, a local expert shows you all the must-see sights. Then to round out this timeless European river cruise, take a stroll along Váci utca—the main shopping street, or take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion for the best panoramic views of Budapest. This Danube River cruise explores the legendary beauty and remarkable destinations you’ll never forget.

Danube Dreams

Day 1

VILSHOFEN, 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 on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU

VILSHOFEN

Meal: Dinner

Day 2

PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

  • Active Excursion: Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:
  • Classic Excursion: 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 on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ

PASSAU

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

LINZ, AUSTRIA

Legendary and Lovely Linz

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

  • 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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ

LINZ

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.

  • Sound of Music Salzburg: From Mozart to "The Sound of Music", this delightful excursion provides an in-depth look at both the city of Salzburg and its majestic surroundings.
    Duration: 10h 0m
    Price Range:$ – ≤$100 AUD, $ – $101–200, $ – $201–300, $ – >$300
  • Cesky Krumlov - A Sleeping Beauty Awakes: You'll feel like you've stepped right into the Middle Ages on this full-day excursion to Ceský Krumlov, the "Pearl of the Bohemian Forest".
    Duration: 9h 30m
    Price Range:$ – ≤$100 AUD, $ – $101–200, $ – $201–300, $ – >$300
  • Visit to Mauthausen Memorial: Tour the notorious Mauthausen Concentration Camp, one of WWII's largest and most brutal Nazi work camp complexes.
    Duration: 2h 30m
    Price Range:$ – ≤$100 AUD, $ – $101–200, $ – $201–300, $ – >$300

Day 4

YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK–WACHAU VALLEY - DÜRNSTEIN

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

  • Classic Excursion: Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle, OR:
  • 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 Dürnstein.

  • Active Excursion: Alternatively, experience the Wachau Valley from a unique perspective, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along some of Wachau’s bike trails.

DÜRNSTEIN

A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins

  • Active Excursion: 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:
  • Classic Excursion: Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle here during the Crusades.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

LINZ

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

VIENNA

Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

  • Active Excursion: Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic Excursion: Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the grand Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, OR:
  • Classic Excursion: After a short walk of Vienna, join a Guided Visit of Austria’s largest museum, the legendary Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts).

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 CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA

VIENNA-HOFBURG-PALACE

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. 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.
    Duration: 3h 30m
    Price Range:$ – ≤$100 AUD, $ – $101–200, $ – $201–300, $ – >$300
  • Classical Concert: Enjoy a spellbinding evening of classical works by Mozart and Johann Strauss, performed brilliantly by professional Salon Orchestra Alt-Wien musicians in one of Europe's prettiest venues.
    Duration: 2h 45m
    Price Range:$ – ≤$100 AUD, $ – $101–200, $ – $201–300, $ – >$300

Day 6

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle

  • 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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

BRATISLAVA

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

BUDAPEST-HEROS-SQUARE

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.

  • 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!
    Duration: 3h 30m
    Price Range:$ – ≤$100 AUD, $ – $101–200, $ – $201–300, $ – >$300
  • Wine Tasting in the Hungarian Countryside: Travel into the beautiful Hungarian countryside for an enriching half-day discovery of the Etyek wine region, including two wine cellar visits with wine tasting.
    Duration: 3h 15m
    Price Range:$ – ≤$100 AUD, $ – $101–200, $ – $201–300, $ – >$300

Day 8

BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW

Meal: Breakfast

Notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
All pricing of tours are based on seasonality & subject to availability
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