Avalon Waterways

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Budapest

   Hungary

   

   Budapest, divided by the Danube into the hilly Buda of thermal baths and medieval castle lanes on one bank and the grand Pest of coffee-house culture and Art Nouveau splendor on the other, delivers the most theatrical first impression of any European capital — whether approached by river as the neo-Gothic Parliament materializes from the water or by night from the Citadella's sweep of illuminated panorama below. The city's celebrated thermal bath culture, rooted in Ottoman-era hammams and perfected in palatial Secession-era pools like the Széchenyi, is an experience entirely unlike anything else in Europe. Visit spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures; Vienna is two and a half hours west by train.

2. Day 2

   Vienna

   Austria

   

   The port of Vienna is a cultural gem along the Danube River, famous for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include sampling authentic Wiener Schnitzel and visiting the picturesque village of Dürnstein. The best season to visit is spring or early fall, when the city's gardens bloom and outdoor activities abound.

3. Day 3

   Vienna

   Austria

   

   The port of Vienna is a cultural gem along the Danube River, famous for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include sampling authentic Wiener Schnitzel and visiting the picturesque village of Dürnstein. The best season to visit is spring or early fall, when the city's gardens bloom and outdoor activities abound.

4. Day 4

   Krems

   Austria

   

   Krems an der Donau has stood at the eastern gateway of the Wachau Valley — Austria's most beautiful stretch of the Danube — since Emperor Otto III granted it market rights in 995 AD, making it one of the country's oldest documented towns. The UNESCO-listed Wachau landscape surrounding the city is a masterpiece of vineyard terraces, Baroque abbeys, and medieval castles reflected in the river; the Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines produced here are among Austria's finest. Must-dos include visiting the monumental Melk Abbey and cycling the Danube Cycle Path through the valley. Krems is most enchanting April through October, with the harvest season in September offering wine cellar tastings of exceptional depth.

5. Day 4

   Krems

   Austria

   

   Krems an der Donau has stood at the eastern gateway of the Wachau Valley — Austria's most beautiful stretch of the Danube — since Emperor Otto III granted it market rights in 995 AD, making it one of the country's oldest documented towns. The UNESCO-listed Wachau landscape surrounding the city is a masterpiece of vineyard terraces, Baroque abbeys, and medieval castles reflected in the river; the Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines produced here are among Austria's finest. Must-dos include visiting the monumental Melk Abbey and cycling the Danube Cycle Path through the valley. Krems is most enchanting April through October, with the harvest season in September offering wine cellar tastings of exceptional depth.

6. Day 5

   Passau

   Germany

   

   Passau occupies one of Central Europe's most dramatic natural stages — a narrow peninsula at the confluence of three rivers, the Danube, Inn, and Ilz, where the old town's baroque spires and shuttered merchants' houses crowd the very tip of the land between the waters. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ, a 17,974-pipe instrument whose daily concerts fill the nave with a sound that seems architectural in its density. The Veste Oberhaus fortress above the city commands panoramic views across three countries on clear days. Passau is a classic Danube river cruise departure point; spring and early autumn, when the river runs high and the light turns golden, are the finest seasons.

7. Day 6

   Regensburg

   Germany

   

   Regensburg, Bavaria's medieval masterpiece on the Danube, is one of Central Europe's most intact ancient cities — its Roman origins visible in the Porta Praetoria stone gate, its medieval prosperity celebrated in the soaring twin towers of St. Peter's Cathedral and the twelfth-century Stone Bridge. UNESCO World Heritage status acknowledges a skyline dotted with patrician towers, while the famous Historische Wurstküchl, Germany's oldest operating sausage kitchen, has been serving spit-grilled bratwurst since the 1140s. The surrounding hills produce excellent Bavarian whites. May through September offers the most convivial riverbank atmosphere.

8. Day 7

   Nuremberg

   Germany

   

   Nuremberg commands the imagination on two levels: as the glittering medieval city where Holy Roman Emperors held court, Albrecht Dürer was born, and craftsmen produced the first pocket watch — and as the site of the 20th century's darkest chapter, where Nazi rallies and subsequent war crimes trials left permanent marks on European history and conscience. The Kaiserburg castle crowning the hill above the perfectly preserved old town offers sweeping views of a cityscape that, despite wartime bombing, remains one of Germany's most beautiful. The Documentation Centre on the former Nazi Rally Grounds is essential, sobering history; the Christmas Market on the Hauptmarkt, held since 1628, is among Europe's finest. Visit May through October or December.

9. Day 8

   Nuremberg

   Germany

   

   Nuremberg commands the imagination on two levels: as the glittering medieval city where Holy Roman Emperors held court, Albrecht Dürer was born, and craftsmen produced the first pocket watch — and as the site of the 20th century's darkest chapter, where Nazi rallies and subsequent war crimes trials left permanent marks on European history and conscience. The Kaiserburg castle crowning the hill above the perfectly preserved old town offers sweeping views of a cityscape that, despite wartime bombing, remains one of Germany's most beautiful. The Documentation Centre on the former Nazi Rally Grounds is essential, sobering history; the Christmas Market on the Hauptmarkt, held since 1628, is among Europe's finest. Visit May through October or December.

10. Day 9

    Nuremberg

    Germany

    

    Nuremberg commands the imagination on two levels: as the glittering medieval city where Holy Roman Emperors held court, Albrecht Dürer was born, and craftsmen produced the first pocket watch — and as the site of the 20th century's darkest chapter, where Nazi rallies and subsequent war crimes trials left permanent marks on European history and conscience. The Kaiserburg castle crowning the hill above the perfectly preserved old town offers sweeping views of a cityscape that, despite wartime bombing, remains one of Germany's most beautiful. The Documentation Centre on the former Nazi Rally Grounds is essential, sobering history; the Christmas Market on the Hauptmarkt, held since 1628, is among Europe's finest. Visit May through October or December.

11. Day 10

    Bamberg

    Germany

    

    Bamberg, the 'Franconian Rome,' is a UNESCO World Heritage city whose medieval old town — seven hills, four Romanesque-Gothic cathedral towers, and an Old Town Hall balanced impossibly on an island in the Regnitz River — survived World War II entirely intact, a miracle of preservation unique in Germany. The city is equally celebrated for its extraordinary smoked beer, Rauchbier, a speciality brewed in family-owned breweries for centuries and best tasted in the old quarter's atmospheric taverns beside a plate of smoked meats. Spring and early summer are ideal for the surrounding Franconian countryside in bloom. Nuremberg is forty minutes by rail.

12. Day 11

    Wurzburg

    Germany

    

    Würzburg, presiding over the Main River at the northern gateway of the Romantic Road, is Bavaria's most elegantly baroque city — its skyline commanded by the medieval Marienberg Fortress and its streets presided over by the magnificent Residenz, a UNESCO-listed princely palace whose frescoed Treppenhaus ceiling by Tiepolo is considered the largest fresco in the world. The surrounding Franconian wine country produces some of Germany's most distinctive Silvaner and Riesling, sold in the iconic bocksbeutel flask from cellars carved directly beneath the old city. Spring through autumn reveals the vine-clad hillsides in their most photogenic splendor; the historic Weinfest am Stein wine festival each September is a highlight of the Franconian calendar.

13. Day 12

    Miltenberg

    Germany

    

    Miltenberg is a captivating port town in Germany, renowned for its stunning half-timbered architecture and rich historical heritage. Must-do experiences include indulging in local specialties like Miltenberger Käse and Schäufele, and exploring the nearby towns of Wertheim and Bernkastel. The best season to visit is during the late spring and summer months when the town's vibrant markets and outdoor atmosphere come alive.

14. Day 13

    Frankfurt

    Germany

    

    Frankfurt’s port is a dynamic entry point to the heart of Germany, blending modern finance with rich history. Must-do experiences include savoring traditional dishes like Frankfurter Rippchen and exploring the bustling Kleinmarkthalle. The best season to visit is during the spring, when the city comes alive with festivals and outdoor markets.

15. Day 14

    Speyer

    Germany

    

    Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany, rises from the Rhine plain with a skyline dominated by its magnificent Romanesque Imperial Cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage site and the burial place of eight Holy Roman Emperors. The adjacent Jewish Quarter, also UNESCO-listed, preserves a medieval synagogue and mikveh of extraordinary rarity. The Technik Museum houses one of Europe's most celebrated collections of historic aircraft, including a full-sized Space Shuttle replica. The surrounding Palatinate wine country produces fine Riesling and Pinot Noir. Spring and early autumn offer the most agreeable conditions for exploring this quietly remarkable city.

16. Day 15

    Strasbourg

    France

    

    Strasbourg is one of Europe's great border cities, its Franco-German soul etched into every half-timbered façade of the UNESCO-listed Grande Île and every turret of the soaring rose-sandstone cathedral that reigned as the world's tallest building for over two centuries. As the seat of the European Parliament and home to the European Court of Human Rights, this sophisticated Alsatian capital savors outstanding Riesling and choucroute garnie with equal Continental pride. The city dazzles year-round, though December's legendary Christmas market — among the oldest in Europe — transforms its medieval squares into an enchanted winter spectacle.

17. Day 16

    Breisach

    Germany

    

    Breisach am Rhein clings to a volcanic hilltop at the French-German border, commanding the Upper Rhine crossing that made it one of the most fought-over towns in European history — a past the Romanesque-Gothic Münster St. Stephan surveys serenely from its commanding heights. Today peace reigns, and Breisach's true gift is its position as a gateway to three celebrated wine regions: the German Kaiserstuhl, producing some of Germany's finest Spätburgunder; the French Alsace, just across the Rhine; and the rolling hills of the Baden wine country to the east. Visit in autumn for harvest season across all three regions simultaneously. Freiburg im Breisgau, the Black Forest's graceful capital, lies twenty minutes east.

18. Day 17

    Basel

    Switzerland

    

    Basel, where Switzerland, France, and Germany converge at the Rhine's northward bend, hosts a concentration of world-class art institutions that rivals any city its size on earth — the Kunstmuseum alone, the world's oldest public art collection, could occupy days, and Art Basel each June draws every name that matters in the contemporary art world to this compact, elegant city. The Rhine itself is the city's great social artery: in summer, locals jump in with waterproof bags and float downstream, a tradition as charming as any museum. Spring through autumn is ideal for outdoor exploration; Paris is just three hours by TGV and Strasbourg a mere twenty minutes by train.

Cabin Categories

Deluxe Stateroom

Outside

172 sq ftMax 2E

Stateroom Features: Comfort Collection Beds Luxurious mattress toppers Egyptian super-combed cotton linens European-style duvets Soft & firm pillows Extra blankets Choice of bed configuration Nightly turn-down service Bedside tables with reading lamps Premium Hairdryer L'Occitane bath products Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage Easy under-bed luggage storage Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options Alarm clock Make-up mirror Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Marble countertops in bathroom Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony 6-person sitting area Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror Sofa Coffee table Complimentary Wi-Fi One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins USB Ports

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)TV+5

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Deluxe Stateroom

Outside

172 sq ftMax 2D

Stateroom Features: Comfort Collection Beds Luxurious mattress toppers Egyptian super-combed cotton linens European-style duvets Soft & firm pillows Extra blankets Choice of bed configuration Nightly turn-down service Bedside tables with reading lamps Premium Hairdryer L'Occitane bath products Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage Easy under-bed luggage storage Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options Alarm clock Make-up mirror Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Marble countertops in bathroom Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony 6-person sitting area Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror Sofa Coffee table Complimentary Wi-Fi One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins USB Ports

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)TV+5

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Panorama Suite

Suite

200 sq ftMax 2B

Stateroom Features: Comfort Collection Beds Luxurious mattress toppers Egyptian super-combed cotton linens European-style duvets Soft & firm pillows Extra blankets Choice of bed configuration Nightly turn-down service Bedside tables with reading lamps Premium Hairdryer L'Occitane bath products Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage Easy under-bed luggage storage Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options Alarm clock Make-up mirror Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Marble countertops in bathroom Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony 6-person sitting area Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror Sofa Coffee table Complimentary Wi-Fi One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins USB Ports

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)TV+5

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Panorama Suite

Suite

200 sq ftMax 2A

Stateroom Features: Comfort Collection Beds Luxurious mattress toppers Egyptian super-combed cotton linens European-style duvets Soft & firm pillows Extra blankets Choice of bed configuration Nightly turn-down service Bedside tables with reading lamps Premium Hairdryer L'Occitane bath products Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage Easy under-bed luggage storage Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options Alarm clock Make-up mirror Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Marble countertops in bathroom Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony 6-person sitting area Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror Sofa Coffee table Complimentary Wi-Fi One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins USB Ports

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)TV+5

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Panorama Suite

Suite

200 sq ftMax 2P

Stateroom Features: Comfort Collection Beds Luxurious mattress toppers Egyptian super-combed cotton linens European-style duvets Soft & firm pillows Extra blankets Choice of bed configuration Nightly turn-down service Bedside tables with reading lamps Premium Hairdryer L'Occitane bath products Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage Easy under-bed luggage storage Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options Alarm clock Make-up mirror Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Marble countertops in bathroom Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony 6-person sitting area Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror Sofa Coffee table Complimentary Wi-Fi One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins USB Ports

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)TV+5

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Royal Suite

Suite

300 sq ftMax 2S

Comfort Collection Beds European-style duvets Soft & firm pillows Extra blankets Choice of bed configuration Easy under-bed luggage storage Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options Direct-dial telephone Well-stocked minibar Complimentary water In-room safe Marble countertops in bathroom Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony 6-person sitting area Writing desk and chair Sofa Complimentary Wi-Fi One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins

King or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableMini Bar (Additional Cost)+6

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