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

   Vukovar

   Croatia

   

   Vukovar, Croatia's largest river port, sits at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube rivers, offering a rich historical narrative and vibrant local culture. Must-do experiences include savoring traditional dishes like fiš paprikaš and exploring nearby attractions such as Trogir and Solin. The best time to visit is in late spring and early autumn when the weather is pleasant and the local events are in full swing.

3. Day 3

   Novi Sad

   Serbia

   

   Novi Sad — the "Serbian Athens" — unfolds along the left bank of the Danube beneath the commanding walls of the Petrovaradin Fortress, a Habsburg military masterpiece whose underground tunnel labyrinth and hilltop clock tower (with hands reversed, to confuse enemy gunners) make for one of Europe's most unusual fortress visits. The city's elegant pedestrian street, the Zmaj Jovina, is lined with 19th-century Habsburg architecture that rewards a leisurely afternoon, while the Serbian cultural renaissance of the same era left behind museums, galleries, and coffee house traditions that endure today. In July, the EXIT music festival transforms the fortress into one of Europe's most storied outdoor stages. Visit May through September for the finest weather.

4. 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.

5. Day 3

   Regua

   Portugal

   

   Régua, gateway to Portugal's vertiginous Douro Valley wine country, sits at the point where the river enters its most dramatic gorge — terraced vineyards climbing impossible slopes on every side, their schist walls a testament to generations of viticultural determination. The Wine Museum in Pinhão's art nouveau azulejo station captures the region's soul, while the great quintas — Ramos Pinto, Croft, Niepoort — open their cellars for intimate tastings of vintage port and luminous dry whites. Harvest season in September and October transforms the valley into a festival of colour and ferment.

6. Day 4

   Belgrade

   Serbia

   

   Belgrade, the 'White City' rebuilt at least forty times at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, surprises every visitor with its raw, uncurated vitality — a capital that wears its turbulent history lightly while embracing the present with irresistible energy. The Kalemegdan Fortress, fortified for over two thousand years, offers the most dramatic river panorama on the entire Danube; below it, the Skadarlija cobblestone quarter fills nightly with kafana musicians and the aromas of Serbian rakija and roasted meats. Belgrade's nightlife — centered on the floating river clubs called splavovi — is genuinely legendary in Europe. Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable conditions; the Iron Gate gorge is two hours downstream by river.

7. Day 5

   Golubac

   Serbia

   

   Golubac is a medieval fortress village on Serbia's Danube, where a magnificently restored fourteenth-century stronghold guards the entrance to the Iron Gates gorge — Europe's deepest river canyon. Visitors should explore the nine-towered fortress and sample *riblja čorba*, the local paprika-laced fish soup, at a riverside *kafana*. Late spring through early autumn offers the most rewarding conditions, with warm days ideal for both fortress ramparts and the lush trails of Đerdap National Park.

8. Day 5

   Salzburg

   Austria

   

   Salzburg is a baroque masterpiece set against the Eastern Alps, where Mozart's birthplace, the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress, and one of Europe's oldest restaurants create a cultural tapestry unlike any other Austrian city. Visitors should not miss the Salzburger Nockerl soufflé at a centuries-old dining room and an evening concert in one of the Altstadt's intimate recital halls. The city is magnificent year-round, though late spring through early autumn — particularly during the Salzburg Festival in July and August — offers the finest confluence of weather, culture, and river cruising conditions.

9. Day 5

   Bratislava

   Slovakia

   

   Bratislava, the only national capital bordering two sovereign states, sits sixty kilometres downstream from Vienna on the Danube — close enough for a day trip to the Austrian capital, yet possessed of its own entirely distinct character: a pastel-hued medieval old town of hidden courtyards, playful bronze statues, and hilltop castle views, where wine bars pour outstanding Slovak Riesling at prices that make the Viennese feel extravagant. The city's dramatic reinvention since 1989 has produced a dynamic, youthful culture that fills the old quarter's restaurants and concert halls with genuine warmth. Pair with Vienna or Budapest for the classic Danube river trilogy; all three cities are within two hours of each other.

10. Day 6

    Vidin

    Bulgaria

    

    Vidin is a captivating port town on the Danube River known for its rich history, eclectic architecture, and vibrant local culture. Must-do experiences include exploring the Baba Vida Fortress and savoring local dishes like **kavarma** and **lutenitsa**. The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is pleasant and the local markets are bustling with activity.

11. Day 6

    Saint Moritz

    Switzerland

    

    St. Moritz, a luxurious Swiss alpine resort, is famous for its winter sports and stunning landscapes. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes like "Capuns" and exploring the charming markets. The best season to visit is winter, when the town transforms into a snowy wonderland, ideal for skiing and other activities.

12. Day 6

    Saint Moritz

    Switzerland

    

    St. Moritz, a luxurious Swiss alpine resort, is famous for its winter sports and stunning landscapes. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes like "Capuns" and exploring the charming markets. The best season to visit is winter, when the town transforms into a snowy wonderland, ideal for skiing and other activities.

13. Day 6

    Zermatt

    Switzerland

    

    Zermatt, Switzerland, is a picturesque alpine port known for its stunning views of the Matterhorn and rich mountaineering history. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes such as Raclette and Fondue, and exploring nearby attractions like Grindelwald and Gruyeres. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant for hiking and outdoor activities.

14. Day 7

    Ruse

    Bulgaria

    

    Ruse, Bulgaria's elegant Danube gateway, surprises with a Belle Époque city centre of Austro-Hungarian grandeur — neoclassical facades, ornate fountains, and a Liberty Monument that would not look out of place in Vienna. The city serves as the gateway to the spectacular Rusenski Lom Nature Park, whose limestone canyon shelters medieval rock-carved monasteries of eerie beauty. The remarkable Basarbovo Monastery, still inhabited by monks, clings to cliffs above the turquoise river. Local wineries produce distinguished Mavrud and Cabernet from the nearby Danube plains. May through September offers the most pleasant temperatures for exploration.

15. Day 8

    Oltenita

    Romania

    

    Oltenița is a historic Danubian port city in southern Romania where the River Argeș meets the Danube, offering visitors Chalcolithic archaeological treasures at the Gumelnița site and exceptional riverside dining featuring traditional Wallachian river fish cuisine. A must-do experience is savoring *saramură de crap* — Danube carp grilled over open flame — at a waterfront table, followed by a day excursion to the medieval citadels of Transylvania. The best season to visit is late spring through early autumn, when the Danube promenade comes alive and river cruise itineraries from Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, and Seabourn call at this understated gem of Muntenia.

16. Day 8

    Zermatt

    Switzerland

    

    Zermatt, Switzerland, is a picturesque alpine port known for its stunning views of the Matterhorn and rich mountaineering history. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes such as Raclette and Fondue, and exploring nearby attractions like Grindelwald and Gruyeres. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant for hiking and outdoor activities.

17. Day 9

    Bucharest

    Romania

    

    Bucharest, Romania's sprawling and magnificently contradictory capital, layers Belle Époque mansions, communist-era boulevards, and a furiously creative twenty-first-century scene into a city that rewards the curious traveler who looks beyond the obvious. Ceaușescu's colossal Palace of the Parliament — the world's heaviest building and a monument to totalitarian hubris — is unmissable; equally essential is the neighborhood of Floreasca, where design studios, natural wine bars, and acclaimed restaurants have made Bucharest one of Europe's most exciting emerging food capitals. Visit April through June for the most pleasant weather. Transylvania, with Bran Castle and the medieval city of Brașov, lies two hours north through dramatic Carpathian scenery.

18. Day 9

    Bucharest

    Romania

    

    Bucharest, Romania's sprawling and magnificently contradictory capital, layers Belle Époque mansions, communist-era boulevards, and a furiously creative twenty-first-century scene into a city that rewards the curious traveler who looks beyond the obvious. Ceaușescu's colossal Palace of the Parliament — the world's heaviest building and a monument to totalitarian hubris — is unmissable; equally essential is the neighborhood of Floreasca, where design studios, natural wine bars, and acclaimed restaurants have made Bucharest one of Europe's most exciting emerging food capitals. Visit April through June for the most pleasant weather. Transylvania, with Bran Castle and the medieval city of Brașov, lies two hours north through dramatic Carpathian scenery.

19. Day 9

    Brasov

    Romania

    

    Brasov is a magnificently preserved medieval Saxon city at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, home to the Gothic Black Church, fortified walls, and proximity to the legendary Bran Castle. Must-dos include exploring the Council Square, tasting sarmale and mici in the old town, and hiking in Piatra Craiului National Park. May through October offers the best weather, with autumn bringing spectacular mountain foliage.

20. Day 10

    Brasov

    Romania

    

    Brasov is a magnificently preserved medieval Saxon city at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, home to the Gothic Black Church, fortified walls, and proximity to the legendary Bran Castle. Must-dos include exploring the Council Square, tasting sarmale and mici in the old town, and hiking in Piatra Craiului National Park. May through October offers the best weather, with autumn bringing spectacular mountain foliage.

21. Day 11

    Lucerne

    Switzerland

    

    Framed by snowcapped Alps and the mirror-bright waters of Lake Lucerne, this medieval Swiss gem centres on the 14th-century Kapellbrücke — one of Europe's oldest covered bridges — and a colourful Altstadt that has changed little in five centuries. Ride the cog railway to cloud-wreathed Mount Pilatus, savour Älplermagronen in a timber-beamed tavern, and explore the nearby wonders of Interlaken and Grindelwald. Late spring through early autumn offers the most spectacular lake reflections and settled mountain weather.

22. Day 11

    Bucharest

    Romania

    

    Bucharest, Romania's sprawling and magnificently contradictory capital, layers Belle Époque mansions, communist-era boulevards, and a furiously creative twenty-first-century scene into a city that rewards the curious traveler who looks beyond the obvious. Ceaușescu's colossal Palace of the Parliament — the world's heaviest building and a monument to totalitarian hubris — is unmissable; equally essential is the neighborhood of Floreasca, where design studios, natural wine bars, and acclaimed restaurants have made Bucharest one of Europe's most exciting emerging food capitals. Visit April through June for the most pleasant weather. Transylvania, with Bran Castle and the medieval city of Brașov, lies two hours north through dramatic Carpathian scenery.

23. Day 12

    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.

24. Day 13

    Kehl

    Germany

    

    Sitting directly across the Rhine from Strasbourg, Kehl offers Rhine river cruise guests the remarkable experience of crossing from Germany into France in five minutes on foot — arriving at a medieval Alsatian cathedral quarter whose tarte flambée, Riesling estates, and half-timbered Petite France canals represent some of Europe's most enduring pleasures. The surrounding Black Forest and Alsatian Wine Route extend the discovery. Spring blossoms and autumn harvest are the most atmospheric times to visit this Franco-German frontier town.

25. Day 14

    Mainz

    Germany

    

    Mainz is where the modern world was printed into existence: Johannes Gutenberg's invention of movable-type printing around 1440 transformed this ancient Rhine city into the birthplace of the information age, a legacy honoured at the extraordinary Gutenberg Museum, home to one of the surviving original Bibles. The Romanesque cathedral of St. Martin, built over a millennium from the year 975, anchors a charming old town of wine taverns and market squares where Rhenish Rieslings flow freely. Visit between spring and autumn for the famous Mainz Wine Market held beside the Rhine. A day-cruise port with surprising cultural depth.

26. Day 15

    Rudesheim

    Germany

    

    Rüdesheim am Rhein, a jewel of the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, is where Germany's most storied wine river cuts through vine-terraced slopes and medieval castle ruins. The pedestrianised Drosselgasse laneway — beloved since the Romantic era — hums with wine taverns pouring the region's celebrated Rieslings, crisp and mineral from the slate soils. The Niederwald Monument surveys the river from the heights, reached by cable car above the vineyards. Day trips by boat unlock Bacharach, Boppard, and the legendary Lorelei rock. September's harvest festivals transform the entire valley into a convivial celebration of the vintage.

27. Day 15

    Rudesheim

    Germany

    

    Rüdesheim am Rhein, a jewel of the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, is where Germany's most storied wine river cuts through vine-terraced slopes and medieval castle ruins. The pedestrianised Drosselgasse laneway — beloved since the Romantic era — hums with wine taverns pouring the region's celebrated Rieslings, crisp and mineral from the slate soils. The Niederwald Monument surveys the river from the heights, reached by cable car above the vineyards. Day trips by boat unlock Bacharach, Boppard, and the legendary Lorelei rock. September's harvest festivals transform the entire valley into a convivial celebration of the vintage.

28. Day 15

    Rudesheim

    Germany

    

    Rüdesheim am Rhein, a jewel of the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, is where Germany's most storied wine river cuts through vine-terraced slopes and medieval castle ruins. The pedestrianised Drosselgasse laneway — beloved since the Romantic era — hums with wine taverns pouring the region's celebrated Rieslings, crisp and mineral from the slate soils. The Niederwald Monument surveys the river from the heights, reached by cable car above the vineyards. Day trips by boat unlock Bacharach, Boppard, and the legendary Lorelei rock. September's harvest festivals transform the entire valley into a convivial celebration of the vintage.

29. Day 16

    Cologne

    Germany

    

    Cologne's twin-spired Gothic cathedral, six hundred years in the building and still the city's defining monument, is the inevitable starting point — but this ancient Rhine city rewards exploration well beyond its iconic silhouette. The Romano-Germanic Museum reveals the city's Roman foundations, while the Chocolate Museum on the riverbank offers a distinctly sweeter history lesson. Cologne's famed Kölsch beer culture thrives in the old town's traditional brew-houses, where one round follows another in centuries-old wooden halls. The city is welcoming year-round, though the legendary Christmas markets (November–December) attract visitors from across Europe.

30. Day 17

    Amsterdam

    Netherlands

    

    Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canal ring — a concentric web of seventeenth-century merchant houses and arching stone bridges — remains one of the Western world's most perfectly preserved Golden Age cityscapes, best explored by bicycle or canal boat at a pace that lets the city's genius reveal itself slowly. The Rijksmuseum's collection of Rembrandt and Vermeer masterpieces is essential, while the Anne Frank House offers one of Europe's most profoundly moving historical encounters. Spring brings the iconic tulip season; summer fills the terraces of the Jordaan district. Schiphol Airport makes Amsterdam a seamless gateway to the entire European continent.

31. Day 18

    Amsterdam

    Netherlands

    

    Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canal ring — a concentric web of seventeenth-century merchant houses and arching stone bridges — remains one of the Western world's most perfectly preserved Golden Age cityscapes, best explored by bicycle or canal boat at a pace that lets the city's genius reveal itself slowly. The Rijksmuseum's collection of Rembrandt and Vermeer masterpieces is essential, while the Anne Frank House offers one of Europe's most profoundly moving historical encounters. Spring brings the iconic tulip season; summer fills the terraces of the Jordaan district. Schiphol Airport makes Amsterdam a seamless gateway to the entire European continent.

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 Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Two windows Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins USB Ports

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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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 Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Two windows Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins USB Ports

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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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 Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Two windows Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror 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 Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Two windows Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror 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 Direct-dial telephone Bathrobes & slippers Well-stocked minibar Complimentary filtered water In-room safe Individual climate control Elegant, contemporary design Large mirror in bathroom Two windows Full shower with glass door Writing desk and chair Lighted makeup mirror 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

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 Double sinks USB Ports One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins

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

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