Itinerary
- Day 1
Munich to Passau
Your German river cruise begins in Munich. Flights should arrive by 2 pm, giving you time to get to the ship and board by 5 pm. Once you're settled into your suite, dinner happens on deck as the ship heads toward Passau for the first night.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Passau to Linz
Passau sits where three rivers meet the Danube, Inn, and Ilz. You can either hike from Oberhaus down to the valley with your host or take a guided walk through town. Either way, there's time to wander the cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley, and maybe catch a concert rehearsal at St. Stephen's Cathedral. The ship then cruises to Linz through the dramatic Schlögen Oxbow, with live entertainment onboard in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hiking from Oberhaus along trail to valley and Ilz River (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Active option)
- Guided City Walk of Passau (Classic option)
- Free exploration of Passau's cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley
- Live entertainment onboard
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral Schlögen Oxbow 
- Day 3
Linz to Ybbs
Linz offers several options. Cyclists can take a guided ride along the Danube while others walk through historic sites including Hauptplatz, Austria's largest medieval square, and the Trinity Column. If you want more, full-day trips to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov are available. Otherwise, do a biking picnic along the Danube or hike to Pöstlingberg for views. By evening, the ship sails to Ybbs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride along the Danube (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Active option)
- Guided Walk through historic Linz along the Danube shore (Classic option)
- Free exploration of Linz
Optional Activities
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Cesky Krumlov
- Biking picnic along the banks of the Danube
- Hike through Linz's nature trails to Pöstlingberg
Landmarks Hauptplatz Trinity Column Pöstlingberg - Day 4
Melk - Dürnstein
Start at the Adventure Center with choices like visiting family farms, touring Artstetten Castle, or exploring Melk's Benedictine Abbey with its frescoed ceilings. Later, relax on the Sky Deck sailing through the Wachau Valley past vineyards and castles. Active guests can bike along the trails. In Dürnstein, hike to the castle ruins or take a guided walk about King Richard the Lionheart's imprisonment here, then enjoy entertainment onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to two family-owned farms with traditional specialties (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Discovery option)
- Guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle (Classic option)
- Guided Tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey (Classic option)
- Sailing through Wachau Valley with vineyard views
- Guided Hike to castle ruins with views of Dürnstein, Danube, and Wachau Valley (Active option)
- Guided Walk in Dürnstein about King Richard the Lionheart (Classic option)
- Live entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Bike ride along Wachau Valley bike trails (Active option)
Landmarks Artstetten Castle Melk Abbey Dürnstein Castle Wachau Valley 
- Day 5
Vienna
You'll start your day in Vienna with several options to choose from. If you're into cycling, there's a bike route along Danube Island that covers some nice territory. Alternatively, head to the House of Strauss where you can have coffee and cake while learning about the composer's history. A guided city tour is also available, taking you through imperial landmarks like the Palace, Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. During the afternoon, you've got free time to wander Kärntnerstrasse for shopping or settle into a local café with a slice of Sachertorte. If you want something extra, Schönbrunn Palace is open for visits, or you could catch a Royal Waltz Concert in the evening (both optional). Later that night, you'll board an overnight cruise heading toward Bratislava.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Visit to House of Strauss with interactive audio-visual experience, coffee and homemade cake
- Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks including Imperial Palace complex, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Free time strolling in pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse shopping avenue
- Bike ride through Vienna with stops in local cafés
Optional Activities
- Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with Adventure Host
- Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—former imperial summer home
- Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall
Landmarks Imperial Palace complex Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral House of Strauss Schönbrunn Palace Kärntnerstrasse Danube Island 
- Day 6
Bratislava
Bratislava shows you Slovakia's capital. Active travelers hike to Bratislava Castle with their host, while others walk through Old Town past the Town Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral, where royal coronations took place. Plenty of free time lets you explore this green, historic city on your own. By evening, the ship heads to Budapest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Bratislava Castle (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Active option)
- Guided City Walk through Old Town, Town Hall, and St. Martin's Cathedral (Classic option)
- Free time exploring Bratislava
Landmarks Bratislava Castle St. Martin's Cathedral - Day 7
Budapest
Budapest sits where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. Hike to a scenic viewpoint with your host or join a guided tour that includes Heroes' Square. Spend the afternoon exploring the Chain Bridge or Fisherman's Bastion at your pace, sitting in beautiful cafés, browsing the Central Market Hall, or hiking in the hills above the Danube.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to magnificent viewpoint (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Active option)
- Guided City Sightseeing including Heroes' Square (Classic option)
- Free time exploring Chain Bridge, Fisherman's Bastion, and other sights
- Free time visiting cafés and Central Market Hall
Optional Activities
- Wide range of Optional Guided Excursions available
Landmarks Heroes' Square Chain Bridge Fisherman's Bastion Central Market Hall 
- Day 8
Budapest to Vukovar
Your last day in Budapest can go toward the city's thermal baths or a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Explore local cafés and restaurants whenever suits you. By evening, the ship cruises to Vukovar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Free time to enjoy Budapest's thermal baths
- Free time to explore cafés and restaurants
Optional Activities
- Scenic hike in hills above the Danube
- Day 9
Ilok - Novi Sad
At the Adventure Center, choose between a guided walk through Vukovar with beer tasting or a city tour of its history. Lunch happens onboard during a brief cruise to Ilok, where you can join a guided tour of 1,000-year-old winemaking traditions and the medieval fortress, or bike the city walls and check out Principovac Castle Estate with local cellar wine tasting. The ship docks in Novi Sad by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Vukovar with heritage, culture, and tradition plus beer tasting (Discovery option)
- Guided City Tour of Vukovar (Classic option)
- Guided tour of Ilok with 1,000-year-old wine making traditions, medieval fortress, and wine tasting in local cellar (Classic option)
- Guided Bike Tour of Ilok along city walls, central church, museum to Principovac Castle Estate (Active option)
- Lunch onboard during cruise to Novi Sad
Landmarks Principovac Castle Estate 
- Day 10
Novi Sad to Belgrade
Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest town, has several paths. Join a guided tour of its Austro-Hungarian old town with baroque buildings and old fortifications, hike to Petrovaradin for views across the Danube, or visit the Honey Museum to learn about beekeeping. Live entertainment happens onboard before cruising to Belgrade.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad with Austro-Hungarian old town and baroque buildings (Classic option)
- Guided Hike Tour to Petrovaradin with scenic views (Active option)
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad with Honey Museum and local honey tasting (Discovery option)
- Live entertainment onboard
Landmarks Petrovaradin Fortress - Day 11
Belgrade to Golubac
Belgrade sits where the Danube and Sava converge. Bike the central walkway with your host or take a guided tour seeing Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches, and other sights. An onboard lecture covers Balkan history and culture. Spend the afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street with its cafés, shops, and cultural spots. An optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in Skadarlija Quarter happens this evening before sailing to Golubac.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike exploration of Belgrade's central walkway (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Active option)
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade including Saint Sava (Classic option)
- Onboard Lecture about Balkan states history, destinations, and culture (Discovery option)
- Free time exploring Knez Mihailova Street
Optional Activities
- Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija
Landmarks Saint Sava Knez Mihailova Street - Day 12
Iron Gates - Vidin
Golubac Fortress shows you one of Europe's best-preserved medieval strongholds and its complex history among Serbia, the Habsburgs, and the Ottoman Empire. Next, visit the Mesolithic site of Lepenski Vir with unique Danube Gorge views. The ship sails through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge, a natural border between Serbia and Romania, before cruising to Vidin by afternoon and evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Fortress of Golubac
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site
- Sailing through Iron Gates Gorge
Landmarks Fortress of Golubac Lepenski Vir Iron Gates Gorge - Day 13
Belogradchik - Rousse
Vidin gives you choices. Bike around the city with your host or take a guided tour to Baba Vida Fortress, then Belogradchik to see remarkable rock formations sculpted over 200 million years in the Balkan Mountains. Or explore Bulgarian family winemaking at a local winery with cellar tastings. By afternoon and evening, the ship cruises to Rousse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour around Vidin (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Active option)
- Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik (Classic option)
- Guided tour and wine tasting at local winery (Discovery option)
Landmarks Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik 
- Day 14
Veliko Tarnovo - Oltenita
Rousse's old town works great by bike with your host, or take a full-day tour to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's former capital, with ancient stone houses on cliffs above the Yantra River. See Bulgarian Revival architecture in Arbanassi or take a guided tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port, visiting Holy Trinity Church and UNESCO rock-hewn churches in Ivanovo. A Bulgarian folklore show happens this evening before cruising to Oltenita.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike exploration of Rousse's old town (Avalon Adventure Host-led, Active option)
- Full-day Guided Tour to Veliko Tarnovo with Bulgarian Revival architecture in Arbanassi (Classic option)
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rousse with Holy Trinity Church visit (Classic option)
- Scenic drive to rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo UNESCO World Heritage site
- Live entertainment with Bulgarian folklore show
Landmarks Veliko Tarnovo Arbanassi Holy Trinity Church Rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo 
- Day 15
Bucharest
Bucharest, the 'Paris of the East', reveals itself through a guided tour of tree-lined boulevards, the Arc de Triomphe, and Royal Palace Square, site of the 1989 riots against communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Victory Avenue has beautiful homes and churches. Free time lets you visit shops and museums, or join optional excursions if available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Bucharest with tree-lined boulevards, Arc de Triomphe, Royal Palace Square, and Victory Avenue churches
Optional Activities
- Optional Excursions available
- Free time exploring shops and museums
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Royal Palace Square - Day 16
Disembarkation
Your river cruise ends this morning with breakfast onboard. After that, you disembark and head to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
