TouringForLess

Avalon Cruise Map

click map to enlarge

Avalon Waterways The Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest (WBNQ)

10 Day River Cruise Budapest to Nuremberg 
This timeless European vacation begins with two nights in vibrant Budapest, Hungary, before your Danube River cruise with exciting stops in Austria and Germany. In Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital, marvel at the eight bridges spanning the river and enjoy an introduction to the city by a local expert who shows you the must-see sights. Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® for an amazing view of the landscapes of Bratislava while sailing. Vienna, Austria, offers stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Habsburg Palace, and the Vienna Opera House. In the heart of the Wachau wine region is Dürnstein, a 16th-century town with charming cobblestone streets and the baroque Stiftskirche with its luminous blue façade. In Melk, visit majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, and enjoy a tasting of some of the Wachau Valley’s famous Austrian wines. Take a guided walk through Passau, with its narrow streets and beautiful Patrician houses. Further up the Danube River, you’ll arrive at the medieval walls of Regensburg—the only German city not bombed during WWII. Your last stop is the thousand-year-old city of Nuremberg, where you’ll marvel at the medieval fortifications, extraordinary Gothic churches, and the Imperial Castle. Your Danube River cruise concludes in Nuremberg.

Ships: View - Passion - Tranquility II - Envision - Imagery II

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Budapest: Welcome to Budapest!

Day 2 Budapest: Guided tour, see Heroes' Square

Day 3 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 4 Vienna: Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava, free time in Vienna in the evening

Day 5 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 6 Dürnstein-Wachau Valley-Melk: In Dürnstein choice of guided tour or a hike up to the castle ruins with your Adventure Host; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or hike with your Adventure Host; onboard wine tasting

Day 7 Passau: Guided walk

Day 8 Regensburg: Choice of guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 9 Roth, Excursion to Nuremberg: On board lecture; choice of guided sightseeing in Roth or hike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Nuremberg, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour

Day 10 Nuremberg (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

Special Interest Departures

12/02/2024 - Festive Season on the Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest
11/29/2025 - Festive Season on the Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest
12/13/2025 - Festive Season on the Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
 Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.
Day 2BUDAPEST
 The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon 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.

(B)
Day 3BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION)
 Time for Coffee and Confections

With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas, then lunch in a garden or rooftop eatery before boarding your Suite Ship®.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

(B,D)
Day 4VIENNA, AUSTRIA
 Vienna Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube

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

Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view.

This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

(B,L,D)
Day 5VIENNA
 Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions

ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR;

CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire.

Enjoy free time this afternoon to take a tram to visit Vienna’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from the ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN

(B,L,D)
Day 6DÜRNSTEIN
 A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins

ACTIVE Join a Hike up to the castle ruins with your Adventure Host for a spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle above the village during the Crusades.

Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.

MELK

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike through Melk’s beautiful countryside, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

(B,L,D)
Day 7PASSAU, GERMANY
 Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”

Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.

Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

(B,L,D)
Day 8REGENSBURG
 Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg.

Alternatively spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH

(B,L,D)
Day 9ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG
 Legends and History Lessons

DISCOVERY Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas.

ACTIVE Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth—with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR:

CLASSIC Choose a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG

(B,L,D)
Day 10NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION)
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$210

Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

Avalon 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.

Avalon Waterways Fleet

Click Quote for an Avalon Waterways Tour Date for our low price tour quote


Avalon Tour Dates

Tour Land StartAvalon RetailRequest Quote
*06/09/2024 $4,498.00
*07/10/2024 $4,398.00
*07/30/2024 $4,398.00
*10/22/2024 $4,398.00
*11/16/2024 $4,098.00
*12/02/2024 $4,198.00
*08/07/2025 $4,398.00
*10/14/2025 $4,498.00
*10/20/2025 $4,498.00
*11/29/2025 $4,198.00
*12/13/2025 $4,198.00
We Sell the Same Escorted Tours. What makes us different is we sell to you for LESS!