Compare A Taste of the Danube (Westbound) by Avalon Waterways vs Cycle the Danube by Intrepid Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 4 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,849 | $ 2,104 |
| Price Per Day | $ 462 | $ 263 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest and cruise through the natural beauty of Austria’s Wachau Valley, past quaint towns and villages—and stops in charming towns and cities of Slovakia and Austria along the way. Sail between two countries on a 58-mile stretch of the Danube that’s shared by Hungary and Slovakia. Explore Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a dynamic city at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Visit the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, which served as Hungary’s coronation church during the 16th to 19th centuries. In Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, where Benedictine monks still stroll within the sacred walls. Sitting high on a bluff, it offers the most breathtaking views of the city, the Danube River, and the Austrian countryside all at once. Conclude your beautiful Danube River cruise in Vienna, Austria.(p) |
Retrace the steps of the Roman, Ottoman and Habsburg Empires on this cycling adventure along the mighty Danube River. Over eight days, you’ll ride through small villages, lowland forests and lush farmland as you cycle from Vienna to Budapest, passing through Slovakia. Discover the Baroque style at the Schonbrunn Palace or get lost in the cobbled laneways of Komarom – a spa city with one foot in Hungary and the other in Slovakia. Visit the architectural jewel of the Danube River – the Esztergom Basilica – and pass by the white-hued Bratislava Castle. Celebrate a day in the saddle with a luxurious soak in one of Budapest's steaming baths, then maybe spend the night at the iconic ruin bars. If you’re seeking an active adventure – cycling is the best way to experience the cosmopolitan cities along the Danube. |
Day 1: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Spend free time strolling along the cobblestone streets, browsing art galleries, sipping coffee, and sampling sweets before boarding your Danube cruise for a welcome dinner this evening.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
(Dinner)
BUDAPEST-PARLIAMENT.jpg
Day 2: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a short hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Old Town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the Gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cathedral—Hungary’s centuries-old coronation church.
Alternatively, take a bicycle and a picnic from the ship to explore the local sights along the Danube on your own.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
BRATISLAVA.jpg
Day 3: MELK, AUSTRIA–WACHAU VALLEY
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
ACTIVE Experience the Wachau Valley from a unique perspective, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along some of Wachua's bike trails, OR:CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Melk’s 11th-century Benedictine Abbey. Explore its frescoes, statues, library, and spectacular pipe organ in the monastery’s lofty perch above the Danube.
Take a relaxing break on the Sky Deck as you sail through awe-inspiring views of the Wachau Valley and the wine region surrounding Dürnstein.
DÜRNSTEIN
A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins
Spend free time at your leisure, perhaps biking through the vineyards in the Wachau Valley.
Later, enjoy on board entertainment by local musicians.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
MELK-ABBEY.jpg
Day 4: VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Vienna airport before 8 am.
(Breakfast)
VIENNA-CITY-VIEW.jpg
Day 1 Vienna
Willkommen! Welcome to Austria. Your cycling adventure begins in Vienna with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, explore the city at your own pace – the best way to see Vienna is on your own two legs! After the meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner at a Viennese Heurigen (wine tavern). Heuriger means ‘this year's wine’ and it originated as a way for winemakers to offer samples of their new wines along with a few snacks. Fortunately, this now also includes a hearty meal, which will be much needed for the days of cycling ahead!
Day 2 Vienna city ride
After breakfast this morning, you’ll have a bike fitting for the group followed by a short test ride to check everything is in working order. Then, you’ll join with your leader and take a tour of Vienna on two wheels. Follow the path of the Habsburg and explore the rich artistic and cultural icons of the city like the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace and all that the Ringstrasse has to offer. Tonight, you’re free to explore at your own pace – ask for dinner recommendations from your leader, they will always have the best suggestions!
Day 3 Cycle Vienna to Bratislava
Leave Vienna’s city centre and ride along the mighty Danube to the tiny hamlet of Hasslau an der Donau. From here, you’ll journey east along the riverbanks to one of Austria's most important archaeological sites – Carnuntum, with its eclectic mix of Roman ruins and modern reconstructions. Spend some time wandering among the remains of Roman life on the Danube before climbing back onto your bike and slowly winding along the riverside bike paths to the Slovak border. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the Slovak capital – cosmopolitan Bratislava. See firsthand how bordering two independent countries has left its mark on Bratislava with a leader-led orientation walk. Tonight, you’re free to rest and recharge.
Day 4 Cycle Bratislava to Gyor
Follow the flowing waters of the Danube as it turns south today. Your ride today will pass by picturesque villages, lowland forests and across farmland to the Hungarian city of Gyor. This vibrant Baroque city – highlighted by Kaptalan Hill, Becsi Kapu Ter Square and the picturesque Kiraly Street – has been inhabited by varying cultures since ancient times and now offers a fascinating contrast to the slow pace of the river and its surroundings.
Day 5 Cycle Gyor to Komarom
Leaving Gyor behind, track back to the banks of the Danube and on to the city of Komarom, which straddles the borders of Hungary and Slovakia. While Komarom is known for its forts and strategic position on the Danube River, it’s also a beautiful city housing many museums and historical sites. Take a leader-led orientation walk when you arrive, across the Elizabeth Bridge, which is the pathway between the two counties. If you feel called to add some pampering to your afternoon, why not head to a local spa and soothe those leg muscles.
Day 6 Cycle Komarom to Esztergom
Today there’s an early departure to ride into your next stop – Esztergom. The former capital city of Hungary is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church and boasts an amazing array of architectural gems such as the Royal Palace and Watertown, which is built on the banks of the Danube itself. When you arrive, take a leader led orientation walk of the city and see the crowning jewel at the Esztergom Basilica – a beautiful example of Classicism and the third largest church in Europe. Reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend, the Basilica is a sight to behold from both outside and from within. Your evening is free to find some delicious local cuisine and wander the city streets at your own pace.
Day 7 Cycle Esztergom to Budapest
Cycle the famous ‘Danube Bend’ today, beneath the wooded hills of Visegrad. Here, the river turns south towards the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. Today will be your longest day in the saddle, but you’ll break it up with a scenic a picnic lunch on the riverbank. After cycling through the city itself, end the day on a high with an afternoon visit to one of Budapest's famous spas! After indulging with your group, your night is free to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the ruin bars or walk along the river as the sun falls.
Day 8 Budapest
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
