Compare Active & Discovery on the Danube with 1 Night in Budapest & 2 Nights in Prague (Westbound) by Avalon Waterways vs Highlights of Eastern Europe - End Budapest, Classic Group End Budapest Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.

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Day 2: BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION)–DANUBE BEND

The Pearl of the Danube

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

ACTIVE See the sights from a different perspective by joining a Guided Bike Tour along the bike paths and pedestrian areas of the city, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a local person for an unforgettable introduction to the local people, places, and experiences that makes Budapest so special," OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Budapest to see the city’s most iconic sites.

Spend free time shopping for Hungarian paprika or handcrafted souvenirs, or savor a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafés.

Enjoy a Hungarian Dinner on board during a scenic cruise through the Danube Bend.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO VISEGRÁD

(Breakfast,Dinner)

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Day 3: VISEGRÁD

Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s Tower

ACTIVE Visit Count Dracula’s prison tower on a Hiking Tour, OR:

ACTIVE Take part in a Canoe Excursion through the picturesque Bend Region of the Danube for a truly unique perspective of one of the river’s most beautiful stretches, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Visit to the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrád’s Lower Castle, featuring targeting and fighting demonstrations by members of the St. George Knightly Order.

Spend free time after your selected activities to explore Palotaház, where stonemasons, smiths, potters, and paper-makers produce their traditional items using age-old techniques.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 4: VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the famed Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues of Vienna to see the city’s highlights from a unique perspective, OR:

DISCOVERY Take an Insider’s Tour of Vienna to get behind the scenes of her sights and attractions. You will meet locals, have the chance to prepare some food, and enjoy other surprises, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including a tour of Belvedere Palace to see Gustave Klimt’s renowned “Kiss” painting.

Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse then take a break for a piece of Sachertorte. Or enjoy an optional excursion in Schönbrunn.

This evening consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 5: VIENNA

A Feast for the Soul

DISCOVERY Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café, OR:

CLASSIC Dive into one of the world’s most important museums with a Guided Tour of the Habsburg family’s private art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and enjoy Italian or Dutch master works, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by the Military Museum, commemorating the past of the Habsburg Empire.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 6: KREMS

Take a Canoe or a Bike through Austria’s Wine Country

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Paddle a canoe on a Guided Tour to see the Austrian waterways and shoreline scenery from a unique perspective, OR:

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour from Krems to Spitz, and enjoy a stop in Dürnstein to see the mesmerizing blue Stiftskirche, and to sample local specialties, OR:

DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR:

DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Visit that showcases production of regional fruits, vegetables, wine, or other products.

Relax on board this afternoon to enjoy the picturesque Wachau Valley scenery as you cruise to Grein.

GREIN

A Modern-Day Castle and the Count

DISCOVERY See Burg Clam on a Guided Visit, and meet the Count of Clam during your tour.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GREIN

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 7: GREIN

Theater History...Alive and Well in Grein

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.

Take a mid-morning cruise to Mauthausen.

MAUTHAUSEN

History Lessons and Monastic Life

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the Danube and discover how fertile this area is. Stop at a local farm and learn more about farming life and flood protection, OR:

CLASSIC Visit the 9th-century St. Florian Monastery—the largest monastery in upper Austria and home to Augustine monks, OR:

CLASSIC Join a sobering Guided Tour of Mauthausen Memorial, one of the largest and most brutal Nazi camp of WWII.

This afternoon sail to Linz arriving this evening.

LINZ

Legendary, Lovely Linz

Tonight, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ENGELHARTSZELL

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 8: ENGELHARTSZELL–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW

Memories and Beer in the Making

ACTIVE Bike your way to a local trappist monastery in Engelhartszell, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to a cider cellar where an expert sommelier will reveal the secrets of Upper Austria’s beloved ciders, OR:

CLASSIC Visit the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and explore its Sensory Garden—complete with stone labyrinth, herb garden, and vineyard. Sample cheese and beer made by the resident Trappist monks.

ACTIVE This afternoon, enjoy a scenic Guided Hike along the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow, a dramatic bend carved by centuries.

Or, as a relaxing option, enjoy free time on the Sky Deck this afternoon while you sail through the amazing horseshoe bend of the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow on your way to Vilshofen.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 9: VILSHOFEN (DISEMBARKATION)–CESKY KRUMLOV–PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

CLASSIC Visit the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov, also known as the “Pearl of the Bohemian Forest.

Continue on to the Golden City of Prague.

(Breakfast)

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Day 10: PRAGUE

Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Great Cuisine

ACTIVE Enjoy the natural wonders of Prokopské Valley Nature Reserve on this active, half-day Guided Hiking adventure on the outskirts of Prague, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock.

Consider sampling delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River.

Mingle with the locals and be mesmerized by street performers in Wenceslas Square, or admire the arches and statues decorating Charles Bridge.

(Breakfast)

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Day 11: PRAGUE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

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Day 1: Welcome to Budapest

On arrival at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:30. Join your Travel Director at 18:00 and travel to the famous and elegant Gundel Restaurant. Your Welcome Dinner is a treat of mouthwatering Hungarian specialities, accompanied by specially selected wine.

Day 2: Delve into Budapest Relaxed Start

Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert. Admire the facade of Matthias Church and take in the view from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Enjoy a short drive following the Danube and arrive at Gellért Hill. From the top, appreciate astounding panoramic vistas presided over by the Liberty Statue.Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. The university was founded by the piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875. In the evening, perhaps choose an Optional Experience to see this fairy-tale city as you cruise along the Danube and enjoy a meal of Hungarian specialties, served with drinks?

Day 3: The Mountains to Kraków

Take a gentle drive into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains, where villagers still live in traditional wooden houses. Stop at scenic Donovaly. Continue north to see the picturesque Oravský Hrad Castle before crossing into Poland and continuing to historic Kraków.

Day 4: The Damsels and Dragons of Kraków Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert to ascend Wawel Hill and visit the cathedral. Walk past the former residence of Pope John Paul II through the Old Town, to Europe's largest and most beautiful town square. See the medieval Sukiennice Cloth Hall and visit the 14th century St. Mary's Basilica, the most important church in the city. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower.This afternoon, why not join an Optional Experience and journey into a glistening subterranean world at the 600-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mines? In a maze of tunnels deep below the surface, witness unique salt sculptures, sunken lakes and even a glorious cathedral carved entirely out of rock salt by the miners. Alternatively, enjoy time at leisure.

Day 5: Auschwitz and Częstochowa

Join a Local Expert at Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz, infamous for its role during the Holocaust. Spend reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died. Travel north to Częstochowa to visit the 14th century Monastery of Jasna Góra, famous for the Black Madonna, said to have been painted by St. Luke. Continue across the Polish plains to the country’s capital, Warsaw for the night. Dumplings are an Eastern European tradition, so in the evening enjoy a dumpling demonstration and delightful Highlight Dinner.

Day 6: The Polish Capital of Warsaw Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert in the morning to see the Old Town, Royal Castle and Palace of Culture. Visit the Chopin Memorial in the Łazienki Park.Pay your respects at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes and then enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Perhaps attend a Chopin recital or delve into Warsaw's inspirational past?

Day 7: Wielkopolska to Berlin

Your route leads westward, across the rolling farmlands of the central plains, over the Oder River to enter Germany. Your destination is the vibrant capital of Berlin where you can try traditional Berliner cuisine.

Day 8: The Spirit of Berlin Relaxed Start

Prepare to embrace the rejuvenated spirit of Berlin. Join a Local Expert for a drive through the leafy Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, take the Unter den Linden past the State Opera House to Museum Island.

Day 9: Dresden and Golden Prague

Journey south to Dresden. Almost totally destroyed by horrific air raids in 1945, Dresden has now risen again from the ashes in a blend of old and new. See the reconstructed Frauenkirche and walk past the colossal ‘Procession of the Princes' on the wall of the Royal Palace. Explore around the Catholic cathedral to view the tiered facades of the opera house and the Baroque Zwinger Palace. After free time for lunch, head for the Czech border, high in the Ore Mountains and continue to the capital city of Prague.

Day 10: Prague, City of a Hundred Spires

Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the Jewish Quarter and learn about a different side of the history of Prague.The city is then yours to explore. Perhaps walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route? Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners, alongside the Czech cuisine.

Day 11: Bohemian Český Krumlov Relaxed Start

A journey through the green Bohemian countryside will bring you to České Budějovice. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery to sample the beer and discover the secrets of how this golden vintage is made. Continue on to Český Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vltava. Walk the narrow cobbled streets and arch-covered footpaths, past colourful townhouses and centuries-old inns. With a Local Expert, visit the fairy-tale, red-roofed castle, considered by many to be the finest in the land. When all the day trippers have left, soak up the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your Dine-Around Evening. You will be offered a selection of restaurants, nestled amid the tangle of streets and old squares.

Day 12: Stately Vienna Relaxed Start

Cross the border into Austria and enjoy a delightful journey to Vienna. The afternoon is free for you to explore this stately capital and later why not enjoy a delightful Austrian meal with the option to dine at a country mansion?

Day 13: The Habsburgs of Vienna

Vienna owes much of its present-day charm to the long reign of the Habsburgs. Join your Local Expert for a private visit of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Then, take some great photos on a circuit of the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Choose between a visit to a traditional Viennese café to enjoy local specialities of coffee and Sachertorte or alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. As night falls, experience an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music combined with a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare, with drinks included.

Day 14: Depart Budapest

A transfer arrives at Budapest airport in the early afternoon. For those extending their stay, a stop is also made at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest.