Compare Danube Serenade with 2 Nights in Munich & 2 Nights in Transylvania by Avalon Waterways vs The Beautiful Blue Danube by CroisiEurope
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 18 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 7,146 | $ 1,395 |
| Price Per Day | $ 397 | $ 233 |
| Highlights |
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CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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| Trip Style | Group tour | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Experience unmatched views on a European river cruise from the Danube Delta through the Balkans, Austria, and Germany. Begin your European vacation your way with two nights in Munich before your cruise. Embark in Deggendorf and visit the lovely city of Linz. Sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. You may choose to enjoy a wine tasting with a Wine World Experience to discover the secrets of winemaking and its history. Next, sail to Vienna—the City of Music—for a guided city tour its landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Continue to Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube,” followed by the historic Hungarian towns of Mohács and Pécs. Cruise through remarkable landscapes of the Balkan states of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek, and attend a performance by students of the Franjo Kuhač music school. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, and visit Lepenski Vir to discover ancient archaeological finds and the amazing Danube Gorge before cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge. You’ll cruise through Bulgaria with guided sightseeing in Vidin, Rousse, Veliko Târnovo, and Arbanassi. Marvel at Belogradchik’s remarkable rock formations; ancient stone cliff houses above the Yantra River. Your cruise concludes in Oltenita. Drive to Bucharest for sightseeing, including the Royal Palace Square and Romanian soldier remembrances. Continue your European vacation after your cruise with 2 nights in Brasov. Take a guided tour of the city by day, and a tour of Dracula’s Bran Castle by night. Visit Peles Castle in the Carpathian Mountains. |
From Budapest to Passau via Bratislava, Vienna and Melk, these cities rich in culture and history will unveil their secrets. Discover the Schoenbrunn Palace and the beautiful Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its wooded hillsides, orchards, small villages, vineyards and monasteries, it is the most picturesque part of the Danube and where the majestic Dürnstein Castle stands. |
Day 1
MUNICH, GERMANY Welcome to MunichSpend free time today by relaxing, exploring, or strolling through the streets of Munich.
Day 2
MUNICH Storybook Villages and Fairytale Castles CLASSIC Take a Guided Excursion to the garden landscape of the Bavarian Alps to visit Neuschwanstein Castle—the historic home of King Ludwig. (B)
Day 3
MUNICH—DEGGENDORF (EMBARKATION) Modern Metropolis and Alpine Monarchs CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.This afternoon transfer to Deggendorf to board your Avalon Suite Ship®EVENING CRUISE TO LINZ (B,D)
Day 4
LINZ–MAUTHAUSEN, AUSTRIA Fall in Love with Legendary Art, Music, and the Linzer TorteCLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white marble Trinity Column, OR:ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to Mount Pöstlingberg to get an incredible bird’s-eye view of Linz and the mighty Danube River. Enjoy a brief sailing to Mauthausen while having lunch. You may choose to join an Optional Excursion to Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Enjoy sailing on your way to Ybbs tonight. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN YBBS(B,L,D)
Day 5
WACHAU VALLEY–KREMS An Ancient Village and Wachau Valley VintagesRelax on board this morning and enjoy the picturesque Wachau Valley scenery as you cruise to Krems.CLASSIC Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world, OR:DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting.AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VIENNA(B,L,D)
Day 6
VIENNA A Feast for the Soul in ViennaCLASSIC Venture into the Habsburg empire with a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex — the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Optional tours today include a Guided Tour of magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence of Habsburg royalty. You may also choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.Alternatively you can choose to spend your free time strolling through Kärtnerstrasse, the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna; stop in a local café to enjoy authentic Austrian confections of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA(B,L,D)
Day 7
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Classic and Contemporary—from Cathedrals to CastlesCLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and fantastic St. Martin’s Cathedral. ACTIVE Grab Nordic walking sticks and follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a Hike to Bratislava Castle.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
Day 8
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.Take free time to enjoy Budapest’s famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city’s cafés, pubs, and nightlife at your leisure. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS(B,L,D)
Day 9
MOHÁCS Archaeology, Architecture, and an Ancient Watermill CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill—one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You’ll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK(B,L,D)
Day 10
OSIJEK, CROATIA History and Culture of CroatiaCLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of the city of Osijek, located at the confluence of the Danube and Drava Rivers. Visit Tvrđa, the most well preserved fortress of Croatia, home of many educational institutions. DISCOVERY Attend a musical concert performed by the talented young artists of the music school of Osijek at Franjo Kuhac.This afternoon you might join a Guided Optional Excursion to Vukovar. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE(B,L,D)
Day 11
BELGRADE, SERBIA Fortresses and Folklore of Serbia Past and Present CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches. DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states. Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship before dinner. This evening, you might like to join an Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC(B,L,D)
Day 12
DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR— IRON GATES GORGE Ancient Art, Archaeological Artifacts, and Gauntlet of the Iron Gates CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. For the most part, the fortress was a sort of “a border control” of the past and couple of time was a knot of conflicts between Serbia, Habsburg Monarchy and Ottoman Empire. Enjoy a brief sailing to Donji Milanovac. CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir—an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge.Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN(B,L,D)
Day 13
VIDIN, BULGARIA Rocks and Ruins—Things of Beauty in BulgariaCLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE(B,L,D)
Day 14
ROUSSE. EXCURSION TO VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI Cliff Houses, Castle Ruins, Fortresses, and FolkloreCLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR: ACTIVE Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA(B,L,D)
Day 15
OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest. CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. After the visit drive to Brasov for the night. (B,D)
Day 16
BRASOV CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture. In the evening depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore. CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location. (B,D)
Day 17
BRASOV–SINAIA–BUCHAREST A Night in Bucharest—the “Paris of the East.” CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle,— the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest and spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue. (B)
Day 18
BUCHAREST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
Day 1 BUDAPEST
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Dinner will be served on board. In the evening, join us on an excursion : Evening of traditional entertainment in Budapest.
Day 1 BUDAPEST
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Dinner will be served on board. In the evening, join us on an excursion : Evening of traditional entertainment in Budapest.
Day 2 BUDAPEST - BRATISLAVA
Join us on an excursion: Guided tour of Budapest.The afternoon will be spent cruising to Bratislava.
Day 2 BUDAPEST - BRATISLAVA
Join us on an excursion: Guided tour of Budapest.The afternoon will be spent cruising to Bratislava.
Day 3 BRATISLAVA - VIENNA
We'll arrive in Bratislava in the early morning. Join us for the excursions proposed: Guided Tour of Bratislava.Hiking in Bratislava: The Little Carpathians. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava.Our ship will cruise to Vienna. Enjoy a free evening or join us on an optional excursion : Concert of Viennese music (subject to availability.)
Day 3 BRATISLAVA - VIENNA
We'll arrive in Bratislava in the early morning. Join us for the excursions proposed: Guided Tour of Bratislava.Hiking in Bratislava: The Little Carpathians. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava.Our ship will cruise to Vienna. Enjoy a free evening or join us on an optional excursion : Concert of Viennese music (subject to availability.)
Day 4 VIENNA
Join us on an excursion : Visit Schönbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the imperial family, and tour of part of Vienna.Afternoon, join us on an excursion : Tour Hofburg Palace, an imperial march through history, art and luxury.Our ship will cruise to Melk.
Day 4 VIENNA
Join us on an excursion : Visit Schönbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the imperial family, and tour of part of Vienna.Afternoon, join us on an excursion : Tour Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg's winter residence and its Sisi Museum.
Day 5 MELK - PASSAU
Early in the morning, we'll cruise along the most beautiful section of the Wachau Valley before arriving in Melk. Join us on an excursion : Visit Dürnstein, the fortified village where Richard the Lionheart was once held prisoner. In the afternoon, join us on an excursion : Visit the Melk Abbey. Originally a Baroque-style palace built between 1702 and 1736, it is now a Benedictine monastery that hosts a prestigious coed school with more than 900 students. We'll return on board in Ybbs.In the evening, we'll begin to cruise to Passau. Tonight is our gala evening and dinner.
Day 5 MELK - PASSAU
Early in the morning, we'll cruise along the most beautiful section of the Wachau Valley before arriving in Melk. Join us on an excursion: Visit Dürnstein, the fortified village where Richard the Lionheart was once held prisoner. In the afternoon, join us on an excursion: Visit the Melk Abbey. Originally a Baroque-style palace built between 1702 and 1736, it is now a Benedictine monastery that hosts a prestigious coed school with more than 900 students. We'll return on board in Ybbs.In the evening, we'll begin to cruise to Passau. Tonight is our gala evening and dinner.
Day 6 PASSAU
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
