Compare Danube Serenade with 2 Nights in Munich & 2 Nights in Transylvania by Avalon Waterways vs Budapest to Prague Adventure by Explore!
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 18 days | 7 days |
Price From | $ 7,146 | $ 1,350 |
Price Per Day | $ 397 | $ 193 |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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Meals Included | N/A |
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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. |
On this holiday discover the historic European capital cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague and travel between them by a combination of rail and road. In Mikulov see the Jewish Cemetery and enjoy a wine tasting. Prague - Uncover the mysteries of the castle, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter and the Astronomical Clock Vienna - Travel by train into Austria and see the capital's main sights before having the chance to cruise back along the Danube River Chateau Lednice - Take a scenic walk through the UNESCO-Listed castle grounds known as 'the garden of Europe' Why Not Extend Your Trip? - This trip can be combined with our \ Krakow to Budapest Adventure' (trip code: CZ) to make a two week holiday |
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 Join trip in Budapest, Hungary; orientation walk of the city
Our adventure begins in the Hungary's capital city, Budapest, where we spend the night. Situated on a beautiful stretch of the Danube River, the city consists of two parts: Buda and Pest. Buda is the older, more graceful part, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings, whilst the latter is the modern business centre. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 4:30pm for the welcome meeting and, utilising local transport, they will to take us on an orientation walking tour of the main sights of this impressive city. We'll see the Basilica of Saint Stephen and the Parliament buildings before crossing the Chain Bridge to the Castle District and Watertown. Here lie Buda's most ancient gems - Castle Hill with the Old Town, Fisherman's Bastion and the Royal Palace. After the tour for those that wish there will be the chance to go for dinner. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Budapest Airport (BUD). There is a lot to see and do in Budapest; if you can spare the time, we suggest arriving a day early to make the most of this fascinating city. Alternatively, you could consider combining this holiday with the Krakow to Budapest Adventure to make a two-week holiday. Please note that if you wish to join the orientation tour today, you must arrive at the hotel by 4.30pm. If you are booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. It's around 45 minutes' drive from the airport to the hotel, so therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 2.30pm. Should you miss the meeting, your Leader will leave you information giving the meeting time for the next day in the hotel reception and will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
Meals Provided : None
Day 2 Drive to Bratislava, Slovakia with a walking tour on arrival
After the journey from Budapest we will spend a nice leisurely afternoon in historical Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia. It used to be the capital of the former Hungarian Kingdom and was known as 'Pressburg' and went through tough times at war with the Ottoman Empire. We will walk through the Old Town's maze of pretty Medieval streets and squares surrounded by numerous cafes and trendy bistros. We pass by Michael's Gate which is the only remaining old entrance to the city, the pretty Main Square, Neoclassical Primate's Palace and Cathedral of Saint Martin. After the walk you can continue your discovery by visiting one of the oldest castles in Slovakia or by enjoying a birds eye view from city's most famous landmark, the so-called UFO bridge, which affords views over the 'panelaky' typical communist era blocks of flats and various other fairly radical urban projects.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Day 3 Train to Vienna, Austria; chance to travel back by boat
This morning we take a short train ride (about 1 hour) to Austria's capital, Vienna, where we enjoy a walking tour of the Old City with a local guide. This should offer a good initial overview of the history and the structure of the city. Sights during the walk will include the Karlsplatz, Heroes Square, Hofburg (Imperial Palace Complex), Imperial Treasury, National Library, Spanish Riding School, Vienna's ancient housing estates, Saint Stephens Church and the Opera. We won't have time to enter any of these places on our tour but afterwards you will be free to return to visit any that you wish. You can choose to return to Bratislava by train at your leisure (we will provide a return ticket) or you may prefer to book a boat trip back along the Danube River (taking approximately 2 hours).
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Day 4 Visit to Lednice-Valtice and wine tasting in Mikulov, Czechia
We start our day with a train trip (taking around 1 hour), followed by a short bus journey to the beautiful town of Mikulov. Filled with history embodied in architectural monuments, this small town offers something for everyone. Situated in the very heart of the wine region, it has plenty of walking paths with local and family run wine cellars or wine tasting centres along the way. En route to Mikulov we stop at Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of the largest artificial landscapes in Europe and here we will take a walk around the castle park of Chateau Lednice. In the afternoon we visit the Jewish Cemetery in Mikulov with centuries old tombs and it is the final resting place of many prominent rabbis. Following our visit we'll enjoy a wine tasting of Mikulov's local produce.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Day 5 Train to Prague and explore on foot
A train journey takes us to our final destination of Prague, the capital city of the Czechia. Our train travel today will involve a change of trains and take approximately 4.5 hours in total. Twelve centuries have adorned it with a labyrinth of old streets and wonderful palaces and bridges. We enjoy a guided city tour, which will take in some of the main highlights including the Old Town Square and City Hall, set amid antique houses and arcades. Other sites include the Astronomical Clock, Powder Tower and Prague Ghetto, which includes the Jewish Cemetery and Synagogues. We also see Charles Bridge, the most handsome bridge over the Vltava River and the area of Hradcany which contains the castle of the Bohemian Kings.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Day 6 Free day in Prague with the option to visit Konopiste Castle
On our second day in Prague you are free to enjoy the city at your leisure. You may wish to head by local train to the 700 year old Konopiste Castle. The castle was once owned by Archduke Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered the start of World War I. A boat trip on the Vltava River is another possibility. There are also many classical music concerts to be found. If the timing is right, you may be lucky to see a performance in one of the old atmospheric churches. There the option of visiting the Bunker Museum, where a range of Cold War relics are on display from an age when paranoia and spying was at an all-time high, which is housed in a former communist bunker underneath the city.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Day 7 Trip ends in Prague
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Prague. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Prague at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Prague Airport (PRG).
Meals Provided : Breakfast