Compare Danube Serenade with 2 Nights in Munich & 2 Nights in Transylvania by Avalon Waterways vs Danube Bike & River Cruise: Budapest to Prague by VBT

Day 1

MUNICH, GERMANY Welcome to Munich

Spend 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 Torte

CLASSIC 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 Vintages

Relax 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 Vienna

CLASSIC 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 Castles

CLASSIC 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 Croatia

CLASSIC 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 Bulgaria

CLASSIC 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 Folklore

CLASSIC 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: VBT Bicycling tour begins / Budapest guided walk / Embark ship / Warm-up ride

At 9:30 a.m., meet your private VBT walking tour guide in the hotel lobby. Please be checked out of your room and dressed ready to walk. Join up with your local guide for a walking tour through the city’s highlights. Enjoy your first lunch on board, after arriving at the dock in Budapest at approximately 1:00 p.m. to board your Emerald Cruises ship.

Your cabin may not be ready for you until 3:00 p.m. However, you are welcome to relax in the ship’s common areas or explore more of Budapest.

Later, meet your trip leaders and fellow travelers on board for an introduction to the week, followed by a safety and bike-fitting session. After the introduction meeting, get acquainted with your bike and with riding on bike paths and in bike lanes on a warm-up ride along the Danube River. A welcome dinner in the ship’s Reflections Restaurant and traditional Hungarian folklore performances are in store this evening.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Budapest Warm-up — 6 km (4 miles)

What to Expect:

Your warm-up ride follows paved, dedicated bike lanes alongside vehicular traffic on both banks of the Danube, with spectacular views of the city. Your ride ends at the ship. As you ride, get acquainted with your bicycle, route notes, Ride with GPS, and the locals. Check your brakes and play with shifting your full range of gears.

Cumulative Distance Range: 6 km (4 miles)

Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Szentendre / Vác

Spin through the lush outskirts of Buda to Szentendre, a delightful artists’ community. Upon arrival in Szentendre, you’ll have some free time to browse the galleries and shops and to discover its narrow Baroque streets. Afterward, you will learn how to prepare goulash and strudel before lunch at a popular restaurant. Then continue to Vác, the capital of the Danube Bend.

Admire views of the Baroque town center and the river during the ferry crossing. In Vác, we invite you first to visit an exciting and famous local exhibition. Afterward, you have some time at leisure before your small group rejoins the ship in Vác.

On your return to the ship, enjoy the captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner. With its regional specialties, tonight’s meal completes the day’s Hungarian theme!

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Budapest to Szentendre — 20 km (12 miles)

Afternoon: Szentendre to Vác ferry — 15 km (9 miles)

What to Expect:

Today’s biking is on a flat, paved bike path along the Danube. The first part of the morning ride is in a relatively quiet, urban environment, while the second part is on a designated bike path away from the traffic. After lunch, an optional ride continues on country roads with some traffic to the Vác ferry. VBT offers a support vehicle from Szentendre.

Cumulative Distance Range: 20 – 35 km (12 – 21 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Bratislava / Donau-Auen National Park / Hainburg

Awake this morning in Bratislava, the riverside capital of Slovakia and the only capital to border two other nations. After breakfast, disembark for an orientation walking tour with your trip leader. You’ll find an unusual mix of 20th-century Communist-era architecture, Baroque palaces, medieval spires, and the narrowest house in Europe—all overlooked from a hillside by the rectangular white castle and watchtowers of Bratislava Castle.

Mid-morning, you pedal out of town, crossing the Danube by way of the “UFO” bridge, and traverse the forests and meadows of Danube-Auen National Park, one of the largest remaining floodplains of the Danube. Arrive in Hainburg, a small town on the Austrian bank, where Joseph Haydn studied music as a young boy. After a delicious lunch in a local restaurant, arrive at Schloss Hof, the “hunting lodge” of Prince Eugene of Savoy. A guided visit introduces the lodge and the estate. You’re invited to roam the splendid gardens and castle.

Mid-afternoon, travel back to Slovakia and to your waiting ship. Alternatively, you can choose to cycle back along the other side of the river, though the small village of Devin, famous for its castle.

Back in Bratislava, enjoy some leisure time before dinner and a late departure for Vienna.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Bratislava to Schloss Hof — 34 km (21 miles)

Afternoon: Schloss Hof to Bratislava — 20 km (13 miles)

What to Expect:

Today’s ride features a combination of bike paths and town streets. While both Slovakia and Austria offer bike paths, we would like to make you aware that the paths in Slovakia are slightly less well-maintained. The afternoon option is partly along a busy country road.

Cumulative Distance Range: 34 – 54 km (21 – 34 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Ride along the Donauinsel / Explore Vienna

Your ship is in Vienna from very early this morning until very late tonight, so you will have a convenient base from which to explore Austria’s glorious capital.

Vienna is renowned as one of Europe’s most cycle-friendly cities, so you can make use of its abundant bike paths and bike lanes. This morning, our small group will enjoy a private walking tour of Vienna with the help of an experienced local tour guide.

After lunch on board, your bike ride leads to the edge of the city and along the Donauinsel, or Danube Island, a 13-mile (21 km) strip where scenic vistas and quiet riding add to your Vienna discoveries.

Or explore Vienna on your own, pursuing your own whims and interests in the city of Strauss, Beethoven, and Mahler. The gracious boulevards of Vienna are awash in culture and elegance. Head to the Ringstrasse, the circular avenue that replaced the city’s demolished medieval wall, to marvel at the breathtaking architecture from the gleaming Imperial Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the famed Vienna State Opera. And be sure to take a break in one of the city’s famed coffee houses to experience Viennese café culture firsthand.

This evening, you are invited to join the Viennese Evening Concert excursion, featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart. This private event is available only to those on our ship.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Vienna and Danube Island — 20 km (12 miles)

What to Expect:

The afternoon ride is a relaxing and easy loop ride through the edge of the city and on Danube Island, a car-free recreational paradise.

Cumulative Distance Range: 20 km (12 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Dürnstein / Cycle through the Wachau Valley / Melk

Your ship is moored in Krems, Austria, when you awake. The town and its surroundings are a center of Wachau wine production. From here, you begin to cycle toward Dürnstein. Admire its stunning powder-blue bell tower soaring above red roofs. A cliffside castle, which once held Richard the Lionheart captive, watches over the scenic town.

Later this morning, cycle through what is perhaps the most beautiful stretch of the Danube, the Wachau Valley, Austria’s celebrated wine-growing region. The “Wachau Cultural Landscape” was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. As for its physical landscape, it is blessed with lush vineyards and hillside orchards set among castle ruins, churches, and abbeys. Few places match the Wachau for its striking beauty and rich viniculture. Ride through the scenic hamlets of Spitz and Wiessenkirchen, nestled between the Danube and its rising banks.

On arrival in Melk, celebrate the ride over a lunch of Austrian specialties. Afterward, you can continue cycling along the river on a loop ride, or go for a short walk, maybe exploring the city’s spectacular Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. In the afternoon, you are invited to join a private wine tasting in the city center of Melk.

Upon returning to the ship, you’ll have time to relax before dinner on board. This afternoon, the ship charts a course for Engelhartszell and Passau.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Krems to Melk — 40 km (24 miles)

Afternoon: Optional loop outside Melk — 18 km (11 miles)

What to Expect:

Begin biking from Krems, again following the Danube Bike Path. You can extend your ride after lunch in Melk. Both options are mostly on paved bike paths with some short ascents. In some sections, the bike path is directly adjacent to the roadway.

Cumulative Distance Range: 40 – 58 km (24 – 35 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Engelhartszell / Cycle to Passau

Your bicycle is waiting for you in Engelhartszell, where you disembark after an early breakfast to start your ride. This morning’s route to Passau follows the Danube Bike Path on a leisurely ride. After leaving Austria, continue cycling before taking a short detour along the river Inn to Passau, the scenic “City of Three Rivers” at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz. Enjoy lunch on board your river cruise ship, and join an informative walking tour with a local guide, followed by free time to explore.

Afterward, you may join an optional hike to Veste Oberhaus, Passau’s famous castle on the other side of the river. Reboard the ship late afternoon and set sail for Regensburg. Enjoy a Captain’s Gala Dinner and evening activities on board.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Engelhartszell to Passau — 33 km (20 miles)

What to Expect:

Bike along the right bank, on a section of the Danube Bike Path that is mainly flat and entirely paved. You will cycle the last section in an urban environment, across the relatively quiet city center of Passau.

Cumulative Distance Range: 33 km (20 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Regensburg / Cycle to Kelheim / Danube Gorge and Weltenburg

As you’ll see when you awake, Regensburg is an imposing town of red-roof houses at the convergence of the Danube and Regen rivers. Its 12th-century stone bridge features 16 arches spanning the Danube and reaching into the Old Town.

After breakfast, cycle along the Danube banks to Kelheim. Following the Danube Bike Path, your scenic ride continues to be easy and mostly car-free. Pause for a typical Bavarian lunch in a small, historical restaurant.

In the afternoon board a small ship in Kelheim for a picturesque 45-minute sail through the Danube Gorge (Donaudurchbruch). Upon arrival in Weltenburg, your presence is requested at a world-famous abbey for a private visit, followed by a beer tasting. Afterward, a shuttle will take you back to the ship for dinner with live music played by a traditional Bavarian band. The ship will moor in Regensburg, where you are welcome to enjoy an evening walk in town.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Regensburg to Kapfelberg — 26 km (16 miles)

Afternoon: Kapfelberg to Kelheim — 13 km (8 miles)

What to Expect:

Today’s ride options are on the famous EuroVelo 6 bike path. The Danube is your constant companion on this scenic and easy ride upstream to Kelheim. The short option ends at Kapfelberg, with a shuttle on to Kelheim to board the small ship to Weltenburg. Today is the only day with significant sections of packed gravel (about 60%). Almost the entire ride is on vehicle-free bike paths.

Cumulative Distance Range: 26 – 39 km (16 – 24 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Disembark / VBT Bicycling Vacation ends

After breakfast, disembark your ship and conclude your Danube odyssey.

Your trip ends at the docks in Regensburg, Germany, on the morning of disembarkation. The ship is scheduled to arrive in port the day before. You may travel from here on your own by taxi to the train station, a distance of one mile (1.8 km), which should take about 5 minutes by taxi, to board a train, which takes you directly to the Munich International Airport in one hour and 20 minutes. The ship’s staff will be happy to arrange a taxi for you.

Included Meals: Breakfast