Compare Danube Symphony - Cruise Only Eastbound by Avalon Waterways vs European Whirl (Paris, Base) by Trafalgar
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 6 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 2,784 | $ 3,895 |
| Price Per Day | $ 464 | $ 278 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 5 Dinners |
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| Description |
Board your river cruise vessel in Passau and sail down the Danube, stopping to visit Grein’s quaint historical theater, magnificent Melk Abbey, and the small town of Krems in the Wachau Valley. End your cruise in Austria’s capital, Vienna, with guided sightseeing and plenty of time to explore this “City of Music” on your own.
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The tring-tring of bicycles sounds the start of your European Whirl. Kick back on the canals of Amsterdam and Venice, in the quiet lakeside beauty of Lucerne and among the Tuscan hills near Florence, with flavors of Italian Chianti setting the tone for an unforgettable trip. |
Day 1: Passau, Germany (Embarkation)
Meals: Dinner
This afternoon board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception this evening.
Day 2: Passau–Linz, Austria
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the world’s largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Join your Local Guide for a WALKING TOUR through this charming town, and find out much more about the “City of Three Rivers.” (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Linz
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Linz is Austria’s third-largest city and an important river port where culture plays a significant role in everyday life. A guided tour of the city shows you the 13th-century Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square, and the Trinity Column, built in 1723 as thanks for the city escaping the ravages of the plague, war, and fire. Perhaps wander around the old castle grounds and take in the beautiful views of the river, or visit the neo-gothic New Cathedral, Austria’s largest church, with capacity for 20,000 visitors. This afternoon relax on board enjoying the views of the peaceful riverscapes from the comfort of the Sky Deck or join an optional excursion.
Day 4: Melk–Dürnstein
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A day of charming towns and magical scenery awaits you today! In Melk, you may choose between a GUIDED VISIT of the magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, or renaissance SCHALLABURG CASTLE. Melk’s abbey towers over the town and its church houses stunning frescoed ceilings and an ornate library with a large collection of medieval manuscripts. Schallaburg Castle was built as a defensive stronghold 900 years ago, but was later redesigned as a magnificent princely home. Next, head into the heart of the Wachau wine region to Dürnstein known for its magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, - and join a Certified Local Guide for a guided walk.
Day 5: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wake up this morning in Vienna, known as the “City of Music” and the place that inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. This is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boy’s Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House; and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral—plus, countless other sights you’ll see on your GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR. Stroll through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse, and be sure to take a break and enjoy a piece of decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café.
Day 6: Vienna (Disembarkation)
Meals: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Day 1: Welcome to London
The vibrant British capital where you will spend the next two nights, enjoying the pomp and pageantry of a city that effortlessly combines old and new.
The Tower
Day 2: Discover Historic London
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a tour to see the iconic sites of London, including Big Ben, the imposing Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Spend a leisurely afternoon shopping on Carnaby Street, consider visiting one of London’s museums or wander along the Thames watching ambitious Londoners pound the pavements.
The Tower
Breakfast
Day 3: Eurostar™ to Brussels and on to Amsterdam
This morning we meet our Travel Director before traveling to London's St. Pancras International where we will board the Eurostar™ for a high-speed train journey to Brussels and a luxury coach journey to Amsterdam. Enjoy an orientation of this historic Dutch city before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a dinner cruise on its canals.
Mercure City
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Journey to the Rhineland and a Scenic Cruise
Driving through the lush landscapes of the Netherlands and Germany, we arrive in Boppard where we board a cruise along the Rhine to St. Goar, passing vineyard-clad hills and medieval castles perched above riverside towns. Arriving in the Baroque city of Heidelberg, we explore its unexpected highlights before traveling to our Rhineland hotel.
Sinsheim
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Off to Innsbruck
Crossing the Swabian Alps on the edge of the Black Forest, we arrive in the Bavarian capital of Munich. Our orientation takes us past the Hofbrauhaus, reputedly the most famous Beerhall in the world, and the neo-Gothic Town Hall which dominates the Marienplatz. We cross the Austrian border next, arriving in Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps. Admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town, including Emperor Maximilian's famous Golden Roof with its ornate façade and consider an evening of traditional Tyrolean entertainment.
Tivoli Innsbruck
Breakfast
Day 6: Onwards to the Canals of Venice Make Travel Matter
Journey through the emerald-green landscape along the Brenner Pass into Italy and across the Dolomite Mountains to Venice. We cruise the beautiful Venetian lagoon by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square. View the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, so named for the sound made by condemned prisoners as they took one last longing look at their beautiful city before meeting their fate. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll witness the centuries-old craft of Venetian glassblowing. You’ll learn how the master craftsmen shape the molten glass to make the exquisite and delicate works of art that adorn homes all over the world and perhaps be inspired to buy your own souvenir as a reminder of this special visit. There’s time later to enjoy the city your way. Get lost in Venice, cross bridges and discover hidden campi where locals share their daily stories over a glass of Venetian Spritz.
Novotel Mestre Castellana
Breakfast
Day 7: All Roads Lead to Rome Connect with Locals
Travel south across the Veneto Plain, passing Bologna and the dramatic Apennine Mountains as well as the green and golden fields of Lazio before reaching Rome, the 'Eternal City'. En route, we Connect With Locals over lunch at a Be My Guest experience and enjoy true Tuscan hospitality with a local family on their private estate in the Chianti countryside.
A. Roma Lifestyle
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Discover Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
Our first stop today sees us discover the divine beauty of the Vatican City. We'll visit St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist to view Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece, the Pietà. We continue to Ancient Rome to view Roman Forum, the walls of the iconic Colosseum and Circus Maximus, once the site of exhilarating chariot races centuries ago. The afternoon is yours to explore the city on your terms. Sit on the Spanish Steps savoring a tasty gelato, shop up a storm on the trendy Via Condotti or perhaps join an Optional Experience to see the magnificent frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
A. Roma Lifestyle
Breakfast
Day 9: Continue to Renaissance Florence
From Rome, we travel north through the rolling countryside of Tuscany and along the Arno valley to the 'Cradle of the Renaissance', Florence. Delve into the rich Medici heritage of this beautiful medieval city with your Local Specialist. Visit the political hub of the city, Piazza della Signoria, with its impressive sculptures and stunning palazzi. View the imposing Duomo, crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome, and the Baptistery, renowned for its sculptured bronze doors.
Hilton Metropole
Breakfast
Day 10: Across the Alps to Lucerne
Drive via the scenic Italian Lakes District, across the Alps into beautiful Switzerland, where we'll spend the next two nights in the medieval lakeside city of Lucerne. View the mournful, mortally wounded lion hewn from rock to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louis XVI. Walk along the flower-lined 14th-century covered Chapel Bridge, crossing the river Reuss.
Grand Europe
Breakfast
Day 11: Explore Lucerne
This morning join an exciting Optional Experience to one of the surrounding peaks for breath taking views of the Swiss countryside. We have some time later to discover the best Swiss chocolates in town.
Grand Europe
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: On to Captivating Paris
Crossing the border into France this morning, we travel past the picturesque vineyards and country towns of Burgundy en route to the 'City of Lights'. Spend some time this evening strolling along the Seine and grand boulevards in search of a cozy bistro for fine French cuisine or consider an Optional Experience to a colorful Parisian cabaret.
Evergreen Laurel
Breakfast
Day 13: Discover the Sights of Paris
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour of this romantic city. View the sophisticated Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the 19th-century Arc de Triomphe, honoring those who fought for France, and Notre Dame Cathedral, then enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. Our European Whirl is almost at its end, we spend the evening with fellow travelers and our Travel Director, enjoying a Farewell Dinner in a local bistro.
Evergreen Laurel
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Farewell Paris
Today bid adieu to your fellow travelers and Travel Director at the end of your memorable experience.
Breakfast
