Compare Danube Symphony – Eastbound 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 | 8 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 2,909 | $ 1,349 |
| Price Per Day | $ 364 | $ 225 |
| Highlights |
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CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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| Trip Style | River cruise | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Your Danube river cruise adventure begins with two nights in the magnificent city of Munich, capital of Bavaria, Germany, and ends in romantic Vienna, the capital of Austria. An excursion takes you to the most dream-like castles in all of Europe—Neuschwanstein Castle—said to have inspired the tales of Walt Disney. And the magic of the day continues as you travel to Oberammergau, an idyllic village known for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play, and its typical Bavarian houses painted with scenes from fairytales. While in Munich, a Local Guide will show you all the famous attractions. Then, travel by motorcoach to Passau, the “City of Three Rivers,” and explore its narrow cobblestone streets. Afterward, you can relax with a glass of wine atop the Sky Deck of your ship as you cruise along the Danube River into Austria. A highlight will be a guided visit to the majestic Benedictine Abbey in Melk, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, which sits high on a bluff overlooking the Danube. In Dürnstein, enjoy a guided walk and see the baroque Stiftskirche, with its luminous blue and white façade.To round out this unforgettable European river cruise, visit Vienna, the “City of Music”—known to have inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. After guided sightseeing, stroll along the pedestrian walkway of Kärntnerstrasse, or try a piece of Apfelstrudel in an elegant Viennese café as a perfect ending to your river cruise adventure. |
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. Continue on to Oberammergau—the storybook Bavarian village famous for its once-a-decade Passion Play. (B)
Day 3
MUNICH– PASSAU (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 Passau to board your Avalon Suite Ship®OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PASSAU (B,D)
Day 4
PASSAU Go for Baroque in Passau—with Treasures Both Grand and Quaint CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk in Passau to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers” where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers meet.Sail through the Schlögener Schlinge—named the Natural Wonder of Austria, carved by the power of the river into a dramatic landscape—to Linz.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ (B,L,D)
Day 5
LINZ, 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 whitemarble Trinity Column.Alternatively, take a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Český Krumlov.Cruise to Grein this afternoon or meet your ship after your excursion GREIN Dramatic Castle Views and the Oldest Theater in Austria Explore on your own this attractive country resort, nestled at the foot of a bluff in the shadow of its castle.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GREIN(B,L,D)
Day 6
MELK Ornate Architecture and Scenic SplendorsCLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Melk’s 11th-century Benedictine Abbey. Explore its frescoes, statues, library, and spectacular pipe organ in the monastery’s lofty perch above the Danube.You may stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Dürnstein. DÜRNSTEIN Vistas and Vineyards Beyond the Blue Stiftskirche CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned during the Crusades in the castle above the village.DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley at a Wine Tasting this afternoon.After dinner enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN DÜRNSTEIN(B,L,D)
Day 7
VIENNA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte DISCOVERY Visit Austria’s largest art museum, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, including the Kuntskammer’s remarkable collection of more than 2,100 valuable objects, which were collected through the centuries by the emperors and archdukes of Habsburg, OR:CLASSIC Venture into the Habsburg empire with a morning 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.You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to opulent Schönbrunn Palace—the former imperial summer home and vast gardens with a history spanning 300 years of the Habsburg monarchy.Enjoy a free afternoon by strolling through Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna. Take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy authentic Austrian confections of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.Later this evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Royal Waltz Concert to hear quintessential Viennese music in an elegant concert hall.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)
Day 8
VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends this morning with breakfast.(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.
