Compare The Blue Danube Discovery – Cruise Only 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 | $ 2,699 | $ 1,395 |
| Price Per Day | $ 337 | $ 233 |
| 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 | ||
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| Flights & Transport | No | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Begin this timeless Europe river cruise vacation in vibrant Budapest, Hungary, sail along the Danube River with exciting stops in Austria and Germany, and conclude in historical Nuremberg, Germany. As you leave Budapest, you’ll sail past the splendid Parliament Building, and along Danube River, you’ll have Hungary on your left and Slovakia on your right as the river runs between both countries for a 58-mile stretch. Vienna, Austria, offers stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Habsburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and much more. In the heart of the Wachau wine region is Dürnstein, a 16th-century town with charming cobblestone streets and the baroque Stiftskirche with its luminous blue façade. In the beautiful town of Melk, visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, and enjoy a tasting of some of the Wachau Valley’s famous wines. You’ll love a guided walk through Passau, with its narrow streets, beautiful Patrician houses, and baroque architecture. Sail further up the Danube River, and you’ll come to the medieval walls of Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Here, we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s famous beers! The last stop on this memorable river cruise vacation is the thousand-year-old city of Nuremberg. During guided sightseeing, marvel at the medieval fortifications, extraordinary gothic churches, and the Imperial Castle. And in your free time, be sure to make a wish at the striking fountain on the Hauptmarkt (Main Square)—a perfect ending to a memorable river cruise vacation! |
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
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating CapitalFlights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA(D)
Day 2
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Vienna Waltzes and the Beautiful Blue Danube Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
Day 3
VIENNA Royal Collections, Amusing Attractions, and Culinary Confections CLASSIC Venture into the Habsburg empire this morning on 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.Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace–a Habsburg Empire summer home for 300 years. This afternoon, enjoy free time to take a tram to visit Austria’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also decide to borrow a bike from the ship to explore the streets and squares of Vienna, or ride along the banks of the Danube at your leisure.Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Dürnstein. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN(B,L,D)
Day 4
DÜRNSTEIN Fairytale Castles, Kings, and Cobblestones of Delightful Dürnstein CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart–who was imprisoned in the castle above the village during the Crusades, OR:ACTIVE Join a Hike up to the castle ruins with your Adventure Host for a spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below. Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. MELK Ornate Architecture and Scenic SplendorsCLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU(B,L,D)
Day 5
PASSAU, GERMANY Go for Baroque in Passau–Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers meet CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers,” OR:Join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg–the city of Mozart–or a full day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Český Krumlov.Meet your ship back in Passau after your selected activities for sailing.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG(B,L,D)
Day 6
REGENSBURG Magical Regensburg—Bavaria’s Medieval MiracleCLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria–built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.DISCOVERY Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board.This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner as you cruise toward Roth. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH(B,L,D)
Day 7
ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG Living Heritage and History LessonsDISCOVERY Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal–linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas. CLASSIC Choose a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg–with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR;CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds–used by the Third Reich.EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG(B,L,D)
Day 8
NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION) 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.
