Compare The Blue Danube Discovery – Cruise Only by Avalon Waterways vs The Backpacker by Interrailing Packages
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 22 days |
| Price From | $ 2,699 | $ 1,694 |
| Price Per Day | $ 337 | $ 77 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | No | 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! |
If you’re looking for an interrail holiday that has Europe’s bucket list cities packed into one unforgettable 3-week trip, The Backpacker can offer you exactly that. Over the course of the 3 weeks, you will visit the likes of Krakow, Budapest, and Ljubljana, to name only a few! This package is suitable for all types of travellers that want to make the most of their interrail holiday experience! |
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: Arrive in Amsterdam and stay overnight in Amsterdam
Day 2 and 3: Explore Amsterdam and overnight in Amsterdam
First stop on your interrail holiday around Europe's glorious cities is Amsterdam, often referred to as 'Venice of the North'. The capital of the Netherlands is a city on everyone's bucket list, and I think it's safe to say you need to visit the Dam at least once in your life! From unconventional restaurants, local craft beers to world-class museums, it's easy to see why it's at the top of everyone's list. Don't forget that this city has more bicycles than people, therefore the only way to explore is in true Netherlands style!
Day 4: Train from Amsterdam to Berlin and stay overnight in Berlin
Days 5 and 6: Explore Berlin and stay overnight in Berlin
Our Backpacker holiday package takes you to the city in Europe often compared to New York, as it never sleeps! The locals of Berlin are known as the lotus-eaters of Germany as they love nothing more than a good time. Don't let this put you off! As this city is pulsating with museums, tasty beer, and an unimaginable history! It's safe to say that Berlin is a city loved by those on an interrail trip. Remember that history will greet you at every corner, as Berlin once staged a revolution, headquartered by Nazis, bombed to bits, divided in two and then finally reunited.
Day 7: Train from Berlin to Prague and stay overnight in Prague
Days 8 and 9: Explore Prague and stay overnight in Prague
It's no secret that Prague is one of Europe's most magical, affordable and beautiful cities, a perfect addition to any interrail route. The 'City of a Thousand Spires' is an architectural gem, the city has been an important UNESCO World Heritage Site which attracts more and more tourists every year! The narrow streets open up onto fantastic squares which host to medieval-looking homes and historical buildings for you to explore! Start in the centre of the Old Town, home to the major sights and has been the city's main marketplace for a millennium.
Day 10: Train from Prague to Krakow and stay overnight in Krakow
Day 11: Explore Krakow and stay overnight in Krakow
When you take a holiday in Europe, you will find that there are many beautiful cities, but nothing compares to the beauty of the Old Town in Krakow. You can take on this city on foot as all the main sights are within walking distance. All of the cobbled streets and squares, scenic parks and medieval castle walls are added extras! Thousands of people visit this city every year with the aim to visit the poignant Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, which is unquestionably the most important trip to do on this interrail route.
Day 12: Train from Prague to Vienna and stay overnight in Vienna
Day 13: Explore Vienna and stay overnight in Vienna
Vienna, a beautiful city in Eastern Europe that looks like it was lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale, with its clean, wide boulevards, efficient transport system, pleasant sights, and large green spaces. It's not hard to fall in love with this beautiful city. Vienna holds a considerable reputation for being the music capital of the world, with the likes of Mozart calling this place home. Coffeehouses have been an essential part of the city's cultural fabric since 1685. They make for great places to gather for a coffee, gossip and to eat Sacher Torte, of course. Finding your favourite is one of the real joys of visiting this city on any holiday in Europe!
Day 14: Train from Vienna to Budapest and stay overnight in Budapest
Day 15 and 16: Explore Budapest and stay overnight in Budapest
Visit the city in Europe nicknamed the City of Spas for a reason, as it's filled with beautiful baths all with healing properties on this Backpacker holiday. Not to mention, the architecture surrounding the baths is a sight to see on its own! Take a walk through the streets of this city and you will notice the beauty becomes apparent. You will soon understand why many tourists flock here for a city break every year. The buildings here take on many architectural styles and the city is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture. Budapest's foodie scene is increasingly interesting, with plenty of restaurants and cafes serving up delicious local dishes such as goulash!
Day 17: Train from Budapest to Ljubljana and stay overnight in Ljubljana
Day 18 and 19: Explore Ljubljana and stay overnight in Ljubljana
Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital city is the hidden gem of Europe and is loved by our customers! A holiday to Europe deserves to have Ljubljana included. This is a city renowned for green space, beautiful bridges and buildings. As well as dozens of different urban design elements such as lamposts, pillars, and pyramids. While you're here you need to visit Lake Bled. This is definitely one of the most spellbinding places in Slovenia, if not Europe. This incredibly scenic lake near the Alps looks too good to be real! With the island church, clifftop castle, and mountain backdrop, you're sure to find more than enough to keep you entertained here!
Day 20: Train from Ljubljana to Venice and stay overnight in Venice
Day 21: Explore Venice and stay overnight in Venice
Welcome to the ancient town built on a lagoon, Venice! This city has a collection of domes and spires rising out of the Adriatic Sea. Filled with life and stunning architecture. Venice is filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants where locals and travelers meet up to have a good time with food and a drink or two. This city built on water is famous for the beautiful gondola rides which take you back in time and allow you to appreciate the rich beauty of this city, a holiday experience in Europe you will never forget!
