Austria Tours & Trips 2020

• Budapest: Join the Schieszl family for a hearty Hungarian Be My Guest dinner and the story of their winery.
• Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
• Regensburg: Visit Regensburg and explore this enchanting UNESCO-listed town at your leisure.
• Prague: Led by your Local Specialist, explore the delightful Old Town Square and see the detailed Astronomical Clock that attracts onlookers each hour.
• Bratislava: Explore Bratislava's city centre. Take a walk through the charming squares and see the iconic Michael Tower.
• Budapest: Spend the day basking in the iconic views of Budapest.
• Győr: Absorb the medieval atmosphere of Györ.
• Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Specialist reveals the historic core of the city. Tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
• Salzburg: Join your Local Specialist to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' See the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
• Salzburg: Join your Local Specialist to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' See the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
• Explore Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg with a Local Specialist
• Discover Munich, Regensburg, Bratislava and Győr
• View the Marienplatz in Munich, St. Vitus' Cathedral and the Old Town Square of Prague and the Imperial Boulevards of Vienna
• See Melk Abbey

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the major capital cities along the Danube
• Bask in the idyllic landscapes of the Wachau Valley
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • Imperial Vienna and the Schoenbrunn Palace
  • Budapest, 2000 years of history

• Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.
• Munich: Roll through the Bavarian city on two wheels with an expert guide, for a fun and fascinating jaunt.
• Munich: This locally guided walking tour will take you around all the highlights of this Bavarian, including Marienplatz and Rathaus Glockenspiel.
• Munich: We'll make a stop at a traditional Bavarian ‘Bier Halle’. Grab your Contiki crew and a beer. Prost!
• Innsbruck: Snow-capped peaks. Pristine air. Chocolate-box buildings. Innsbruck is the answer to all of your Alpine travel wishes.
• Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice. Get total James Bond vibes.
• Lucerne: Check out the Wooden Chapel Bridge and the giant sandstone Lion Monument
• Paris: Take a dreamy jaunt around the city of romance. Fall in love with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs Élysées and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
• Paris: Climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for an unbeatable vista of the ‘City of Light’.
• Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).

• Orientation includes the Marienplatz
• Orientation includes the old stone bridge
• Walking tour with a Local Specialist includes views of Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Old Town Square
• Visit the capital of Slovakia
• Sightseeing with a Local Specialist and visit the Castle Hill
• Visit this baroque city
• See the Opera House, Hofburg, Parliament and Imperial Boulevards with your Local Specialist
• Visit this charming city, the birthplace of Mozart, with your Local Specialist

• Budapest: Join the Schieszl family for a hearty Hungarian Be My Guest dinner and the story of their winery.
• Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
• Regensburg: Visit Regensburg and explore this enchanting UNESCO-listed town at your leisure.
• Prague: Led by your Local Specialist, explore the delightful Old Town Square and see the detailed Astronomical Clock that attracts onlookers each hour.
• Bratislava: Explore Bratislava's city centre. Take a walk through the charming squares and see the iconic Michael Tower.
• Budapest: Spend the day basking in the iconic views of Budapest.
• Győr: Absorb the medieval atmosphere of Györ.
• Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Specialist reveals the historic core of the city. Tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
• Salzburg: Join your Local Specialist to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' See the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
• Salzburg: Join your Local Specialist to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' See the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
• Explore Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg with a Local Specialist
• Discover Munich, Regensburg, Bratislava and Győr
• View the Marienplatz in Munich, St. Vitus' Cathedral and the Old Town Square of Prague and the Imperial Boulevards of Vienna
• See Melk Abbey

• Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.
• Munich: Roll through the Bavarian city on two wheels with an expert guide, for a fun and fascinating jaunt.
• Munich: This locally guided walking tour will take you around all the highlights of this Bavarian, including Marienplatz and Rathaus Glockenspiel.
• Munich: We'll make a stop at a traditional Bavarian ‘Bier Halle’. Grab your Contiki crew and a beer. Prost!
• Innsbruck: Snow-capped peaks. Pristine air. Chocolate-box buildings. Innsbruck is the answer to all of your Alpine travel wishes.
• Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice. Get total James Bond vibes.
• Lucerne: Check out the Wooden Chapel Bridge and the giant sandstone Lion Monument
• Paris: Take a dreamy jaunt around the city of romance. Fall in love with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs Élysées and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
• Paris: Climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for an unbeatable vista of the ‘City of Light’.
• Paris: Your chance to learn the art of fragrance at a Parisian perfume house. You know it makes scents! (soz).

• Schloss Artstetten: If you are travelling on a Founder's Collection departure, on Day 4 you will be privileged to a private reception with Princess Anita von Hohenberg, a descendant of the famous Habsburgs, at Artstetten Castle. This incredible experience will replace visiting Melk Abbey.
• Prague: Immerse yourself in the architecture and atmosphere of Prague Castle as a Local Expert relays fascinating details from its thousand-year history. Accompany them into St Vitus Cathedral where colourful stained-glass windows pour filtered light into its many chapels.
• Prague: Marvel at the intricate detail of Prague’s famous Astronomical Clock and its hourly procession of moving parts, which have delighted witnesses for over six hundred years. Watch as the clock’s parade of apostles mark time on the Old Town Hall.
• Cesky Krumlov: Step through the cobbled streets of Český Krumlov and feel the history around you. Let your Local Expert regale you with tales of this most important European site as you discover the 13th century castle at the heart of the town.
• Melk District: Stroll around the baroque masterpiece that is Melk Abbey as a guide talks you through its fascinating history. See the 16,000-volume collection in the main library and gaze up at the Paul Troger fresco on the hall ceiling.
• Vienna: Discover historic Vienna as your Travel Concierge shows you the Baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces of Austria’s national capital. Find the locations of the city’s most notable landmarks to ready yourself fully for further explorations.
• Vienna: Take your front-row seat in a historic Viennese concert hall and let the timeless music of Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart fill the room as you sip on sparkling wine and experience an unforgettable Austrian evening.
• Bratislava: Join your passionate Local Expert for a walk around the Slovakian capital’s Old Town, and see the restored Baroque-period Bratislava Castle that stands over the city, with its striking red turrets.
• Budapest: Embark on a private evening cruise along the majestic Danube and sip freshly poured sparkling wine. Witness the most breathtaking architectural vista as grand buildings from both sides of the city are lit up in the night.
• Budapest: Visit the stunning neo-Gothic Parliament Building with your Local Expert and see the Holy Crown of Hungary. Inaugurated for the millennial celebrations of Hungarian statehood in 1896, it is still the largest building in the country.
• Budapest: During sightseeing with your Local Expert, you will be chauffeured along elegant boulevards to see the Hungarian State Opera House, one of the most beautiful neo-Renaissance buildings in Europe, where composer Gustav Mahler was once director.
• Budapest: See Budapest’s Liberty Statue presiding over the city on Gellért Hill and the Citadel in its shadow. Erected 96 years apart, the proud structures represent two sides of Budapest's history - one to suppress Hungarian independence and one to celebrate it.
• Oravsky Podzamok: Take a moment on your journey to Kraków to enjoy the breathtaking sight of Oravský Hrad. Look up to the striking Renaissance and neo-gothic castle which dominates the scenery like an eagle’s nest on its rocky perch.
• Kraków: Join you Travel Concierge for an orientation of Kraków. Pass through the city’s former Jewish Quarter and see locations from the epic seven-time Oscar-winning movie, Schindler’s List.
• Auschwitz: Pay your respects at the Auschwitz memorial and walk beneath the infamous gateway to the museums housed in the former prison blocks. Learn about the role this concentration camp played during World War II and understand the impact on postwar Europe.
• Warsaw: Attend a private piano recital to begin your evening with a flourish. Hear an accomplished player relay the expressive grace of Poland’s most famous composer and virtuoso, Frédéric François Chopin, in the stylish surroundings of Warsaw.
• Optional - Prague:
• Optional - Prague: Relax in one of the oldest houses of the city and sample craft beers paired with Czech savoury specialities.
• Optional - Vienna: Visit the Imperial Treasury in the Hofburg Palace with a Local Expert and learn about Vienna's regal history. See the invaluable riches including the crown of Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.
• Optional - Vienna: Head to the Baroque palaces of Belvedere, housing priceless art like Gustav Klimt's The Kiss.
• Optional - Szentendre: Take a trip outside Budapest to the storybook town of Szentendre. Travel past the Roman remains of Aquincum before spending time in the riverside town with enchanting, brightly coloured houses, quaint churches, galleries and lovely squares.
• Optional - Budapest: Take a plunge into Hungarian bath culture at one of the traditional spas and mingle with the locals as you soak up the healing properties of the mineral rich thermal waters.
• Optional - Kraków: Explore Nowa Huta, the steel district of Krakow while you learn about life behind the Iron Curtain just a few decades ago. See a vintage Trabant, an East German car widely used in the Communist era.
• Optional - Kraków: Let a knowledgeable Local Expert take you through the poignant history of Kraków. Pass through the city’s former Jewish Quarter and visit Wawel Cathedral, the site that has crowned almost every Polish king and queen throughout history.
• Vienna: Indulge your senses without the crowds during a special VIP after-hours visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. With a Local Expert, stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames, where Mozart performed as a six-year-old prodigy.

• Stay in old-school style while supporting a social cause during your time in Vienna. The city’s quirky Magdas Hotel is committed to helping local refugees earn a living through employment.
• Embark on a hike through the lesser known but no less stunning Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. With a range of trails available, you’ll be high above the valley floor admiring the vistas in no time.
• See the classic Polish cities of Wroclaw and Krakow and feel the emotional wallop of a sobering visit to nearby Auschwitz.
• Discover the magical Cesky Krumlov on two wheels with a leader-led cycling tour around town with your small group, passing by medieval buildings, verdant countryside and the flowing Vltava River.
• Get the low-down on Budapest’s classic charm, café culture, and eclectic neighbourhood vibes during your time here. Have you actually been to Budapest if you didn’t go to a ruin bar?

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• Create lifelong memories on board a festive ship decked out for passengers to ring in the New Year with pizzazz.

• New Year's Eve at the heart of the Danube's capitals
• 3 great capitals to discover
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • Vienna and Schoenbrunn Palace
• New Year's Eve dinner with wine and a glass of champagne

• Amsterdam: Best way to break the ice? By breaking bread of course. You and your new besties can bond over dinner before heading out to explore.
• Sankt Goar: Take in the breath-taking scenery of the River Rhine.
• Lorelei: It’s the stuff of legends. Literally. A singing mermaid named Lorelei is said to sit on the rock, enchanting fishermen before luring them to their demise. Eek!
• Munich: This locally guided walking tour will take you around all the highlights of this Bavarian, including Marienplatz and Rathaus Glockenspiel.
• Venice: Speed across the lagoon to the aqueous island of Venice. Get total James Bond vibes.
• Venice: On this low-octane, high-inspo Venetian walking tour, we’ll cast our eyes on the best of the city’s architecture, including the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Square.
• Rome: We’ll take you to our fave gelateria and treat you to the creamy Italian dessert. You’re so welcome!
• Rome: Stroll around the Italian capital, ticking all the sights off your bucket list!
• Florence: See the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery & Piazza della Signoria on a locally guided walking tour of Florence.
• Lucerne: Check out the Wooden Chapel Bridge and the giant sandstone Lion Monument
• Paris: Take a dreamy jaunt around the city of romance. Fall in love with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs Élysées and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
• Paris: Climb to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for an unbeatable vista of the ‘City of Light’.

• Explore the city of Mozart, Salzburg
• Excellent 4 star hotels; warm, friendly hoteliers; lovely local cuisine
• Stay in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site of Hallstatt
• Enjoy panoramic views over Lake Wolfgang from Mount Schafberg
• Based on our popular 7 night, Austrian Lakes Activites

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

• Contrasting features along the Danube from traditional landscapes and the Hungarian steppe to the luxurious architecture of the big cities
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
  • Vienna and the heritage of the House of Habsburg
  • Bratislava and its unique charm
  • Budapest, 2000 years of history
  • Melk Abbey, a true wonder of baroque architecture
  • The wild Puzsta plain

• Onboard welcome reception
• Choice of excursion to Black Forest or guided visit to a local winery in Breisach
• Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral
• Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard
• Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt
• Guided tour
• Guided tour, visit to the Bishop's Residence
• Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall
• Full day guided tour in Munich
• Choice of guided sightseeing in Roth or hike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Nuremberg, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; onboard lecture
• Guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria
• Guided walk in Passau; free time in Linz
• Guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or walk with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; free time in Vienna
• Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host
• Choice of guided tour, see Heroes' Square or hike with your Adventure Host
• Your breathtaking river cruise begins on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland
• You’ll sail to Breisach, your starting point for a Black Forest excursion, and to the city of Strasbourg, France, along the way

• Cycle leafy paths from vibrant Vienna to Bratislava and bohemian Budapest
• Follow the Danube downstream, passing romantic castles, picturesque villages and lowland forests
• Experience one of Austria's most important archaeological sites, the Roman remains at Carnuntum
• Marvel at the domed Basilica of Esztergom, reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend
• Straddle the borders of Hungary and Slovakia in the historic spa town of Komarom

• Onboard welcome reception
• Choice of visit to the Jochenstein power station or visit to Engelszell Abbey; choice of guided hike along the Danube trails or scenic cruising around the Schlögen Oxbow
• In Mauthausen, choice of visit to St. Florian Monastery, or guided tour of Mauthausen Concentration Camp, or guided bike tour; guided tour in Grein, visit the historical theater and Clam Castle to meet its owner the Count
• Choice of canoe tour, bike tour from Spitz to Krems, Wine World Experience with tasting, or regional products showcase
• Choice of bike tour, or insider's tour of Vienna, or guided tour, visit to Belvedere Palace
• Choice of early risers guided tour, with breakfast at a Viennese café, or guided tour, see the Habsburg private art collection and the Italian and Dutch Masters Gallery, or guided tour, see Habsburg private art collection and the Military Museum
• In Visegrád, choice of medieval knights tournament, or guided hike in Danube-Ipoly National Park, or canoe tour
• Whether you’re an art lover, a foodie, a history buff, or an energetic adventurer, your Active & Discovery cruise on the Danube River offers just-right included activities and excursions to suit your interests
• With Avalon Choice®, you can select the experiences that are perfect for your interests and pace