European Splendor Westbound

13 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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River Cruise
This magnificent vacation includes a deluxe cruise that reveals the best of Europe along the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers. See the sights with Certified Local Guides in Vienna, Grein, Dürnstein, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Cologne; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in charming Rüdesheim; and cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge past the ...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Experience Cruise: deluxe 12-night cruise in an outside stateroom with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
    • Explore Vienna
    • Enjoy guided walk through Linz
    • Tasting of local specialties in Bavaria’s picturesque Wertheim
    • Cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge past the legendary Lorelei rock
    • Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

What's this trip about?

    This magnificent vacation includes a deluxe cruise that reveals the best of Europe along the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers. See the sights with Certified Local Guides in Vienna, Grein, Dürnstein, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Cologne; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in charming Rüdesheim; and cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge past the legendary Lorelei rock. Your vacation concludes with a canal cruise past 16th-century merchant houses in delightful Amsterdam.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityVienna
End CityAmsterdam

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • 50 Plus
  • National Parks
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • River Cruise
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Accommodation
    • Most of the meals as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Internal transportation
    • Wi-Fi accessibility
    • Sightseeing with Certified Local Guides

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive In Vienna, Austria (Embarkation)

Meals: Dinner

Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception.

NOTE: Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Day 2: Vienna

Meals: Breakfast

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 sta...

Day 3: Dürnstein–Grein

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early this morning, arrive in Dürnstein. Standing on the banks of the Danube, the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade is without a doubt the landmark of this small town which lies right in the heart of the Wacha...

Day 4: Linz

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning your Local Guide will introduce you to Linz, Austria’s third-largest city and an important river port, during an included WALKING TOUR. See the 13th-century Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval squa...

Day 5: Regensburg, Germany

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least ...

Day 6: Nuremberg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, enjoy a relaxing morning on board, perhaps taking in a LECTURE about the engineering marvel that is the Main-Danube Canal. The afternoon is dedicated to Nuremberg. Although 90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive da...

Day 7: Bamberg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, arrive in medieval Bamberg, former residence of one of Germany’s most powerful imperial dynasties and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your GUIDED WALKING TOUR takes in its historic center, including the great 13...

Day 8: Würzburg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Surrounded by verdant hillside vineyards, Würzburg, the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” makes an immediate impression with imposing Fortress Marienberg perched above town and the 15th-century Alte Mainbrucke (Old Main Bridge). On y...

Day 9: Wertheim

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, relax on board until you arrive this afternoon in Wertheim. The town is situated at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers, and a GUIDED WALK shows you its medieval center. Later, enjoy an included TASTING of local specialties and some free time before departing for Rüdesheim on the Rhine.

Day 10: Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rüdesheim is the quintessential Rhine Valley wine town. Visit SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM, where you’ll see and hear a large collection of self-playing calliopes and music boxes from the 18th to the early 20t...

Day 11: Cologne, Germany

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the early morning hours, arrive in Cologne. One of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland, Cologne straddles both sides of the Rhine, and is known for its soaring, twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Choose between ...

Day 12: Amsterdam, Holland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, arrive in Amsterdam! Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital has a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants has a distinct amb...

Day 13: Amsterdam (Disembarkation)

Meals: Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. 

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,599
Price per day$354
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Cruise Deposit & Final Payment: A non-refundable, non-transferable cruise deposit of $250 per person per vacation is required for Avalon to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions as noted below. Avalon accepts checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American Express. Your booking is not confirmed and payment is not deemed made until the deposit is received by Avalon and you receive a confirmation invoice. Your reservation will be automatically canceled if deposit is not received by Avalon by the deposit due date. On certain departures, deposits may be required at time of booking to hold or to confirm space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,559
Great
145
Average
48
Disappointing
16
Terrible
47
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Other Avalon Waterways Reviews

c

crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

Written on

My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.

The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...

J

James Allen

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Staff

The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...

J

Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

Written on

Avalon consistency—good!

Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Transfers
    • Alcohol & beverages outside of the contracted menu
    • Additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary
    • Travel Protection premiums
    • Other items of a personal nature.

Accommodation

Cancellation policy

Booking Cancellations & Cancellation Fees:

If a booking cancellation is received by Avalon prior to the final payment date of your vacation, your non-refundable land deposit and Travel Protection payments will be retained in addition to your Flex-Air deposit, Instant Purchase Air payment and service fee, and/or intra-vacation air deposit. For individual reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)

Standard Cancellation Fees:

90-60 days prior to commencement of services: 35% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

59-30 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

29-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

On departure day and later: 100% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches and 11 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
AVALON-EurLenAva

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