Magnificent Rivers of Europe

15 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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River Cruise
From Budapest to Amsterdam, and in many exciting stops along the way, experience the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless European river cruise vacation. Begin by visiting three of Europe’s vibrant capital cities: Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Vienna (Austria). A Local Guide will show you the must-see sites in each city ...
$9,893
From$7,299
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Choice of guided tour, see Heroes' Square or hike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided tour, visit St. Martin's Cathedral or up hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided tour or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard wine tasting
    • Guided tour
    • Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host
    • On board lecture; choice of guided sightseeing of Roth, or guided sightseeing in Nuremberg, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour
    • Guided walk, see the Old Town Hall; onboard lecture
    • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host

What's this trip about?

    From Budapest to Amsterdam, and in many exciting stops along the way, experience the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless European river cruise vacation. Begin by visiting three of Europe’s vibrant capital cities: Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Vienna (Austria). A Local Guide will show you the must-see sites in each city with plenty of time to explore on your own. See the famous Heroes’ Square in Budapest, stroll through Bratislava’s Old Town with its winding streets and bronze sculptures, and stop in a classic Viennese café for a decadent treat. Sail through the picturesque views of the Wachau Valley and the dramatic Rhine Gorge. Visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Würzburg’s Baroque-style Bishop’s Residenz. Enjoy a tasting of wonderful local Wachau wines. Explore quaint towns like Dürnstein with its blue and white Baroque-style Stiftskirche; Passau, known for its narrow cobblestone streets and the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral; and Bamberg, with its town hall straddling the River Regnitz. Enjoy guided tours in historic Nuremberg, Würzburg, and Regensburg—one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. In the charming Rhine Valley town of Rüdesheim, enjoy a stroll through its famous cobblestone Drosselgasse lined with shops, restaurants, and lively taverns. Straddling both sides of the Rhine River is Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture. Here, enjoy a guided walk and see its famous twin-spired cathedral. This European river cruise would not be complete without a visit to Holland’s lively capital of Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityBUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
End CityAMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Bamberg
  • Bratislava
  • Budapest
  • Nuremberg
  • Passau
  • Rudesheim
  • Salzburg
  • Vienna

Activities

  • Culture
  • River Cruise

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

(Dinner)

Day 2: BUDAPEST

The Pearl of the Danube

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ ...

Day 3: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Castles, Vineyards, and Cosmopolitan Culture

ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a short hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Old Town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the Gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cath...

Day 4: VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions

ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the win...

Day 5: DÜRNSTEIN–WACHAU VALLEY

A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins

ACTIVE Take a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart...

Day 6: PASSAU, GERMANY

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

CLASSIC Join an afternoon Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”

Alternatively, you may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or a full ...

Day 7: REGENSBURG

Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

ACTIVE Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC 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...

Day 8: ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG

Legends and History Lessons

DISCOVERY 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 Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian to...

Day 9: BAMBERG

The City of Seven Hills.

ACTIVE Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seve...

Day 10: WÜRZBURG

A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road

ACTIVE Enjoy an easy bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the ...

Day 11: MILTENBERG

Beauty on the Main River

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment as you cruise to Rüdesheim.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 12: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR: DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tastin...

Day 13: COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish her...

Day 14: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Colorful Canals of Amsterdam

ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: DISCOVERY Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a capt...

Day 15: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,299
Price per day$487
Last Updated: 3/19/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
13 May 2025
28 May 2025
$7,799
Available
01 Jun 2025
16 Jun 2025
$7,999
Available
20 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$7,999
Available
10 Jul 2025
25 Jul 2025
$7,599
Available
28 Jul 2025
12 Aug 2025
$7,599
Available
17 Aug 2025
01 Sep 2025
$7,599
Available
06 Sep 2025
21 Sep 2025
$7,999
Available
25 Sep 2025
10 Oct 2025
$7,999
Available
15 Oct 2025
30 Oct 2025
$7,699
Available
07 Nov 2025
22 Nov 2025
$7,599
Available

Port charges: $462 are included. Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

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...

Write a Review

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Logistics

Accommodation

InterContinental Budapest

Few would argue the InterContinental Budapest is in the city's best location: right on the Danube across from Castle Hill and the Royal Palace. With the Chain Bridge and the Parliament just steps away, there's no shortage of superb sightseeing opportunities. The Váci Utca shopping street, Central Market Hall and the Gellért Baths are also nearby.

Budapest

Hungary

Apaczai Csere Janos utca 12-14

Westcord Jakarta

A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Javakade 766

Movenpick Amsterdam City

A stylish 408-room hotel in the perfect location, this waterfront property offers Free Wi-Fi internet access throughout. The chic restaurant serves creative international cuisine and there is a fabulous bar serving drinks and light snacks which is also a great spot for a nightcap. For relaxation there is a Lifestyle Studio featuring a gym, Finnish sauna, bio sauna & ice fountain.

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Piet Heinkade 11

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 .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
AVALON-WBA

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