Enchanted Europe (Eastbound)

16 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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River Cruise
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. Sail to Rüdesheim and through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. The modern and charming city of Frankfurt is also on your route along the Rhine, and you’ll s...
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$10,190
From$7,898
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to a local winery in Breisach visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
    • Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
    • 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 in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt
    • Guided walking tour
    • Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop's Residence or bike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host
    • 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

What's this trip about?

    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. Sail to Rüdesheim and through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. The modern and charming city of Frankfurt is also on your route along the Rhine, and you’ll sail on the Main River to visit an authentic village. Visit Würzburg, and take a guided tour of Bamberg, before reaching Nuremberg, from where you will take a full-day excursion to Munich. Sail from Nuremberg to Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Cruise next to Passau, with its narrow streets and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey. Take in the breathtaking views before continuing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to the romantic sights of Vienna, the “City of Music.” Your European river cruise ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore this vibrant city on your own.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
End CityBUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Hungary

Attractions

  • Bamberg
  • Basel
  • Boppard
  • Budapest
  • Frankfurt
  • Heidelberg
  • Heidelberg Castle
  • Linz
  • Munich
  • Nuremberg
  • Passau
  • Rudesheim
  • Salzburg
  • Strasbourg
  • Vienna
  • Zurich

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board as you sail to Breisach.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

(Dinner)

BASEL-SUNSET.jpg

Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR: DISCOVE...

Day 3: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Join a City Tour of Strasbourg’s sights, including Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical ...

Day 4: RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY–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 tasting ...

Day 5: FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT

Charm in Frankfurt

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour to Seligenstadt—one ...

Day 6: MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

Beauty on the Main River

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

MAIN-RIVER-VILLAGE-DETAIL.jpg

Day 7: WÜRZBURG

A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excurs...

Day 8: BAMBERG

The City of Seven Hills

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches. After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer).

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

BAMBERG-TOWN-HALL.jpg

Day 9: NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH

A King’s Palace and Town Halls

CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of German monarchs, along with the old and new Town Halls of Marienplatz. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

(Breakfast,Dinner)

MUNICH-MARIENPLATZ.jpg

Day 10: ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG

Legends and History Lessons

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

ACTIVE Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth—with its ha...

Day 11: REGENSBURG

Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

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 join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Mona...

Day 12: 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.” Alternatively, join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of...

Day 13: MELK–WACHAU VALLEY

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk’s beautiful countryside, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible...

Day 14: VIENNA

Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities

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

CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided Ci...

Day 15: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

War Heroes and Hot Water

ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. This afternoon, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend f...

Day 16: BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,898
Price per day$494
Last Updated: 7/3/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
14 May 2025
29 May 2025
$8,798
07 Oct 2025
22 Oct 2025
$8,598

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
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Disappointing
16
Terrible
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Trip of a lifetime

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Tour Operator

Avalon Waterways

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CRUISING ELEVATED.
Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and
away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’. 

Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

IT DOESN’T GET ANY SUITER.
Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease – where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. There’s a reason our ships are the critics’ darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.

PACK YOUR PASSIONS.
As you set sail down the world’s most legendary waters, we’ve curated a collection of the most intriguing experiences to immerse yourself in – both on board and off.

SEE MORE THAN THE SEA/
On a typical cruise, you see waves, water and more water. On an Avalon cruise, legendary landmarks and postcard-perfect landscapes are always in view. Dock to discovery takes mere minutes. 

LET’S DISH.
While we naturally present the signature delicacies of the regions you visit, we enrich the gastronomic journey by offering multiple dining venues, bringing unexpected culinary experiences to the table.

What they’re known for
River cruises to classic and exotic destinations with a luxury flair and personalization options.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Radisson Blu Airport

This modern, stylish hotel 330-room property conveniently offers direct access to the airport terminal, the perfect location for arrivals & departures. Dining options include an Italian restaurant specializing in fresh Italian dishes crafted with a modern twist and a Grill restaurant offering seafood and steaks dishes prepared in an open kitchen. The atrium bar has a 16m-high glass wine tower with over 4,000 bottles of wine and champagne and the outdoor terrace is the place for cocktails and light bites. Other amenities include two fitness centers (one on site and one at the airport), a hammam, as well as a sauna set in a plane's cockpit. Free internet access is available throughout the entire hotel.

Zurich

Switzerland

Zuerich Flughafen

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

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
WZB|Enchanted Europe (Eastbound) WZB1|With 2 Nights in Lucerne WBZ|Enchanted Europe (Westbound)
Additional Information
Trip ID
AVALON-WZB

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