Magnificent Europe for European History and Politics Enthusiasts

15 days
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Group Tour
From Amsterdam to Budapest, and many exciting stops along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise vacation. You’ll be joined on board by a diplomacy expert who has worked at the UN on the NATO/Warsaw Pact, and on EU security and economic issues; as well as the Seconded National Expert for the ...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Highlights

    • Welcome reception
    • Canal cruise
    • Choice of guided walk or Jewish Heritage walk
    • Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; enjoy a special treat
    • Guided walk
    • Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
    • Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall
    • Choice of guided sightseeing of Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour or guided sightseeing of Roth
    • Guided walk; enjoy a snack at the Historische Wurstküche; beer tasting
    • Guided walk

What's this trip about?

    From Amsterdam to Budapest, and many exciting stops along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise vacation. You’ll be joined on board by a diplomacy expert who has worked at the UN on the NATO/Warsaw Pact, and on EU security and economic issues; as well as the Seconded National Expert for the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusions. They will hold lectures and mini-panel discussions while sailing. Amsterdam is Holland’s lively capital—both historical and modern. This popular city is set amongst sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten. On to Germany where there’s a guided city walk in Cologne—a 2,000 year-old city known for its gothic architecture. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River and stop in the charming wine town of Rüdesheim. There’s guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and you’ll sail the Main Danube Canal connecting the Main and Danube rivers. First stop in Austria is Melk for a visit to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, famous for its blue and white baroque Stiftskirche. And in the last days of your vacation, local experts will introduce you to three capital cities: Vienna, Austria, also known as “The City of Music” because it inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, where you can choose between regular sightseeing or joining a respected political journalist to see the city from a more historical and political point of view; Bratislava, Slovakia, where winding cobblestone streets twist and turn in the Old Town and you visit St. Martin’s Cathedral; and finally, lively Budapest, Hungary, with its unique energy and countless must-see sites! Here, you’ll learn about Communist Budapest and visit Memento Park with gigantic monuments of the Communist Dictatorship. This truly is a river cruise to remember!

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityArrive in Amsterdam
End CityBudapest (Disembarkation)

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • Slovakia

Attractions

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

Activities

  • Culture

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation). Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital has a rich 700-year-old history and a distinct ambiance. Maybe stroll through the lively marketplace or see the works of famous Dutch masters at world-renowned mu...

Day 2

Amsterdam. Today, get a unique perspective of Amsterdam on an included CANAL CRUISE, floating along the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” There’s free time in the city this afternoon—or you might like to join an optional excursion before bidding tot ziens (farewell) to Holland and setting sail for Germany. (B,L,D)

Day 3

Cologne, Germany. Today, enjoy a peaceful morning of cruising before reaching Cologne after lunch. 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. Cho...

Day 4

Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim. This morning, cruise through the dramatic RHINE GORGE—without a doubt, the most beautiful stretch of river and where ancient castles stand sentry on lofty cliffs rising 400 feet above the waters. Cruise past the rock of the Lorelei, where legend...

Day 5

Main River Village. On the banks of the Main River you find cultural gems of small towns, many of them tucked away behind defensive walls and towered gates. With half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and medieval town centers, these picturesque Bavarian villages are a photographer’s delight. Join your Local Guide to experience one of these towns on a GUIDED WALK. (B,L,D)

Day 6

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

Day 7

Bamberg. Today, 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 13th-century Romanesque cathedral and t...

Day 8

Roth–Nuremberg. This morning dock in Roth and after breakfast join a GUIDED SIGHTSEEING of the city. This delightful Bavarian town, with its half-timbered houses and market square, is also an industrial center for textile manufacturing. Take pictures of Schloss Ratibo...

Day 9

Regensburg. 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 1,300 listed buildings of “...

Day 10

Passau. Uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge, Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses and dominated by St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture. Take in the highlight...

Day 11

Melk, Austria–Dürnstein. This morning, enjoy a GUIDED VISIT of Melk’s magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY, one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. Words cannot describe the sp...

Day 12

Vienna. Early this morning, arrive in Vienna, the “City of Music,” which inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. T...

Day 13

Bratislava, Slovakia. At the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains is Bratislava, the dynamic capital of Slovakia. After breakfast, join your Local Guide for a tour of the city, including a GUIDED WALK of its fascinating Old Town, where winding cobblestoned streets an...

Day 14

Budapest, Hungary. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s liveliest cities. Whether you’re seeing the sights, shopping for handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain, or basking in the coffee house culture over a rich cream cake in the ...

Day 15

Budapest (Disembarkation). Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates & Availability

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Last Updated: 11/14/2018

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.

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From favorite cruise line to Never Again!!!

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Avalon waterways went out of their way to accommodate our early morning arrival.

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Robert

Nov 2023

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It was the Paris to Normandy then to…

It was the Paris to Normandy then to Marseille 14 day cruise. The whole cruise was terrible, ports were bypassed, crew was very inexperienced, the restaurant was uno...

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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

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
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
WAB|Magnificent Europe – Eastbound
Trip ID
AVALON-WAB-T1

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