Avalon Waterways

Blue Danube Discovery

Spend two nights in Budapest, seven nights cruising to Nuremberg, and three nights in Prague on this delightful 14-day vacation. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Budapest, with its Fishermens Bastion and Buda Castle, and in Vienna, with the lavish Hofburg Palace and impressive Opera House. In Dürnstein, marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche. Relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmuhl Valley and travel the Main Danube Canal through the Franconian Alps via 16 locks—truly a fascinating feat of engineering. You’ll also have a walking tour of Regensburg and a guided tour of historic Nuremberg, with its storybook 900-year-old ramparts. Disembark and drive to Prague for guided sightseeing and time on your own to enjoy the charming cafes or to shop for Bohemian crystal.

Included Features

VIENNA - Guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral

DÜRNSTEIN - Guided city walk

MELK - Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey, wine tasting

PASSAU - Guided sightseeing

REGENSBURG - Guided sightseeing, visit the Old Chapel and Thurn und Taxis Castle

MAIN-DANUBE CANAL - Cruise in the canal

NUREMBERG - Guided sightseeing

PRAGUE - Guided sightseeing, visit Hradcany Castle

Detailed Itinerary

Day 2 - 3 - Budapest, Hungary. (Fri. & Sat.) Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMENS BASTION and the MATTHIAS CHURCH are sights not to be missed. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for interesting outings and things to do.

Day 4 - Budapest. (Embarkation) (Sun.) This afternoon the crew of your vessel awaits to welcome you on board.

Day 5 - Budapest-Vienna, Austria. (Mon.) A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise up river, and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, the border being the middle of the river. Vienna, Austria's capital, is known as the "City of Music" and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss.

Day 6 - Vienna. (Tue.) Once the center of the mighty Hapsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL, to name just a few of the sights. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay.

Day 7 - Dürnstein-Melk. (Wed.) Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Melk's magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking!

Day 8 - Linz-Passau, Germany. (Thu.) Linz, Austria's third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ with over 17,000 pipes.

Day 9 - Regensburg. (Fri.) Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall, the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL, and Porta Pretoria–gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town and one of Bavaria's cultural centers. It is here you will find Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). The Thurn und Taxis family, who until the second half of the 19th century had the monopoly on the German postal services, owns the impressive St. Emmerammus Abbey buildings making up the THURN UND TAXIS CASTLE.

Day 10 - Nuremberg. (Sat.) Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metal working.

Day 11 - Nuremberg (Disembarkation)-Prague, Czech Republic. (Sun.) Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the "Golden City."

Day 12 - 13 - Prague. (Mon. & Tue.) Prague is a 1,000-year old city preserved in time. It straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. Best-known treasures are the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe, HRADCANY CASTLE, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director will have more suggestions for things to do.

Day 14 - Prague. (Wed.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day.

Cost of This Trip