Avalon Waterways

Magnificent Europe

This grand vacation of 16 days takes you from Amsterdam to Budapest. Begin with a canal boat tour past Amsterdam’s 16th-century merchant houses, then cruise to Cologne for a guided tour. You’ll sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim, cruise along the meandering Main River, descend through locks on the Main-Danube Canal, and navigate through the narrow Strudengau. There’s sightseeing in Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Passau. Stop in Melk and Dürnstein before reaching Vienna, where you’ll enjoy city sightseeing and time on your own. Stop in Bratislava for a guided tour before ending your vacation with guided sightseeing and free time to explore the twin cities of Buda and Pest.

Included Features

COLOGNE - Guided sightseeing

RÜDESHEIM - "Winzerexpress" mini train; Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

MILTENBERG - Guided sightseeing

WÜRZBURG - Guided sightseeing, visit the Residenz

BAMBERG - Guided sightseeing

NUREMBERG - Guided sightseeing

REGENSBURG - Guided sightseeing; Visit the Old Chapel and Thurn und Taxis Castle

PASSAU - Guided sightseeing

MELK - Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey

DÜRNSTEIN - Guided sightseeing

VIENNA - Guided sightseeing

BRATISLAVA - Guided sightseeing; Visit St. Martin's Cathedral

BUDAPEST - Guided sightseeing; Visit Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion

Detailed Itinerary

Day 3 - Amsterdam. (Mon.) There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes. Afterwards our river cruise vessel sets sail for Cologne.

Day 4 - Cologne, Germany. (Tue.) Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities whose river skyline is dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent Gothic cathedral. The Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! Try a Koelsch in one of the many taverns and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original "eau de cologne".

Day 5 - Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim. (Wed.) The dramatic Rhine Gorge is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Pretty Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Explore the Drosselgasse, pick up some souvenirs, and be sure to try one of the vintages in any of the little wine taverns.

Day 6 - Miltenberg. (Thu.) Located on the Main River, Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and Renaissance houses and the Gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall.

Day 7 - Würzburg. (Fri.) Known as the "Pearl of the Romantic Road," Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 8 - Bamberg. (Sat.) Another UNESCO World Heritage site is medieval Bamberg with its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the river, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions.

Day 9 - Nuremberg. (Sun.) 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 its famous Lebkuchen, toy making and metal working.

Day 10 - Regensburg. (Mon.) One of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, Regensburg’s architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall and the beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL. 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 11 - Passau-Linz, Austria. (Tue.) Ideally located at the confluence of the rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau 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. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights.

Day 12 - Melk-Dürnstein. (Wed.) Melk's magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. Dürnstein, known for the 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 was imprisoned in 1192. Vienna, known as the "City of Music," inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss.

Day 13 - Vienna. (Thu.) Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria's capital 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. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available tonight.

Day 14 - Bratislava, Slovakia. (Fri.) Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. The charming Old Town with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace, as well as the Gothic cathedral of ST. MARTIN, should not be missed.

Day 15 - Budapest, Hungary. (Sat.) Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe. Seven 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 impressive sights. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain and paprika.

Day 16 - Budapest. (Disembarkation) (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day.

Cost of This Trip