AVALON WATERWAYS
18 Days | Enchanted Europe
Westbound (WBZ)

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BUDAPEST TO BASEL

Day 1 | Budapest, Hungary. Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital. The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.

Day 2 | Budapest. The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. You may choose to enjoy Hungarian cuisine in an Optional Wine-and-Dine Dinner this evening. (B)

Classic — Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

Day 3 | Budapest. Embark. Time for Coffee, and Confections. With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas, then lunch in a garden or rooftop eatery. (B,D)

Day 4 | Vienna, Austria. Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Vienna. Royal Collections, Amusing Attractions, and Culinary Confections. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—a Habsburg Empire summer home for 300 years. This afternoon, enjoy free time to take a tram to visit Austria’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also decide to borrow a bike from the ship to explore the streets and squares of Vienna, or ride along the banks of the Danube at your leisure. Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Dürnstein. (B,L,D)

Classic — Venture into the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Day 6 | Durnstein. Melk. Fairytale Castles, Kings, and Cobblestones of Delightful Dürnstein. Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. (B,L,D)

Classic — Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle above the village during the Crusades — OR —

Active — Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below.

MELK. Ornate Architecture and Scenic Splendors.

Classic — Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

Discovery — Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board.

Day 7 | Passau, Germany. Go for Baroque in Passau–Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers meet. You may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or a full day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov—and meet your ship back in Passau for an evening cruise to Regensburg. (B,L,D)

Classic — Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers” — OR —

Day 8 | Regensburg. Magical Regensburg—Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner on board. (B,L,D)

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.

Discovery — Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board.

Day 9 | Roth. Nuremberg Excursion. Living Heritage and History Lessons. (B,L,D)

Classic — Join a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle — OR — Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

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.

Day 10 | Nuremberg. Munich Excursion. Modern Munich, Storybook Villages and Fairytale Castles. (B,L,D)

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.

Day 11 | Bamberg. One Thousand Years of History in the City of Seven Hills. After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer). Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. (B,L,D)

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.

Day 12 | Wurzburg. A Pearl, a Painting, and a Glass of Wine for the Perfect Afternoon. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists. Enjoy live entertainment on board while sailing tonight. (B,L,D)

Classic — Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco.

Day 13 | Main River Village. Hidden Gems and Bavarian Beauty of a Main River Village. (B,L,D)

Classic — Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Main River Bavarian village.

Day 14 | Frankfurt. Culture, Commerce, and Charm in Frankfurt. Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. (B,L,D)

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 of Germany’s oldest towns and home to the Einhard Basilika—dubbed “minor basilica” in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.

Day 15 | Boppard. Cruising the Rhine Gorge. A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge. Take some free time to relax, or explore the Rheinallee Promenade for delicatessen fare with a cup of German coffee or glass of Riesling wine. This afternoon, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rüdesheim. (B,L,D)

Discovery — Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience.

Discovery — Based on your cruise date, you’ll be treated to either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting.

Day 16 | Strasbourg, France. A Gothic Cathedral, Heavenly Time, and Dreamy French Wine. Explore on your own along tree-lined streets with gingerbread-style houses reminiscent of Brothers Grimm within the very modern city of the European Parliament. (B,L,D)

Classic — Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

Day 17 | Bresisach, Germany. Black Forest Excursion. History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest. Follow your visit to Colmar with a free afternoon in Breisach. Take a bike from the ship, or walk among the pastel-painted houses above the Rhine. (B,L,D)

Classic — Visit the charming village of Colmar on a Guided Tour of its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings — OR —

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 Bavarian butter-making demonstration.

Day 18 | Basel, Switzerland. Your vacation ends this morning with breakfast.Departure flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.)

EASTBOUND ITINERARY (WBZ) 18 DAYS | BUDAPEST TO BASEL Click HERE to view 16-day EASTBOUND (WZB) itinerary.