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Magnificent Europe

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Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WAB
Fly Free 2026^
Overview
Destination:
Hungary
Netherlands
Duration:15 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
May 2026 - October 2027
15 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Budapest
From Amsterdam to Budapest, and in many exciting stops along the way, experience the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise vacation. Amsterdam is Holland’s lively capital—both historical and modern. This colorful city is loved for its vibrant mix of 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 for a guided city walk in Cologne—the stunning 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and stop in the charming wine town of Rüdesheim. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Volkach, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and sail the Main Danube Canal, which connects the Main and Danube Rivers. Your first stop in Austria is the lovely town of Melk. Visit its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Your local experts will also introduce you to two capital cities: Vienna, Austria, also known as “The City of Music” for inspiring the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss; and lively Budapest, Hungary, with its unique energy and countless must-see sites. This truly is a river cruise to remember!
Highlights:
Itinerary
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AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year.

Spend free time exploring the colorful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam—with its many cafés and art galleries.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

(D)

AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:

CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

(B,L,D)

COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure, OR;

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR;

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

(B,L,D)

RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

En route to Rüdesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:

CLASSIC Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.*

Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG

(B,L,D)

*This excursion will not be operated on departure June 23rd and will be replaced by a Guided Tour to Eberbach Monastery with a wine tasting.

MILTENBERG
Beauty on the Main River

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

ACTIVE Enjoy a Bike Tour with your Adventure Host to explore this charming medieval town and surrounding area, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG

(B,L,D)

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.

Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery.

This evening, enjoy on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WÜRZBURG

(B,L,D)

VOLKACH
Storybook Settings

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.

Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity.

ACTIVE Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG

(B,L,D)

BAMBERG
The City of Seven Hills

ACTIVE Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.

DISCOVERY Attend an onboard lecture to learn about European history and culture.

Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG

(B,L,D)

NUREMBERG
Legends and History Lessons

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

ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a walk to discover the surrounding neighboring, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth—with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR;

CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR;

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

CLASSIC 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.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

(B,L,D)

REGENSBURG
Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

ACTIVE Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

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 Monastery in Weltenburg.

Alternatively, spend free time exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

(B,L,D)

PASSAU
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”

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.

Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz.



Legendary, Lovely Linz

This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

(B,L,D)

MELK–WACHAU VALLEY
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a walk along the Danube River and around Melk, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey.

Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon.



Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

(B,L,D)

VIENNA
Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions

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

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Visit to House of Strauss and embark on an interactive journey through Vienna's illustrious past at an immersive audio-visual experience. After the tour, enjoy a coffee and homemade cake, OR:

CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg family.

Consider a tram ride to Vienna’s Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby.

Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The Pearl of the Danube

This morning, while sailing into Budapest, enjoy beautiful views of the city from the Sky Deck.

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

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

This afternoon choose among the Optional Guided Excursions available or enjoy Budapest on your own. Indulge in a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafés. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)

BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Dates

Select a date or submit general enquiry

Enquire now

Travellers

Operator
Avalon Waterways

Designed from the bottom up for comfort, space, and room to dream, each Avalon Suite Ship consists of 80% Panorama Suites—offering the widest view in river cruising. Larger suites result in fewer passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on board. From reclining on the open-air Sky Deck, relaxing in the spacious Panorama Lounge, or feeling the wind over the bough In the Observation Lounge, there’s never a shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, day dream, or just watch the world go by. From our inception, Avalon Waterways has cast a light on the world’s most fascinating places and people – inviting wayfarers and wanderers like you to bask in their glory, intrigue and wonder. Along the way, we’ve helped travellers uncover ancient traditions while meeting the locals dedicated to preserving them; to meander historic hallways while giving back to the societies that safeguard them; and to put down the guidebooks and pick up a greater understanding of the world and its people.

Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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14 nights
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