Enchanted Europe (Eastbound) 2026 - 16 Day River Cruise Basel to Budapest

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Enchanted Europe (Eastbound) 2026

16 Day River Cruise Basel to Budapest



Tour Description:

Your breathtaking river cruise begins on the Rhine River in Basel, Switzerland. You’ll sail to Breisach, your starting point for a Black Forest excursion, and to the city of Strasbourg, France, along the way. Sail to Rüdesheim and through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. The modern and charming city of Frankfurt is also on your route along the Rhine, and you’ll sail on the Main River to visit an authentic village. Visit Würzburg, and take a guided tour of Bamberg, before reaching Nuremberg, from where you will take a full-day excursion to Munich. Sail from Nuremberg to Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Cruise next to Passau, with its narrow streets and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey. Take in the breathtaking views before continuing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to the romantic sights of Vienna, the “City of Music.” Your European river cruise ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore this vibrant city on your own.

Map for Enchanted Europe (Eastbound) 2026 - 16 Day River Cruise Basel to Budapest
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Dates & Pricing

Saturday 02 May 26 — Monday 18 May 26Starting at $7,498Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Basel (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Breisach: Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 3 Strasbourg: Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Boppard: Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard
Day 5 Frankfurt: Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt
Day 6 Wertheim: Guided walking tour
Day 7 Würzburg: Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop's Residence or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Bamberg: Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 9 Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich: Full day guided tour in Munich
Nuremberg: Choice of guided tour in Nuremberg, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour or biking in Nuremberg with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Day 11 Regensburg: Guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria
Day 12 Passau–Linz: Guided walk in Passau; free time in Linz
Day 13 Melk–Wachau Valley–Vienna: Guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or hike with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; free time in Vienna
Day 14 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing, or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 15 Budapest: Choice of guided tour, see Heroes' Square or hike with your Adventure Host
Day 16 Budapest (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board as you sail to Breisach. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH BASEL-SUNSET.jpg

Day 2
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST Charming Villages and the Beautiful Black Forest 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 butter-making demonstration, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG BLACK-FOREST-SCENIC.jpg
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Day 3
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. CLASSIC Join a City Tour of Strasbourg’s sights, including Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France--or visit Alsace’s wine country today. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM STRASBOURG-PETIT-FRANCE.jpg
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Day 4
RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY–RHINE GORGE Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR: DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee. This afternoon, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Boppard. BOPPARD A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge Enjoy some free time to relax or explore the Rheinallee Promenade for delicatessen fare with a cup of German coffee or glass of Riesling wine. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment while sailing to Frankfurt. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT RUDESHEIM-VINEYARDS.jpg
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Day 5
FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT Charm in Frankfurt 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WERTHEIM FRANKFURT-OLD-TOWN.jpg
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Day 6
WERTHEIM Beauty on the Main River Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG MAIN-RIVER-VILLAGE-DETAIL.jpg
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Day 7
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. 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 as you set sail for Bamberg. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG WURZBURG.jpg
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Day 8
BAMBERG The City of Seven Hills 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. After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer). EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG BAMBERG-TOWN-HALL.jpg
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Day 9
NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH A King’s Palace and Town Halls 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. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG MUNICH-MARIENPLATZ.jpg
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Day 10
NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Start your day with a bike ride together with your Adventure Host around the port area of Nuremberg, 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 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG NUREMBERG-SCENIC.jpg
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Day 11
REGENSBURG Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle 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 a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU REGENSBURG.jpg
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Day 12
PASSAU Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Alternatively, join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Sail to Linz this afternoon or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion. LINZ, AUSTRIA Legendary, Lovely Linz Enjoy a free afternoon to linger in Linz. Take a bicycle from the ship and cycle along the Danube or follow one of Linz’s many nature trails for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK PASSAU.jpg
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Day 13
MELK–WACHAU VALLEY Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Hike through Melk’s beautiful countryside, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. Enjoy a coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Vienna. VIENNA Viennese Waltzes on the Blue DanubeThis evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA MELK-ABBEY.jpg
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Day 14
VIENNA Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Explore 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 iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Enjoy free time to take a tram to visit Vienna’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube. Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Budapest. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST VIENNA-HOFBURG-PALACE.jpg
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Day 15
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY War Heroes and Hot Water ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. This afternoon, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free time soaking in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs, or nightlife. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST BUDAPEST-HEROS-SQUARE.jpg
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Day 16
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Accommodations

ZurichBudapest
Radisson Blu Airport
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

Zuerich Flughafen Zurich Switzerland

This modern, stylish hotel 330-room property conveniently offers direct access to the airport terminal, the perfect location for arrivals & departures. Dining options include an Italian restaurant specializing in fresh Italian dishes crafted with a modern twist and a Grill restaurant offering seafood and steaks dishes prepared in an open kitchen. The atrium bar has a 16m-high glass wine tower with over 4,000 bottles of wine and champagne and the outdoor terrace is the place for cocktails and light bites. Other amenities include two fitness centers (one on site and one at the airport), a hammam, as well as a sauna set in a plane's cockpit. Free internet access is available throughout the entire hotel.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.