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Enchanted Europe with 2 Nights in Budapest (Westbound) 2026
18 Day River Cruise Budapest to Basel
Tour Description:
Board your Avalon Suite Ship® after enjoying two nights in Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube.” Your Danube River cruise embarks with an overnight cruise to Vienna, followed by Dürnstein and Melk in Austria’s beautiful Wachau Valley. Cruise from Austria to Germany as you sail to Passau, then the Bavarian city of Regensburg to see the 12th-century Old Town Hall. Cruise to Nuremberg to choose a guided tour of Roth, Nuremberg city sightseeing, or a tour of the notorious Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII. From Nuremberg, join a full-day excursion to Munich before sailing to Frankfurt for guided sightseeing. Cruise to Rüdesheim and through the magnificent Rhine Gorge. Your European river cruise stops in splendid Strasbourg, France, with its Gothic cathedral towering above its stained glass and murals, before cruising to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the magical Black Forest. Enjoy a day of storybook surroundings, sumptuous bakery specialties (such as Black Forest Cake), and a glimpse into generations of authentic Bavarian life. Your river cruise on the Danube, Rhine, and Main Rivers concludes in Basel, Switzerland.
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Dates & Pricing
| Sunday 01 Nov 26 — Thursday 19 Nov 26 | Starting at $6,297 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
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 Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice.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
Destination & Sightseeing| Day 1 Budapest: | Welcome to Budapest! |
| Day 2 Budapest: | Guided tour, see Heroes' Square |
| Day 3 Budapest (Embarkation): | Onboard welcome reception |
| Day 4 Vienna: | Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; free time in Vienna in the evening |
| Day 5 Vienna: | Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 6 Dürnstein-Wachau Valley-Melk: | In Dürnstein guided tour; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley or biking with your Adventure Host; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard wine tasting |
| Day 7 Passau: | Guided walk |
| Day 8 Regensburg: | Choice of guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 9 Roth. Excursion to Nuremberg: | Onboard lecture; choice of guided sightseeing in Roth or hike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour |
| Day 10 Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich: | Full-day guided tour in Munich |
| Day 11 Bamberg: | Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 12 Würzburg: | Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 13 Miltenberg: | Guided tour |
| Day 14 Frankfurt: | Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt, or guided tour in Seligenstadt or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 15 Boppard-Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim: | Scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 16 Strasbourg: | Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral |
| Day 17 Breisach. Excursion to Black Forest: | Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 18 Basel (Disembarkation): | Your vacation 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
ITINERARYDay 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.
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Day 2
BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
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.
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Breakfast
BreakfastDay 3
BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION) 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 before boarding your Suite Ship®.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
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Day 4
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 5
VIENNA Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions
ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC After a short walk of Vienna, join a Guided Visit of Austria’s largest museum, the legendary Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), 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 this afternoon 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 the ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
DÜRNSTEIN–WACHAU VALLEY A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins
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.
Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.
ACTIVE Alternatively, experience Danube's cycle path, follow your Adventure Host for a bike ride along the Danube.
MELK
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
PASSAU, GERMANY 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.
Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
REGENSBURG Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
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 a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 9
ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons
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.
ACTIVE Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, 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 Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its 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.
EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
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Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 11
BAMBERG The City of Seven Hills
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
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 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).
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 12
WÜRZBURG A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road
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.
ACTIVE Explore Würzburg's charm by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
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 live entertainment on board while sailing tonight.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 13
MILTENBERG Beauty on the Main River
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 FRANKFURT
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 14
FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT Charm in Frankfurt
ACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, 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, OR:
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.
Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BOPPARD
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 15
BOPPARD A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge
This afternoon, relax on the Sky Deck with views of the spectacular Rhine Gorge en route to Rüdesheim.
RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 16
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 17
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, 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 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 BASEL
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 18
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends this morning with breakfast.
Departure flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
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Accommodations
Accommodations| Budapest | Budapest | Zurich |
Budapest Marriott
Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
Apaczai Csere Janos U.4 Budapest Hungary
This modern 364 room property enjoys a prime downtown location and offers convenience blended with style. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and the hotel has a fitness center with sauna and Jacuzzi. The trendy Mediterranean Grill restaurant serves tasty Hungarian dishes and the stylish lounge bar offers tapas style food and cocktails.
Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
Apaczai Csere Janos U.4 Budapest Hungary
This modern 364 room property enjoys a prime downtown location and offers convenience blended with style. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and the hotel has a fitness center with sauna and Jacuzzi. The trendy Mediterranean Grill restaurant serves tasty Hungarian dishes and the stylish lounge bar offers tapas style food and cocktails.
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.
