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Iconic Rivers of Europe
the Rhine, Main & Danube with 1 Night in Bucharest 2026 - 23 Days Amsterdam to Bucharest
Tour Description:
From Holland to Romania, with a host of exciting stops along the way, this river cruise vacation across Europe is truly an adventure! Amsterdam, Holland’s lively capital, is set amongst sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals with countless museums, cafés, shops, and restaurants to explore. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten. On to Germany for a guided city walk in the 2,000-year-old Cologne. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water and stop in delightful Rüdesheim. There’s guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg, and you’ll sail the Main Danube Canal connecting the Main and Danube Rivers. In Melk, Austria, visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Guided sightseeing in each city introduces you to two capitals: Vienna, Austria; and Budapest, Hungary. Continue your river cruise adventure on the Lower Danube with guided sightseeing in Vukovar and discover Ilok with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Stop in Serbia’s Belgrade and cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates Gorge. In Bulgaria, visit Belogradchik’s eclectic rock formations, the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and Arbanassi—with its Church of the Nativity housing an outstanding collection of frescoes. To round out this timeless European River Cruise, a stay in Romania’s vibrant capital of Bucharest—known as the “Paris of the East” —is a must. A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures.
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Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingNotes:
- 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
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. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
Spend free time exploring the colorful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam—with its many cafés and art galleries.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Day 2
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
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 Host, 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
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 ROTH
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 9
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 11
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.
LINZ, AUSTRIA
Legendary, Lovely Linz
This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 12
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.
VIENNA
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 13
VIENNA Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions
ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 14
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 15
BUDAPEST Time to Capture Photographs, Coffee, and Confections
Take free time to shop in the Great Market Hall, take photos on the Royal Palace grounds, or visit Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 16
VUKOVAR History and Beer
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard.
ILOK, CROATIA
History and Culture in Croatia
CLASSIC Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR:
ACTIVE Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok’s city walls, into the central church, and the towns’ museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NOVI SAD
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 17
NOVI SAD, SERBIA The Athens of Serbia
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.
ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:
DISCOVERY Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping at the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 18
BELGRADE Fortresses and Folklore
ACTIVE Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.
DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 19
GOLUBAČ—DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR—IRON GATES GORGE Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You’ll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire. Continue to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views of the Danube Gorge.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 20
VIDIN, BULGARIA Rocks, Ruins, and Balkan Beauty
ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:
CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements, OR:
DISCOVERY Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 21
ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Folklore
ACTIVE Explore the old town in Rousse old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church. Later, enjoy a short scenic drive to explore the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 22
OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST The Paris of the East
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Spend some free time exploring on your own to visit shops and museums. See the beautiful home and churches along Victory Avenue. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursion available
Day 23
BUCHAREST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Breakfast
Breakfast Accommodations
Accommodations| Amsterdam | Bucharest |
Westcord Jakarta
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Javakade 766 Amsterdam Netherlands
A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Javakade 766 Amsterdam Netherlands
A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
