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Illuminations on the Danube (Eastbound) 2026
10 Day River Cruise Vilshofen to Budapest
Tour Description:
Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way. Visit Passau, Germany—called the “City of Three Rivers” at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Take a guided walking tour to admire the Patrician houses and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Linz, Austria, walk around the Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square. Enjoy the magnificent views as your Danube River cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. Stops include Melk to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Krems. Vienna, the “City of Music,” makes an immediate impression with its lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House. Enjoy a guided tour of this magical city and take time to explore on your own. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, take a guided walk through the delightful Old Town and to the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Sail to Esztergom for a visit to its Basilica and a Palinka tasting, then continue to Visegrad for a canoe excursion along the Danube river or a hike in the Danube-Ipoly National Park. In Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, a local expert shows you all the must-see sights. Then to round out this timeless European river cruise, take a stroll along Váci utca—the main shopping street, or take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion for the best panoramic views of Budapest. This Danube River cruise explores the legendary beauty and remarkable destinations you’ll never forget.
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Dates & Pricing
| Saturday 25 Apr 26 — Tuesday 05 May 26 | Starting at $4,599 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 17 May 26 — Wednesday 27 May 26 | Starting at $5,299 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 03 Jun 26 — Saturday 13 Jun 26 | Starting at $4,699 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 02 Aug 26 — Wednesday 12 Aug 26 | Starting at $4,699 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 02 Sep 26 — Saturday 12 Sep 26 | Starting at $5,899 | Get a Quote | |
| Tuesday 06 Oct 26 — Friday 16 Oct 26 | Starting at $5,099 | Get a Quote |
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
VILSHOFEN, GERMANY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Munich must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Explore your ship and enjoy dinner on your first evening on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU
Day 2
PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
ACTIVE Follow 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".
Before sailing to Linz, take a little free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal.
This afternoon, cruise to Linz through the Danube’s dramatic horseshoe bend called Schlögen Oxbow.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
LINZ, AUSTRIA Legendary and Lovely Linz
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along the Danube, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.
Consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart, or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Pöstlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
MELK–WACHAU VALLEY 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.
Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Krems.
KREMS An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley
ACTIVE Experience Wachau valley by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the famed Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues of Vienna to see the city’s highlights from a unique perspective, OR:
DISCOVERY Take an Insider’s Tour of Vienna to get behind the scenes of her sights and attractions. You will meet locals, have the chance to prepare some food, and enjoy other surprises, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including a tour of Belvedere Palace to see Gustave Klimt’s renowned “Kiss” painting.
Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse then take a break for a piece of Sachertorte. Or enjoy an optional excursion in Schönbrunn.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
VIENNA Feast for the Soul
DISCOVERY Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café, OR:
CLASSIC Dive into one of the world’s most important museums with a Guided Tour of the Habsburg family’s private art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and enjoy Italian or Dutch master works.
This evening consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Enjoy free time to discover on your own Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city center.
Later, relax on board with live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ESZTERGROM
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
ESZTERGOM, HUNGARY Mountains Views and Pàlinka
ACTIVE Take an E-bike Guided Tour and explore the surroundings of the Pilis Mountains Region. Enjoy the view from the lockout point at Dobogókő, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour into the scenic Carpathian Basin for a visit of the ancient Esztergom Basilica that includes the traditional Pàlinka tasting in its impressive cellar.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Visegrad during lunchtime.
VISEGRÁD
Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s Tower
ACTIVE Explore Hungary’s beautiful Danube-Ipoly National Park and visit Count Dracula’s prison tower on a Hiking Tour, OR:
ACTIVE Take part in a Canoe Excursion through the picturesque Bend Region of the Danube for a truly unique perspective of one of the river’s most beautiful stretches, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Visit to the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrád’s Lower Castle, featuring targeting and fighting demonstrations by members of the St. George Knightly Order.
Spend free time after your selected activities to explore Palotaház, where stonemasons, smiths, potters, and paper-makers produce their traditional items using age-old techniques.
This evening, enjoy a sailing into Budapest and magnificent views of the beautiful Parliament Building.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 9
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 choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying some free time 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning
Accommodations
Accommodations| Budapest |
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.
