Jewels of Central Europe with 2 nights in Budapest & 2 nights in Paris 2021

On this European river cruise vacation, you’ll sail along the Danube, Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers. Start with two nights in vibrant Budapest, Hungary, and then see some of the most intriguing cities of Austria and Germany.

Before you embark on your European river cruise, experience the unique energy of Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on a guided tour of the city and time to explore on your own. Sail past the impressive Parliament Building on the Danube River, to Austria’s elegant capital of Vienna. Take a guided walk in the quaint village of Dürnstein, in the heart of the Wachau Valley, and visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey in Melk. You’ll be introduced to the treasures of Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremberg, and take an excursion to Bavaria’s capital, Munich. On the banks of the Main River, you’ll find small towns tucked away behind defensive walls and towered gates. Along the Rhine River, stop in Rüdesheim, a quintessential Rhine Valley town. Later, cruise the wide, peaceful curves of the Moselle River Valley, famous for its picturesque views, and arrive in the wine village of Bernkastel. Before you leave, we’ll introduce you to some of the famed Moselle wines. In Trier, Germany, believed to be even older than Rome, a Local Guide will show you the sights, including the Porta Nigra, the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement.

Cruise along the enchanting Moselle River to Remich, Luxembourg to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship®, and transfer via high-speed train to Paris for your Monograms® vacation. You’ll enjoy guided sightseeing in “The City of Light” with an expert guide, driving past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a Seine River cruise and free time to enjoy Paris on your own with the suggestions and support of your Monograms Local Host®.

Central Europe is yours to remember for its beauty, history, culture, and cuisine. And you’ll soon see why Paris is called the most romantic city in the world!

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SIMILAR VACATIONS

Jewels of Central Europe (Eastbound)
With 2 Nights in ParisWBR4
With 2 Nights in Budapest & 2 Nights in ParisWBR2
Jewels of Central Europe (Westbound)WBRQ

ITINERARY

Day 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

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. You may choose to enjoy Hungarian cuisine in an Optional Wine-and-Dine Dinner this evening
Breakfast

Day 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

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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 5

VIENNA Royal Collections and Amusing Attraction 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 6

DÜRNSTEIN 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, OR: ACTIVE Join a Hike up to the castle ruins with your Adventure Host for a spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below. Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 8

REGENSBURG Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 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. 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. DISCOVERY Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board. EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 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
Breakfast Dinner

Day 11

BAMBERG The City of Seven Hills Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 12

WÜRZBURG A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg—”Pearl of the Romantic Road”—with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence—with the largest known ceiling fresco. Explore the city on your own or visit a local winery. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 13

MAIN RIVER VILLAGE Beauty on the Main River Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 14

RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR; ACTIVE Take an open-air Cable Car Ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat. This afternoon, relax on the Sky Deck as you cruise through the magnificent Rhine Gorge. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 15

BERNKASTEL German Vineyards of the Moselle Valley CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century half-timbered houses, OR: ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Guided Hike to nearby castle ruins. Spend some free time at your leisure this afternoon, perhaps biking through the Renaissance-style village, or visiting a café to sample Apfelkuchen or other wonderful German desserts. DISCOVERY Join a Wine Tasting to experience the tradition of legendary German wine making. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board while sailing. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REMICH
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 16

REMICH, LUXEMBOURG. EXCURSION TO TRIER Old World Charm and World-Class Wine CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Trier—Germany’s oldest city with ancient Roman remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra walk through the city center, OR: CLASSIC Join a history-focused Roman Trier Guided Tour to learn more about the history of Roman civilization in this Moselle River city, and visit the ruins of a 20,000-seat amphitheater, and imperial baths. This afternoon, take a Guided Optional Excursion to Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture in its deep gorge terrain. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN REMICH
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 17

REMICH (DISEMBARKATION)–PARIS, FRANCE Transfer from your ship to the train station in Luxembourg City. Travel by high-speed train (First class) to Paris, where you begin your Monograms package

Day 18

PARIS Morning guided sightseeing includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe and a stop to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from one of the best panoramic viewing points. Also, admire the heart of the city from a different perspective on a Seine River Cruise. Embark your comfortable boat near the Eiffel Tower and spend a relaxing hour gliding by many of the city's important landmarks such as the L'Institut de France; Notre Dame Cathedral; Hôtel de Ville, the city's municipal headquarters; the Conciergerie, formerly a notorious prison where Marie-Antoinette spent the last days of her life; famous Louvre Palace and museum; and much more
Breakfast

Day 19

PARIS Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Breakfast

Accommodations