Magnificent Rivers of Europe 2025 - 16 Day River Cruise Budapest to Amsterdam

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Magnificent Rivers of Europe 2025

16 Day River Cruise Budapest to Amsterdam



Tour Description:

From Budapest to Amsterdam, and in many exciting stops along the way, experience the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless European river cruise vacation. Begin by visiting three of Europe’s vibrant capital cities: Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Vienna (Austria). A Local Guide will show you the must-see sites in each city with plenty of time to explore on your own. See the famous Heroes’ Square in Budapest, stroll through Bratislava’s Old Town with its winding streets and bronze sculptures, and stop in a classic Viennese café for a decadent treat.

Sail through the picturesque views of the Wachau Valley and the dramatic Rhine Gorge. Visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Würzburg’s Baroque-style Bishop’s Residenz. Enjoy a tasting of wonderful local Wachau wines. Explore quaint towns like Dürnstein with its blue and white Baroque-style Stiftskirche; Passau, known for its narrow cobblestone streets and the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral; and Bamberg, with its town hall straddling the River Regnitz.

Enjoy guided tours in historic Nuremberg, Volkach, Würzburg, and Regensburg—one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. In the charming Rhine Valley town of Rüdesheim, enjoy a stroll through its famous cobblestone Drosselgasse lined with shops, restaurants, and lively taverns. Straddling both sides of the Rhine River is Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture. Here, enjoy a guided walk and see its famous twin-spired cathedral. This European river cruise would not be complete without a visit to Holland’s lively capital of Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten.

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Dates & Pricing

Monday 12 May 25 — Wednesday 28 May 25Starting at $7,799Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 31 May 25 — Monday 16 Jun 25Starting at $7,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 19 Jun 25 — Saturday 05 Jul 25Starting at $7,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 09 Jul 25 — Friday 25 Jul 25Starting at $7,099Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 27 Jul 25 — Tuesday 12 Aug 25Starting at $7,099Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 16 Aug 25 — Monday 01 Sep 25Starting at $7,599Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Friday 05 Sep 25 — Sunday 21 Sep 25Starting at $7,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 24 Sep 25 — Friday 10 Oct 25Starting at $7,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 14 Oct 25 — Thursday 30 Oct 25Starting at $7,199Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 06 Nov 25 — Saturday 22 Nov 25Starting at $7,099Check 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 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Budapest: Choice of guided tour, see Heroes' Square or hike with your Adventure Host
Day 3 Bratislava: Choice of guided tour, visit St. Martin's Cathedral or up hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Vienna: Choice of guided tour or Künsthistorisches Museum visit or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 5 Dürnstein-Wachau Valley-Melk: Choice of guided tour or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard wine tasting
Day 6 Passau: Guided tour
Day 7 Regensburg: Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Roth. Excursion to Nuremberg: On board lecture; choice of guided sightseeing of Roth, or guided sightseeing in Nuremberg, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour
Day 9 Bamberg: Choice of guided walk, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Day 10 Volkach-Kitzingen: Choice of walking tour in Volkach or bike with your Adventure Host; free time in Kitzingen
Day 11 Würzburg: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 12 Miltenberg: Guided walk
Day 13 Rüdesheim-Rhine Gorge: Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim or hike the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; classic concert
Day 14 Cologne: Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour or, Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 15 Amsterdam: Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 16 Amsterdam (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
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST BUDAPEST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Day 2
BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. 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 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 CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA BUDAPEST-HEROS-SQUARE.jpg
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Day 3
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Castles, Vineyards, and Cosmopolitan Culture ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a short hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Old Town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the Gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cathedral—Hungary’s centuries-old coronation church. Alternatively, in your free time take a bicycle and a picnic from the ship to explore the local sights along the Danube. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA BRATISLAVA.jpg
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Day 4
VIENNA, AUSTRIA 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 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. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg empire. Consider a tram ride to Vienna’s Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN VIENNA-HOFBURG-PALACE.jpg
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Day 5
DÜRNSTEIN–WACHAU VALLEY A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins ACTIVE Take a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below, OR: 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. Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Melk. MELK 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. DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a Wine Tasting on board as you prepare to sail to Passau. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU DURNSTEIN.jpg
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Day 6
PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC Join an afternoon Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Alternatively, 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG PASSAU.jpg
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Day 7
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. Spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner as you cruise toward Roth. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH REGENSBURG.jpg
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Day 8
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 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. Tonight, relax onboard with live entertainment as you sail to Bamberg. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG NUREMBERG-SCENIC.jpg
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Day 9
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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VOLKACH BAMBERG-TOWN-HALL.jpg
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Day 10
VOLKACH Storybook Settings 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. 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. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing afternoon while cruising to Kitzingen. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KITZINGEN VOLKACH.jpg
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Day 11
WÜRZBURG A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road ACTIVE Enjoy an easy bike ride along the river 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. This afternoon enjoy a leisurely sailing. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG WURZBURG.jpg
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Day 12
MILTENBERG Beauty on the Main River Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn . Later, enjoy onboard entertainment as you cruise to Rüdesheim. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM MILTENBERG.jpg
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Day 13
RÜDESHEIM–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: ACTIVE Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, 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 cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see the famous rock of the Lorelei—where mythological siren lured ill-fated sailors to shore. DISCOVERY Enjoy a remarkable classical music concert in a lovely baroque venue at Engers Castle, home to the Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate National Foundation, one of Germany’s largest music institutions. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ENGERS RUDESHEIM-VINEYARDS.jpg
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Day 14
COLOGNE Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host 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. Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM COLOGNE-BEER.jpg
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Day 15
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND Colorful Canals of Amsterdam ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: DISCOVERY 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.” In the afternoon you may join an Optional Culinary Walk through Amsterdam to sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties. Or choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. You might also consider a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Spend free time on your own to explore the colorful cafés, galleries, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM-CANAL-CRUISE.jpg
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Day 16
AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. AMSTERDAM-SUNRISE.jpg

Accommodations

BudapestBudapestAmsterdamAmsterdam
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.
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.