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Magnificent Rivers of Europe 2026
15 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, 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
| Friday 15 May 26 — Saturday 30 May 26 | Starting at $7,499 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 01 Jun 26 — Tuesday 16 Jun 26 | Starting at $7,399 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 24 Jun 26 — Thursday 09 Jul 26 | Starting at $6,899 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 10 Jul 26 — Saturday 25 Jul 26 | Starting at $6,299 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 03 Aug 26 — Tuesday 18 Aug 26 | Starting at $6,299 | Get a Quote | |
| Wednesday 19 Aug 26 — Thursday 03 Sep 26 | Starting at $6,299 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 11 Sep 26 — Saturday 26 Sep 26 | Starting at $7,499 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 28 Sep 26 — Tuesday 13 Oct 26 | Starting at $6,899 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 15 Oct 26 — Friday 30 Oct 26 | Starting at $5,799 | 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
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
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 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
VIENNA, AUSTRIA 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.
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 a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons
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.
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 9
BAMBERG The City of Seven Hills.
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 WÜRZBURG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
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 leisurely sailing.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 11
MILTENBERG Beauty on the Main River
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Discover Miltenberg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 12
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:
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting, OR:
CLASSIC 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 13
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 14
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND Colorful Canals of Amsterdam
ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
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.”
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 15
AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning
Accommodations
Accommodations| Budapest | Amsterdam | Amsterdam |
InterContinental Budapest
Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
Apaczai Csere Janos utca 12-14 Budapest Hungary
Few would argue the InterContinental Budapest is in the city's best location: right on the Danube across from Castle Hill and the Royal Palace. With the Chain Bridge and the Parliament just steps away, there's no shortage of superb sightseeing opportunities. The Váci Utca shopping street, Central Market Hall and the Gellért Baths are also nearby.
Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
Apaczai Csere Janos utca 12-14 Budapest Hungary
Few would argue the InterContinental Budapest is in the city's best location: right on the Danube across from Castle Hill and the Royal Palace. With the Chain Bridge and the Parliament just steps away, there's no shortage of superb sightseeing opportunities. The Váci Utca shopping street, Central Market Hall and the Gellért Baths are also nearby.
