Day 1
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Welcome to the Golden City of Prague—Explore the City of 100 Spires
Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City and its surrounding countryside at your leisure.
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Day 2
PRAGUE Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Great Cuisine
CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock.
Consider sampling delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River.
Mingle with the locals and be mesmerized by street performers in Wenceslas Square, or browse the market stalls at Charles Bridge.
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BreakfastDay 3
REGENSBURG, GERMANY–VILSHOFEN (EMBARKATION) Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle
After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to Regensburg.
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk in Regensburg and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
Take free time to enjoy a hearty lunch and a local beer, then step back in time through historic lanes and squares of today’s modern and vibrant Regensburg.
Continue on to Vilshofen to board your Avalon Suite Ship® for a welcome reception.
EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU
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Day 4
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 onboard.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
LINZ, AUSTRIA Legendary and Lovely Linz
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO YBBS
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK–WACHAU VALLEY Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
CLASSIC Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle, OR:
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 Dürnstein.
DÜRNSTEIN
A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins
ACTIVE Join 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 during the Crusades.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
VIENNA Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube
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 grand historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 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).
You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the former imperial summer home of the Habsburg monarchy.
Spend free time strolling in the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna. Take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.
This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
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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, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free time soaking in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy a Budapest’s cafés, pubs and nightlife.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
Take free time to enjoy Budapest’s famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city’s cafés and restaurants.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 11
MOHÁCS Hungarian History in a Harbor Town
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Explore Mohacs by foot as you follow the lead of your Adventure Host, OR
CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill—one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You’ll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 12
ILOK, CROATIA History and Culture in Croatia
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard.
NOVI SAD, SERBIA
Heritage and Hilltop Vintages
ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town, OR:
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 13
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. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 14
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; OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour 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
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 15
VIDIN, BULGARIA Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a walk, OR:
CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortressin, 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
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 16
ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Folklore
ACTIVE Join a walk in the park in Rousse with your Avalon 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 live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
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BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 17
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 Excursions available.
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Day 18
BUCHAREST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
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Breakfast