A Taste of the Danube 2020
(Westbound)

Day 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Spend free time strolling along the cobblestone streets, browsing art galleries, sipping coffee, and sampling sweets before boarding your Danube cruise for a welcome dinner this evening.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA (D)

Day 2 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA 
Castles, Vineyards, and Cosmopolitan Culture

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing 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.

ACTIVE Grab Nordic walking sticks and follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to Bratislava Castle.

Alternatively, take a bicycle and a picnic from the ship to explore the local sights along the Danube on your own. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment by local musicians.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)

Day 3 MELK, AUSTRIA—WACHAU VALLEY
Ornate Architecture and Scenic Splendors Awaken the Imagination and the Senses

CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Melk’s 11th-century Benedictine Abbey. Explore its frescoes, statues, library, and spectacular pipe organ in the monastery’s lofty perch above the Danube.

Take a relaxing break on the Sky Deck as you sail through awe-inspiring views of the Wachau Valley and the wine region surrounding Dürnstein.

DÜRNSTEIN 

Idyllic Vistas and Vineyards Beyond the Blue Stiftskirche

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a hike up the hillside to castle ruins for breathtaking views.

Spend free time at your leisure, perhaps biking through the vineyards in the Wachau Valley.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)

Day 4 VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Vienna airport before 8 am. (B)

• Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): onboard welcome reception
• Day 2 Bratislava: guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral; hike to the castle
• Day 3 Melk—Wachau Valley—Dürnstein: guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; hike up the hillside to castle ruins in Dürnstein
• Day 4 Vienna (Disembarkation): your cruise ends this morning

Through the natural beauty of Austria’s Wachau Valley, past quaint towns and villages—and stops in charming towns and cities of Slovakia and Austria along the way—you’ll fall in love with this river cruise along the Danube River. Board your ship in Budapest, Hungary, and relax with a glass of wine atop the Sky Deck as you make your way upriver. Glide through the middle of two countries for a 58-mile stretch as the border between Hungary and Slovakia is in the center of the Danube River. You’ll come to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. This dynamic city lies at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Visit the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, the coronation church for Hungary during the 16th to 19th centuries. If you’d like, you can even visit its underground crypt with the catacombs of significant historical figures.

In Dürnstein, a town situated among terraced vineyards, hike up to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle with your Avalon Adventure Host. And in Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, where Benedictine monks still stroll amidst the sacred walls. Sitting high on a bluff, it offers the most breathtaking views of the city, the Danube River, and the Austrian countryside all at once. Conclude your beautiful cruise in Vienna, Austria.

Ship Amenities:

• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
• Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, shade awnings, & outdoor deck game area
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Non-smoking staterooms & ship interior
• Convenient Elevator Service
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Outside viewing deck
• Headsets for guided shore excursions in Europe
• English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
• Sightseeing with Expert Local Guides
• Onboard lectures, activities & entertainment
• Room service for Continental breakfast & beverages (service fee applies)
• Sky Deck whirlpool
• Complimentary computer use in public areas
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access
• Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, Nordic walking sticks, watercraft & maps
• Light lunch & casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
• Behind-the-scenes galley tour
• Choice of Leisurely, Traditional or Independent sightseeing pace options
• Nordic walking sticks available onboard for complimentary check-out
• Onshore & Onboard experiences with regional customs, cultures & tastings with local artisans, experts & entertainers
• Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
• Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
• Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
• Sky Deck game area
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
• Well-stocked library with books, cards, and board games
• Complimentary bottled water, fresh fruit, and cookies available throughout the day
• Full-size closet mirror

Ship Dining:

• Avalon Fresh^SM healthy cuisine options at every meal
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
• Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
• Welcome dinner
• Five-course farewell dinner
• Spacious, open-seating dining room
• Daily early-riser breakfast
• Daily late-riser breakfast
• Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine and made-to-order egg station
• Lunch buffet with carving and pasta stations
• Al fresco lunch in the Sky Grill
• Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
• Healthy Corner options including low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy choices
• Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan and allergy-free selections
• Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
• Happy Hour every evening including featured drink specials
• Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
• Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
• Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
• Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Room service for Continental breakfast & beverages (service fee applies)
• Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
• Night Fare served at 10:30 pm
• Healthy meal options
• Light lunch & casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
• Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
• Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
• Coffee or tea after dinner

Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Envision, Avalon Imagery II, Avalon Passion, Avalon Visionary

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• 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.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); the responsibility for obtaining a visa rests with the traveler.
• Port charges: $78
• Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.