DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Meals

Breakfast: 22 Lunch: 20 Dinner: 21

Transport

State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities

Accommodation

Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds

HighLights

Cologne
Pecs
Iron Gates
Melk
Vienna
Bucharest

DAY 1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Spend free time exploring the colourful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam-with its many cafes and art galleries. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)
DAY 2: AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam 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." This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
DAY 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today's special 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. Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
DAY 4: RHINE GORGE-RUDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country En route to Rudesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei-where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors. ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, OR: DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer. Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG (B,L,D)
DAY 5: MILTENBERG
Beauty on the Main River Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn. Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
DAY 6: WURZBURG
A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Wurzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz-with the largest known ceiling fresco. Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WURZBURG (B,L,D)
DAY 7: VOLKACH
Storybook Settings 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. Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity. 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
DAY 8: 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)
DAY 9: ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG
Legends and History Lessons Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR: 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. 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
DAY 10: 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. Alternatively, spend free time exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)
DAY 11: PASSAU
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers." 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. Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz. LINZ, AUSTRIA Legendary, Lovely Linz This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)
DAY 12: MELK-WACHAU VALLEY
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. Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon. VIENNA Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)
DAY 13: VIENNA
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 Schonbrunn Palace-summer home of the Habsburg family or choose a Guided Optional Excursion to fascinating Bratislava. Consider a tram ride to Vienna's Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
DAY 14: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The Pearl of the Danube This morning, while sailing into Budapest, enjoy beautiful views of the city from the Sky Deck. ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, 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 cafes. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
DAY 15: BUDAPEST
Time to Capture Photographs, Coffee, and Confections Take free time to shop in the Great Market Hall, take photos on the Royal Palace grounds, or visit Budapest's famous thermal bath spas. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR (B,L,D)
DAY 16: VUKOVAR
History and Beer Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage. Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard. ILOK, CROATIA History and Culture in Croatia CLASSIC Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR: ACTIVE Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok's city walls, into the central church, and the towns' museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NOVI SAD (B,L,D)
DAY 17: NOVI SAD, SERBIA
The Athens of Serbia 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. ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR: DISCOVERY Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping at the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B,L,D)
DAY 18: 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 cafes, shops, and cultural spots. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer. This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAC (B,L,D)
DAY 19: GOLUBAC-DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR-IRON GATES GORGE
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You'll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defence in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire. Continue 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 (B,L,D)
DAY 20: VIDIN, BULGARIA
Rocks, Ruins, and Balkan Beauty ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR: CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, 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 (B,L,D)
DAY 21: ROUSSE. VELIKO TARNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Fortresses and Folklore ACTIVE Explore the old town in Rousse by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo-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 (B,L,D)
DAY 22: 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-honouring 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 Excursion available. (B)
DAY 23: BUCHAREST
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Was R245,746 pp*

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From Holland to Romania, with a host of exciting stops along the way, this river cruise holiday across Europe is truly an adventure! Amsterdam, Holland’s lively capital, is set amongst sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals with countless museums, cafés, shops, and restaurants to explore. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten. On to Germany for a guided city walk in the 2,000-year-old Cologne. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water and stop in delightful Rüdesheim. There’s guided sightseeing in Würzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg, and you’ll sail the Main Danube Canal connecting the Main and Danube Rivers. In Melk, Austria, visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Guided sightseeing in each city introduces you to two capitals: Vienna, Austria; and Budapest, Hungary.

Continue your river cruise adventure on the Lower Danube with a guided sightseeing in Vukovar and discover Ilok with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Stop in Serbia’s Belgrade and cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates Gorge. In Bulgaria, visit Belogradchik’s eclectic rock formations, the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and Arbanassi—with its Church of the Nativity housing an outstanding collection of frescoes. To round out this timeless European River Cruise, a stay in Romania’s vibrant capital of Bucharest—known as the “Paris of the East” —is a must. A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures.

Please note: Itinerary is based on 2025, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2025.

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Leisurely On the go

I want to travel in

2025

2026

Days

Countries

Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania

Meals

22breakfasts;

20lunches;

21dinners;

Transport

State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities

Accommodation

Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds

Tour Code

WAOB

Price

*Price per person, based on Twin occupancy for 09 July 2026 departure

CAT D

Highlights

Cologne

Pecs

Iron Gates

Melk

Vienna

Bucharest

Itinerary

EXPAND ALL DAYS

Day 1

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Spend free time exploring the colourful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam-with its many cafes and art galleries. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 0, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

Region

Country

Rivers

Vessels

Before You Book

Before You Travel

Meet Avalon

The Cruising Experience

Iconic Rivers Of Europe - The Rhine, Main & Danube With Bucharest

Map

Itinerary

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

AMSTERDAM

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

COLOGNE, GERMANY

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

RHINE GORGE-RUDESHEIM

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

MILTENBERG

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

WURZBURG

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

VOLKACH

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

BAMBERG

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

REGENSBURG

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

PASSAU

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

MELK-WACHAU VALLEY

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

VIENNA

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

BUDAPEST

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

VUKOVAR

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

NOVI SAD, SERBIA

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

BELGRADE

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

GOLUBAC-DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR-IRON GATES GORGE

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

VIDIN, BULGARIA

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

ROUSSE. VELIKO TARNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)-BUCHAREST

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

BUCHAREST

INCLUDED MEALS

TRIP ACCOMMODATION & OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS