Magnificent Rivers of Europe

Pricing is based on departure date: 19 October 2027

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.

Itinerary Map

Itinerary Highlights

Budapest
When overlooking Budapest from the Royal Palace wall or the Fisherman's Bastion of "Castle Hill," it's easy to see why Budapest is called " The Pearl of the Danube." Its grand buildings and beautiful bridges are architectural marvels, especially when the flood lights illuminate them at night. Hungary's capital has broad avenues, leafy parks and elaborate bathhouses and thermal spas. The River Danube serves as a good orientation landmark with Buda on the hilly left side and flat Pest on the right. The sights in Buda include "Castle Hill", Gellért-hegy and its prominent Liberty Statue, and the Citadella. Pest is the commercial center or downtown "Belváros" with highlights such as Vaci Street known for window shopping, fine restaurants and casual cafes.

Bratislava
Slovakia's capital since the country's independence in 1993, Bratislava is a mosaic of illustrious history: a medieval and Gothic old town, baroque palaces commissioned by Hungarian nobles, and the crowning castle, rebuilt to Renaissance finery. Slicing through the city are stark-angled, communist-era blocks and a futurist bridge.

Vienna
Austria's capital has always attracted artistic genius. Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Kafka and Freud were either born or moved here. Strauss waltzes and apple strudel are what come to mind to most visitors, but its most striking features are its Schwarzenegger-sized Alps and monumental Baroque edifices.

Durnstein
Durnstein is a small town on the Danube river in the Krems-Land district, in the Austrian state of Lower Austria.

Passau
Passau, a German city on the Austrian border, lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Known as the Three Rivers City, it's overlooked by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress housing a city museum and observation tower. The old town below is known for its baroque architecture, including St. Stephen's Cathedral, featuring distinctive onion-domed towers and an organ with 17,974 pipes.

Regensburg
The city hails back to Roman times. See the mighty Porta Praetoria and the magnificent merchants' houses dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit Steinerne Brucke (Stone Bridge) which connects the main part of the ceith with the settlement on the Danube's other bank. Tour the Petersdom cathedral's sumptuous baroque interior and two Gothic towers. Try Bavarian cooking at the Alte Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen).

Rothenburg
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in the district of Ansbach of Mittelfranken, the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. It is well known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a destination for tourists from around the world. It is part of the popular Romantic Road through southern Germany.

Bamberg
Bamberg is a town in northern Bavaria, Germany. Its old town preserves structures from the 11th to 19th centuries including the muraled Altes Rathaus, which occupies an island in the Regnitz reached by arched bridges. The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, begun in the 11th century, features 4 towers and numerous stone carvings.

Wurzburg
Set on the vine-clad banks of the Main River and embellished with beautiful baroque masterpieces and delightful Franconian wineries, this lively university city of Wurzburg serves as a suitably picturesque starting point for Bavaria's Romantic Road.

Miltenberg
Miltenberg is a town in the Regierungsbezirk of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. It is the seat of the like-named district.

Rhine Gorge
The Rhine Gorge is a popular name for the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65 km section of the Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen in Germany. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in June 2002 for a unique combination of geological, historical, cultural and industrial reasons.

Cologne
Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany's largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of Cologne's magnificent Gothic cathedral?which took more than 600 years to build?dominate the river skyline. The Germano- Roman Museum, located next to the cathedral, is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. The favorite local beer here is Kölsch. 

Amsterdam
The capital and cultural centre of the Netherlands is dually considered a gracious, formal cultural centre and the most offbeat metropolis in the world. Some of the best art in the world, including that by Van Gogh, is showcased in over 40 fine museums. Its attractive canals and gabled houses are a popular subject for local burgeoning painters.

Your Ship: Avalon Expression

Part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Expression features two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform the living space into river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony.

With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each morning to splendid passing scenery from your window-facing bed. Stretch out on your Comfort Collection bed and cruise with the world at your feet.

Onboard amenities include an alternative light dining option in the Panorama Bistro, a Fitness Center, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at the Sky Bistro on the Sky Deck. Express yourself while cruising your way on the Avalon Expression!

Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Passau, Regensburg, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Miltenberg, Rhine Gorge, Cologne, Amsterdam

All fares are displayed in AUD, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.