Avalon Waterways Reviews – 8 Day River Cruise Passau to Budapest

Avalon Waterways Reviews – 8 Day River Cruise Passau to Budapest. Danube Dreams – Cruise Only Eastbound.

River Cruise Description
On this magnificent cruise vacation, enjoy seeing Austria’s splendid capital—Vienna, and Slovakia’s Bratislava. Explore Germany’s Passau, located at the confluence of three rivers, and Linz, Austria’s third-largest city. Visit the quaint historical theater in the resort town of Grein and one of Europe’s largest and most spectacular monasteries at Melk. Discover pretty little Weissenkirchen in Austria’s Wachau Valley or join a tasting of Wachau wines, an important product of the region. Guided sightseeing with Certified Local Guides in each city is sure to heighten your experience.

River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 Passau, Germany (Embarkation)
This afternoon board your river cruise ship and before dinner, meet your crew for a casual welcome aboard reception. (Dinner)

Day 2 Passau
Uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers meet, Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Enjoy the beauty of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, which houses one of the world’s largest church organs with some 17,774 pipes. Join your Local Guide for a WALKING TOUR through this alluring town, and find out much more about the “City of Three Rivers.” Later, set sail for Linz, where you will arrive in the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Linz, Austria–Grein
Austria’s third-largest city, Linz, is an important river port where culture plays a compelling role in everyday life. This morning is free to explore the city on your own if you choose. Or, simply relax on board ship, choose from a variety of exciting optional excursions. See the 13th-century Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square, and the Trinity Column, built in 1723 as thanks for the city escaping the ravages of the devastating plague, war, and fire. You might want to stroll around the old castle grounds and take in the amazingly beautiful views of the river, or visit the neo-gothic New Cathedral, with capacity for 20,000 visitors, obviously, Austria’s largest church. Around noon you will depart Linz for Grein and enjoy the awesome views of the peaceful riverscapes from the comfort of the ship’s spacious Sky Deck.
In the late afternoon, you arrive in the attractive country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff in the shadow of its castle. Take an included GUIDED WALK through this quaint town and visit its unique historical THEATER, the oldest in Austria, still holding regular performances. Take a look behind-the-scenes to learn about some of the curiosities of this rococo-style, 167-seat theater. It will certainly tell you much about life as it was – and as it now is in this small Austrian town. The turreted houses on the main square will provide excellent photo subjects. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 Melk–Weissenkirchen
Today, an included GUIDED VISIT of the magnificent ancient 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY in Melk will introduce you to one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The gorgeous abbey houses a beautiful library with more than 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. Words cannot describe the artistic splendor of the abby’s frescoed ceilings, stunningly high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola. The view from the terrace of the abbey over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! Leaving Melk, you board your ship and sail into the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You stop in Weissenkirchen (“White Church”) for either a GUIDED WALK through this pretty little village, or join a WINE TASTING. You’ll learn that wine plays an important role in this region and is so much more than just a drink. The locals will tell you that wine is life, culture, inspiration, and the result of a lot of hard work. The local varietals are excellent! Once you leave Weissenkirchen on your way to Vienna, be sure to look for the striking baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, the landmark of Dürnstein. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Vienna
Wake up this morning in Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded and ornate architecture. Known as the “City of Music,” it’s the place that inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. This is home to the extravagant Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its world-famous Vienna Boys’ Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House; and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral – plus, countless other sights you’ll see on your GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR. Wander through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse, and be sure to take a break and enjoy a piece of decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a quaint neighborhood café. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Bratislava, Slovakia
At the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains is Bratislava, the progressive capital of Slovakia. Join your Local Guide for a tour of the city, including a GUIDED WALK of its intriguing Old Town, where winding cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways twist and turn to reveal one of the oldest stone buildings in the city, the Town Hall. Also visit gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. This afternoon is free to explore more of Bratislava on your own before heading to Budapest, Hungary. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Budapest, Hungary
Eight ornate bridges – some even famous sights in and of themselves – span the banks of the beautiful Danube, which connect ancient Buda on one bank with Pest on the other. You may even want to walk across Chain Bridge, built in 1849, which is considered a symbol of Budapest, one of Eastern Europe’s most bustling cities. Whether you’re seeing the sights, shopping for handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain, or basking in the coffeehouse culture over a rich cream cake in the world-renowned Gerbeaud Café, Budapest’s unique energy is positively alluring to visitors. On your INCLUDED TOUR, see Heroes’ Square as well as the massive hilltop castle complex with its exceptional Fishermen’s Bastion and 11th-century Matthias Church, the coronation spot of several Hungarian monarchs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Budapest (Disembarkation)
While your river cruise vacation ends with breakfast this morning, take note of the many wonderful memories you will carry with you for the rest of your life. And the colorful photos you took during your cruise and excursions will be important lasting reminders of your fabulous journey. (Breakfast)

 
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