Avalon Waterways Reviews – 10 Day River Cruise Prague to Budapest

Avalon Waterways Reviews – 10 Day River Cruise Prague to Budapest. Danube Dreams – Eastbound, 

River Cruise Description
On this magnificent cruise vacation, enjoy seeing some of Central Europe’s splendid capital cities – Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest – as well as many small towns and villages that dot the landscape along the way. You can walk the grounds of majestic Hradcany Castle in Prague, explore Germany’s Passau, located where the three rivers, and Linz, Austria’s third-largest city meet. Visit the quaint historical theater in the resort town of Grein; and one of Europe’s largest and most spectacular monasteries at Melk. Discover beautiful little Weissenkirchen in Austria’s Wachau Valley or join a tasting of Wachau famous wines, an important product of the region. Visit St. Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava and end your vacation in bustling Budapest. A Guided sightseeing tour with Certified Local Guides in each city is sure to enhance your river cruise experience.

River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Prague, Czech Republic
Welcome to Prague, also known as the “Golden City,” and the capital of the Czech Republic. This intriguing city straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires, and pinnacles featuring its skyline. You have the remainder of the day free to begin exploring the nooks and crannies of this glorious city.

Day 2 Prague
Prague is a 1,200-year-old city preserved in time, and, unlike other Central European capitals, it was not bombed during the 20th-century wars. A LOCAL GUIDE will show you its best-known treasures, such as the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, built in 1410 and once the envy of all of Europe; beautiful HRADČANY CASTLE GROUNDS; awe-inspiring St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge, the oldest bridge in Prague. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in friendly Wenceslaus Square, an important meeting point and where people demonstrated against the communist regime; watch performers and shop at the market stalls on Charles Bridge; sample the local plum dumplings and Pilsner; stroll along the beautiful Vltava River; or wander around Prague’s medieval Old Town, which dates back to the 10th century. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Prague–Passau, Germany (Embarkation)
After lunch, drive to Passau, ideally located where the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube meet and, where your river cruise ship is docked and waiting your arrival. Before dinner, meet your crew for a casual welcome reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Passau
Enjoy Passau’s graceful arcades and its maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. You’ll be in awe of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, which houses one of the world’s largest church organs with an amazing 17,774 pipes. Join your Local Guide for a WALKING TOUR through this enchanting and alluring town, and find out much more about the “City of Three Rivers.” Later, set sail for Linz, where you arrive in the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Linz, Austria–Grein
Linz is Austria’s third-largest city and an important river port where culture plays a significant role in everyday life. This morning is free to do as you like. Simply relax on board, choose from a variety of optional excursions, or explore Linz on your own. Composer Anton Bruckner lived here, and Mozart’s Linzer Symphony was composed in the city. 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 plague, war, and fire. You might stroll around the old castle grounds and take in the beautiful views of the river, or visit the lovely neo-gothic New Cathedral, with capacity for 20,000 visitors, obviously Austria’s largest church. Once you depart for Grein around Noon, enjoy the peaceful and scenic views of the passing riverscapes from the comfort of your spacious Sky Deck. In the late afternoon you will arrive in the enticing country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff in the shadow of its castle. Take an included GUIDED WALK through 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. For the photographers among you, the turreted houses on the main square make excellent photo subjects. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Melk–Weissenkirchen
Today, an included GUIDED VISIT of the magnificent ancient 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY in Melk will acquaint you with one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The alluring abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. You’ll be captivated by the splendor of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning 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! Then, you get back on your ship and sail into the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop in Weissenkirchen (“White Church”) for either a GUIDED WALK through this pretty little town, or you can join a WINE TASTING. The guides will tell you that wine plays an important role in this region and is so much more than just a drink. 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 out for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche of Dürnstein, with its blue façade. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Vienna
Wake up this morning in Vienna, known as the “City of Music” and the place that inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. This is home to the extravagantly avish 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. Stroll through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse, and be sure to take a break and enjoy a piece of decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava, located along the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. Join your Local Guide for a tour of the city, including a GUIDED WALK of its captivating Old Town, where winding cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways twist and turn to reveal the Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the ancient city. Also relish the gothic splendor of ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. This afternoon is free for you to explore more of this wonderful city on your own. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 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 coffee house culture over a rich cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud Café, Budapest’s unique energy is positively an allure to visitors. On your INCLUDED TOUR of the city see Heroes’ Square as well as the massive hilltop castle complex with its remarkable Fishermen’s Bastion and 11th-century Matthias Church, the coronation spot of several Hungarian monarchs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Budapest (Disembarkation)
While your vacation ends with breakfast this morning, please make note of the wonderful experiences you’ve enjoyed on your exciting River Cruise. Hopefully you have numerous personal photos and lasting memories of your journey to take home with you. (Breakfast)

Avalon River Cruise Reviews