Active & Discovery on the Danube (Eastbound) 2024 - 8 days from Vilshofen to Budapest

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Active & Discovery on the Danube (Eastbound) 2024

8 days from Vilshofen to Budapest



Tour Description:

Why dip your toes in the Danube when you can explore and adore its landmarks, legends, customs and cuisine in the most interactive ways? Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises on the Danube invite dreamers and doers to activate their curiosities. To look closer, dive deeper, and forage further into the hamlets and hills of Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

Uncover ancient traditions and local flavors in immersive ways. Enjoy leisurely sightseeing or on-your-own discoveries. Whether you walk through winding alleyways, hike to a castle, bike to a palace or row to your own sanctuary of scenery, our diverse offering of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the Danube redefines the rules of engagement.

Move.
Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:

•Sink your teeth into Count Dracula’s Visegrád prison tower on a hike to new heights.
•Paddle a canoe on an excursion through the picturesque Bend region.
•Pedal along the picture-perfect postcard views of the Wachau Valley.

And be moved.
Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:

•See the ancient jousting skills of the St. George Knightly Order at Visegrád Castle.
•Meander on a merry morning walk, Vienna’s infamous café culture and VIP access to an art museum.
•Meet the Count of Clam at Austria’s 12th-century and beautifully preserved Clam Castle.

Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.

Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Danube.

Map for Active & Discovery on the Danube (Eastbound) 2024 - 8 days from Vilshofen to Budapest
Click for larger view.

Dates & Pricing



Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Vilshofen (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Engelhartszell-Schlögener Schlinge-Linz: Choice of visit to the Jochenstein power station or visit to Engelszell Abbey; choice of guided hike along the Danube trails or scenic cruising around the Schlögen Oxbow
Day 3 Mauthausen-Grein: In Mauthausen, choice of visit to St. Florian Monastery, or guided tour of Mauthausen Memorial, or guided bike tour; guided tour in Grein, visit the historical theater and Clam Castle to meet its owner the Count
Day 4 Spitz-Vienna: Choice of canoe tour, bike tour from Spitz to Krems, Wine World Experience with tasting, or regional products showcase
Day 5 Vienna: Choice of bike tour, or insider's tour of Vienna, or guided tour, visit to Belvedere Palace
Day 6 Vienna: Choice of early risers guided tour, with breakfast at a Viennese café, or guided tour, see the Habsburg private art collection and the Italian and Dutch Masters Gallery, or guided tour, see Habsburg private art collection and the Military Museum
Day 7 Visegrád-Budapest: In Visegrád, choice of medieval knights tournament, or guided hike in Danube-Ipoly National Park, or canoe tour
Day 8 Budapest (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
Notes:
  • 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.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); the responsibility for obtaining a visa rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
VILSHOFEN, GERMANY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Munich must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Explore your ship and enjoy dinner on your first evening onboard. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ENGELHARTSZELL VILSHOFEN.jpg

Day 2
ENGELHARTSZELL, AUSTRIA–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW–LINZ Memories and Beer in the Making Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to a cider cellar where an expert sommelier will reveal the secrets of Upper Austria’s beloved ciders, OR: CLASSIC Visit the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and explore its Sensory Garden—complete with stone labyrinth, herb garden, and vineyard. Sample cheese and beer made by the resident Trappist monks. ACTIVE This afternoon, enjoy a scenic Guided Hike along the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow- a dramatic bend carved by centuries. Enjoy free time on the Sky Deck this afternoon while you sail through the amazing horseshoe bend of the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow on your way to Linz. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ SCHLOGEN-OXBOW.jpg
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Day 3
LINZ–MAUTHAUSEN History Lessons and Monastic Life ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the Danube and discover how fertile this area is. Stop at a local farm and learn more about farming life and flood protection, OR: CLASSIC Visit the 9th-century St. Florian Monastery—the largest monastery in upper Austria and home to Augustine monks, OR: CLASSIC Join a sobering Guided Tour of Mauthausen Memorial, one of the largest and most brutal Nazi camps of WWII. In the afternoon sail to Grein. GREIN Theater History and Modern-Day Castles CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances. DISCOVERY See Burg Clam on a Guided Visit, and meet the Count of Clam during your tour. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPITZ LINZ-ST-FLORIAN-MONASTERY.jpg
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Day 4
SPITZ Paddle a Canoe or Pedal a Bike in Austrian Wine Country ACTIVE Paddle a canoe on a Guided Tour to see the Austrian waterways and shoreline scenery from a unique perspective, OR: ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour from Spitz to Krems, stop in Dürnstein to see the beautiful blue Stiftskirche, and sample local specialties, OR: DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR: DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Tour that showcases the production of regional fruits, vegetables, wine, or other products. Relax this afternoon as you cruise toward Vienna. This evening consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA SPITZ.jpg
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Day 5
VIENNA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the famed Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues of Vienna to see the city’s highlights from a unique perspective, OR: DISCOVERY Get an Insider’s Tour of Vienna to get behind the scenes of her sights and attractions. You will meet locals, have the chance to prepare some food, and enjoy other surprises, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including a tour of Belvedere Palace to see Gustave Klimt’s renowned “Kiss” painting. Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse then take a break for a piece of Sachertorte. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA VIENNA-HISTORY-MUSEUM.jpg
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Day 6
VIENNA A Feast for the Soul Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. DISCOVERY Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café, OR: CLASSIC Dive into one of the world’s most important museums with a Guided Tour of the Habsburg family’s private art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and enjoy Italian or Dutch master works, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by the Military Museum, commemorating the past of the Habsburg Empire. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VISEGRÁD VIENNA-FINE-ARTS-MUSEUM.jpg
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Day 7
VISEGRÁD, HUNGARY Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s Tower ACTIVE Visit Count Dracula’s prison tower on a hiking tour in Visegrád, OR: ACTIVE Take a Canoe Excursion through the picturesque Bend Region of the Danube for a unique perspective of one of the river’s most beautiful stretches, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Excursion to the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrád’s Lower Castle, featuring targeting and fighting demonstrations by members of the St. George Knightly Order. This afternoon, relax on the Sky deck while sailing into Budapest and enjoy magnificent views of the beautiful Parliament Building. BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube Take some free time this afternoon to explore the vibrant and stunning city of Budapest. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST VISEGRAD.jpg
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Day 8
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.