Enchanted Europe (Westbound) 2025 - 16 Day River Cruise Budapest to Basel

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Enchanted Europe (Westbound) 2025

16 Day River Cruise Budapest to Basel



Tour Description:

Your Danube River cruise begins with an evening cruise from Budapest to Vienna, followed by Dürnstein and Melk in Austria’s beautiful Wachau Valley. Cruise from Austria to Germany as you sail to Passau, then the Bavarian city of Regensburg to see the 12th-century Old Town Hall. Cruise to Nuremberg to choose from three guided excursions—a guided tour of Roth, a Nuremberg city sightseeing, or a tour of the notorious Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII. From Nuremberg, join a full-day excursion to Munich before sailing to Frankfurt for guided sightseeing. Cruise to Rüdesheim and through the magnificent Rhine Gorge. Your European river cruise stops in splendid Strasbourg, France, with its Gothic-style cathedral towering above its stained glass and murals, before cruising to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the magical Black Forest. Enjoy a day of storybook surroundings, sumptuous bakery specialties (such as Black Forest Cake), and a glimpse into generations of authentic Bavarian life. Your river cruise on the Danube, Rhine, and Main Rivers concludes in Basel, Switzerland.

Map for Enchanted Europe (Westbound) 2025 - 16 Day River Cruise Budapest to Basel
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Dates & Pricing



Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Vienna: Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; free time in Vienna in the evening
Day 3 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Dürnstein-Wachau Valley-Melk: In Dürnstein choice of guided tour or hike up to its hilltop castle ruin; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley or biking with your Adventure Host; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard wine tasting
Day 5 Passau: Guided walk
Day 6 Regensburg: Choice of guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 7 Roth. Excursion to Nuremberg: Onboard lecture; choice of guided sightseeing in Roth or hike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; beer tasting
Day 8 Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich: Full-day guided tour in Munich
Day 9 Bamberg: Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 10 Würzburg: Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 11 Miltenberg: Guided tour
Day 12 Frankfurt: Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt or guided tour in Seligenstadt or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 13 Boppard-Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim: Scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike with your Adventure Host
Day 14 Strasbourg: Guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral
Day 15 Breisach. Excursion to Black Forest: Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 16 Basel (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); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION), HUNGARY Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA BUDAPEST-COFFEE-PASTRY.jpg

Day 2
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host. Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA VIENNA-OPERAHOUSE.jpg
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Day 3
VIENNA Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR; CLASSIC After a short walk of Vienna, join a Guided Visit of Austria’s largest museum, the legendary Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), OR: CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a 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 Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Enjoy free time this afternoon to take a tram to visit Vienna’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from the ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN VIENNA-HOFBURG-PALACE.jpg
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Day 4
DÜRNSTEIN–WACHAU VALLEY A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins ACTIVE Explore one of the Wachau Valley's prettiest areas on this Guided Hike through the village of Dürnstein and then up to its hilltop castle ruin, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle above the village during the Crusades. Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. ACTIVE Alternatively, experience Danube's cycle path, follow your Adventure Host for a bike ride along the Danube. MELK Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU DURNSTEIN.jpg
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Day 5
PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG PASSAU.jpg
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Day 6
REGENSBURG Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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 a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH REGENSBURG.jpg
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Day 7
ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons 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. 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 Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard beer tasting. EVENING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG NUREMBERG-SCENIC.jpg
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Day 8
NUREMBERG–EXCURSION TO MUNICH A King’s Palace and Town Halls CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of German monarchs, along with the old and new Town Halls of Marienplatz. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG MUNICH-MARIENPLATZ.jpg
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Day 9
BAMBERG The City of Seven Hills Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. 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 historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches. After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer). AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG BAMBERG-TOWN-HALL.jpg
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Day 10
WÜRZBURG A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road 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. ACTIVE Explore Würzburg's charm by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco. Enjoy live entertainment on board while sailing tonight. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG WURZBURG.jpg
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Day 11
MILTENBERG Beauty on the Main River CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT MILTENBERG.jpg
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Day 12
FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT Charm in Frankfurt ACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour to Seligenstadt—one of Germany’s oldest towns and home to the Einhard Basilika—dubbed “minor basilica” in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods. Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BOPPARD FRANKFURT-OLD-TOWN.jpg
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Day 13
BOPPARD A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge This afternoon, relax on the Sky Deck with views of the spectacular Rhine Gorge en route to Rüdesheim. RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR: DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG RHINE-GORGE-PFALZGRAFENSTEIN-CASTLE.jpg
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Day 14
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH STRASBOURG-PETIT-FRANCE.jpg
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Day 15
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR: CLASSIC Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL BLACK-FOREST-SCENIC.jpg
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Day 16
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends this morning with breakfast. Departure flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. BASEL-SUNRISE.jpg

Accommodations

Zurich
Renaissance Zurich Tower
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

Turbinenstrasse 20 Zurich Switzerland

This 300 room luxury hotel is housed in a modern tower building located in the vibrant Zurich West quarter. The exclusive Grill restaurant serves urban cuisine and the lounge bar offers drinks, snacks and cocktails. Other amenities include a fitness area on the 15th floor with city views, sauna and steam bath.
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.