The Blue Danube Discovery 2025 - 8 Day River Cruise Budapest to Nuremberg

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The Blue Danube Discovery 2025

8 Day River Cruise Budapest to Nuremberg



Tour Description:

Begin this timeless European river cruise vacation in vibrant Budapest, Hungary, sail along the Danube River with exciting stops in Austria and Germany, and conclude in historic Nuremberg, Germany. As you leave Budapest, you’ll sail past the splendid Parliament Building and, along the Danube River, you’ll see Hungary on your left and Slovakia on your right as a 58-mile stretch of the river runs between both countries. Enjoy an amazing view of the landscapes of Bratislava while sailing. Vienna, Austria, offers stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Habsburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and much more. In the heart of the Wachau Valley wine region is Dürnstein, a 16th-century town with charming cobblestone streets and the baroque Stiftskirche with its luminous blue façade. In Melk, visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, and enjoy a tasting of some of the Wachau Valley’s famous wines. Join in a guided walk through Passau, with its narrow streets, beautiful Patrician houses, and baroque architecture. Sail further up the Danube River to discover the medieval walls of Regensburg—the only German city not bombed during WWII. Here, you can become acquainted with some of Germany’s famous beers! The last stop on this memorable river cruise vacation is the thousand-year-old city of Nuremberg. During guided sightseeing, marvel at the medieval fortifications, extraordinary Gothic churches, and the Imperial Castle. Take free time to make a wish at the striking fountain on the Hauptmarkt (Main Square)—a perfect ending to a memorable Danube River cruise vacation!

Map for The Blue Danube Discovery 2025 - 8 Day River Cruise Budapest to Nuremberg
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Dates & Pricing

Friday 08 Aug 25 — Saturday 16 Aug 25Starting at $3,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 15 Oct 25 — Thursday 23 Oct 25Starting at $3,349Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 14 Dec 25 — Monday 22 Dec 25Starting at $3,524Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon 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.


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 (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, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION) 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-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Day 2
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Vienna Waltzes on the Beautiful 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 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-CASTLE.jpg
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Day 8
NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. NUREMBERG-SCENIC.jpg

Accommodations

Nuremberg
Le Meridien Grand Hotel
Superior First-Class



Bahnhofstrasse 1-3 Nuremberg Germany

With the lustrous flair of a classic grand hotel, enhanced with state-of-the-art technology and convenient features, this 190 room historic legend has been hosting international luminaries for almost 125 years. Located in the heart of the ancient city centre, museums, shops, the city's famous market and the Imperial Castle are all just a short stroll away. All air-conditioned guest rooms feature flat screen TVs, in-room safes, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, USB mobile charging ports and elegant Art Nouveau-style marble bathrooms which skillfully highlight the fusion of classic and modern style. There is a Brasserie style restaurant serving authentic German cuisine as well as an Art Deco-style Atelier bar/lounge offering 1920s charm and a large selection of drinks and cocktails.
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.