Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
Your ship docks in Amsterdam and you'll board by 5 pm after flights arrive by 3:30 pm. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening wandering through the city's colorful streets, crossing bridges over the canals, and checking out cafés and art galleries on your own. Optional guided tours head to Keukenhof gardens if it's tulip season or to Zaanse Schans windmills if you'd prefer something structured. Dinner is included this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens (tulip season only) - over seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans - historic windmills and charming Dutch houses (outside tulip season)
- Free time exploring Amsterdam's colorful streets, bridges, canals, cafés and art galleries
Landmarks Keukenhof Zaanse Schans - Day 2
Amsterdam to Cologne
Morning in Amsterdam gives you a choice between an off-the-beaten-path walking tour through cobblestone streets or a guided canal cruise past Golden Age homes. Later in the day, you can join an optional guided excursion or explore on your own. By afternoon you'll board for an overnight cruise toward Cologne. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all covered.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Amsterdam (off-the-beaten-path discovery option) OR Guided Canal Cruise of Amsterdam past Golden Age homes (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursions (available this afternoon - specific options not detailed in itinerary)
Landmarks Golden Age Amsterdam Waterways - Day 3
Cologne
After arriving in Cologne, your Adventure Host leads three options: a local bike ride, a walking tour of Jewish heritage sites, or a city walk hitting the Old City and the iconic twin-spired gothic cathedral. During the afternoon, relax with a glass of Kölsch pale lager, a local beer brewed for over a century. The ship cruises overnight to Rüdesheim with live entertainment on board. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride in Cologne with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's Jewish heritage sites (discovery option) OR Guided City Walk of Cologne - Old City and twin-steepled gothic cathedral (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
- Live entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Free time enjoying a glass of Kölsch pale lager
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old City - Day 4
Rüdesheim
While sailing through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge, you'll see ancient castles perched 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei. In Rüdesheim, choose between hiking through vineyards with your Adventure Host, taking an open-air cable car to the Niederwald Monument with wine tasting, or touring the Mechanical Music Museum with local wine tasting. Live entertainment happens on board this evening as you cruise overnight to Miltenberg. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim with Avalon Adventure Host (active option) OR Open-air cable car ride to Niederwald Monument with ride or walk back through vineyards and authentic Rüdesheimer wine tasting (active option) OR Mechanical Music Museum tour with authentic Rüdesheimer wine tasting (discovery option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
- Live entertainment with local musicians onboard
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei Niederwald Monument Mechanical Music Museum - Day 5
Miltenberg
In Miltenberg, a guided walking tour shows medieval half-timber homes and Germany's oldest inn. Afterward, you can bike through villages along the Main River shores during free time. The ship then cruises overnight to Würzburg. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg - medieval half-timber homes and Germany's oldest inn (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Free time biking through beautiful villages on the Main River shores
Landmarks Miltenberg - Day 6
Würzburg
A guided sightseeing tour of Würzburg covers the Old Main Bridge, the fortress, and the baroque Bishop's Residenz with its massive ceiling fresco. After that, explore the city on your own or head to a local winery. The ship stays docked overnight in Würzburg. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg - Old Main Bridge, fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz with largest known ceiling fresco (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Free time exploring the city on your own
- Visit a local winery
Landmarks Old Main Bridge Bishop's Residenz Würzburg Fortress - Day 7
Würzburg to Volkach
An optional guided excursion can take you to the Bavarian town of Rothenburg to see its fairytale atmosphere. Back on the ship heading to Volkach, you'll choose an afternoon activity: biking along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host or a walking tour of the quaint town with half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets. The ship cruises overnight to Bamberg. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike along the Main Danube Canal with Adventure Host (active option) OR Walking Tour of Volkach - half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Rothenburg - beautiful Bavarian town with local sights and fairytale atmosphere
Landmarks Rothenburg Volkach Main Danube Canal - Day 8
Bamberg
In Bamberg, the City of Seven Hills, pick between biking along canals with your Adventure Host, a guided walking tour of the Romanesque cathedral and Old Town Hall, or an onboard lecture about European history and culture. As you sail overnight to Roth, live entertainment happens on board. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike along the canals in Bamberg with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided Walking Tour of Bamberg - former home to imperial dynasties, Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches (classic option) OR Onboard lecture about European history and culture (discovery option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
- Live entertainment onboard
Landmarks Bamberg Romanesque Cathedral Bamberg Old Town Hall - Day 9
Roth to Nuremberg
The Adventure Center offers multiple options today with your Adventure Host: explore Roth's Lauter valley, take a guided sightseeing tour of Roth with its half-timbered market square and 1535 hunting lodge, tour Nuremberg's medieval sites like the cathedral and Kaiserburg Castle, or join a tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds. You could also attend an onboard lecture about the Main Danube Canal. Overnight cruise heads to Regensburg. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Roth's Lauter valley with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided Sightseeing Tour of Roth - half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor (classic option) OR Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture - gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle (classic option) OR Guided Tour of historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds - used by the Third Reich (classic option) OR Onboard lecture about the Main-Danube Canal - linking North and Black Seas (discovery option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Landmarks Nuremberg Kaiserburg Castle Nuremberg Cathedral Nuremberg Rally Grounds Schloss Ratibor - Day 10
Regensburg
Regensburg offers several choices: bike to Walhalla with your Adventure Host or take a guided city walk to see the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria from 179 AD. An optional guided excursion goes to the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg, or you can spend free time exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. The ship cruises overnight to Passau. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike to Walhalla with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided City Walk of Regensburg - Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria built in 179 AD as entrance to Castra Regina fortress (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg
- Free time exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through charming streets
Landmarks Walhalla Altes Rathaus Porta Pretoria Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg - Day 11
Passau to Linz
In Passau at the confluence of three rivers, you can hike from Oberhaus with your Adventure Host or take a guided city walk. Optional full-day excursions head to Mozart's Salzburg or the Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov, otherwise you'll cruise to Linz and explore the city this evening before live entertainment on board. Overnight cruise goes to Melk. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hiking from Oberhaus with Avalon Adventure Host along a trail to the valley and along Ilz River (active option) OR Guided City Walk of Passau - City of Three Rivers (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
- Live entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov
- Free time exploring Linz on your own
Landmarks Passau Oberhaus Ilz River Salzburg Cesky Krumlov Linz - Day 12
Melk to Vienna
Starting in Melk, walk along the Danube with your Adventure Host or take a guided tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey with its frescoed ceilings and ornate pipe organ. Later you'll sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley toward Vienna with time for coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck. An optional guided excursion takes you to a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening. Overnight docking in Vienna. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk along the Danube river and around Melk with Avalon Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided Tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey - frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening
- Coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck while sailing through Wachau Valley
Landmarks Melk Benedictine Abbey Wachau Valley - Day 13
Vienna
Vienna morning activities include biking along Danube Island with your Adventure Host or a guided city tour of the Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Optional excursions go to Schönbrunn Palace or Bratislava, and you can also ride a tram to the Prater amusement park or visit museums. After live entertainment on board this evening, the ship cruises overnight to Budapest. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike along Vienna's Danube Island with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided City Tour of Vienna - Imperial Palace complex (winter residence of Imperial Family), Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
- Live entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace - summer home of the Habsburg family
- Guided Optional Excursion to Bratislava
- Tram ride to Vienna's Prater amusement park
- Visit to one of the many museums
Landmarks Imperial Palace Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Prater Amusement Park Vienna Danube Island - Day 14
Budapest
In Budapest, hike up to a magnificent viewpoint with your Adventure Host or join a guided city sightseeing tour including Heroes' Square. Later, choose from optional excursions or explore the city on your own, perhaps trying cream cake at a local café or hiking above the Danube. The ship stays docked overnight. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided City Sightseeing Tour of Budapest - iconic Heroes' Square (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Optional Guided Excursions (available this afternoon - specific options not detailed)
- Free time exploring Budapest on your own
- Indulge in cream cake at one of many cafés
- Scenic hike above the Danube
Landmarks Heroes' Square - Day 15
Budapest
A full day of free time in Budapest lets you shop at the Great Market Hall, take photos on the Royal Palace grounds, or visit the city's famous thermal bath spas. The ship cruises overnight to Vukovar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Free time to shop in the Great Market Hall
- Free time to take photos on the Royal Palace grounds
- Visit Budapest's famous thermal bath spas
Landmarks Great Market Hall Royal Palace - Day 16
Vukovar to Ilok
The Adventure Center offers activities in Vukovar: a guided walking tour with beer tasting or a guided city tour of the heritage and history. After a lunch cruise to Ilok, choose an afternoon activity there: a guided tour of this 1,000-year-old wine-making town with medieval fortress and wine tasting, or a guided bike tour along city walls and to Principovac Castle. The ship docks overnight in Novi Sad. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Vukovar - heritage, culture, and tradition with beer tasting (discovery option) OR Guided City Tour of Vukovar - captivating culture, tradition, rich history and heritage (classic option)
- Cruise to Ilok with lunch onboard
- Guided Tour of Ilok - 1,000-year-old wine-making traditions, medieval fortress, wine tasting in local cellar (classic option) OR Guided Bike Tour along Ilok's city walls, central church, town museum, to Principovac Castle and Estate (active option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Landmarks Vukovar Ilok Medieval Fortress Principovac Castle and Estate - Day 17
Novi Sad
In Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest town, pick between a guided tour of the Austro-Hungarian old town with baroque buildings, a hike to the Petrovaradin fortress with scenic views, or a tour about beekeeping with stops at the Honey Museum. Live entertainment happens on board this evening as you cruise overnight to Belgrade. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad - Austro-Hungarian old town, baroque buildings, ancient fortifications (classic option) OR Guided Hike Tour to Petrovaradin - scenic views from right bank of Danube (active option) OR Guided Tour of Novi Sad with Honey Museum and local honey tastings (discovery option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
- Live entertainment onboard
Landmarks Petrovaradin Fortress Honey Museum - Day 18
Belgrade
In Belgrade where two rivers meet, explore the central walkway with your Adventure Host, take a guided sightseeing tour of the city including Saint Sava Orthodox church, or attend an onboard lecture about Balkan history and culture. Spend free time on Knez Mihailova Street with its cafés and shops. An optional authentic Bohemian dinner happens in the Quarter of Skadarlija this evening. Overnight cruise heads to Golubač. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Belgrade's central walkway with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade - where Danube and Sava Rivers converge, including Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches (classic option) OR Onboard lecture about rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states (discovery option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Optional Activities
- Optional Excursions on offer (specific options not detailed)
- Free time exploring Knez Mihailova Street - Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots
- Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija this evening
Landmarks Saint Sava Knez Mihailova Street Skadarlija Quarter - Day 19
Golubač to Vidin
Visit the well-preserved medieval Fortress of Golubač and learn about its history as a border defense between Serbia, the Habsburgs, and the Ottomans. Then check out the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir. The ship sails through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge, a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Afternoon and overnight cruise heads to Vidin. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Fortress of Golubač - one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe with history as border control defense and source of conflict between Serbia, Habsburg Monarchy, and Ottoman Empire
- Visit Lepenski Vir - Mesolithic archaeological site with unique views of Danube Gorge
- Sail through the Iron Gates Gorge - spectacular narrow gorge, natural border between Serbia and Romania
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Landmarks Fortress of Golubač Lepenski Vir Iron Gates Gorge - Day 20
Vidin
In Vidin, Bulgaria, choose between biking around the city with your Adventure Host, a guided sightseeing tour to Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik with its remarkable rock formations, or a tour and tasting at a local winery covering two centuries of Bulgarian winemaking. Afternoon and overnight cruise heads to Rousse. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour around the city with Adventure Host (active option) OR Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress and Guided Tour of Belogradchik - remarkable rock formations on western slopes of Balkan Mountains sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements (classic option) OR Tour and tasting at a local winery - over two centuries of proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with wine tasting in the cellars (discovery option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
Landmarks Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik Rock Formations - Day 21
Rousse
In Rousse, Bulgaria, explore the old town by bike with your Adventure Host, take a full-day guided tour to Veliko Târnovo with ancient stone houses and 15th-century Arbanassi architecture, or take a guided sightseeing tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port and its impressive Holy Trinity Church. This evening features a Bulgarian folklore show with live entertainment. Overnight cruise heads to Oltenita. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Rousse's old town by bike with Adventure Host (active option) OR Full-day Guided Tour to Veliko Târnovo - former Bulgarian capital with ancient stone houses clinging to cliffs above Yantra River, plus Bulgarian Revival architecture in 15th-century town of Arbanassi (classic option) OR Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rousse - Bulgaria's largest inland port, impressive Holy Trinity Church (classic option)
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Dinner onboard
- Live entertainment onboard featuring Bulgarian folklore show
Landmarks Veliko Târnovo Arbanassi Holy Trinity Church - Day 22
Oltenita
Your cruise ends this morning after breakfast. You'll disembark from the ship, and your flights from Bucharest airport shouldn't leave before noon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast onboard
