About
Explore the magic of three countries across 8 magical days sailing through the centre of Europe. This Avalon Waterways, Active & Discovery on the Danube, cruise introduces you to some of the most breath-taking scenery, artwork and cuisine the continent has to offer. Plus, with Avalon Choice® you can craft your perfect itinerary with Classic, Active or Discovery excursions on offer in some staggeringly beautiful locations. Enjoy a Medieval Knights Tournament or explore Count Dracula’s prison tower in Visegrád. Witness a masterpiece in Vienna. Or visit a sombre WWII concentration camp in Mauthausen. This world-class sailing utilises one of three vessels from the Avalon Suite Ship® fleet. While on board you’ll have the luxury of accessing high-end amenities like a fitness centre, comfortable lounges and a sun deck offering a bar, restaurant and whirlpool. When all that daily excitement becomes too much, you can retire to one of four categories of luxurious cabins.
- 8 Days of sailing through awesome destinations in central Europe
- Create the itinerary you want with a choice of included excursions
- Sailing available over three ships in the Avalon Suite Ship® fleet all boasting first-class amenities
Overview
At a glance
Itinerary
Day 1 – Budapest (Embark)
Your journey around the Danube bend begins here. After taking some time to explore the ship and your beautiful cabin, why not take the chance to get out and explore one of Eastern Europe’s grandest cities.
Day 2 – Visegrád, Hungary
It’s your first full day out on the river, so this is your chance to start building your ideal adventure. Choose from Active or Discovery excursions in the dazzling destination of Visegrád.
Active
Get your exploration off to an eerie start with a hiking tour of Count Dracula’s prison tower.
Or
Have a unique experience of the majestic Bend Region with a canoe excursion along the Danube.
Discovery
Meet the St George Knightly Order at Visegrád’s Lower Castle. Enjoy a guided tour and take in fighting and targeting demonstrations from the ancient warriors.
Day 3 – Vienna, Austria
Active
Hop in the saddle and take a bike tour around the Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues of stunning Vienna.
Discovery
Get under the skin of this famous old city with an insider’s tour. Discover unique attractions and have the chance to prepare some authentic Austrian delicacies.
Classic
Art lovers rejoice. On this guided tour of Vienna, you’ll wander the streets learning more about the local culture and history before stopping at Belvedere Palace and seeing Gustav Klimt’s iconic “The Kiss” painting.
Day 4 – Vienna
After spending the night in this enchanting city, you’ll have another chance to explore the famous streets on day 4.
Discovery
If you’re up with the lark, you can head out on a guided walking tour of the city before stopping for breakfast at a Viennese café.
Classic
Continue your artistic sojourn through Vienna by touring the Habsburg family’s private collection in the Museum of Fine Arts.
Or
Merge your love of art with your passion for history. Start with a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts before moving on to the Military Museum.
Day 5 – Krems & Grein, Austria
Moving further west on this staggeringly beautiful sailing we come to our next couple of popular Austrian locations, Krems and Grein.
Active
Paddle your canoe along the perfectly picturesque waterways of Austria to get a truly unique view of the landscape.
Or
However, if you prefer staying on dry land, you can take a guided bike tour from Krems to Spitz via Dürnstein taking in the majesty of the blue Stiftskirche – a grand abbey featuring a gothic Wedgwood blue tower.
Discovery
Prepare your tastebuds for an interactive Wine World Experience as you head off wine tasting through the hills of Austria.
Or
Get more of a rounded view of the local gastronomy with a guided tour which showcases the fruit, vegetable and wine production.
Grein
The adventures don’t stop when you cross the border into Greim.
Discovery
Visit the staggering site of Burg Clam. This impressive fortification in Upper Austria was built in 1149 by Otto von Machland, meet the Count of Clam
Day 6 – Grein, Mauthausen & Linz
Grein
Active
Embark on a guided tour of Grein. Walk to the historic Stadttheater, the oldest theatre in Austria is still giving performances today over 230 years after its construction.
Mauthausen
Active
This bike tour of the Danube is an education in the area’s vast fertility. Stop at a farm and learn more about the produce and local flood defences
Classic
Add more history to your escape by taking visiting a 9th-century monastery. Florian is home to the Augustine monks and the largest monastery in Upper Austria.
Or
WWII aficionados will be enthralled with a sombre trip to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. One of the largest Nazi camps, 90,000 people lost their lives here over it’s brutal seven-year existence.
Day 7 - Engelhartszell, Germany
Active
Pick up your bicycle once more and head off to a trappiest monastery in Engelhartszell.
Or
In the afternoon, you can also head out on a guided hike along the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow. Follow your guide up to one of the most popular viewpoints in the region. Stare out over the famous horseshoe-shaped bend in the Danube and grab some epic snaps.
Discovery
Enjoy a guided tour of “The House At The Stream” a large-scale aquarium and environmental education centre. Then finish the tour with a wander over to the Danube ‘s Jochenstein Power Station to learn more about how the river helps clean energy.
Classic
Enjoy a stunning day out experiencing all the sights, sounds and flavours of Bavaria. You’ll visit the Engelszell Abbey where you can embark on a journey of discovery in the Sensory Garden – complete with herb garden and stone labyrinth. When you’ve walked all you can, there’s cheese and beer made by Trappist monks to sample.
Day 8 – Deggendorf (Disembark)
Your stay on your Avalon Suite Ship® has reached its conclusion. Now it’s time to head home or strike out into Duggendorf in search of more exploration.
Accommodation
Each stateroom aboard your Avalon Suite Ship® comes with a host of luxurious comforts and amenities including:
- Climate control
- Queen bed, king or twin beds
- Egyptian cotton sheets
- Tea & coffee making facilities
- Satellite TV
- Telephone
- In-room safe
- Minibar
- Shower facilities
- L'Occitane bath products
- Complimentary wifi
Deluxe Stateroom
This chic and comfortable stateroom comes with all the above amenities as well as built in wardrobes and plenty of room to move around during your adventure along the Danube bend.
Panorama Suite
Living up to it's name, the Panorama Suite greets you with wall-to-wall windows along one side of your room. These panes also slide open to create a balcony area, perfect for taking in the views from the river.
Royal Suite
The largest rooms available on your choice of Avalon Suite Ship®, a Royal Suite offers palatial space. As well as that additional space, the rooms also delivers a library, king-sized bed, a writing desk, full vanity area in the bathroom. Plus, get the full effect of Avalon's signature 'Beds with a view' concept with those marvellous wall-to-wall views facing the bed.
Dining
Sate your hunger pangs anytime throughout your cruise. With Avalon FlexDining® you can make the most of the delectations on display at a time that suits you. With flexible venues and seating times available. Plus, Avalon Fresh® offers healthy cuisine options at every meal, should you fancy a lighter alternative.
Sky Grill
Up on the Sky Deck you can treat your senses to a meal under the stars or lunch al fresco. Keep tabs on your progress along the Danube at mealtimes with a seat at one of these top-of-the-shop tables.
Panorama Bistro
Treat yourself to a tasting menu dripping in local sinificance in the less-formal surroundings of the Panorama Bistro. Here you can gaze out over the enchanting views from the floor-to-ceiling windows while tasting the finest cuisine of the areas you're travelling through.
Panorama Dining Room
If you prefer to elevate your dining experience, then the glass-walled dining room is the perfect location. Enjoy daily four-course a la carte dinner, with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. Choose from sumputous local recipes, international classics or energising Avalon Fresh® fare.
Bars
Panorama Lounge
From refreshing beers, spirits and wines throughout the day or night to afternoon tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches. There are a host of treats and vibes waiting for you in the Lounge. Plus, this is also where you'll find the selection of evening entertainment.
The Ship
Avalon Suite Ships®
Your Active and Discovery Danube adventure may come aboard one of three Avalon Suite Ships®. However, as each ship offers the same luxurious amenities and incredible sailing experience, you're sure of a memorable trip on all.
The Suite Ships® you could be sailing on are:
- Avalon Passion
- Avalon View
- Avalon Envision
Each ship comes with a host of incredible inclusions, such as:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Panoramic windows
- Elegant, contemporary design & decor
- Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
- Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
- Covered Observation Lounge
- Elevator
- Fitness centre
- Room service
Active adventures
Additionally, your cruise around the Danube bend wouldn't be complete without a host of awesome excursions to fill up your itinerary and camera roll. If you've seen sailing and earmarked the Active excursions for your experience, then you're going to need some equipment.
But don't worry, youe Avalon Adventure Host will have you covered there too with a host of equipment available, including:
- Bikes
- Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
- Canoe and kayak excursions
- Fitbits®
- Walking Sticks
- Binoculars
- Daypacks
- Yoga Mats
- Fitness bands
