A Taste of the Danube (Vienna to Budapest)

4 days from £975

Overview

Danube cruise holidays, from Vienna to beautiful Budapest, take in an eclectic combination of charming towns and vibrant capitals. Cruise ships on Danube river cruises sail a naturally beautiful stretch of river, through Austria’s Wachau Valley to Bratislava and Budapest. Add a stay in Vienna or Budapest, or both, to really make the most of this fantastic region.

Cruise Ships

Day by Day Slideshow

View a slideshow of the cruise

View slideshow

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sun) Vienna. Fly to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for three nights. (D)

Day 2 (Mon) Melk – Dürnstein. Today is dedicated to the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where so many excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. This morning, visit the impressive Benedictine Abbey of Melk, which towers over the town. Lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine while enjoying the scenery as you sail to Dürnstein, whose baroque blue and white Stiftskirche stands right on the river bank. Explore on your own or choose one of a range of optional excursions your Cruise Director will propose. (B,L,D)

Day 3 (Tue) Bratislava. Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. The charming Old Town with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace, as well as the gothic cathedral of St Martin, should not be missed. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Wed) Budapest. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

Map

Cruise Map

Cruise Highlights

Included Highlights

VIENNA EXTENSION: Guided sightseeing; services of a Local Host
MELK Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
DÜRNSTEIN Stiftskirche
BRATISLAVA Guided sightseeing, visit St Martin’s Cathedral
BUDAPEST EXTENSION: Guided sightseeing; visit Fisherman’s Bastion; services of a Local Host
WELCOME RECEPTION, CAPTAIN’S RECEPTION AND FAREWELL DINNER

Included in the Price

Accommodation 3 or 4 night cruise from Vienna to Budapest or Budapest to Vienna in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds, nights at the InterContinental Hotel, Vienna and at the InterContinental Hotel, Budapest (Vienna and Budapest extensions only).

Meals & Drinks All meals on board daily, featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D), quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements. Vienna & Budapest extensions: Buffet breakfast (B).

Services of a professional Cruise Director

Sightseeing with Local Guides

On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music

Door-to-door home pick-up service by private car

Flights

Transfers between overseas airports, hotels and cruise ship

All local port and airport taxes

Holiday Extensions

Vienna

Day 1 (Fri) Vienna. Fly to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. The rest of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.

Day 2 (Sat) Vienna. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Ring Boulevard, and the awe-inspiring St Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will see during your included tour. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)

Day 3 (Sun) Vienna. Time today to do some window-shopping along the Kärntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood café. This afternoon, transfer to your cruise ship. (B,D)

Days 4 to 6 (Mon - Wed). As per days 2 to 4 of the Vienna to Budapest cruise itinerary.

Budapest

Days 1 to 3 (Sun - Tue). As per Vienna to Budapest cruise itinerary.

Day 4 (Wed) Budapest. Disembark and transfer to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Budapest has seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, which connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The hilltop castle complex, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church are among the sights a Local Guide will show you. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace. (B)

Day 5 (Thu) Budapest. A free day to enjoy Hungary’s exciting capital. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for many things to do. (B)

Day 6 (Fri) Budapest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

Vienna & Budapest

Days 1 (Fri) Vienna. Fly to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. The rest of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.

Day 2 (Sat) Vienna. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Ring Boulevard, and the awe-inspiring St Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will see during your included tour. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B)

Day 3 (Sun) Vienna. Time today to do some window-shopping along the Kärntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighbourhood café. This afternoon, transfer to your cruise ship. (B,D)

Days 4 & 5 (Mon - Tue). As per days 2 & 3 of the Vienna to Budapest cruise.

Days 6 (Wed). Disembark and transfer to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Budapest has seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, which connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The hilltop castle complex, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church are among the sights a Local Guide will show you. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace. (B)

Day 7 (Thu) Budapest. A free day to enjoy Hungary’s exciting capital. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for many things to do. (B)

Day 8 (Fri) Budapest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

Dates and Prices

Tapestry (WVB9Q) CAT E CAT B CAT A CAT P Junior Suite + Vienna (add) + Budapest (add) + Vienna & Budapest (add)
8-Aug £975 £1090 £1100 £1124 £1250 £179 £195 £360
12-Sep £975 £1090 £1100 £1124 £1250 £179 £195 £360

Prices are in £’s per person.

  • Land Only: If you would like to make your own travel arrangements to the first hotel/ship, there will be a reduction of £165. 
  • Single Supplement from £315. 
  • Extra nights can be booked in Vienna from £86 per person per night and Budapest from £78 per person per night based on a twin room. 
  • Please call for details.

Prices are based on flights from Heathrow with British Airways. Flights are also available at a supplement from Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Fly From Via Airline Supps From
Heathrow Direct British Airways Nil
Bristol Direct* klm £110
Birmingham Direct* klm £100
Manchester Direct* klm £100
Cardiff Direct* klm £120
Newcastle Direct* klm £110
Glasgow Direct* klm £110
Edinburgh Direct* klm £110
   
The flight duration from Heathrow to Vienna is approximately 2½ hours non stop
The flight duration from Heathrow to Budapest is approximately 2½ hours non stop
*Flight operates via Amsterdam 
Flight prices and timings vary by departure airport.
Flight upgrades are also available, please call for details.

Photos

  • Avalon Waterways Danube River Melk
  • Avalon Tapestry
  • Avalon Tapestry Atrium
  • Avalon Tapestry stateroom
  • Avalon Tapestry Junior Suite
  • Avalon Tapestry Internet Centre
  • Avalon Tapestry Sky Deck
  • Avalon Tapestry Bar
  • Avalon Tapestry Dining Room