Most popular
From Budapest to Amsterdam, and many exciting stops along the way, you’ll be immersed in the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise vacation. Your river cruise adventure begins with visits to three of Europe’s vibrant capital cities: Budapest in Hungary, Bratislava in Slovakia and Vienna in Austria. A local guide will show you the must-see sites in each city and you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own. See the famous Heroes’ Square in Budapest, stroll through Bratislava’s Old Town with its winding streets and bronze sculptures, and stop in a classic Viennese cafe for a decadent treat. Sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley and the dramatic Rhine Gorge. Visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey and Würzburg’s Baroque Bishop’s Residenz. Enjoy a tasting of Wachau wines. Explore quaint towns like Dürnstein with its blue and white Baroque Stiftskirche; Passau, known for its narrow cobbled streets and stunning St Stephen’s Cathedral; and Bamberg, with its town hall straddling the River Regnitz. Enjoy guided walks in historic Nuremberg, Würzburg, and Regensburg—one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. In the charming Rhine Valley town of Rüdesheim, enjoy a stroll through its famous cobbled Drosselgasse that's lined with shops, restaurants, and lively taverns. Straddling both sides of the Rhine River is Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture. Here, enjoy a guided walk and see its famous twin-spired cathedral. This European river cruise would not be complete without a visit to Holland’s lively capital of Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten. Your European cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam is filled with new discoveries and simple pleasures of ancient cultures that you’ll hold in your memory for many years to come.
Day 1 UK - Budapest (Embarkation)
Travel to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship.
Your Avalon Experience today. This evening, meet your crew at a welcome reception before dinner.
Day 2 Budapest
Included today: Guided sightseeing, see Fisherman's Bastion. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Whether you're seeing the sights, shopping for handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain, or basking in the coffee house culture over a rich cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud Café, Budapest's unique energy is positively palpable. On your guided tour of the city, see Heroes' Square as well as the massive hilltop castle complex with its remarkable Fisherman's Bastion and 11th-century Matthias Church. Be sure to take note of the city's eight bridges— famous sights in and of themselves—which connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. In your free time this afternoon you may want to walk across Chain Bridge, built in 1849 and a symbol of Budapest; visit St. Stephen's Basilica with marvellous views of the city from its viewing platform; or stroll along Váci utca, the main shopping street.
Day 3 Bratislava
Included today: Guided walk, visit St Martin's Cathedral. Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. Your guided walk with a Local Guide explores the charming Old Town with its winding cobbled streets, the old stone Town Hall and the Gothic cathedral of St Martin.
CHOICEAvalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are three types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
Sorry, we couldn’t find what you were looking for.
We don’t give up that easily, so please try a different departure or give us a call on 0330 058 8243
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Melk Abbey
Melk Abbey
Budapest
Budapest
Passau
Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Bamberg
Wurzburg
Rudesheim
Rudesheim
Cologne
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Melk Abbey
Melk Abbey
Budapest
Budapest
Passau
Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Bamberg
Wurzburg
Rudesheim
Rudesheim
Cologne
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
"Rooms with balcony is preferreable, and sight-seeing tours should be a bit longer to include..."
"Excellent communication"
"....."
..
.........................
"Cannot wait till I go on another Avalon Waterway Cruise again"
Excellent, staff first class, menus varied and well presented. Cabins excellent and the beds the most comfy I have experienced on a ship or boat.
"A perfect cruise"
The cruise was very well organised from start to finish. The service was excellent in all respects.
It was our second Avalon cruise and just as good as the first. The route from Budapest to Amsterdam was even more varied and scenic than we had hoped.
"Just excellent"
Everything was excellent, comfort, food, cruise director. Our every need was catered for without fuss. Most of the local tour guides were very good. The places visited interesting and adequate time to explore by ourselves.
Excellent value for what WE paid. Would not have bought this holiday at the "standard" price.
"An amazing experience!"
The holiday was well organised and all the staff were friendly and helpful without being intrusive. I was concerned about being Coeliac but the care and attention given to me by chef Attila and the Matre D Lucian was beyond all expectations.
Having booked this holiday to celebrate our 30 wedding anniversary in February we were very disappointed to discover that had if we booked it two weeks before we departed we would have saved £2200.00. I contacted Avalon UK who said that basically "it is the luck of the draw" but there could possibly be an upgrade and that would be conveyed through. On joining our ship our cruise director on our behalf contacted head office to be told their policy was not to give upgrades however we know of at least one couple who were upgraded!!!
"Brilliant trip"
Everything ran according to plan and was perfectly choreographed by Vlad.
Good value and delivered as expected
"Fabulous holiday"
We would certainly recommend them to anyone and would love to travel with them again
We could not find fault with anything
"Customer service and attention to detail is first class. We would return."
Customer service and attention to detail on board was faultless.
In bound transfer and holding hotel could have been better.
We were driven around Budapest for what seemed like an hour and when we finally arrived at the hotel nobody was there to greet us.
Wonderful itinerary in a most beautiful part of Europe.
We' were sorry to disembark.
Our tour director, Barbara , was magnificent