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, Hungary (Embarkation)
Travel to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship.
Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital
The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
Day 2 Budapest
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
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.
Enjoy a guided city sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
The afternoon is free to enjoy Budapest on your own. Be sure to savour a piece of cream cake in the world-famous Gerbeaud Café, consider a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube, or a visit to one of Budapest’s world-famous thermal baths.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
Day 3 Bratislava, Slovakia
Castles, Vineyards, and Cosmopolitan Culture
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.
Enjoy an onboard beer lecture hosted by your Beer Expert while cruising to Bratislava.
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.
Join a guided sightseeing tour of old town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cathedral—Hungary’s centuries-old coronation church, OR:
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.
Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle.
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.
This evening, join your Beer Expert on a tour of local breweries.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
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.
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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
"No problems with the booking..."
"Rooms with balcony is preferreable, and sight-seeing tours should be a bit longer to include..."
"Excellent communication"
Very helpful customer service advised on suitable flights going home.
Friendly approach and fast efficient booking
Only downside was thought the Avalon passion could have been warmer in lounge areas especially due to time of year.
Found ships crew all round very helpful friendly polite @special thanks must go to Vadak...head chef.
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"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