Cruise Description
14 Night Cruise sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam aboard Avalon Panorama.

See the highlights of Central Europe on this enchanting cruise between Budapest and Amsterdam. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with an authentic baking demonstration in Miltenberg, a beer tasting in Nuremberg, and inside visits of Würzburg’s Residenz, Regensburg’s Old Chapel, the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, St. Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, and Fishermen’s Bastion in Budapest. Also cruise through the scenic canals of Amsterdam and sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge past the legendary rock of the Lorelei.

Day 1 ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST,HUNGARY (EMBARKATION).
Welcome to Hungary’s exciting capital city! This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception. (D)

Day 2 BUDAPEST.
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 Cafe, Budapest’s unique energy is positively palatable. On your GUIDED TOUR of the city, see the massive hilltop castle complex with its remarkable Fishermen’s Bastion-for spectacular views of the city-and 11th-century Matthias Church. Be sure to take note of the city’s eight bridges-many 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, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849; visit St. Stephen’s Basilica with marvelous views of the city from its viewing platform; or stroll along Vaci utca, the main shopping street. (B,L,D)

Day 3 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA.
Enjoy some relaxing cruising this morning as you head for Bratislava, situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and the dynamic capital of Slovakia. After lunch, join a Local Guide for a tour of the city, including a GUIDED WALK of its fascinating Old Town, where winding cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways twist and turn to reveal the Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. Later, enjoy free time to explore on your own. Tonight, depart for Vienna. (B,L,D)

Day 4 VIENNA, AUSTRIA.
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. This is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boy’s Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House; and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral-plus, countless other sights you’ll see on your included GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR. Stroll through the delightful pedestrian Karntnerstrasse, and be sure to take a break and enjoy a piece of decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in one of the classic Viennese coffee houses, historic institutions that helped shape Viennese culture! An optional concert is available tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 5 DURNSTEIN-MELK.
During breakfast this morning, arrive in Durnstein, situated in the heart of the Wachau wine region and known for the magnificent baroque, blue Stiftskirche built in the 1700s. The main street of this small town-with a population of less than 1,000 people-is lined with 16th-century residences and charming cobblestone streets. A Local Guide will take you on a WALKING TOUR and tell you the tale of England’s King Richard the Lionheart, who was imprisoned in the castle whose ruins still stand above the town. Relax on your ship’s Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk in the early afternoon. The magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. Words will escape you as you marvel at the splendor of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 64 Metres- (210-foot)-high cupola. The view you have from the terrace of the abbey over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening you’ll be able to sample some of the FAMOUS WINES of this region. (B,L,D)

Day 6 LINZ-PASSAU,GERMANY.
Linz, Austria’s third-largest city, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. Depart from here for an optional full-day excursion either to Salzburg, taking in the popular Sound of Music sights, or to Eesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rejoin your ship in Passau in the early evening. Alternatively, you may choose to stay on the ship and relax as you cruise to Passau, uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge. Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, houses one of the world’s largest church organs with 17,774 pipes. Take in the highlights on the included GUIDED WALK. (B,L,D)

Day 7 REGENSBURG.
Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights of your GUIDED WALK include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), built in the 13th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Walk across the 12th-century Steinerne Brucke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in Germany. Grab a beer and enjoy an included SNACK at the Historische Wurstkuche(Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germany’s oldest restaurants. Bask in the vibrant atmosphere and take in the remarkable views along the river. (B,L,D)

Day 8 NUREMBERG.
This morning, relax on board, then before lunch, attend a fascinating LECTURE about the engineering marvel that is the Main Danube Canal. Although 90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive damage during WWII , much of it has been restored to the glory it once knew as the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. This morning, choose a GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR and marvel at this thousand-yearold city’s medieval fortifications, extraordinary gothic churches, and the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), or join a more specialized “NUREMBERG TRIALS” tour. During free time, be sure to try some tasty Lebkuchen and make a wish at the beautiful fountainin the Hauptmarkt (main square). Legend says your wish will come true if you turn its gold ring three times. After dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s Regensburg FAMOUS BEERS. (B,L,D)

Day 9 BAMBERG.
This morning, arrive in medieval Bamberg, former residence of one of Germany’s most powerful imperial dynasties and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your GUIDED WALKING TOUR takes in its historic centre, including the great 13th-century Romanesque cathedral and the fascinating Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)-built on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River when the bishop refused to give the townspeople land for a town hall! Rejoin your ship in time for lunch. This afternoon, cruise gently along the Main River as you head for Wurzburg, and attend an interesting ONBOARD LECTURE to learn more about the European Union. (B,L,D)

Day 10 WURZBURG.
Surrounded by verdant hillside vineyards, Wurzburg, the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” makes an immediate impression with imposing Fortress Marienberg perched above town and the 15th-century Alte Mainbrucke (Old Main Bridge). On your included GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR, visit the magnificent baroque BISHOP’S RESIDENZ, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. This afternoon you are free to explore on your own, or perhaps join an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg. (B,L,D)

Day 11 MILTENBERG.
Tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates, the picturesque Bavarian village of Miltenberg is a cultural gem on the banks of the Main River. This afternoon’s GUIDED WALK will acquaint you with the town’s delightful Marktplatz (market square), which centres around a Renaissance-era fountain and features striking half-timbered buildings, cobblestone lanes, one of the oldest inns in Germany, Haus zum Riesen (the giant’s house), and the gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall. Then, reboard your ship and learn how to bake a SOFT COOKIE local specialty. (B,L,D)

Day 12 RUDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE.
At lunchtime today, arrive in Rudesheim, a quintessential Rhine Valley wine town. Visit SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM, where you’ll see and hear a large collection of self-playing calliopes and music boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to pick up some souvenirs on the narrow, cobblestoned Drosselgasse, where colourful flowers, open-air wine gardens, and live music add to the festive atmosphere. Downstream from Rudesheim is the dramatic RHINE GORGE, the most beautiful stretch of river. Here, ancient castles stand sentry on lofty cliffs rising 121 metres (400 feet) above the waters. Cruise past the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where echoes of enchanted siren song lured unwitting sailors to their doom. (B,L,D)

Day 13 COLOGNE.
Arrive in Cologne in the early morning hours. One of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland, Cologne straddles both sides of the Rhine and is known for its soaring, twinsteepled gothic cathedral. Choose between an included GUIDED CITY WALK or JEWISH HERITAGE WALK. Later, during free time, perhaps look in on the Romano-Germanic Museum, home to a large collection of artifacts from the Roman settlement on which modern Cologne is built-a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with cafes, shops, and taverns. Be sure to try a Kolsch pale lager, locally brewed in Cologne for over a hundred years! (B,L,D)

Day 14 AMSTERDAM,HOLLAND.
Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital has a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-yearold city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafes and restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambiance. With over 60 museums, Amsterdam has the highest museum density in the world. Most notably, the works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in worldrenowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. Get a unique perspective of the city on an included CANAL CRUISE, floating along the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden
Age.” (B,L,D)

Day 15 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION).
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

THEMED CRUISES:

23 Jul 2014 departure – History & Politics Cruise

Cruise Itinerary

Itinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise lines discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets.

Available Sailing Dates

• 27 Mar 2015
• 22 May 2015
• 03 Jul 2015
• 14 Aug 2015