From Amsterdam to Budapest, and in many exciting stops along the way, experience the culture of Central Europe in a unique way on this timeless river cruise vacation. Amsterdam is Holland's lively capital-both historical and modern. This colorful city is loved for its vibrant mix of sophisticated architecture and classic squares and canals. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten. On to Germany for a guided city walk in Cologne-the stunning 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and stop in the charming wine town of Rudesheim.

Enjoy guided sightseeing in Wurzburg, Volkach, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and sail the Main Danube Canal, which connects the Main and Danube Rivers. Your first stop in Austria is the lovely town of Melk. Visit its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, then sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Your local experts will also introduce you to two capital cities: Vienna, Austria, also known as "The City of Music" for inspiring the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss; and lively Budapest, Hungary, with its unique energy and countless must-see sites. This truly is a river cruise to remember!

Day 1: Amsterdam
Welcome to Holland. Your Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to the gardens at Keukenhof-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

Spend free time exploring the colorful streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam-with its many cafes and art galleries.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM - (D)

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options for your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.

Option - Keukenhof Gardens Visit With more than 7 million dazzling bulb flowers creating incredible works of art, this exciting visit to Keukenhof is a true visual feast! 4h 0m

Day 2: Amsterdam - Cologne
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Classic Excursion
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."

This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE - (B,L,D)

Option - Medieval Muiderslot Castle
From Golden Age paintings to 13th-century arms and armor, discover the wonders of Muiderslot Castle, one of Holland's most beautiful medieval castle fortresses, on this captivating half-day guided tour. 4h 0m

Option - The Netherlands on two Wheels: Into the Dutch Countryside
Pedal your way past polders, dikes, and quaint, centuries-old villages on this exhilarating guided bike tour through the beautiful Dutch countryside. 3h 0m

Option - Behind the Scenes at the Aalsmeer Flower Auction
Get up early today, not to miss the opportunity to visit the world's largest flower auction. 2h 30m

Day 3: Cologne - Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland - Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

Active Excursion
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure, OR;
Discovery Excursion
Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR;
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral

Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM - (B,L,D)

Option - Biking in Cologne with your Adventure Host
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host. 2h 0m

Day 4: Cologne - Rhine Gorge - Miltenberg
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country. This morning cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see the famous rock of the Lorelei.

Active Excursion
Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.

Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG - (B,L,D)

Day 5: Miltenberg - Wurzburg
Beauty on the Main River - Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn.

Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG - (B,L,D)

Day 6: Wurzburg
A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road

Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Wurzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz-with the largest known ceiling fresco.

Enjoy the city on your own or visit a local winery.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN WURZBURG - (B,L,D)

Day 7: Wurzburg - Volkach - Bamberg
Storybook Settings - You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists.

Sail to Volkach and get ready for your afternoon activity.

Active Excursion
Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG - (B,L,D)

Option - Rothenburg, Jewel of the Middle Ages
The Jewel of the Middle Ages awaits your discovery on this half-day guided excursion to fairytale Rothenburg ob der Tauber on Germany's famed Romantic Road. 4h 15m

Option - Biking in Volkach with your Adventure Host
Bike along the Main Danube Canal with your Adventure Host. 1h 30m

Day 8: Bamberg - Roth
The City of Seven Hills

Active Excursion
Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.

Later, enjoy live entertainment performance while sailing this evening.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH - (B,L,D)

Option - Biking in Bamberg with your Adventure Host
Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host. 1h 0m

Day 9: Roth - Regensburg
Legends and History Lessons - Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

Active Excursion
Explore Roth's Lauter valley with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth-with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge Schloss Ratibor, OR;
Classic Excursion
Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR;
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich.
Discovery Excursion
Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal-linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG - (B,L,D)

Day 10: Regensburg - Passau
Bavaria's Medieval Miracle

Active Excursion
Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Alternatively, spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU - (B,L,D) Option - Weltenburg: Bavaria's Oldest Abbey
Visit Bavaria's oldest monastery, 7th-century Weltenburg Abbey with its stunning setting in the Danube Gorge, splendid interior, and the oldest monastic brewery in the world! 4h 30m

Option - Biking in Regensburg with your Adventure Host
Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host 2h 30m

Day 11: Passau - Linz - Melk
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

Classic Excursion
Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers."

You may join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.

Alternatively, cruise to the lovely town of Linz. LINZ, AUSTRIA - Legendary, Lovely Linz - This evening, feel free to explore Linz on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK - (B,L,D)

Option - Sound of Music Salzburg
From Mozart to "The Sound of Music", this delightful excursion provides an in-depth look at both the city of Salzburg and its majestic surroundings. 10h 0m

Option - Cesky Krumlov - A Sleeping Beauty Awakes
You'll feel like you've stepped right into the Middle Ages on this full-day excursion to Cesky Krumlov, the "Pearl of the Bohemian Forest". 9h 30m

Day 12: Melk - Vienna
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

Active Excursion
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a walk along the Danube river and around Melk., OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of the frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ of Melk's Benedictine Abbey.

Enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to wonderful Vienna this afternoon. - VIENNA - Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube. Consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA - (B,L,D)

Option - Classical Concert
Enjoy a spellbinding evening of classical works by Mozart and Johann Strauss, performed brilliantly by professional Salon Orchestra Alt-Wien musicians in one of Europe's prettiest venues. 2h 45m

Day 13: Vienna - Budapest
Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions

Active Excursion
Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Explore the Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace-summer home of the Habsburg family or choose a Guided Optional Excursion to fascinating Bratislava. Consider a tram ride to Vienna's Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Later, enjoy live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST - (B,L,D)
Option - Schonbrunn Palace, Cultural Gem of Austria
Visit magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former summer residence of the Habsburg imperial family. 3h 30m

Option - Bratislava, Jewel of Slovakia
Step off the beaten path to discover the beauty and allure of Bratislava during this enriching day trip to the charming Slovakian capital. 3h 45m

Option - Bites & Highlights of Vienna
Experience some of Vienna's most delectable foods and traditions on this unique guided foodie tour! 3h 0m

Option - Biking in Vienna with your Adventure Host
Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host 1h 30m

Day 14: Budapest
The Pearl of the Danube

Active Excursion
Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes' Square

This afternoon choose among the Optional Guided Excursions available or enjoy Budapest on your own. Indulge in a piece of cream cake in one of the many cafes. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST - (B,L,D)

Option -Bites & Highlights of Budapest
Experience some of Budapest's most famous sights and most delectable foods on this unique guided foodie tour! 3h 30m

Option - Wine Tasting in the Hungarian Countryside
Travel into the beautiful Hungarian countryside for an enriching half-day discovery of the Etyek wine region, including two wine cellar visits with wine tasting. 3h 15m

Day 15: Budapest - Home
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

MEALS:
Brekfasts, Lunches and Dinners as indicated (B,L,D)