CRUISE ITINERARY

From Nuremberg to Budapest, this river cruise showcases some of the finest scenery in Europe — passing grand castles, stunning cathedrals, and elegant cities. An optional Prague visit is available pre-cruise, and an optional Budapest package is available post-cruise. Join us!

OVERVIEW

OPTIONAL 2-NIGHT PRE-CRUISE IN PRAGUE:

Sunday, May 26	Arrive in Prague, free time and included dinner
Monday, May 27	Prague city sightseeing; optional excursions; free time
Tuesday, May 28	Transfer to Nuremberg, with sightseeing; ship embarkation

8-DAY CRUISE PACKAGE:

Monday, May 27	Departure from USA
Tuesday, May 28	Arrive at Nuremberg; transfer to ship
Wednesday, May 29	Regensberg
Thursday, May 30	Passau to Linz
Friday, May 31	Docked in Linz; sail to Mauthausen to Vienna
Saturday, June 1	Vienna
Sunday, June 2	Sail to Bratislava
Monday, June 3	Arrive in Budapest
Tuesday, June 4	Disembark for return

OPTIONAL POST-CRUISE IN BUDAPEST (ON REQUEST)

PRAGUE: OPTIONAL 2-NIGHT PRE-CRUISE PACKAGE

May 26–28, 2024

Historic Highlights of Prague
Discover the “Golden City” of Prague, a fairytale town in the heart of Europe, on this memorable coach and walking tour. Join your expert guide and discover the treasures of the Old Town and Castle District, the Gothic and Baroque Old Town Square, and a visit to the Bethlehem Chapel.

Optional (extra cost) afternoon excursions in Prague:

Prague’s Hidden Treasures: leave the tourists behind and discover tucked-away gems around Charles Bridge and the ancient Mala Strana district.
Prague Jewish Heritage: walk through one of the few Jewish districts that survived the holocaust, and discover why the Nazis preserved it. See the oldest synagogue still operating in Europe.

Optional 2-night pre-cruise package:

Sunday, May 26:
- Arrival
- Free time discovering the Old Town of Prague
- Included dinner at a local restaurant
Monday, May 27:
- Included guided tour of Prague in the morning
- Optional afternoon excursions at extra cost
- Make your own plans for dinner and enjoy the beauty of Prague in the evening
Tuesday, May 28: Included coach transfer to Nuremberg; arrive by lunchtime

Included Prague City Sightseeing:

Historic Highlights of Prague: Discover the “Golden City” of Prague, a fairytale town in the heart of Europe, on this memorable coach and walking tour. Join your expert guide and discover the treasures of the Old Town and Castle District, including walled Prague Castle and the defenestration sight (middle), the Gothic and Baroque Old Town Square with the monument of Jan Hus in front of the Tyn Church, and a visit to the Bethlehem Chapel.

Optional Prague excursions (extra cost):

Prague’s Hidden Treasures: In a magnificent city like Prague, it’s easy to follow the crowds and weave your way through the incredible Old Town Square. But going against the grain can sometimes prove far more rewarding! This walk around Prague’s Charles Bridge and ancient Mala Strana district leaves the throngs of tourists behind, shining a spotlight instead on the less obvious and frequently overlooked gems. Led by an expert guide, you’ll enter a world of tucked-away cobblestone alleyways, tiny courtyards, and beloved neighborhoods where the true heart of the “Gold City” reveals itself. Price TBA.

Prague Jewish Heritage: Immerse yourself in Prague’s rich Jewish history on 3-hour guided encounter. Central Europe has a rich Jewish heritage—and Prague’s is one of its true treasures, dating clear back to the 10th century. Join an expert guide for a walk through the city’s vibrant Josefov Jewish quarter, one of the few that survived the holocaust. Hear how and why the Nazis preserved it, and learn all about what was one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe. See the medieval tombs and sculptures in the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the synagogue dating back to 1275, the oldest one still operating in Europe. Prague was also where Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel created the legendary Golem, was the birthplace of literary giant Franz Kafka, and is where you’ll find some of the world’s most delish and tradish Jewish cuisine! Price TBA.

DAY 1: NUREMBERG & EMBARKATION

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Splendors of Nuremberg
Explore the enchanting Old Town, the cradle of the German Renaissance, with a guided tour.

SAIL AWAY
In the evening we'll Sail Away, with a Welcome Dinner to get the trip started in style.

MORNING:

Arrive at Nuremberg Airport in the morning and transfer to ship
If you chose the Prague pre-cruise package, you'll transfer arrive by lunchtime

AFTERNOON: Included Nuremberg excursion

Splendors of Nuremberg

Nuremberg may be world-famous for its gingerbread, but that’s really just the icing on the Lebkuchen! This guided sightseeing tour shows you just how remarkable Nuremberg is! Begin with a visit of the lovely castle grounds surrounding Kaiserburg, one of Europe’s most formidable medieval fortresses. Along the way, your expert guide will divulge fascinating details about the city’s rich and turbulent history, from its days as the center of the Holy Roman Empire to its emotionally charged Nuremberg Trials. Following a panoramic drive, arrive at the bustling Hauptplatz (market square), where free time allows you to explore the enchanting Old Town, cradle of the German Renaissance. Admire the charming timber-framed houses and ancient fortifications lining the cobblestone streets; marvel at the triple-tiered Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) and spin its golden ring for good luck; see the Town Hall and gothic St. Lawrence Church; and watch stained-glass, leather, gingerbread, and other wares being made in traditional ways at bustling Craftsmen’s Courtyard!

EVENING: Sail Away

After a welcome and safety meeting on board the ship, we will Sail Away — followed by a Welcome Dinner as we begin sailing down the Danube.

DAY 2: REGENSBURG

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

MORNING: Sail to Regensburg
AFTERNOON: Explore Regensburg
Immerse yourself in the wonders of medieval Regensburg. Led by an expert guide, explore the Old Town with cobblestone lanes and historical buildings. See where Charlemagne administered the vast Holy Roman Empire, a second-century Roman gate, and more!
EVENING: Evening Entertainment

MORNING: Sailing to Regensburg

AFTERNOON: Explore Regensburg with your choice of one of these included activities:

Regensburg, Heart of German Antiquity (walking tour with sightseeing — see below), or
Biking with Adventure Host in Regensburg

Regensburg, Heart of German Antiquity – walking tour: Immerse yourself in the UNESCO World Heritage wonders of medieval Regensburg, first capital of Bavaria. Led by an expert guide, spend time exploring the baroque Old Town with its narrow, cobblestone lanes and more than 1,200 historical buildings spanning almost 2,000 years. See the Rathaus (Old Town Hall), where Charlemagne passed laws, directed wars, and administered the vast Holy Roman Empire; Porta Pretoria, the 2nd-century Roman gate; and more!

EVENING: Evening Entertainment

DAY 3: PASSAU TO LINZ

Thursday, May 30, 2024

MORNING: Walking tour of Passau
Discover Passau on this guided tour through a historic district that once was a Roman colony. In the evening, enjoy a private concert just for the BJU audience by the local wind orchestra.

Optional (extra cost) full-day excursions in Passau:

Sound of Music Salzburg: enjoy beautiful Saltzburg, where our experts will show you the city — including places from the Sound of Music.
Český Krumlov — A Sleeping Beauty Awakes: Get off the beaten path across the rolling hills to one of the most beautiful and charming little towns, hidden to most.

EVENING: Evening Entertainment

MORNING: Included tour Passau, the City of Three Rivers

Passau, the city of Three Rivers: Discover the heart of Passau, the fascinating “City of Three Rivers” on this included illuminating guided walking tour through the historic district. Situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers, the city was at one time an ancient Roman colony, and has long been a center for trade—particularly for Bohemian salt. Your expert guide will introduce you to St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its three onion-domed towers and 17,774-pipe organ, as well as other Old Town highlights such as the Altes Rathaus (Town Hall); Veste Oberhaus, the prince-bishops’ 13th-century fortress that looms over the town; and Dreiflusseck (Three River Corner), the unique peninsula where the rivers merge.

DAYTIME: Optional (extra cost) full-day excursions

Sound of Music Salzburg: Picturesquely located at the foothills of the Alps the city is known as the birth-place of Mozart. Salzburg is also the setting for the Sound of Music movie, which has shaped the city’s perception in the minds of generations. But Salzburg is much more. It is a wealthy city with history based on the salt trade from the nearby Alpine Mountains- a city full of beautiful baroque buildings, nestled between the mountains and green waters of the Salzach River. In your free time strolling through the small but busy lanes with their wrought iron signs, using a cable car to ride up to the castle on the hill for views, or just passing time by relaxing on one of the many terraces makes you feel part of the scenery. On our scenic ride by coach you will admire the beauty of the region. Our dedicated local experts will talk about and show you the city, and relive scenes from the Sound of Music. Price TBA.
Český Krumlov: A Sleeping Beauty Awakes: Take a scenic route across the rolling hills of Upper Austria and Bohemia to one of the most beautiful, charming and romantic little towns that is to be found in Europe. For centuries, this small town has enjoyed the reputation of being the “Pearl of the Bohemian Forest”, an extraordinary fortified town built by princes and bishops on the most beautiful bend of the Vltava River. This hidden gem of European history remains as it was centuries ago, a colorful place with over 300 historic buildings, small lanes, art galleries, charming shops and medieval inns — a truly stunning experience. When the Iron Curtain descended across eastern Europe after World War Two, Český Krumlov found itself even more off the beaten track, with hardly a visitor finding his way there. Our local experts will guide you back in time. Pass by the Vltava (Moldau) River, which was immortalized by Friedrich Smetana’s composition of the same name, before you return to your ship with happy memories from this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Price TBA.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

DAY 4: MAUTHAUSEN TO VIENNA

Friday, May 31, 2024

MORNING: Optional (extra cost) excursions

Mauthausen Concentration Camp: Encounter history at its savage worst at the last Nazi camp to be liberated.
St. Florian Monastery: Visit one of the oldest operating monasteries in the world with fantastic frescoes, imperial marble hall, and the Altdorfer Gallery.

AFTERNOON: your choice of included excursions

Habsburgs’ Artstetten Castle: enjoy the summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty and home of Franz Ferdinand; or,
Sweet Temptations: Baking and Bees: visit a bee farmer, then create an mouth-watering pastry under instruction of a wonderful chef.

EVENING: Scenic Sailing through the Wachau Valley

During dinner, pass through one of the most romantic stretches of Austria. Enjoy soft drinks and canapés on the Skydeck with evening entertainment.

MORNING: Optional excursions (extra cost)

Visit to Mauthausen Concentration Camp: Encounter history at its savage worst during this poignant guided tour of the Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp. Situated just 12 miles (20 km) east of Linz during WWII, Mauthausen-Gusen was the hub of 49 Nazi labor camps—one of the largest complexes in German-controlled Europe and the last to be liberated by the Allies. Led by an expert guide, visit the prisoners’ barracks, and learn how they were forced to work in quarries, mines, and munitions and arms factories—under conditions that resulted in nearly 100,000 deaths. Also see the gas chamber; the infamous “Stairs of Death,” the 186 steps prisoners were forced to climb with huge slabs of granite on their backs; and the Mauthausen Museum Memorial, dedicated to documenting and commemorating the horrible atrocities committed here so mankind never forgets. Price TBA.
Baroque Abby St. Florian Monastery with Library, Boys Choirs & Anton Bruckner Crypt: Visit one of the oldest operating monasteries in the world on this enlightening guided tour. Founded in the early 9th century, St. Florian is the largest monastery in Upper Austria, rivaling Melk Abbey for its impressive Baroque architecture. Dedicated to the saint of the same name, whose 4th-century grave lies beneath the monastery, you’ll marvel at the fantastic frescoes, 150,000-volume library, imperial marble hall, famous Altdorfer Gallery, and church with its splendid pipe organ. While exploring, you may even get to meet one of the monks or attend a short music recital. Price TBA.

AFTERNOON: choose one of these included excursions:

Habsburgs Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s Family Artstetten Castle: Enjoy this beautiful visit to Artstetten Castle, where Franz Ferdinand and his wife the Duchess Sophie von Hohenberg lived, before being murdered in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. Visitors to the museum encounter the thin line between joy and suffering, life and death, and enter the varied world of the political thinker, reformer, collector, but above all of the family man Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The castle was used as a summer residence by members of the Habsburg dynasty and now is the private residence of Anita von Hohenberg and her family.

Includes a private reception.
Sweet Temptations: Baking, Bees / Pastry Baking Workshop & Bee Farmer: Visit a bee farmer and learn about bees and their produce. Apart from Honey there is a lot more bees can produce. A tasting and a discussion on the healing effects of bee products is planned at this excursion.
Afterwards meet master baker Barbara Braun for a workshop on an Austrian Sweets Specialty. Together with the chef, you will create an outstanding and mouth-watering pastry of your own.

EVENING: Scenic Sailing through the Wachau Valley

During dinner you will pass through one of the most romantic stretches of Austria. Vine-clad hills on either side of the Valley invite for wonderful sunset photos during and or after dinner. Entertainment will be provided.

DAY 5: VIENNA

Saturday, June 1, 2024

MORNING: private opening of the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by your choice of an extended museum visit or a site-seeing tour of Vienna.
Enjoy special VIP access to the Vienna Museum of Fine Arts, followed by your choice of an extended stay at the museum or a guided tour of Vienna.

AFTERNOON: optional (extra cost) excursions:

Schonbrunn Palace: visit the exquisite palace built to rival Versailles; or
Bites & Highlights of Vienna: immerse yourself in the flavors, traditions, and history of the stately city.

EVENING: optional (extra cost) excursion:

Mozart & Strauss Concert, followed by a drive through Vienna: this magical evening in the City of Music reveals what has enthralled European audiences for centuries!

MORNING: included private opening of the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by your choice of extended museum visit or Vienna sightseeing

Enjoy special VIP access to the Vienna Museum of Fine Arts during this exclusive early entrance for guests of Avalon Waterways. Led by an expert guide, you’ll enter the museum before the general public so you can explore the Italian and Dutch Masters Gallery before the crowds arrive. Wander through 600 years of splendid paintings, sculptures, arms, armor, and ceremonial carriages—incredible items that were collected and commissioned by the Habsburg family, one of Europe’s most powerful and long-lived dynasties.

Then, choose from either of these included activities:

an extended visit of the Museum of Fine Arts and Kunsthistorische Museum with Austrian Crown Jewels; or
Vienna sightseeing tour: few cities rival the beauty and stately splendor of Vienna, and this fantastic guided excursion introduces you to the exquisite architectural wonders along the UNESCO World Heritage Ringstrasse, the “Lord of the Ring Roads.” See the striking Vienna State Opera; the Imperial Palace, winter residence of the imperial family; Parliament; City Hall; and more. Pas by the historic Café Demel on your way to the monumental 12th-century St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where your tour ends.

AFTERNOON: optional (extra cost) excursions

Schönbrunn Palace, Crown Jewel of Vienna: Built to rival Paris’ Versailles, Vienna’s elegant Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important cultural, historic, and architectural monuments in the country. With beginnings stretching clear back to the Middle Ages, the former country estate and then hunting lodge was eventually transformed into the Habsburg imperial family’s lavish summer residence. This exceptional excursion may not visit all of the palace’s 1,400-plus rooms, but your expert guide makes sure you experience some of the most impressive! Marvel at the brilliant furnishings and artwork, visit the exquisite royal apartments and state rooms, wander through the vast gardens with the hedge maze and fountains, and learn about Schönbrunn’s connections to vineyards and exotic birds, and the origins behind its famous “Schönbrunn Yellow” paint. Price TBA.
Bites & Highlights of Vienna: Immerse yourself in the flavors and traditions of Vienna on this unique food and culture tour. Led by an expert guide, you’ll explore the city’s charming backstreets to taste some of its very best culinary treats. Along the way, you’ll also learn about everyday life in the “City of Music” and hear fascinating tales about the former Habsburg Empire, from the extravagance of its architecture to the cozy coffee house culture that sprang up and lingers even today. Price TBA.

EVENING: optional (extra cost) excursion

Classical Mozart and Strauss Concert followed by a drive through illuminated Vienna: Vienna and classical music go hand in hand, and this magical evening in the City of Music reveals what has enthralled European audiences for centuries! Enjoy the most famous arias, waltzes, polkas, marches, and operetta excerpts by Mozart, Strauss, Lehár, and others. Hear music from “Die Fledermaus,” “The Merry Widow,” “The Blue Danube” waltz, and more, performed by a brilliant costumed cast of top European singers and the Original Vienna Salon Orchestra. Price TBA.

DAY 6: SAILING DAY to BRATISLAVA

Sunday, June 1, 2024

MORNING: Bratislava tour
Step off the beaten path to discover the beauty and allure of Bratislavia, charming Slovakian capital on the banks of the Danube.

AFTERNOON: Worship Service; optional (extra cost) excursions, TBD

EVENING: farewell dinner, Sky Deck reception, and sailing to Budapest

MORNING: included Bratislava sightseeing

Bratislava City Sightseeing: Step off the beaten path to discover the beauty and allure of Bratislavia, charming Slovakian capital on the banks of the Danube. Led by an expert guide, embark on a short, 1.5-hour walk along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. See hilltop Bratislava Castle looming above; onion-domed Michael's Gate, a vestige of the medieval wall that once surrounded the city; the Old Town Hall, whose tower was built in 1370; St. Martin’s Cathedral, where many Hungarian kings and queens were crowned; and more. Afterward, there’s free time to explore on your own. Don’t miss the quirky bronze sculpture of Čumil the Sewer Worker peeking up from the manhole, and be sure to look for cannonballs embedded in buildings throughout the Old Town, reminders of Napoleon’s 3-day “visit” in 1809!

AFTERNOON: optional (extra cost) excursion, TBA

There will be a late afternoon Sunday Worship Service onboard the ship.

EVENING:

Farewell Dinner
Sailing to Budapest with evening reception on Sky Deck

DAY 7: BUDAPEST

Monday, June 3, 2024

MORNING: Breathtaking Budapest, with Market Hall
On this guided tour of Budapest you’ll experience one of the most fascinating cities in the world!

AFTERNOON: optional (extra cost) excursions:

Communist Budapest: Think again what you have known about life behind the Iron Curtain! See how everyday life really was back then, through photos, artifacts and music. Your local expert will provide insight on how to live and survive in “the happiest barrack.” or
Private Budapest Jewish Heritage Discovery: explore Budapest’s extraordinary historic Jewish Quarter; or
Art and architecture of Budapest: from literary cafés to the breathtaking State Opera House, your expert guide provides an unforgettable tour.

EVENING: early dinner and illuminated sailing

MORNING: included city sightseeing tour with Market Hall visit

Breathtaking Budapest: One of the most fascinating cities in the world, Budapest is brimming with must-see sites. You’ll experience many of them on this wonderful, guided excursion. On this can’t-miss tour of Budapest’s beloved sights, you’ll admire the impressive silhouette of the Hungarian Parliament from Buda, see the many bridges spanning over the Danube and follow the ringroads and boulevards of the Pest side flanked by captivating architecture.

AFTERNOON: choose from optional (extra cost) excursions:

Communist Budapest: Think again what you have known about life behind the Iron Curtain. From 1947 to 1989, the Hungarian Communist Party held sway. Although the regime was not as deferential to the Soviet Union, the collective economy and fear of the secret police shaped the lives of Hungarian citizens. This guided tour starts at a unique statue park at the outskirts of the city displaying the gigantic monuments of the Communist era, removed from the streets of Budapest after the collapse of Socialism in 1989-90. Here you can sit in the famous Trabant 601, the “people’s car” from East Germany. Returning to the city center submerge in the sea of happier relics from the era of Goulash Communism. A new and interactive attraction showcases how everyday life really was back then, illustrated with photos, artifacts and music. Your local expert will provide you personal anecdotes and an interactive commentary on how to live and survive in “the happiest barrack.” Price TBA.

Discover Budapest’s Jewish Heritage: Take a look at the rich cultural heritage of Eastern Europe’s largest Jewish community on this unique tour through Budapest’s former Jewish ghetto. Join an expert guide to explore the city’s synagogues, cemetery, memorials, and unique architecture, which date back to medieval times. See the Tree of Life at Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park, named for the Swedish businessman who saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from deportation to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp; and visit the largest synagogue in Europe, together with the lavishly refurbished and reconstructed Rumbach Street Synagogue. Price TBA.

Art and architecture of Budapest: Travel back to the Golden Age of Budapest’s Belle Époque on this captivating guided excursion. Led by an expert guide, learn about this period of optimism and over-the-top opulence that is reflected in many of the buildings lining Andrássy Avenue, the Champs-Elysees of Budapest. The highlight of the avenue is undoubtedly the Neo-Renaissance Hungarian State Opera House – a real “Musical Jewelry Box” of Pest. This stunning building enchants anyone who appreciates fine neo-Renaissance architecture. Legend tells how Emperor Franz Josef I was dismayed on opening night because the building’s beauty overshadowed that of his beloved opera house in Vienna! Pause for included refreshments and cake at one of the many literary cafés, a common meeting place of talented writers, poets and artists. Experience the vivid cultural life and discuss the latest news and gossip in town with your guide and fellow travelers. Take a ride together with locals on the Millennium Underground to the end of the avenue. Behind Heroes’ Square lies the lush green City Park that served as a venue for the 1896 National Millennium Exhibition. A magnificent reminiscence of this huge event is nestled on a small island; walk in the lovely courtyard of this fairytale-like castle representing the different characteristic styles of the past. A perfect ending of a metropolitan day in the Hungarian capital. Price TBA.

EVENING: Early dinner and illuminated sailing; last goodbye of Budapest

DAY 8: CONCLUDE IN BUDAPEST

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

DISEMBARKATION for return flight.

OPTIONAL post-cruise night(s) in Budapest available upon request.

WILL YOU Join US?

PRICING & RESERVATIONS