Active & Discovery on the Danube (Westbound) (Expression)
Active & Discovery on the Danube (Westbound) (Expression)
$4979
Active & Discovery on the Danube (Westbound) (Expression)
8 Days
Visiting: Budapest, Hungary (Embarkation), Danube Bend, Visegrád, Vienna, Austria, Grein, Linz, Engelhartszell, Schlögen Oxbow, Vilshofen (Disembarkation), Europe
Tour operator:
Trip Styles:
Tour Overview
Why dip your toes in the Danube when you can explore and adore its landmarks, legends, customs and cuisine in the most interactive ways? Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises on the Danube invite dreamers and doers to activate their curiosities. To look closer, dive deeper, and forage further into the hamlets and hills of Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Uncover ancient traditions and local flavors in immersive ways. Enjoy leisurely sightseeing or on-your-own discoveries. Whether you walk through winding alleyways, hike to a castle, bike to a palace or row to your own sanctuary of scenery, our diverse offering of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the Danube redefines the rules of engagement. Move.Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:•Sink your teeth into Count Dracula’s Visegrád prison tower on a hike to new heights.•Paddle a canoe on an excursion through the picturesque Bend region.•Pedal along the postcard-perfect Wachau Valley. And be moved.Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:•See the ancient jousting skills of the St. George Knightly Order at Visegrád Castle.•Savor a merry morning walk, Vienna’s infamous café culture and VIP access to an art museum.•Meet the Count of Clam at Austria’s 12th-century and beautifully preserved Clam Castle. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Danube.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Budapest,Hungary (Embarkation),Danube Bend
Location: Budapest, Hungary (Embarkation), Danube Bend
Meals Included: Dinner
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)–DANUBE BEND Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.Enjoy a Hungarian Dinner on board during a scenic cruise through the Danube Bend. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard. EVENING CRUISE TO VISEGRÁD(D)BUDAPEST-PARLIAMENT.jpg
Day 2: Visegrád
Location: Visegrád
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Visit to the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrád’s Lower Castle, featuring targeting and fighting demonstrations by members of the St. George Knightly Order.
VISEGRÁD Jousting Tournaments and Dracula’s TowerACTIVE Visit Count Dracula’s prison tower on a Hiking Tour, OR: ACTIVE Take part in a Canoe Excursion through the picturesque Bend Region of the Danube for a truly unique perspective of one of the river’s most beautiful stretches, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Visit to the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrád’s Lower Castle, featuring targeting and fighting demonstrations by members of the St. George Knightly Order. Spend free time after your selected activities to explore Palotaház, where stonemasons, smiths, potters, and paper-makers produce their traditional items using age-old techniques.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA(B,L,D) VISEGRAD.jpg
Day 3: Vienna,Austria
Location: Vienna, Austria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take an Insider’s Tour of Vienna to get behind the scenes of her sights and attractions. You will meet locals, have the chance to prepare some food, and enjoy other surprises, OR:
Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including a tour of Belvedere Palace to see Gustave Klimt’s renowned “Kiss” painting.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel and Sachertorte on the Blue DanubeACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the famed Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues of Vienna to see the city’s highlights from a unique perspective, OR: DISCOVERY Take an Insider’s Tour of Vienna to get behind the scenes of her sights and attractions. You will meet locals, have the chance to prepare some food, and enjoy other surprises, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna, including a tour of Belvedere Palace to see Gustave Klimt’s renowned “Kiss” painting.Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse then take a break for a piece of Sachertorte. Or enjoy an optional excursion in Schönbrunn.This evening, consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)VIENNA-HISTORY-MUSEUM.jpg
Day 4: Vienna
Location: Vienna
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café, OR:
VIENNA A Feast for the SoulDISCOVERY Enjoy a morning Guided Walking Tour to see the city in her best light, along with breakfast at a Viennese café, OR: CLASSIC Dive into one of the world’s most important museums with a Guided Tour of the Habsburg family’s private art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and enjoy Italian or Dutch master works.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS (B,L,D)VIENNA-FINE-ARTS-MUSEUM.jpg
Day 5: Grein
Location: Grein
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
See Burg Clam on a Guided Visit, and meet the Count of Clam during your tour.
KREMS Pedals and Paddles in Austria’s Wine CountryJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Paddle a canoe on a Guided Tour to see the Austrian waterways and shoreline scenery from a unique perspective, OR: ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour from Krems to Spitz, and enjoy a stop in Dürnstein to see the mesmerizing blue Stiftskirche, and to sample local specialties, OR: DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR: DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Visit that showcases production of regional fruits, vegetables, wine, or other products.Relax on board this afternoon to enjoy the picturesque Wachau Valley scenery as you cruise to Grein.GREINA Modern-Day Castle and the Count DISCOVERY See Burg Clam on a Guided Visit, and meet the Count of Clam during your tour. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GREIN(B,L,D)WACHAU-VALLEY.jpg
Day 6: Linz
Location: Linz
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a sobering Guided Tour of Mauthausen Memorial, one of the largest and most brutal Nazi camp of WWII.
GREIN Theater History...Alive and Well in GreinCLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.Take a mid-morning cruise to Mauthausen. MAUTHAUSEN History Lessons and Monastic Life ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour along the Danube and discover how fertile this area is. Stop at a local farm and learn more about farming life and flood protection, OR: CLASSIC Visit the 9th-century St. Florian Monastery—the largest monastery in upper Austria and home to Augustine monks, OR: CLASSIC Join a sobering Guided Tour of Mauthausen Memorial, one of the largest and most brutal Nazi camp of WWII. This afternoon sail to Linz arriving this evening.LINZLegendary, Lovely LinzTonight, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ENGELHARTSZELL(B,L,D)MAUTHAUSEN-ST-FLORIAN-MONASTERY.jpg
Day 7: Engelhartszell,Schlögen Oxbow
Location: Engelhartszell, Schlögen Oxbow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Tour to a cider cellar where an expert sommelier will reveal the secrets of Upper Austria’s beloved ciders, OR:
Visit the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and explore its Sensory Garden—complete with stone labyrinth, herb garden, and vineyard. Sample cheese and beer made by the resident Trappist monks.
ENGELHARTSZELL–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW Memories and Beer in the Making ACTIVE Bike your way to a local Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell and follow the Danube along the riverbank, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to a cider cellar where an expert sommelier will reveal the secrets of Upper Austria’s beloved ciders, OR: CLASSIC Visit the stunning rococo-style Engelszell Abbey, and explore its Sensory Garden—complete with stone labyrinth, herb garden, and vineyard. Sample cheese and beer made by the resident Trappist monks. Relax on the Sky Deck this afternoon while you sail through the amazing horseshoe bend of the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow on your way to Vilshofen. ACTIVE This afternoon, enjoy a scenic Guided Hike along the Danube’s Schlögen Oxbow, a dramatic bend carved by centuries.EVENING CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN(B,L,D) SCHLOGEN-OXBOW.jpg
Day 8: Vilshofen (Disembarkation)
Location: Vilshofen (Disembarkation)
Meals Included: Breakfast
VILSHOFEN (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am.(B)VILSHOFEN-SUNRISE.jpg
Direction
Westbound
Notes
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Rivers
Danube
Check out our Q&As
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Cuisine
All meals on board are prepared by accomplished chefs who prepare regional specialties as well as familiar favorites with only the freshest, local ingredients. Our Suite Ships® feature daily buffet-style breakfast and lunch with your choice of soups, main courses with starter, salad, or sandwich, and, of course, dessert. Complimentary room service is also available with Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On the Mekong and Ganges, a mix of Western and local dishes is offered; in the Galápagos, you'll be able to taste some Ecuadorian specialties; and in the Amazon, you will be able to sample Peruvian specialties along with Western dishes.
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Cruise Director
A professional, experienced, English-speaking Cruise Director accompanies every departure. Naturalists are on board in the Amazon and Galápagos. Special Interest cruises typically include an expert specific to the cruise theme—from Wine Masters to History Experts.
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What about young travellers and children?
In our many years of cruising experience, we have found that children under the age of eight typically are too young to fully enjoy a cruise vacation. Because of this and for the safety and enjoyment of all passengers, we do not accept children under eight years of age. In addition, please note that there are no special arrangements or activities for children on our ships.
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What are single room supplements?
For single travellers who prefer the privacy of their own room and stateroom, single accommodation can, of course, be requested.
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Clothing & Dress Code
Your comfort is our first concern. Onboard and onshore dress codes are casual. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual—open-neck shirts and slacks for men; slacks, skirts, or dresses for ladies. Coats and ties may be worn if preferred. The Welcome and Farewell Dinners in Europe are dressy, but not formal. On the Mekong, Ganges, Amazon, and Galápagos, dress attire, including coats and ties, is not recommended due to the warm, humid climate.
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When will I receive my digital travel documents?
Avalon will email you a set of travel documents, which includes a copy of your itinerary and, where applicable, information on your hotels and optional excursions. Electronic Travel documents, including applicable eTicket receipts, itineraries, and other information are sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure, provided full payment has been received.
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Where can I find the docking location for my cruise ship?
Avalon Waterways strives to bring you the best docking locations along Europe’s rivers. In many cities, this includes multiple docking sites. Docking positions at each port are assigned by local authorities, and may vary depending upon the number of ships in port on any given day. This can sometimes result in double-docking with more than one ship assigned to the same dock and the ships “rafted” together, temporarily obstructing some views from on board the ships. Exact docking locations will be available 24-72 hours prior to embarkation. Before your cruise’s docking location is available, you can download a map of all possible docking sites for your embarkation city at www.AvalonWaterwaysPorts.com. Once your ship’s docking assignment is available, you can download a map that shows only that specific location, including address.
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Are Avalon River Cruises Handicap Accessible?
Avalon Waterways makes reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled and mobility impaired travellers but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so. Because we cannot provide individual assistance to travellers in many situations, and most of our transportation services are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, we recommend that you view our terms and conditions for details or contact us to learn more.
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Internet Access
All Avalon ships in Europe have complimentary Wi-Fi available. On the Mekong and Ganges, complimentary Wi-Fi access is available in the Panorama Lounge. The signal is not always reliable, as you will be cruising through remote areas. To access the ship's Wi-Fi Internet network, you will be given a PIN number at reception to use on your laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Wi-Fi is not available in the Amazon or Galápagos.
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Onboard Language
The language on board is English. All staff, crew, and tour guides speak English. All announcements and commentary will be in English.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Sunday
Oct 04, 2026 - Oct 11, 2026Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Avalon Waterways requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of avalon waterways charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.