Discover some of the continent's best-kept secrets on this river cruise through Central and Eastern Europe, from Prague to Bucharest. Spend three nights in Prague, an overnight in Bucharest, and plenty of leisure time in Budapest and Vienna to explore on your own. Guided sightseeing in each city shows you the highlights, with inside visits of Hradcany Castle in Prague, Melk's awe-inspiring Benedictine Abbey, Fishermen's Bastion in Budapest, Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, and Patriarch's Church in Veliko Tarnovo. Also cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge and Main Danube Canal, enjoy an organ concert in Kalocsa, and stop in the Puszta for an exhibition of Hungarian horsemanship. Historical sites, cultural events, splendid scenery, and sumptuous cuisine-this cruise has it all!

Highlights & Sightseeing

CRUISE:
Deluxe 14-night cruise from Nuremberg to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

PRAGUE:
Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds

NUREMBERG:
Welcome reception; guided sightseeing

MAIN DANUBE CANAL:
Cruise in the canal

REGENSBURG:
Guided sightseeing; beer tasting

PASSAU:
Guided sightseeing

MELK:
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey

VIENNA:
Guided sightseeing

BUDAPEST:
Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen's Bastion; Puszta excursion with display of horsemanship

KALOCSA:
Orientation; organ concert

PECS:
Orientation

NOVI SAD:
Guided sightseeing, see Petrovaradin Fortress

BELGRADE:
Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress

IRON GATES:
Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan Table

VELIKO TARNOVO:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch's Church

ARBANASSI:
Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity

VARNA:
Guided sightseeing, visit the National Archaeological Museum

BUCHAREST:
Guided sightseeing, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art Museum

Meals

Full buffet breakfast in Prague and Bucharest; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a welcome reception, Captain's reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements.

Hotels

PRAGUE Hilton (SF) or InterContinental (SF), BUCHAREST Athenee Palace Hilton (SF)

Notes:

• In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Due to closure of locks on the Main Danube Canal for maintenance reasons, embarkation for departure April 25 (Imagery) will be in Passau and there will be some modifications to the itinerary. Check with our travel consultants for more information.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

  It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.

  • Panoramic windows throughout every ship.
  • Spacious designs provide personal space.
  • Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
  • Headsets for shore excursions.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
  • Personalized room options & excursions.
  • Highest-quality craftsmanship.
  • Premium coffees, cappuccinos and lattes.
  • Coffee self-serve beverage station.
  • A lounge serving premium spirit cocktails.
  • Maintain your routine in the fitness center.
  • The Comfort Collection by AvalonSM.
  • Premium L'Occitane bath amenities.
  • Daily early- and late-riser breakfast.
  • Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
  • Complimentary juices with breakfast.
  • Made-to-order egg station at breakfast.
  • Complimentary soft drinks with lunch.
  • Chef-inspired regional recipes.
  • Four-course dinners with open seating.
  • Choice of appetizers, soups & salads.
  • Nightly option of entree, dessert or cheese.
  • Complimentary regional wines at dinner.
  • Free soft drinks or beer with dinner.
  • Night Fare served at 10:30 p.m.
  • Remarkable service through the cruise.
  • English-speaking crew.
  • Non-smoking interior.
  • Large bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels.
  • Spacious 3-door closets for ample storage.
  • And, much more.

    Day 1 Arrive in Prague, Czech Republic

    Welcome to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. The city straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires and pinnacles highlighting its skyline.

    Day 2 Prague

    Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures such as the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. (Breakfast)

    Day 3 Prague

    A free day for you to explore the city at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have other suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast)

    Day 4 Prague-Nuremberg, Germany (Embarkation)

    After lunch, drive to Nuremberg, where your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)

    Day 5 Nuremberg

    Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg's traditions include its famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 6 Regensburg

    Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights included on your tour are the Old Town Hall and the Pretoria-gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Before dinner we'll introduce you to some of Germany's FAMOUS BEERS. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 7 Passau-Linz, Austria

    Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Linz, Austria's third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 8 Melk-Vienna

    Melk's magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. This evening, arrive in Vienna, known as the "City of Music," which inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. An optional concert is available tonight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 9 Vienna

    Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria's capital has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your city tour. Shop in the Karntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood cafe. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
    

    Days 10-11 Budapest, Hungary

    Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Not far from the city and an integral part of Hungarian rural life is the PUSZTA, the vast grasslands where the country's beloved fiery horses are reared. (B,L,D daily)

    Day 12 Kalocsa-Pecs

    Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. This quiet town, which is best known for paprika and folklore art, is dominated by the Archbishop's Palace and Kalocsa Cathedral. Here, enjoy an ORGAN CONCERT before continuing to Pecs, Hungary's fifth-largest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 13 Novi Sad, Serbia

    Overlooking the city of Novi Sad, with a spectacular view of the Danube and surroundings, is Marshal Vauban's unconquerable Petrovaradin Fortress. Dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 14 Belgrade

    The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A local expert will be proud to show you its main sights, which include the city's principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS; St. Sava, the world's largest Orthodox Church; and Marshal Tito's tomb and monument. The city center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafes. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 15 Iron Gates

    The Serbian fortresses of Smederevo and Golubac and the Trajan Table marking the Roman conquest of Dacia are impressive sights on the right bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the IRON GATES, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing Europe's Alps in the northwest from the Carpathians in the southeast and forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 16 Svistov, Bulgaria. Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi-Rousse

    A comfortable ride away from the river port of Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of the Royal Fortress, palaces, and the PATRIARCH'S CHURCH. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Today, Rousse is Bulgaria's largest inland port. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 17 Silistra, Bulgaria. Excursion to Varna, Black Sea

    Located in northeastern Bulgaria at the country's border with Romania, Silistra is a port city and the capital of an important agricultural region. After breakfast, travel by road to Varna. This city on the Black Sea is not only an important naval base and sea resort, but also has a long history. Roman baths are among the younger artifacts. During your sightseeing you will visit the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, home of the Gold of Varna, as featured in National Geographic some years ago. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Day 18 Oltenita (Disembarkation)-Bucharest

    Bucharest, Romania's lively capital, is only a short drive from Oltenita. Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained it the name "Paris of the East." During the included tour this afternoon, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. (Breakfast)

    Day 19 Bucharest

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)