Festive Season on the Blue Danube Discovery with 2 Nights in Budapest 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 10-day tour that takes you through the heart of Europe, from the shimmering city of Budapest to the historic charm of Nuremberg. This multi-day tour is a feast for the senses, offering a blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant local cultures. Experience the magic of the festive season in Europe's most iconic cities, with visits to Christmas markets, guided city sightseeing tours, and tastings of local delicacies. Whether you're exploring the gilded landmarks of Vienna, marveling at the frescoed ceilings of Melk's Benedictine Abbey, or strolling through the charming Christkindlmarkt in Passau, this tour promises a unique and unforgettable journey.
Included
Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
Avalon Fresh® healthy cuisine options at every meal
Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
Daily breakfast buffet with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and daily a la carte specials
Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Daily lunch buffet featuring regional specialties, classic dishes, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and rotating chef’s features including carving & pasta stations. Alternatively, you may dine al fresco at our Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather and itinerary permitting) or enjoy a light lunch in the Panorama Lounge.
Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Avalon FlexDining® flexible dining times with menu & venue options
Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan, low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, high energy and allergy-free selections
Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
New in 2023 - included Happy Hour every evening featuring house beer, wine, cocktails and a drink of the day
Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day
Avalon Passion or similar
2 hotel night stays in Budapest
7 nights stateroom accommodation
Comfort Collection BedsSM with choice of mattress firmness
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Bathrobes & slippers
Premium L'Occitane bath products
Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
Individual climate control and in-room safe
USB Ports
And, much more
Avalon Passion: Avalon Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite, Avalon Panorama: Avalon Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite, Avalon Illumination: Avalon Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Panoramic windows throughout the ship
Elegant, contemporary design & decor
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Covered Observation Lounge
Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Elevator
Non-smoking interior and staterooms
Avalon Waterways offers a selection of included excursions in every port of call, with something for everyone within their "Classic", "Discovery" and "Active" collections
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Budapest
- Budapest - Arrival day
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Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's captivating capital. The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city's charm on the banks of the Danube.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Budapest
- Budapest
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- Heroes' Square
- Széchenyi Chain Bridge
- Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden
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Enjoy a guided city sightseeing tour, including the iconic Heroes' Square. Spend the afternoon exploring the city's famous sights like the Chain Bridge and don't miss the unique Christmas market that Budapest hosts every year during the festive season.
Day 3 – Day 3: From Budapest to Vienna
- Budapest
- Vienna
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- Gödöllő Palace
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Spend the day exploring Budapest at your own pace. Take time to photograph the Royal Palace grounds before boarding your Suite Ship for an overnight cruise to Vienna.
Day 4 – Day 4: Vienna and the Beautiful Blue Danube
- Vienna
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- Austrian Gallery Belvedere
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Enjoy sailing the Danube, sharing miles with Hungary and Slovakia. See the red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing to Vienna. In the evening, you may choose to join an optional excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert.
Day 5 – Day 5: Vienna's Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions
- Vienna
- Krems an der Donau
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- Imperial Treasury Vienna
- Wilhelmswarte
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Vienna Music Society
- St. Stephen's Cathedral
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Explore the Habsburg empire on a guided city tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral. Spend free time enjoying the Christkindlesmarkt or relaxing in a Viennese café. You may also choose to join a guided optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace.
Day 6 – Day 6: Christmas Magic in Austria's Wine Country
- Krems an der Donau
- Melk
- Passau
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- Wachau
- Melk Abbey
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Join a guided walk to explore the small valley town of Krems. During lunchtime, sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. Take a guided tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
Day 7 – Day 7: The Confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers
- Passau
- Regensburg
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- Schaiblingsturm
- Sulzer Wasserfall
- St. Stephan's Cathedral, Passau
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Join a guided city walk to learn more about the beautiful 'City of Three Rivers', Passau. Spend some free time in Passau's charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral. Alternatively, join a full-day guided optional excursion to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas.
Day 8 – Day 8: Christmas Magic in Bavaria
- Regensburg
- Bamberg
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- Weltenburg Abbey
- Porta Praetoria
- Old Town Hall
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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. Take time to browse Regensburg's sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.
Day 9 – Day 9: Legends and History Lessons in Nuremberg
- Bamberg
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- Römische Thermen
- Nuremberg lock
- Handwerkerhof Nürnberg
- Lichtenau Fortress
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Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture onboard. Choose a guided sightseeing of Nuremberg, with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, or take a guided tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds. Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg, sampling favorite Bavarian fare.
Day 10 – Day 10: Farewell to Nuremberg
- Bamberg - Departure day
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Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. We hope you enjoyed your journey through the heart of Europe and look forward to welcoming you again on your next adventure.
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