Danube Dreams (Westbound) (Visionary)
Danube Dreams (Westbound) (Visionary)
Danube Dreams (Westbound) (Visionary)
8 Days Starting in Budapest, Hungary and ending in Vilshofen, Germany
Visiting: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Wachau Valley, Linz, Passau, Vilshofen
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the enchanting "Danube Dreams (Westbound)" river cruise aboard the Visionary, exploring the heart of Europe through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. Begin your journey in Budapest with a warm onboard reception, followed by a guided tour or an adventurous hike. Sail to Bratislava for a choice of sightseeing or a castle hike, then immerse yourself in Vienna's imperial grandeur with options for guided tours or cycling. Discover the Wachau Valley's stunning landscapes and Melk's Benedictine Abbey. In Linz, explore historic sites or cycle along the Danube. Cruise through the scenic Schlogen Oxbow to Passau, where you can enjoy a guided city walk or a hike. Conclude your voyage in Vilshofen, leaving with unforgettable memories of Europe's cultural and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Budapest,Hungary (Embarkation)
Location: Budapest
Accommodation Name: Suite Ship
Meals Included: Dinner
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION) 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 the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST(D)
Day 2: Budapest
Location: Budapest
Accommodation Name: Suite Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of EuropeVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.This afternoon, choose among a wide selection of Optional Guided Excursions or take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying some free time exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA(B,L,D)
Day 3: Bratislava,Slovakia
Location: Bratislava
Accommodation Name: Suite Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral.
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral.This afternoon, enjoy free time to discover on your own Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city center. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA(B,L,D)
Day 4: Vienna
Location: Vienna
Accommodation Name: Suite Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
VIENNA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the former imperial summer home of the Habsburg monarchy. Spend free time strolling in the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna or take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN(B,L,D)
Day 5: Dürnstein. Excursion To Melk,Wachau Valley
Location: Wachau Valley
Accommodation Name: Suite Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.
DÜRNSTEIN. EXCURSION TO MELK–WACHAU VALLEY A King’s Ransom and Castle RuinsCLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Linz. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ(B,L,D)
Day 6: Linz
Location: Linz
Accommodation Name: Suite Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.
LINZ Legendary, Lovely LinzAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.ACTIVE Experience Danube's cycle path, follow your Adventure Host for a bike ride around the area of LinzAlternatively, consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ(B,L,D)
Day 7: Schlögen Oxbow,Passau,Germany
Location: Passau
Accommodation Name: Suite Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”
SCHLÖGEN OXBOW–PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Before sailing to Vilshofen, take a little free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal. EVENING CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN(B,L,D)
Day 8: Vilshofen (Disembarkation)
Location: Vilshofen
Meals Included: Breakfast
VILSHOFEN (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am.(B)
What's Included
-
Onboard Welcome Reception
Enjoy a welcome reception onboard the cruise ship upon embarkation in Budapest.
-
Guided Tours
Participate in guided tours in various cities including Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Linz, and Passau.
-
Adventure Host Activities
Engage in activities with your Adventure Host, such as hiking and biking in selected locations.
-
Meals
Enjoy daily meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the cruise.
-
Live Entertainment
Experience live entertainment onboard the ship during the cruise.
-
Scenic Cruising
Enjoy scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley and the Schlogen Oxbow.
What's Not Included
-
Visa Requirements
Travelers are responsible for obtaining their own visas as required.
-
Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as visits to Schobrunn Palace and Royal Waltz Concerts are not included.
-
Flights
Flights to and from the cruise starting and ending points are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is the responsibility of the traveler.
-
Alterations Due to Conditions
Itinerary alterations due to technical, water level, or weather conditions are not covered.
Mode of Transport
Experience a scenic river cruise along the Danube, with overnight docking in cities like Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Linz, providing a seamless and relaxing travel experience.
Accommodation
In Budapest, enjoy luxurious stays at the InterContinental Budapest and the Budapest Marriott, offering comfort and elegance in the heart of the city.
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
-
What time should I arrive in Budapest for the cruise embarkation?
Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm, and guests must be on board the ship by 5 pm.
-
What activities are available in Budapest on the first day?
On the first day in Budapest, you have the day to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections before the onboard welcome reception.
-
What options are available for exploring Bratislava?
In Bratislava, you can choose between a guided city walk through Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral or a hike up to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host.
-
What can I expect to see during the guided tour in Vienna?
The guided tour in Vienna includes exploring the Habsburg empire's gilded landmarks, such as the Imperial Palace complex, the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
-
What is the highlight of the excursion to Melk in the Wachau Valley?
The highlight of the excursion to Melk is a guided tour of the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, known for its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
-
What is unique about the Schlögen Oxbow section of the cruise?
The Schlögen Oxbow is a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river, offering scenic cruising through this picturesque part of the Danube.
-
What should I consider regarding flights after the cruise ends in Vilshofen?
Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am on the day the cruise ends in Vilshofen.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
Save on this tour
Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!
Send me one now.1 Select your preferred date
Monday - Monday
Mar 30, 2026 - Apr 06, 2026Monday - Monday
Apr 13, 2026 - Apr 20, 2026Monday - Monday
Apr 27, 2026 - May 04, 2026Monday - Monday
May 11, 2026 - May 18, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 10, 2026 - Jun 17, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 24, 2026 - Jul 01, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 08, 2026 - Jul 15, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 22, 2026 - Jul 29, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 05, 2026 - Aug 12, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 19, 2026 - Aug 26, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 02, 2026 - Sep 09, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 16, 2026 - Sep 23, 2026Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 30, 2026 - Oct 07, 2026Friday - Friday
Oct 16, 2026 - Oct 23, 2026Friday - Friday
Oct 30, 2026 - Nov 06, 2026Friday - Friday
Nov 13, 2026 - Nov 20, 2026Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.