Few things are more breathtaking than a river cruise down the legendary waterways of Europe, and Avalon Waterways has designed a 13-day voyage from Amsterdam to Vienna that sails the magnificent Rhine, Main and Danube rivers; a feat that wasn’t possible until the completion of the Main-Danube canal in the early 1990’s. Now, a remarkable series of locks transports your river cruise ship from the Main river to the Danube, effectively uniting the continent’s waterway system and allowing voyages from Amsterdam that traverse as far as the Black Sea.
Departing March 24, June 6, and August 11, 2012, these 13-day European Splendor itineraries offer some of the best ports for both experienced and first-time river cruisers, and the nearly two-week duration ensures that your time here is enjoyable and well-spent. If you want, you can add extra nights pre-cruise in Amsterdam or post-cruise in Vienna.
The full itinerary:
| DAY | PORT | ACTIVITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Arrival & transfer to ship; welcome aboard dinner. |
| Day 2 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Take part in a canal cruise; free time to explore. |
| Day 3 | Cologne, Germany | Guided sightseeing; be sure to try one of the local beers. |
| Day 4 | Rhine Gorge - Rudesheim, Germany | Scenic cruising Rhine Gorge; guided tour & free time in Rudesheim. |
| Day 5 | Miltenberg, Germany | Visit the medieval Renaissance houses & Merchant Hall; learn how to bake a local specialty in the afternoon. |
| Day 6 | Wurzburg, Germany | Guided sightseeing; visit the Bishop's Residenz. |
| Day 7 | Bamberg, Germany | Guided sightseeing; visit the Old Town Hall |
| Day 8 | Nuremberg, Germany | Guided sightseeing; visit Medieval Nuremberg and sample some of the local gingerbread known as Lebkuchen. |
| Day 9 | Regensburg, Germany | Guided sightseeing; beer tasting. |
| Day 10 | Passau, Germany | Explore this fantastic medieval town and visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, housing the world's largest church organ. |
| Day 11 | Grein / Melk, Austria | Guided Sightseeing in Grein; Explore the Benedictine Abbey in Melk. |
| Day 12 | Vienna, Austria | Guided sightseeing; free time; experience an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. |
| Day 13 | Vienna, Austria | Disembark |
In addition to the thirteen spectacular days spent exploring some of the most picturesque and historic European cities, you can also revel in your home away from home, the stunning Avalon Imagery. A sister-ship to the Avalon Tapestry, both ships are easily distinguished by their immense double-deck walls of floor-to-ceiling glass that adorn the forward end of the ship, and by their aft-mounted navigation bridge and engine equipment that allows guests a quieter, smoother cruise down the waterways of Europe.
Staterooms onboard the Avalon Imagery range from comfortable Deluxe Oceanview staterooms at 172 square feet to the top-of-the-line 258-square foot Avalon Suite. For cruisers wanting the best of both worlds, a French Balcony stateroom is the perfect choice; after all, there’s nothing like waking up and cracking open the door of your very own balcony to take in the sights and scents of the Old World.
More information on this and other Avalon Waterways voyages can be found on our dedicated Avalon Waterways page right here on River Cruise Advisor!
