This exciting new vacation introduces you to Salzburg and its surrounding area, and people and places along the Danube from Linz to Budapest, in the most active, engaged and fun ways imaginable. Spend 2 nights in Salzburg and enjoy a guided walk of the city, or if you prefer, a self-guided hike. We take you for a day to the Salzkammergut area where a variety of optional excursions are available: visit Emperor Franz Josef’s imperial villa in Bad Ischl, or choose from a variety of sporting options. You might even decide to join an excursion up a mountain to an ice cave! Then drive to Linz, via the Austrian Lake District, for one night before boarding your Avalon river cruise ship. The choice is always yours: whether you taste locally produced cheese and beer brewed by Trappist monks near Linz, or hike along an old smugglers’ route; bike to an ancient border defense near Mauthausen or visit World War II’s largest concentration camp; paddle a canoe or meet with a local produce grower in the Wachau Valley; be introduced to a count in his castle; take a jogging tour around Vienna, or visit the city when it first awakes; attend a medieval knights’ tournament in Visegrad and end your vacation with one night in Budapest, and maybe choose to learn some Hungarian? And all the while enjoy the comfort of your Avalon ship, with its delectable meals and warm, personal service. Certainly your home from home while you explore your new surroundings every day.

City Highlights

Cruise: deluxe 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection BedsSMDay 1 Munich–transfer to Salzburg: welcome to SalzburgDay 2 Salzburg. Excursion to Salzkammergut area: free day in Salzburg, or travel to Salzkammergut; choice of mountain hike up the Siriuskogel, or guided walk of Bad Ischl including the Imperial VillaDay 3 Salzburg–Linz: afternoon transfer to Linz by motorcoachDay 4 Linz (Embarkation): choice of guided city walk, or history tour, or a casual hike across to Mount Pöstlingberg; onboard welcome receptionDay 5 Engelhartszell–Schlögen Oxbow Scenic Cruising–Linz: choice of visit to Engelszell Abbey to tour its brewery, enjoy a tasting, and explore its sensory garden, or guided hiking tour to retrace the WWII smugglers route; choice of scenic cruising around the Schlögen Oxbow or guided hike on the Danube TrailDay 6 Linz–Mauthausen–Grein–Spitz: choice of visit to St. Florian Monastery, guided tour of Mauthausen Concentration Camp, or bike tour; scenic cruising through the Strudengau; guided walk in Grein, visit the historical theater and a castle to meet the owner; scenic cruising past Melk Abbey Day 7 Spitz–Wachau Valley–Vienna: choice of canoe tour down the Danube; bike tour from Spitz to Krems with sightseeing in Dürnstein and chance to sample local specialties; Wine World Experience with tasting; or local encounter showcasing regional products with included snack and beverage; Wachau Valley scenic cruisingDays 8 & 9 Vienna: choice of bike tour, jogging tour, encounter with area business people, or city sightseeing tour with visit of Belvedere Palace to see Klimt’s Kiss; choice of early riser walking tour with breakfast at a Viennese café and entrance to Habsburg private art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts; Habsburg collection entrance with time in the Italian & Dutch Masters Gallery; or Habsburg collection entrance with Military Museum visitDay 10 Visegrad–Budapest: in Visegrad, choice of medieval knights tournament or guided hiking in Danube-Ipoly National Park; scenic cruising around the Danube Bend; onboard gala farewell dinnerDay 11 Budapest (Disembarkation): choice of walking tour with language lesson, guided bike tour, or city sightseeing tourDay 12 Budapest: your vacation ends this morning

Meals

Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions with sparkling wine and canapésWelcome dinnerDaily Afternoon TeaDaily Night FareFarewell dinnerComplimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner are included daily on board your vesselBreakfast daily in Salzburg and Linz

Notes

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 becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); the responsibility for obtaining a visa rests with the traveler.

PRODUCT_LINE: AVALON-WLBM-2017