AVALON – Austrian Highlights and Bavaria – 9 days
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Introduction
On this wonderful cruise on the Danube River, visit the capital, Vienna, and many charming Austrian towns including Melk, Dürnstein, and Grein before heading into Germany’s Bavaria region. First, enjoy Vienna, with its spectacular museums and awe-inspiring St Stephen’s Cathedral. Explore Dürnstein, a small town above which stands the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Visit magnificent Melk Abbey, and Grein’s quaint historical theatre. Next, see Munich, delightful Oberammergau, and the fairytale castles of Linderhof and Neuschwanstein.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Mon) Vienna. Arrive in Vienna where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for five nights. Relax before meeting your crew at a welcome reception. (D)
Day 2 (Tue) Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the ‘City of Music’, Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. On your included guided city tour, see the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys’ Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, awe-inspiring St Stephen’s Cathedral and the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House. Stroll on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrüdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. An optional concert is available during your stay. (B, L, D)
Day 3 (Wed) Dürnstein – Melk. Included today: Guided walk in Dürnstein; choice of guided visit to Melk’s Benedictine Abbey or Schallaburg Castle; wine tasting. This morning, we visit Dürnstein, set right in the heart of the romantic Wachau Valley wine region and known for its pretty baroque blue Stiftskirche. Above the town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Explore this picturesque town on your own or join an optional excursion. During lunch, sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley to Melk. Enjoy a guided tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The splendour of the church with its marble statues, frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar and 210-foot-high cupola is inspiring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. Alternatively, visit Schallaburg Castle, built as a defensive stronghold 900 years ago, but was later redesigned as a lavish princely home. This evening you’ll have the chance to sample some of the region’s famous wines. (B, L, D)
Day 4 (Thu) Grein – Linz. Included today: Guided walk in Grein. This morning, arrive in the attractive country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff and overlooked by its castle. Take a guided walk through the town and visit the unique historical theatre, the oldest in Austria. Take a behind-the-scenes look to learn about the curiosities of this Rococo-style theatre which will tell you much about life as it was, and is now, in this small town. Alternatively, you can try a choice of optional excursions. This afternoon, cruise to Linz, Austria’s third-largest city and an important river port. Culture is an important part of life in Linz; the composer Anton Bruckner lived here and Mozart’s Linzer Symphony was composed in the city. Enjoy some free time to explore independently. (B, L, D)
Day 5 (Fri) Linz – Passau. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Today, relax on board as you cruise towards Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk which includes St Stephen’s Cathedral, home to one of the world’s largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes. (B, L, D)
Day 6 (Sat) Passau – Munich. Disembark your ship this morning and drive to Munich, capital of Bavaria, where you will be transferred to the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost for three nights. The afternoon is free to explore at leisure or perhaps join the optional excursion to Salzburg. (B)
Day 7 (Sun) Munich. Included today: Guided sightseeing, see the Marienplatz. This morning, a Local Guide will show you the highlights including Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, the Old and New Town Halls and the striking Gothic Frauenkirche. Later, enjoy free time to explore. Watch the famous Glockenspiel, explore the Viktualienmarkt, visit St Peter’s church or a large and popular fresh produce market with a traditional maypole. Or, why not visit one of the many Biergartens or breweries to sample one of the Bavarian beer specialties? (B)
Day 8 (Mon) Munich. Included today: Excursion to Neuschwanstein and Oberammergau. This morning, drive into the garden-like landscapes of the Bavarian Alps and visit King Ludwig’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, perched high above the village of Hohenschwangau. Later, continue to the town of Oberammergau, famous for its once-a-decade production of the Passion Play. After some free time to admire the traditional Bavarian houses, many beautifully painted with trompe l’oeil, end your day with a visit to the smallest of King Ludwig’s three castles – Linderhof Palace, inspired by Paris’ Palace of Versailles. (B)
Day 9 (Tue) Munich. Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
Featured Hotel – Sofitel Munich Bayerpost
Price & dates
All prices and supplements are per person. The prices and departure dates listed in the table below do not show live availability therefore may not be up-to-date. To find out the latest availability please call us on 0800 612 5677 for information.
| Departure Date | Booking Code | Your Ship | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Apr 2015 | WVP5 | Avalon Vista | £1265 | Includes £1,000 per person saving |
| 28 Apr 2015 | WVP2 | Avalon Illumination | £1239 | Includes £1,000 per person sailing |
| 27 May 2015 | WVP | Avalon Artistry II | £1279 | Includes saving of £1,000 per person |
| 17 Jul 2015 | WVP3 | Avalon Affinity | £2229 | |
| 06 Sep 2015 | WVP | Avalon Artistry II | £2226 | |
| 27 Sep 2015 | WVP3 | Avalon Affinity | £2259 | |
| 09 Oct 2015 | WVP4 | Avalon Expression | £2179 | Limited Availability |
Save at least £1,000 per person on sailings of 7, 28 April and 27 May. Prices shown include savings and are subject to availability
Upgrade supplements
| Category | Deck | Affinity | Artistry II Vista, Illumination Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Indigo | £85 | |
| B | Sapphire | £265 | £389 |
| A | Sapphire | £289 | £410 |
| P | Royal | £335 | £459 |
| Suite | Royal | £585 | £749 |
Travel Options
Prices are based on flights from Heathrow with British Airways. Flights are also available at a supplement from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Teesside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich.
The Avalon experience
Included Highlights
- VIENNA Guided sightseeing
- DÜRNSTEIN Guided walk, Stiftskirche
- MELK Choice of guided visit to Melk’s Benedictine Abbey or Schallaburg Castle; wine tasting
- GREIN Guided walk; visit the historical theatre
- PASSAU Guided walk
- MUNICH Guided sightseeing, see the Marienplatz; excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle, Oberammergau and Linderhof Palace
- WELCOME RECEPTION, CAPTAIN’S RECEPTION AND FAREWELL DINNER
Included in the price
- Private door-to-door home pick-up service by executive car for you and your travelling companions
- Flights from London Heathrow with British Airways; regional flights at a supplement
- 5 nights deluxe accommodation in a spacious stateroom with hotel-style beds, ensuite facilities and river views. Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors and a French balcony in most staterooms. 3 nights at the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost Hotel, Munich
- All meals on board including full breakfast, buffet lunch and waiter service dinner with quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions; afternoon tea with cakes and sweet treats; a choice of teas and coffees throughout the day. Buffet breakfast in Munich hotel
- Included excursions and sightseeing trips with Local Guides and a choice of optional tours; headsets provided on excursions
- Services of an experienced Cruise Director
- Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew
- On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music
- Welcome reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner
- All transfers, local port charges and airport taxes
- A choice of pre- or post- holiday extension
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