Your European river cruise adventure begins in romantic and exciting Vienna, the capital of Austria, and ends with three nights in Munich, the Bavarian capital. Since this is a cruise with a “foodie” theme, there’ll be culinary treats and tastings and an exclusive onboard food and wine-pairing dinner hosted by our Master of Wine.

Known as the “City of Music,” Vienna inspired the creative genius of Beethoven, Mozart, and Strauss. Join your Local Guide for a traditional tour of the city, or participate in a culinary walk, ending with a cooking class! In your free time, stroll along the pedestrian walkway, Kärntnerstrasse, or try a piece of Apfelstrudel in an elegant Viennese café. Cruise along the Danube River to Dürnstein, in the heart of the Wachau Valley, famous for its baroque Stiftskirche; and later in Melk, visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey. Savor local cheeses and wine in a tasting hosted by a Master of Wine and prepare your taste buds for a food and wine-pairing dinner with wines especially chosen for this occasion. Explore Passau, the “City of Three Rivers,” with its narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses or join a tour focusing on German and Austrian culinary traditions.

For a change of pace, travel by motorcoach to Munich, where a Local Guide shows you the famous attractions. Then explore on your own, and be sure to savor a local beer in a traditional stein, as you relax alongside the locals at a Biergarten. Step into a fairytale on an excursion that visits one of the most dreamlike castles in all of Europe—Neuschwanstein Castle—said to have inspired the tales of Walt Disney. And the magic of the day continues as you travel to Oberammergau, an idyllic village known for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play, as well as its typical Bavarian houses, many painted with scenes from fairytales. A befitting end to this marvelous European river cruise vacation!

City Highlights

Day 1 Vienna (Embarkation): onboard welcome receptionDay 2 Vienna: guided sightseeing or Vienna culinary walk with cooking classDay 3 Dürnstein–Melk: guided walk in Dürnstein; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; wine and cheese tastingDay 4 Grein–Linz: guided walk of Grein, visit the historical theater; onboard food and wine pairing dinnerDay 5 Linz–Passau: guided walk in Passau or Passau culinary walkDay 6 Passau (Disembarkation)–Munich: travel by motorcoach to MunichDay 7 Munich: guided sightseeing, see the MarienplatzDay 8 Munich. Excursion to Neuschwanstein & Oberammergau: visit Neuschwanstein Castle; free time in OberammergauDay 9 Munich: your vacation ends this morning

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.

PRODUCT_LINE: AVALON-WVP-T1-2018