Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.
We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow. Enjoy VIP inclusions and world-class experiences at budget-friendly prices.
Embrace your independent spirit with the freedom to discover the world without getting lost. Enjoy independent travel confidently with guided sightseeing, loads of free time, and a knowledgeable Monograms Local Host in each destination.
Happiness flows on an Avalon river cruise. From Asia to South America and Europe to the Nile, you’ll cruise in relaxed luxury with river cruising’s widest views of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
2022 Season
Enchanted Europe with 2 Nights in Lucerne for Beer Enthusiasts (Westbound)
cruise: WBZ1-T1
18 days from Budapest to Lucerne
Your Danube River vacation begins with an evening cruise from Budapest to Vienna, followed by Dürnstein and Melk in Austria’s beautiful Wachau Valley. Cruise from Austria to Germany as you sail to Passau, then the Bavarian city of Regensburg to see the 12th-century Old Town Hall. For beer enthusiasts, a knowledgeable Beer Expert joins the secondo portion of your cruise to host lectures, beer tasting, and food-and-beer-pairings for an authentic German and France River cruise experience. Cruise to Nuremberg to choose from three guided excursions—a guided tour of Roth, a Nuremberg city sightseeing, or a tour of the notorious Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII. In the afternoon, enjoy a hop garden tour while tasting also a local beer. From Nuremberg, join a full-day excursion to Munich before sailing to Frankfurt for guided sightseeing. Later enjoy a local beer tour. Next, cruise to Rüdesheim and through the magnificent Rhine Gorge. Your European river cruise stops in splendid Strasbourg, France, with its Gothic cathedral towering above its stained glass and murals, before cruising to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the magical Black Forest. Enjoy a day of storybook surroundings, sumptuous bakery specialties (such as Black Forest Cake), and a glimpse into generations of authentic Bavarian life.
Disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, and begin your Monograms vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus and a walking tour in Lucerne. Your Monograms® vacation package includes a Local Host® to arrange your sightseeing, free-time recommendations, and any other assistance you need during your 2-night stay in Lucerne. Your river cruise on Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers and vacation package in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.
cruise
at-a-glance
Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Vienna: Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; free time in Vienna in the evening
Day 3 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Dürnstein–Wachau Valley–Melk: In Dürnstein choice of guided tour or a hike up to the castle ruins with your Adventure Host; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Ab-bey in Melk or hike with your Adventure Host; onboard wine tasting
Day 5 Passau: Guided walk
Day 6 Regensburg: Choice of guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 7 Roth. Excursion to Nuremberg: On board lecture; choice of guided sightseeing in Roth or hike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; onboard beer tasting
Day 8 Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich: Full-day guided tour in Munich
Day 9 Bamberg: Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host; visit of a hop garden; onboard beer lecture
Day 10 Würzburg: Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 11 Main River Village: Guided tour; onboard beer tasting
Day 12 Frankfurt: Choice of guided tour in Frankfurt or guided tour in Seligenstadt or bike with your Adven-ture Host; local beer tour
Day 13 Boppard–Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim: Time at leisure in Boppard; cruise through the Rhine Gorge; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim or hike with your Adven-ture Host; onboard food and beer pairing dinner
Day 14 Strasbourg: Onboard beer and cheese tasting; guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral
Day 15 Breisach. Excursion to Black Forest: Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to a local winery in Breisach or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 16 Basel (Disembarkation)–Mount Pilatus–Lucerne: Excursion to Mount Pilatus (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); guided walking tour in Lucerne with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
Day 17 Lucerne: Full day at leisure
Day 18 Lucerne: Your vacation ends this morning
highlights
cities and locations
Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises.
Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
personalize your trip
start sooner, stay longer
Avalon makes it easy to experience vacation your way with seamless extension options before and after your cruise. YouWay offers added nights in a selection of locales. From Budapest to Bucharest, you can spend a little or a lot more time getting to know more on shore with YourWay custom itineraries.
available cruise options (2)
Enchanted Europe (Westbound)
16 Day River Cruise Budapest to Basel
starting at
$9,470
$8,370
Enchanted Europe with 2 Nights in Budapest (Westbound)
18 Day River Cruise Budapest to Basel
starting at
$10,101
$9,001
available special interest cruises (2)
Enchanted Europe with 2 Nights in Lucerne for Beer Enthusiasts (Westbound)
18 days from Budapest to Lucerne
current selection
starting at
$10,884
$9,784
Enchanted Europe with 2 Nights in Budapest for Beer Enthusiasts (Westbound)
18 Day River Cruise Budapest to Basel
starting at
$10,101
$9,001
The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.