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2024 Season

Go Tell the Bees... Danube Dreams Come True with Diana Gabaldon


cruise: WDB-T3
8 Day River Cruise Vilshofen to Budapest
A NOVEL VACATION… Bound to be the most memorable trip of 2024 (or a lifetime), author of the No. 1 New York Times-bestselling OUTLANDER series, Diana Gabaldon, is personally hosting a Storyteller cruise with Avalon Waterways on the Danube River in 2024. It’s your once-in-a-lifetime chance to sail with a small group of fellow fans and get exclusive OUTLANDER insights, with your favorite author… FOR A WEEK!

Diana Gabaldon has added to the rich tapestry of our lives while also inspiring travel with her stories. In her OUTLANDER series of novels and novellas – now an award-winning series on STARZ – she has brought to life the backdrops of Scotland, North America, France, and Germany as well as dozens of fascinating historical sites across the globe. OUTLANDER can be found in 114 countries and 38 languages, with millions of copies in print worldwide.

On board your Suite Ship, this renowned storyteller will share an inspired cruise – and daily excursions – with an intimate group of her fans, including conducting a book-signing, Q&A, plus countless opportunities to interact at dinners, Happy Hours and while sailing through the winding, bending, picturesque landscapes of Europe.

Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way. Visit Passau, Germany—called the “City of Three Rivers” at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Explore the city with a Local Guide and admire the patrician houses and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Linz, Austria, see the Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square that forms the center of the city. Enjoy the magnificent views as your river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Wachau Valley. In Dürnstein, see the famous blue and white Stiftskirche and taste some of the local wines. Vienna, the “City of Music,” makes an immediate impression with its lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a guided walk takes you through the delightful Old Town and to the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, see the most famous sights with a local expert. In your free time stroll along the main shopping street of Váci utca, or take pictures from Fisherman’s Bastion, for the best panoramic views of Budapest.

This Danube River cruise explores the legendary beauty and remarkable destinations you’ll never forget.
Diana Gabaldon

Disappear on a Magical Sailing with Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon is the author of the award-winning, No. 1 New York Times-bestselling OUTLANDER novels and is described by Salon magazine as “the smartest historical sci-fi adventure-romance story ever written by a science Ph.D. with a background in scripting ’Scrooge McDuck‘ comics.”

A scientist with a Ph.D. in Quantitative Behavioral Ecology and a specialty in scientific computation, Ms. Gabaldon jumped the academic rails in 1991, when the adventure began with the classic OUTLANDER, and has continued through seven more New York Times-bestselling novels, with 26 million copies in print worldwide, in 40 countries and 36 languages.

In 2014, STARZ created a popular television series (also called “OUTLANDER”) based on Ms. Gabaldon’s books.


cruise

at-a-glance


Day 1 Vilshofen (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception; meet special Storyteller Host Diana Gabaldon, best-selling author of the OUTLANDER series of books.

Day 2 Passau: Choice of guided walk or hike with your Adventure Host; Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising; onboard book-signing with Storyteller Host Diana Gabaldon

Day 3 Linz: Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column

Day 4 Ybbs. Excursion to Melk –Wachau Valley–Dürnstein: Choice of guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or guided tour in Ybbs with Artstetten Castle visit; cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided walk, or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein

Day 5 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 6 Bratislava: Choice of guided sightseeing in Bratislava, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral or hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host; plus onboard Q&A with Storyteller Host Diana Gabaldon

Day 7 Budapest: Scenic cruising into Budapest; choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Budapest (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

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.

The “Starting at” or “From” listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on double occupancy and any applicable 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 limited-time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.