Day 1 Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland. Transfer to Basel (Embarkation)
Flights into Zürich must arrive before 3 pm. Your river cruise vessel is docked on the Rhine River in Basel, where France, Switzerland, and Germany meet. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)

Day 2 Strasbourg, France
Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries, and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and European Parliament. A Local Guide shows you the noteworthy sights: the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine region is available. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Mannheim–Mainz, Germany
After breakfast this morning, choose from an included guided excursion to either Germany’s ancient imperial city of SPEYER or to the university city of HEIDELBERG. Speyer, located on the left bank of the Rhine, was a bishopric and boasts a Romanesque CATHEDRAL with six imposing towers and the finest and largest crypt in Germany. Four Holy Roman Emperors and four German kings are buried in the impressive Royal Vault. Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town of Student Prince fame. Take pictures of the ruins of the imposing Heidelberg Castle, built of red sandstone and towering above the city. Rejoin your ship in Mainz and enjoy free time to explore this city on your own. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 Miltenberg–Wertheim
Time at leisure this morning in charming Miltenberg, a picturesque Bavarian village that thrived on income from river traffic. Its cultural wealth and affluence are reflected in the beautiful medieval and renaissance houses and the gothic splendor of the Merchant Hall. Wertheim, situated at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers, is known for its medieval town center, its castle, glass blowing, and its wine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Würzburg
Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The magnificent BISHOP’S RESIDENZ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Bamberg
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as you cruise gently up the Main River. This afternoon, arrive in medieval Bamberg, another beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significanceYour walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall straddling the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Nuremberg
Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses—all explained by a local expert. Nuremberg’s traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. Before dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Regensburg
Another peaceful morning of cruising as you head through picturesque Altmühltal to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour this afternoon include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria—gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. It is here you will find Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 12th-century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Passau–Linz, Austria
Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen’s Cathedral houses one of the world’s largest organs with more than 17,000 pipes. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Melk–Dürnstein
Today is dedicated to the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where so much of the excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. This morning, visit Melk’s impressive BENEDICTINE ABBEY, which towers over the town. Lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine while enjoying the scenery as you sail to Dürnstein, whose baroque blue and white Stiftskirche stands right on the river bank. Explore on your own or choose one of a variety of optional excursions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11 Vienna
Also known as the “City of Music,” Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, the city has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights your Local Guide will show you during your included tour. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12 Vienna (Disembarkation)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Four countries, three rivers, and the impressive Main Danube Canal are the basis of this delightful river cruise vacation. Start in Zürich, Switzerland, then travel to Basel to embark your river cruise vessel. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Regensburg, and Passau. From Mannheim, you have a choice of excursions—you can go to Heidelberg to see its imposing castle ruins or to Speyer to see its Romanesque cathedral. A stop in Melk includes a visit to the beautiful Benedictine Abbey. Guided orientations of the smaller towns show off their famous sights, and time in Nuremberg includes the chance to sample some of Germany’s world-famous beers. Your journey concludes in Vienna with guided sightseeing and time at leisure to explore this extraordinary “City of Music” on your own.

• Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
• Headsets for shore excursions.
• Daily early- and late-riser breakfast.
• Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
• Complimentary juices with breakfast.
• Complimentary soft drinks with lunch.
• Complimentary regional wines at dinner.
• Free soft drinks or beer with dinner.
• English-speaking crew.

• CRUISE: 11-night cruise from Basel to Vienna in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• BASEL: Welcome reception
• STRASBOURG: Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral
• MANNHEIM: Choice of excursion to Speyer or Heidelberg
• MILTENBERG: Orientation
• WERTHEIM: Orientation
• WÜRZBURG: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
• BAMBERG: Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall
• MAIN DANUBE CANAL: Cruise in the canal
• NUREMBERG: Guided sightseeing; beer tasting
• REGENSBURG: Guided sightseeing
• PASSAU: Guided walk
• MELK: Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
• DÜRNSTEIN: See the Stiftskirche
• VIENNA: Guided sightseeing

Outside cabin onboard the Avalon Affinity

To see our key for hotel ratings, click here.

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• 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 is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• Port charges: $198.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.