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Euroventure · Classic River Cruise

Danube and Rhine Grand River Cruise

Fifteen-day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on Danube and Rhine.

Illustration of Danube and Rhine Grand River Cruise

Euroventure's 15-day Danube and Rhine Grand River Cruise departs Budapest and arrives in Amsterdam, passing through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. The ship itself is home for all 14 nights; each day brings a new river stop and a choice of activities led by Adventure Hosts, hiking to medieval castle ruins, biking through wine regions, joining guided city walks of baroque palaces and Gothic cathedrals, or simply exploring on your own. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board with wine, beer or soft drinks at meals, and afternoon tea is daily. The itinerary emphasizes Central European culture and history: you tour Vienna's imperial complex, visit Melk Abbey in the Wachau Valley, cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei rock, and explore Cologne's ancient old city and Amsterdam's canals. An experienced local Tour Director accompanies the group throughout. This cruise suits experienced travelers 55 and above who want the comfort of a luxury ship, expert guidance, and the freedom to pursue optional excursions or relax on board as they prefer.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a river cruise, not a rail journey; train travel is not included in the base price. Euroventure offers optional rail transfers before and after separately.
  • All activities listed are optional; unguided free time is available at each stop.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Your Suite Ship is ready and awaiting your arrival. Flights into Budapest should arrive no later than 3:30pm; be on board the ship by 5pm.

  2. Day 2overnight: Onboard, overnight cruise to Bratislava

    Budapest

    Hike up to a viewpoint with your Adventure Host, or join a Guided City Sightseeing tour covering iconic spots including Heroes' Square. Spend the afternoon on optional guided tours or exploring on your own.

  3. Day 3overnight: Onboard, overnight cruise to Vienna

    Bratislava

    Admire views from Bratislava Castle or join a Guided Walking Tour of Old Town's cobblestone streets to the Town Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral. Option to ride a bicycle and picnic along the Danube.

  4. Day 4overnight: Onboard, overnight cruise to Durnstein

    Vienna

    Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, or take a morning Guided City Tour past the Vienna Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Imperial Palace Complex. Optional excursions to Schonbrunn Palace or Bratislava.

  5. Day 5overnight: Onboard, overnight cruise to Passau

    Durnstein

    Guided hike to castle ruins overlooking the village, Danube and Wachau Valley, with the legend of King Richard the Lionheart. Sail through the Wachau Valley to Melk, visiting the Benedictine Abbey on a Guided Tour, with a wine tasting on board.

  6. Day 6overnight: Cruise to Regensburg

    Passau

    Guided city walk of Passau, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet. Optional excursions to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov, or a more relaxed cruise to Linz.

  7. Day 7overnight: Cruise to Roth

    Regensburg

    Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, or join a Guided City Walk of the Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria. Optional excursion to the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg.

  8. Day 8overnight: Cruise to Bamberg

    Roth/Nuremberg

    Explore Roth's Lauter Valley or take a guided sightseeing tour of Roth's half-timbered houses and market square. Optional guided tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, Kaiserburg Castle, or the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds. Onboard lecture about the Main-Danube Canal.

  9. Day 9overnight: Cruise to Volkach

    Bamberg

    Explore 'The City of Seven Hills' by bike or foot with your Adventure Host, or take a guided walking tour highlighting the Romanesque cathedral and Old Town Hall.

  10. Day 10overnight: Cruise to Miltenberg

    Wurzburg

    Guided sightseeing tour of Wurzburg's Old Main Bridge, towering fortress and baroque Bishop's Residenz with its ceiling fresco, or visit a local winery.

  11. Day 11overnight: Cruise to Rudesheim

    Miltenberg

    Adventure Host activities on the Main River. Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg's medieval half-timber homes and Germany's oldest inn, or ride a bike through villages on the Main River.

  12. Day 12overnight: Cruise to Cologne

    Rhine Gorge

    Morning cruise through the Rhine Gorge past the famous Lorelei rock. Open-air cable car to the Niederwald Monument, or visit the Mechanical Music Museum.

  13. Day 13overnight: Onboard, overnight cruise to Amsterdam

    Cologne

    Adventure Host activities including a bike ride, a guided walking tour of Cologne's Jewish heritage sites, or the classic Guided City Walk of the Old City and its gothic cathedral.

  14. Day 14overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Early morning walk with your Adventure Host or a guided canal cruise along Amsterdam's iconic waterways. Optional culinary walk, biking tour, or excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills.

  15. Day 15

    Amsterdam

    Cruise concludes with breakfast. Disembark and collect belongings from your cabin.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Hike to a viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, or join a guided city tour covering Heroes' Square and other famous sites.
  • Day 5Climb to Durnstein castle ruins overlooking the Danube and Wachau Valley, then visit Melk's Benedictine Abbey with a wine tasting on board.
  • Day 12Cruise through the Rhine Gorge past the famous Lorelei rock; take an open-air cable car to the Niederwald Monument or visit the Mechanical Music Museum.
  • Day 14Explore Amsterdam's 700-year-old canals by guided cruise, or join optional biking tours and visits to historic windmills at Zaanse Schans.

Included

  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
  • Peace of mind with alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption
  • An experienced and local Tour Director to travel with you throughout
  • Daily a la carte breakfast with classic breakfast items, Avalon Fresh options and daily specials
  • Daily lunch buffet featuring regional specialties, classic dishes and rotating chef's features
  • Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats and sandwiches
  • Welcome and farewell cocktails with sparkling wine and canapes
  • Fresh fruit available throughout the day
  • Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
  • Fitness and wellness activities

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
No. This is a river cruise on the Danube and Rhine. Euroventure can arrange optional first-class rail transfers to and from the cruise start and end cities separately.
What is included in the price?
All accommodation on the ship, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, welcome and farewell cocktails, an experienced local Tour Director, and Adventure Host activities.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
Escorted. An experienced local Tour Director travels with you throughout. Adventure Hosts lead optional activities at each stop, and you may also explore independently.
Which cities does the cruise visit?
Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Miltenberg, Rudesheim, Cologne, and Amsterdam over 15 days.
When does this cruise depart?
Euroventure offers nine departures from May through October 2026.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
Daily optional activities include guided city walks, hikes (such as to Durnstein castle ruins), and biking excursions. Independent exploration of cities is always available, and all activities are optional.

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