Heart of Europe River Cruise 2020

Saturday 13 June

Depart in the evening on Emirates Airlines for a direct flight to Dubai. Change planes for flight to the Czech capital Prague. 

Sunday 14 June

Arrive in Prague early afternoon and transfer to an inner city hotel for a two night stay.  Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Monday 15 June

Built more than 1000 years ago on seven hills, Prague today is magnificent city of beautiful architecture, lush green hills and graceful bridges. The sightseeing tour starts with a drive past Wenceslas Square, Strahov Stadium and Castle Square. A walking tour takes you to the Royal Castle of Hradcany, across Charles Bridge to the Old Quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, Town Hall and the world-famous Astronomical Clock.
◊ Special Evening: Tonight’s dinner includes a folklore performance at a popular national restaurant.

Tuesday 16 June

A leisurely morning to explore or relax before departing for the beautiful Saxony Baroque city of Dresden. Enjoy a short orientation tour viewing Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House on the way to hotel. Dinner at a local beer house.

Wednesday 17 June

Continue by coach through the German countryside to historic Berlin. Enjoy a sightseeing tour which features the infamous Berlin Wall, Schiller Theatre, Kaiser Wilhelm and Memorial Church before checking into your hotel.

Thursday 18 June

The morning sightseeing tour features the impressive Reichstag and Schloss Charlottenburg. Later enjoy a cruise along the River Spree between the Reichstag and Nikolai Quarter (Berlin’s oldest residential area). Dinner included.

Friday 19 June

After breakfast travel to Poznan for an orientation tour. Continue to Warsaw, the Polish capital and largest city for a two-night stay. Dinner at the hotel.

Saturday 20 June

This 700 year old city is a symbol of Polish nationhood with the will to survive against great odds. The sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous Royal route from magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park, the Palace of Science and Culture (The Wedding Cake’) and the Warsaw Getto. End with a walking to tour of the Old Town and a classical piano recital of Warsaw’s favourite son – Chopin.
◊ Special Evening: Tonight enjoy a traditional Polish dinner.

Sunday 21 June

Depart on a morning tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the notorious concentration camp from WWII and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue on to Krakow for a two night stay. Afternoon free to relax and explore at your leisure. Dinner at the hotel

Monday 22 June

A morning city tour includes a visit to Wawel Hill, Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Church and Schindler’s Museum. Afternoon free. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Tuesday 23 June

Drive across the rolling plains of Poland, passing the Tatra Mountains, through the Slovakian countryside into Hungary’s capital of Budapest.
Transfer to the ‘Avalon Impression’ for embarkation, settle into your stateroom and home for the next 14 nights. Enjoy a ‘Meet the Crew’ welcome reception in the evening. 

Wednesday 24 June

Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s liveliest cities. See the massive hilltop castle complex with its remarkable Fishermen’s Bastion and the city’s 11^th century eight bridges which connect ancient Buda on the right with Pest on the left. Free afternoon to shop, visit a café or walk one of the iconic bridges. Evening departure out of Budapest.

Thursday 25 June

After breakfast enjoy a guided walk of Bratislava with its fascinating Old Town of cobbled streets and alleyways. Afternoon free to explore on your own.

Friday 26 June

Arrive early morning in Vienna, known as the ‘City of Music’ and once the centre of the mighty Hapsburg Empire. Your guided tour includes many of the city highlights. An optional evening concert is available.

Saturday 27 June

After breakfast, join a guided walking tour where we hear tales of England’s King Richard the Lionheart. Later sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles and charming villages on the way to Melk for a guided tour of Benedictine Abbey (A UNESCO site).

Sunday 28 June

Passau is uniquely located where the Inn, Liz and Danube rivers converge. Today choose from two optional excursions:

a) Salzburg – taking in some of the Sound of Music sights or

b) Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic – a city on the Vitava River with its 13^th century castle. Alternatively, stay on the ship as you cruise into Passau. 

A guided walk of this charming town will take in a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses.

Monday 29 June

Located at the confluence of the Danube, Naab and Regen rivers, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and was the only German city not bombed during WWII. The walking tour highlights the best of the city.

Tuesday 30 June

Today we have three options to choose from:
a) Enjoy a sightseeing tour the Bavarian town of Roth with its half-timbered houses, market square and 1535 hunting lodge – Schloss Ratibor.
b) A tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic Cathedral and Kaiserburg Castle.
c) A tour of the historic Nuremburg Rally grounds used by the Third Reich.
In the afternoon relax on board as you cruise the Main – Danube Canal.

Wednesday 01 July

Your guided walking tour of medieval Bamberg – a World Heritage Site takes in the historic centre, winding streets and 18^th century mansions. Relax as you cruise along the Main River towards Wurzburg. 

Thursday 02 July

Wurzburg, surrounded by verdant hillside vineyards, is known as ‘The Pearl’ with its imposing fortress and 15^th century bridge. Your morning sightseeing tour includes visiting the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Afternoon free to explore the city.

Friday 03 July

On the banks of the Main River there are small towns, many of them tucked away behind walls and towered gates. Relax on board this morning as you sail along the tranquil Main River. An afternoon guided walk of a picturesque small town will acquaint you with the town’s delightful features.

Saturday 04 July

On your included morning shore excursion in attractive Rudesheim, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Later cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge where ancient castles stand sentry on lofty cliffs high above the river.

Sunday 05 July

Morning arrival in Cologne, one of Germany’s largest cities which straddles both sides of the Rhine and is known for its twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Choose between a guided city walk, or a Jewish heritage walk. Be sure to sample Kolsch beer – locally brewed for more than 100 years.

Monday 06 July

After arriving in Amsterdam, a unique perspective of the city on an included Canal Cruise, floating along the elegant grachten (canal) lined with stately homes.
Free time in the afternoon - you may like to join an optional cycling tour (weather permitting). 

Amsterdam, the Netherland’s sophisticated, 700 year-old capital, has elegant and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, a lively market place, canals and waterways and more than 400km of cycle paths.  

Tuesday 07 July

After breakfast we bid farewell to our floating home and disembark ‘Avalon Impression.’ Enjoy our city tour which includes the must-see the Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank’s House. Check into our hotel to refresh before our Farewell Dinner.

Wednesday 08 July

After breakfast a free day to explore the city and its environs.
Evening transfer to the airport for your flight to Dubai or continue with your European holiday.

Thursday 09 July

Arrive Dubai early morning, change planes for a mid-morning flight to New Zealand.

Friday 10 July

Arrive Auckland mid-morning

European add ons are available.